El Salvador’s Ilamatepec volcano is the highest stratovolcano in the country. This colossal volcano is located in the western part of the Salvadoran territory, and it rises more than 2,400 meters above sea level, making it the highest in the country.
Climbing the Santa Ana Volcano is one of the most beautiful things to do in El Salvador. The panoramic views are simply breathtaking. Hiking the Santa Ana volcano will put you in touch with nature.
VOLCÁN DE SANTA ANA - ILAMATEPEC - Volcanes de El Salvador. Foto por ElSalvadorViajar.
Venture to the summit of one of the most impressive peaks in El Salvador.
Santa Ana – Ilamatepec volcano facts
| Country: | El Salvador |
|---|---|
| Department: | Santa Ana |
| Topic: | Volcanoes, Volcanoes Route |
| Elevation: | 2381m |
| Schedule: | 8h to 17h |
| Climbing schedule: | Every day at 9 a.m. |
| Price: | 3$ general public, $2 guide |
Location of the Santa Ana volcano – Ilamatepec
On the ascent to the Santa Ana volcano, you will pass through three different types of forests. The hike will start in a cloud forest, where you can relax in the shade of the dense flora. The walk will continue through terrain with modest vegetation, such as bushes and agaves until the second half of the hike. Finally, it is possible to contemplate a spectacular view of the Salvadoran territory in an eroded terrain with little vegetation.
The last time the majestic Santa Ana volcano erupted was in 2005.
Location, Origin and History
The spectacular Santa Ana Volcano is located in the department of the same name, approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes from the city of Santa Ana and 65 kilometers from the capital, San Salvador.
With an extension of 2.273 hectares, it is part of the Apaneca mountain range, where the Izalco and Cerro Verde volcanoes are also found, which, together with this Salvadoran colossus, make up the Volcanoes Complex or Route.
Its crater has a circumference of about 15 km in diameter, at the bottom of which you can see a fantastic sulfur lagoon, with an approximate temperature of 25ºC, which increases in the active fumaroles of the volcano.
The Ilamatepec or Cerro Padre, in nahuatl language, received the names of Volcán de los Izalcos, Volcán de Fuego and Volcán de Sonsonate, during the colonial period.
Its geological antecedents date back 2 million years, when there has been a series of varied and irregular eruptions, the last being those of 1904, 1920, and 2005, considered the most destructive.
During this unfortunate event, volcanic activity devastated crops and vegetation in the area, including the villages. In addition to expelling large amounts of ash and large rocks, it caused an avalanche of hot water that forced the evacuation of the area.
Although the number of fatalities was minimal, the authorities suspended all activities, including tourism, for more than a year, as it was still active.
Climate, flora, and fauna
The weather around Santa Ana Volcano, on an average day, is usually fresh and delightful, with temperatures between 16°C and 24°C (61°F and 75°F).
However, weather change can be noticed at its summit due to the altitude and winds, even more if it is a cloudy day. In the same way, at dawn or dusk, when the sun’s rays diminish, the temperature drops noticeably between 6°C and 8°C.
The extensive area of Ilamatepec contains more than 125 species of trees in its three ecosystems, getting in the areas with lava flow, lichens, grasses, agaves, and lycopods, as well as trees such as wax wood, pinabete, and sapuyulo, all in contrast to orchids and bromeliads.
Meanwhile, in the paramo zone, there are some unique plant species in this territory, with broad, soft, and flattened leaves since they have hairs due to their adaptation to the strong winds and sulfurous gases that come out of the volcano.
Monitoring its fauna, which is smaller than its flora, allows the sighting of reptiles and amphibians. Also, you could find mammals such as deer, coyotes, ocelots, and the spiny fox, as well as birds of prey such as the short-tailed hawk, mountain hawk, and black eagle.
Recommendations for your visit
- Visits to the Santa Ana Volcano should be made in the company of a tour guide and a local POLITUR police officer, following their suggestions and regulations to avoid complications.
- Using sunscreen or sunblock, caps or hats, and sunglasses is advisable.
- It is essential to wear loose and fresh clothing, although it is not exaggerated to wear a sweater or sweater, anticipating low temperatures.
- If the ascent occurs during the rainy season, it is necessary to carry a poncho or raincoat.
- Footwear should be comfortable and suitable for hiking or mountaineering.
- A container with plenty of water and some light snacks should not be missing.
- Another essential item for the trip is a camera, cash for the entrance fee, and a tip for the guide in charge while climbing the volcano.
The best time to visit Ilamatepec is during May, June, October, November, and December, avoiding the rainy season if possible.
Activities we can perform
For lovers of trekking and hiking, the Santa Ana Volcano is the ideal tourist destination to drain the stress of the city and venture on a journey as enjoyable as fascinating.
During the ascent, some viewpoints offer amazing views of Coatepeque Lake until you reach the top of the volcano, where the panoramic views of the city of Santa Ana and its surroundings are postcards.
Not to mention those obtained from the Izalco Volcano and Cerro Verde, already at the heights of the majestic Ilamatepec, to appreciate the beautiful lagoon resting at the bottom of its crater, with its emerald and sulfurous waters between bubbling fumaroles, a spectacle.
And without a doubt, birdwatchers and naturalist photographers will also find the right environment for their hobby during the hike to Santa Ana, which takes between 1 hour and 1h 30 min, depending mainly on the pace and physical conditions in which we find ourselves for this feat.
Prices and visiting hours
- The entrance fee to the Santa Ana Volcano is $ 1.50 for Salvadoreans, and foreign tourists must pay $3.
- Children under 6 and seniors over 60 years old can enter for free.
- Admission hours are from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Nearby places to visit
If you want to continue enjoying other tours around the Santa Ana Volcano, you can visit the Izalco Volcano, 1.7 kilometers away.
Also, the Cerro Verde National Park is about 2.6 kilometers away; without a doubt, we recommend visiting the city of Santa Ana, 19 kilometers away by road.
In short, planning an excursion to the Santa Ana Volcano and reaching the height of this fantastic titan, which is still active, is a pleasant experience that everyone who visits El Salvador must live and certainly repeat.
