If you still do not know the most beautiful tourist sites of El Salvador, do not miss the opportunity to visit and learn about the Cerro Verde National Park. Here you will enjoy a fascinating landscape that you will not forget.
This national park is an extinct volcano, which has to offer those who visit it a beautiful trail, viewpoints, and a wonderful orchid garden. Cerro Verde is ideal for those who enjoy the beauty of birds, vegetation, and the passivity of a misty climate.
CERRO VERDE - Hills of El Salvador. Photo by @jorg_antoni.28 via Twenty20.
On the other hand, this park is in Santa Ana’s Department, right in the Apaneca mountain range. The inhabitants also know of the Salvadoran town as Cuntetepeque.
Its height reaches 2,030 meters above sea level, and its crater, eroded more than 25 thousand years ago, is covered by a dense cloud forest.
Enjoy all the tourist options this impressive mountain has for you, and let yourself be captivated by its beauty and majesty.
Cerro Verde Data
| Country: | El Salvador |
|---|---|
| Department: | Santa Ana |
| Category: | Hills |
| Route: | Route of the Volcanoes |
| Elevation: | 2,030 meters |
| Price: | $1, Salvadorans $3 foreigners |
Location of Cerro Verde
Origin and history Cerro Verde
Cerro Verde National Park is located 77 kilometers from the country’s capital, San Salvador. It was founded under the guidance of Don Raul Contreras, opening its doors to the public in 1955.
Cerro Verde is part of the Volcanoes Route in El Salvador, which has made it the main area for environmental conservation in the country.
Thanks to the support of the Salvadoran Institute of Tourism, ISTU, Cerro Verde has a corps of tour guides that offer visitors, whether local or foreign, a dynamic and educational explanation about the Natural Kingdom found there.
Developed This initiative to involve all the people who live and come to know the hill. To educate, motivate and promote a different activity among young people and adults. Start from the enjoyment of the natural beauties of this crucial natural reserve.
Since this tour guide project began in December 2002, many changes have been seen. In this way, the project has successfully innovated how the natural advantages offered by Cerro Verde are made known.
Finally, Cerro Verde stands out for its interpretive trails, mystical flowers, and the old Mountain Hotel. Its Izalco and Santa Ana volcanoes are located at 1980 and 2381 meters above sea level, respectively. In addition to its modern sanitary services, its varied cafeteria, and much more.
Climate, Flora and Fauna
The climate offered by Cerro Verde is, without a doubt, one of its strongest attractions. The weather can range from 16 to 22 degrees Celsius on a sunny day. But nightfall can drop to 6 degrees Celsius, so many people decide to camp in this incredible country area.
On the other hand, it has a cloudy climate in the months from May to October, which allows us to see scattered showers in the area. While in October to January, there can be freezing temperatures, unlike the rest of the year.
As for the flora, it has an extensive plant formation consisting of cloud forests. They are exuberant, of striking green, and with great fog.
The latter is responsible for preserving the vitality of its forests. Its most evident characteristic is the aroma of cypress and pine, among other trees in the area.
For its part, the fauna presents Cerro Verde as an ideal place to take refuge, allowing us to see more than 217 species of birds. Among them, we can find the mud skirt, whose scientific name is Myadestes Unicolor Veraepacis.
This beautiful bird stands out for its unusual song, so it is among the five birds with the best singing trill in the world. Also, we will observe the presence of numerous amphibians, reptiles, and a great variety of insects, among which we cannot miss the strange giant butterfly.
Activities you can do in Cerro Verde
Cerro Verde National Park offers lovers of long walks in the open air access to the summit of the three volcanoes found in the area. Safe hiking through the pass is enabled with a paved road.
You can enjoy trails, viewpoints, the Mountain Hotel, orchid gardens, and the cafeteria from the Tourist Center. A route that will take you to other courses to get to know two volcanoes close to Cerro Verde.
In the same way, you will find alternatives for the enjoyment of the little ones. A unique area for children’s games, trails to move through the trees, and unusual vegetation.
For the most versatile and daring, there are the trails to the volcanoes of Ilamatepec and Izalco. A perfect place to clear your mind and relax lying in a hammock.
Finally, in the surroundings of Cerro Verde, there is a camping area, or if you prefer, you can stay in one of the private cabins. Here you will have at your disposal everything you need to spend a nice, calm, and beautiful night in the mountains.
How to get there?
If you have already decided to embark on your adventure trip and wish to visit the beautiful Cerro Verde, we assure you that the journey will not be too difficult. You can get there by private vehicle from the Santa Ana highway to Sonsonante. The road is in excellent condition and does not represent any danger for you or your family.
If you don’t have private transportation, don’t worry. You can get to Cerro Verde on bus route 258, which will take you directly from Santa Ana to Cerro Verde National Park. Or you can take this route in the municipality of El Congo if you are in central El Salvador.
The first departures of this route are at 7:40 am and take about an hour and a half from the Santa Ana Center. Likewise, the last release from Cerro Verde is at 4:00 in the afternoon. The fare to Cerro Verde is $0.90.
Prices and schedules
If you decide to visit Cerro Verde, consider that the opening hours are from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. But after 4 o’clock, you can still enjoy a delicious coffee in the area until 6:30 in the afternoon.
The general entrance fees to visit this National Park are as follows:
- Adults, $1.50.
- The entrance is completely free for children under five and adults over 60 years old.
- Tourists from other countries pay $3.00 regardless of age.
Remember to take precautions and wear comfortable shoes and warm clothes.
Nearby places to visit
In short, Cerro Verde National Park is one of the most exuberant and beautiful tourist sites in El Salvador. If you are looking for peace, harmony, and a healthy environment, Cerro Verde is ideal for you.
This natural paradise also offers other nearby places that you cannot miss, such as its beautiful restaurants:
- La Octava Maravilla Restaurant & Bar
- Rancho Alegre
- Solsticio
And of course beautiful natural places like:
A perfect destination for the whole family and those who love nature activities.
