We travel to Salvadoran lands to continue to know its natural charms. We undertake a tour of the Lagoons of El Salvador, places surrounded by a captivating landscape that catches us with its magic and undeniable beauty, an unrepeatable experience.
More than 30 lagoons of different types and sizes are distributed throughout its geography, inviting us to discover them while we enjoy our stay.
LAGOONS OF EL SALVADOR - Guides of El Salvador. Photo by gquinonez via Pixabay.
In addition to contemplating them, we can take advantage of the fascinating environment to relax. As well as taste the delicious dishes offered by local establishments and practice some of the sports preferred by ecotourism lovers, hiking, or various water activities, among many scenarios that are presented while we explore their surroundings.
This time we will walk through the different departments to find the 20 most beautiful and impressive lagoons of the Tom Thumb of America, this small but amazing Central American country.
San Miguel Department
Olomega Lagoon
This beautiful lagoon, graciously located between the departments of San Miguel and La Union, receives as a depository the fresh waters of the Rio Grande de San Miguel, reaching at certain times of the year to depths of 2.90 meters in its considerable extension.
Among the lagoons of El Salvador, the Olomega Lagoon is one of the most visited because, in its surroundings, you can go hiking, biking, bird watching, or recreate the content of flora and fauna within its plant area. It is trendy in high season due to its fame among tourists.
El Jocotal Lagoon
Recommended among the 20 lagoons of El Salvador for its great conservationist importance, being the first to be declared a Ramsar Protected Natural Area, the beautiful lagoon of El Jocotal is in the municipality of El Tránsito.
With an extension of about 500 blocks, this body of water also stands out for its animal and plant biodiversity and is a large water reservoir. Its main attraction is the paddle boat rides, although it can also take walks along its shores.
Aramuaca Lagoon
The mysterious Aramuaca Lagoon is about 10 kilometers from the town of San Miguel and about 2 hours from San Salvador.
Of volcanic origin, like other lagoons of El Salvador, and famous for the legends woven around it since it does not receive its waters from any tributary nor discharge them into other tributaries. It is considered one of the smallest concentrations of water in the country.
San Juan Lagoon
Officially called Lagoon of San Juan, you will find it in the San Miguel municipality. It is essential for its great variety of typical plant species and its productivity of 5 species of fish. Of tiny dimension, with only 1 kilometer and a half of extension and little depth, it is a place only destined to visit and admire among the different lagoons of El Salvador.
Chilanguera Lagoon
The Chilanguera Lagoon, called Lagoon de Agua Caliente by the locals, is located in the municipality of Chirilagua. Despite its small size, 0.09 square kilometers, it is still considered a lagoon, but the denomination is supported by maintaining a depth of 30 centimeters. Like some lagoons of El Salvador, this one belongs to the Natural Protected Area El Jocotal, under systems of protection.
Ahuachapán Department
Apaneca Green Lagoon
Also known as Green Lagoon (verde), this is a high-impact tourist destination you can visit if you visit the municipality of Ahuachapán, where it is located.
Its main attraction is plant and animal biodiversity, including birds, reptiles, and mammals. Ideal for enjoying walks, vehicle rides, and picnics with the family group.
Del Llano or El Espino lagoon
Also called by the local inhabitants as Lago de Las Espinas or Lago Plateado, it has become an important tourist destination among the lagoons of El Salvador, where visitors are attracted by the exciting legends and myths surrounding it. The abundance of herons and other animal species and its beautiful vegetation make it a place not to be missed.
Las Ninfas Lagoon
The beautiful Las Ninfas lagoon, which owes its name to an aquatic species on the water, is located in an alternate crater to the volcano of that locality.
To enjoy its 600 square meters of extension, you must travel to an altitude of 1640 meters above sea level. Like other lagoons of El Salvador, its tourist attraction is of a naturalistic type, for the great variety of ferns, orchids, and diverse arboreal species.
El Bijahual Lagoon
Suppose you decide to go to the municipality of San Francisco Menéndez. In that case, you should take the opportunity to visit El Bijahual Lagoon, one of the lagoons of El Salvador, where you can contemplate and admire its natural beauty. It was formerly known as El Tular and Gamboa lagoon, being its main attraction for observing wildlife, including otters, lizards, and alligators.
San Vicente Department
Apastepeque Lagoon
Discover in your next vacation trip the Apastepeque Lagoon, one of the most visited lagoons of El Salvador, located next to the Apastepeque Lagoon Recreational Park.
Just 15 minutes from the city of San Vicente, this volcanic lagoon offers all the comforts to enjoy as a couple or with the family since you will find comfortable tourist facilities surrounded by tropical vegetation that provides an atmosphere of freshness to the place. It has a beach area, a swimming pool, a dock that floats inside the lagoon, and a wonderful boardwalk, ideal for contemplating the scenery of the park.
Ciega Lagoon
Finding Ciega lagoon or la Ciénaga is not difficult since it is only 300 meters from the aforementioned Apastepeque lagoon in the municipality of Santa Clara. It is one of the lagoons of El Salvador covered by aquatic plants on its entire surface. Also, it is classified as a lagoon due to the decrease in its water mirror and depths. Its tourist importance is limited to walks and hikes in its surroundings.
La Bruja or Chalhuapa Lagoon
You will find an exceptional tourist alternative among the lagoons of El Salvador in your visit to La Bruja lagoon, whose interesting legend about its formation, the little existing pollution, the relaxing baths, and its unique beauty invite many visitors. Hiking and fishing are activities to enjoy, and this beautiful water mirror is close to the Apastepeque Lagoon and 1 km. from the village of Las Calderitas.
Santa Ana Department
Metapan Lagoon
A fantastic experience awaits you when you visit the Metapan Lagoon, located in the municipality of the same name, where you will enjoy its flora and fauna, besides the pictorial beauty of its waters.
This lagoon, neighbor of the Güija Lake, offers us a maximum of 16 kilometers of rest, boat rides, and walks, including observing the fabulous surrounding vegetation. Within the group of lagoons of El Salvador, it is an excellent tourist destination that you can choose for your next vacation.
Cuzcachapa Lagoon
To let yourself be caught by nature in its maximum expression, take a trip to one of the most beautiful lagoons of El Salvador, located 77 kilometers from San Salvador. The 360 meters-long and 11 meters deep Cuscachapa Lagoon is hugely welcoming for rest, boat rides, jogging, or fishing.
Usulután Department
Alegria Lagoon
Located a short distance from the city of Usulután and deposited inside the crater of the Tecapa volcano, you can’t miss a trip to the Alegría Lagoon, also known as the Esmeralda of Usulután.
In addition to enjoying its sulfurous waters, there are other tourist attractions you can access by motor vehicle through 2 different roads, tours, and guided tours. An unmissable visit on the tour of the most picturesque lagoons of El Salvador.
Palo Galán Lagoon
Just steps away from the city of Usulután, on the road to the coast, you will find the Palo Galán Lagoon, which consists of 2 pools fed by a natural water spring. There is a large influx of visitors during the weekends. There you will enjoy comfortable and clean facilities, where you will share baths with the fish that live inside the pools.
Department of La Unión
El Pilon Lagoon
Among other lagoons of El Salvador, the El Pilon lagoon, located in the municipality of Conchagua, offers tourists a water mirror of 0.37 km2 of extension, with waters ranging in depth between 4 and 15 meters depending on the season. Among its attractions are hiking and some fishing activities.
Los Negritos Lagoon
We get this peaceful and beautiful body of water among the many lagoons of El Salvador. It’s in Conchagua, extends over an area of 1.01 km2, and has depths of between 4 and 8 meters. The tourist attractions that can develop in it are limited to hiking and artisanal fishing, respecting the closed seasons.
La Libertad Department
Chanmico Lagoon
With very crystalline and cold waters, we find the Chanmico Lagoon, located in the municipality of San Juan Opico. Of little tourist affluence, this heart-shaped natural beauty is part of the natural area under protection called Playón Grande to preserve its 0.78 km2 extension and up to 60 meters deep. Its name in Náhuat means Place of the Dead, although the surrounding people call it Espejo de Agua (Water Mirror).
La Paz Department
Nahualapa Lagoon
Under the jurisdiction of the municipality of El Rosario is the Nahualapa Lagoon, on which conservation and recovery activities have been developed, where in addition, your contribution as a naturalist and ecological tourist can be of importance. It has an estimated area of 0.28 Km2 and a maximum depth of 6 meters during the rainy season. Fans of artisanal fishing will find up to 8 different species of fish and one species of mollusks, as well as sighting of the natural areas surrounding it, making it one of the most interesting among the group of lagoons of El Salvador.
Tips when visiting the Lagoons of El Salvador
When visiting any of the lagoons of El Salvador that you choose for your tour, it is advisable to follow the following tips and precautions for the benefit of your stay:
- You need to wear light and fresh clothing, closed footwear suitable for hiking and climbing, caps and hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, or sunblock.
- Bring at least 1.5 to 2 liters of drinking water, snacks, light food, fruits, sweets, and cookies.
- Always carry plastic bags to accumulate the polluting waste of the environment that we move, remove them, and leave the places we visit in a perfect state of cleanliness.
- Comply with the prohibitions on entering the waters of the lagoons, especially where fauna could be aggressive.
- It is essential to only light fires and bonfires if there is an authorization from those responsible for the care of the area to be visited.
- In all these places, it is recommended to be accompanied by guides and tourist police to go on guided hikes. In addition, the particular regulations must have strictly complied with it. Very few places allow access with vehicles.
- Obtain the corresponding permits issued by the authorities to enter or carry out certain activities in the different areas.
- In many of these lagoons, a reasonably modest payment is required for access to the facilities. Parking of motor vehicles or collaboration with the tour guides who work there, so it is essential to be provided with cash for the cancellation of these and other services.
The Lagoons de El Salvador offer you one of the most rewarding tourist experiences, both for its unparalleled beauty and the entertainment and pleasure activities you can enjoy in many of them.
We invite you to include them in your plan if you visit El Salvador since you will undoubtedly take a memorable souvenir of this Central American land and its extraordinary natural scenery.
