77. Plenty of curiosities around Santa Ana

Activities around the Santa Ana volcano
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- In this article, I want to convince you that the area around Santa Ana is a must-see during a stay in El Salvador! A minimum of three days is enough to discover the main sights of El Salvador. Get ready for the trip!
The Santa Ana volcano
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- This volcano is active and constantly emits light gray smoke, which is then swept away by the strong wind that blows at the top. The volcano also has a splendid lake, emerald green in its crater.
- https://youtu.be/l6julUXogss
- It is imposed to climb this volcano with a guide and a policeman. We found this approach futile and inadequate. Let's admit it: there is no more problem of security, since policemen have been patrolling the area for more than ten years, the thugs have had time to go elsewhere. The guide gives us little information for a group of thirty people (it seems that there can be up to two hundred tourists per group), his role is to go in front and indicate the very well marked path to the summit. Oops, I forgot the one dollar tip for each of these two protagonists.
- During the ascent, we have a breathtaking view of the lake of Coatepeque, the volcano Izalco and the Cerro Verde (green mountain).
- https://youtu.be/4JsGlf-BtHA
- There is a path around the entrance of the park. When the bus stops in front of the Ilamatepec volcano sign (the Mayan name for the volcano), just walk down two hundred meters to a parking lot in the grass. On the side of the volcano, on the left, there is a path that climbs quietly towards the volcano. Follow this path (there may be wildlife in these trails not frequented by tourists) and arrive at an intersection where three paths cross:
- - on the right, the road is blocked and goes east
- - on the left, the road goes to the entrance of the park
- - then climb for a hundred meters on the side of the mountain until you reach a path that leads to the park
- A screenshot and annotated photos are present in the gallery to help you find your way!
Volcano Izalco and Cerro Verde
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- The volcano Izalco is a volcano at rest now, but still not extinct. For a long time it was called the "lighthouse of the Pacific", because of its almost permanent eruption during two hundred years. Today it is one of the symbols of the country and can be climbed via Cerro Verde.
- The Cerro Verde is, in addition to being a giant hill, a national park with more than 125 species of trees and animals (coyotes, foxes, deer, tiger cats, falcons and eagles, reptiles, ...)
The lake of Coatepeque
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- The lake of Coatepeque takes place in a caldera, that is to say a circular depression, taking the place of a volcanic crater when it is completely emptied. The result is a huge (26 square kilometers) expanse of navy blue water surrounded by green peaks of vegetation, containing an island named Teopan and warmed by the sun all day! An idyllic place!
Los Naranjos
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- It is a mountain range unknown to tourists. However, there are beautiful ascents to make and a nice view of the valley.
Chalchuapa
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- Already mentioned in the previous article, the sites of the city of Chalchuapa, like the Tazumal or here the lake Cuzcachapa, are completely worth a day visit.
- https://youtu.be/uRdghJa2ZL8
The road of flowers
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- Located between Ahuachapan and Nahuizalco, this road is dotted with a multitude of beautiful flowers, visible in all seasons. Some will tell you to avoid the summer, that is to say the European winter. We went there at the end of January and we observed our fill of flora (to the point of publishing an article with all these flowers). Let's also see the cities we passed through!
The Ausoles of Ahuachapan
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- The city exploits the geothermal energy, particularly powerful in this zone. Close to the geothermal power station is a field full of openings from which sulphurized gases come out. It is advised not to get too close! In videos:
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpkaK0yJ22OyYOeLszvTigonLikQa6WzO
The handicraft of Concepción de Ataco
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- This is a pretty town making good use of tourism, to sell beautiful handicrafts. We also admired the beautiful paintings on the facades of the houses.
- There are also several viewpoints that offer simple views of the city. They are not necessarily worth the detour.
The flowers of Apaneca
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- It is around Apaneca that we found the richest and most interesting flora. The walk from the village to the mirador is worth it, in spite of the motorists who drive like crazy on the road. After having contemplated all the possible colors of flowers, the massif of the volcanoes of the north of El Salvador offers itself to us!
Laguna verde
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- This green lake is accessible in two hours of walking or there is the possibility to rent motorized vehicles. The path is not the most extraordinary and the possibility to succeed in hitchhiking is rather low, I recommend the second solution.
- The lake is beautiful, but not greener than any other. We preferred the walk around the lake, which takes half an hour, to the boat ride.
- The most memorable moment was when a kid discovered a snake in the roadside and tried to kill it by throwing stones at its head. After a dozen attempts, a man grabbed the animal with a stick and saved it by sending it into the woods.
- https://youtu.be/JriGK7W7DiE
Juayúa
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- This is a city not to be missed. First of all because the city is nice and very lively on weekends, as this picture of the city center shows. But also...
Reptilandia
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- This park in Juayúa offers the possibility to be nose-to-nose with snakes, geckos, mygales, turtles, chameleons, iguanas, toads and fish. We appreciate the windows between us and them!
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpkaK0yJ22Oxn4iiMAa3sIf7fFeFLzIkN
- The cleaning of the pythons is done in his cage:
- https://youtu.be/ztzG5utwNKA
The falls of the Calera
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- Beautiful waterfalls near Juayúa, where you can swim and even follow water tunnels that lead to the previous waterfall or a window that overlooks nowhere...
Salcoatitán
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- That Sunday, Rodrigo, who hosted us via Couchsurfing, gave a hula hoop performance.
- https://youtu.be/w-3Ifu-hUEA
- It's the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the local culture in this city which is a good stop for a lunch break. Come on, more Mexican music!
- https://youtu.be/oLQAwhinI0Q
Nahuizalco
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- The last city has a night market and a lively downtown. I recommend the walk in the center during the evening. We did not have time to see the Golondrina waterfalls and other tourist activities in the city.
Alternatives further away
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- Further away from this area is El Impossible Park, a natural area protected by its isolation. Also, there is the town of Sonsonate, which we quickly saw its cattle show and the beach of Los Cobanos. The latter, in photo, is well isolated and it is possible to swim to the reefs or simply to relax on the beach! In video, the flight of a commando of pelicans which passed above our heads.
- https://youtu.be/lmpw1KIMv7M
Add the Santa Ana region to your itinerary!
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- With all these activities, it's hard to get bored in this area. There is something for everyone!

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