We travel to the heart of Central America to discover one of the region’s most unique and captivating tourist attractions, the waterfalls of El Salvador, and the natural wonders that this small and fascinating country offers us.
Hundreds of tourists visit these dazzling waterfalls throughout its territory every year, attracted by the scene they offer and the surrounding landscape. Stunning landscapes are ideal for practicing ecological and adventure tourism and are appropriate for renewing the body, mind, and spirit.
WATERFALLS OF EL SALVADOR. Photo by ElSalvadorViajar.
Here we will make an exciting tour of those departments where we find these extraordinary Salvadoran treasures, the 20 most beautiful and impressive waterfalls of the Thumb of America.
Incredible places to enjoy nature and refresh ourselves. Delicious waters of the pools amidst the pleasant sound of these fantastic waterfalls.
La Libertad Department
San Antonio Falls
One of the most famous waterfalls in El Salvador. A tourist destination for national and foreign adventurers.
It is estimated that its waters fall from an unusual height of almost 50 meters, which, together with the fauna and flora surrounding it, instantly seduces those who visit it.
Tamanique Waterfalls
We are in front of a fantastic set of 7 waterfalls ranging from 10 to 40 meters, surrounded by large boulders that, in turn, form exquisite wells that invite you to bathe.
Tamanique waterfalls are a must on a visit to the waterfalls of El Salvador. La Libertad’s department is the perfect place to practice mountain tourism.
La Pilona Waterfall
About 4km from the town of Huizúcar, through a wooded path and some cornfields, we reach La Pilona, one of the waterfalls of El Salvador with greater depth in the area.
With a low waterfall we discovered this waterfall, also called La Pila, a beautiful natural pool that seems to be sculpted by hand, like a swimming pool.
Department of Morazán
Arambala Waterfalls: Las Pilas and La Olomina
This pair of waterfalls is famous for the beautiful landscapes crossed during the journey, where more relaxed environments complement arid areas.
The journey begins in La Poza la Culebra, on a 2km route that leads us to the Olomina waterfall, the highest waterfall; further on and following the hike, we come across the Las Pilas waterfall.
Its waters are considered the cleanest and most crystalline of all the waterfalls in El Salvador.
Salto del Perol Waterfall
Located in the municipality of Perquín and within the Salto El Perol Tourist Center, it has an unparalleled climate and natural landscapes and a waterfall of about 30 meters high, a spectacle for the visitor.
Undoubtedly, Salto del Perol is one of the most attractive waterfalls in El Salvador, not to mention that it is also part of the Peace Route in the department of Morazán.
El Chorrerón de San Fernando Waterfall
In this tour of the waterfalls of El Salvador, we can not miss a visit to the waterfall El Chorrerón de San Fernando and enjoy a bath with its pool 5m deep while we contemplate its splendid fall to more than 30m high.
The site can be easily reached by car, preferably a high vehicle, and then take a 15-minute hike to the waterfall.
El Cañón Waterfall
Visiting this waterfall is sensational, a unique and unforgettable sight that we find among the most visited waterfalls in El Salvador.
Indeed, arriving at the waterfall and observing the large block of stone surrounded by a dense pine forest and then admiring its highest waterfall, the 60 meters, where it seems time has not passed, has no comparison.
The access road to the waterfall El Cañón is quite intricate, so it is recommended only for extreme hikers. Hiring a tour guide to access this paradisiacal place is also essential.
Department of Ahuachapán
Don Juan Waterfalls
This splendorous waterfall, another of the most recognized among the waterfalls of El Salvador, offers a parallel view of 2 twin waterfalls surrounded by lush vegetation.
Part of the Route of the Flowers, with a height of 35 meters and a beautiful swimming pool, the Don Juan waterfalls are ideal for ecotourism.
They are located within private land, so a small fee is charged for access, including guide service, while lunch is offered on weekends at a nearby restaurant. However, in the waterfalls, there are natural spaces on the rocks, enabled for picnics.
Waterfalls of El Imposible National Park
Within one of the largest national parks in the country, in the department of Ahuachapán, are the seven waterfalls of El Imposible National Park, internationally known, with different heights and always crowded by eco-tourists, hikers, backpackers, and bird and insect watchers.
It is an excellent destination if you like to venture into totally natural landscapes, as it is an environmentally protected area.
Among the whole group of waterfalls in El Salvador, we dare to place it as one of the most recommended places to visit on your trip to these Salvadoran lands.
Malacatiupan Waterfalls
One of the most paradisiacal places we can visit is this waterfall formed by three streams of water, naturally divided by rocks.
As if that were not enough, it is thermal waters, a unique case within the waterfalls of El Salvador that we present here. And the fact is that the waters of Salto de Malacatiupán end up resting in a well, deep enough to dive and swim in its turquoise waters.
The height of the fall exceeds 12 meters, surrounded by exquisite vegetation.
Department of Sonsonate
Chorros de la Calera
One of the most famous waterfalls of El Salvador is this great wall of rocks through which endless streams of crystalline water flow down and accumulate in shallow pools.
Its formation is due to the earthquake that struck El Salvador in 2001. It is a waterfall with a little more than 20 meters and an ideal place to attend with the whole family. Because it is on private land, it is open to the public only on weekends.
The Golondrinera
In your itinerary of places to visit in El Salvador, you should not miss La Golondrinera Waterfall, an outstanding tourist destination located in the department of Sonsonate.
This formidable waterfall that exceeds 40 meters high has become one of the waterfalls of El Salvador that attracts the most significant volume of tourists each year.
Getting to this magical place will require a walk of about 3 hours, during which you will be delighted with the unimaginable fauna and flora.
El Escuco Waterfall
For lovers of extreme sports, this tourist area offers unrepeatable experiences such as the practice of rappeling or autonomous descent into the waterfall.
El Escuco, 80 meters high, is one of the ten best waterfalls in El Salvador. It is easy to access since we only need to travel one kilometer to enter a paradise of transparent waters, pure air, intense green vegetation, and the pleasant chirping of birds.
Department of Usulatán
Salto del Brujo Waterfall
With this particular name, we arrive at one of the most challenging waterfalls in El Salvador to access, although it is the favorite of those who enjoy adventure tourism.
In this imposing double waterfall 30 meters high, we will see how the current has divided the mountain into a couple of hills, forming a small turquoise well to enjoy to the fullest after overcoming the different obstacles in the path leading to the waterfall.
In the walls of its hills, you can observe a significant number of orchids and other exotic plants, very requested by those who manage to arrive at this so characteristic place.
San Pedro Waterfall
Also called the Gran Salto San Pedro, it is located in the department of Usulatán.
Well known among the waterfalls of El Salvador, this waterfall of more than 50 meters forms a trilogy of natural waterfalls fed by two rivers, along with the Saltío and Poza Oscura, located in the municipality of Estanzuelas.
The waterfall maintains the characteristic of turquoise waters and shallow pools but is very clean and crystalline, favorable for a soothing bath.
Department of Chalatenango
White Jet (Chorro Blanco)
This small and cozy waterfall, another of the essential waterfalls in El Salvador as a tourist destination in the country, is located a few kilometers from San Salvador, the Salvadoran capital. Its small pool under a massif of stone about 20 meters high invites us to a refreshing swim or a peaceful rest in its surroundings.
A visit with the family to the department of Chalatenango, where this waterfall is, is an excellent alternative for the next vacation period.
Las Golondrinas Falls
Just an hour from San Salvador, Las Golondrinas is present in our list of the most beautiful and visited waterfalls in El Salvador.
Although it is a small waterfall, it is an excellent place to visit given the easy access conditions, since the hike is not very steep and moderately short.
Its waters are pretty cold, but it is possible to take a bath under the waterfall.
Department of Santa Ana
El Limo Waterfall
It is located within the Geo Tourist Park El Limo department in Santa Ana, Metapan.
The hike to the waterfall culminates in a pool of crystalline waters where we can bathe to relax after practicing rural tourism and ecotourism in the surroundings of this waterfall, where extreme lovers also share hiking with rappelling.
Department of Cuscatlán
Los Tercios Waterfall
Among the ten best waterfalls in El Salvador and located in the department of Cuscatlán, we find this waterfall with more than 10 meters high.
The most impressive thing about Los Tercios waterfall is the rock wall that, in strange symmetrical shapes of hexagonal blocks, seems to have been carved by man, which has been the subject of numerous scientific studies.
The hike and descent to this idyllic place are made with some difficulty, being considered a journey for experienced hikers and adventure lovers.
Department of La Paz
Los Cubos waterfall
We end our tour discovering the best-known and most exciting waterfalls of El Salvador with this unique waterfall, which is part of the tourist offer of the department of La Paz.
If you are interested in visiting it, you must get to the town of Santa Clara, where you have to start a walk of about 30 minutes, bound for a fall of pretty calm waters.
Its height is about 10 meters, and curiously, like the Los Tercios waterfall, this waterfall has a wall of square-shaped stones that gives it its descriptive name.
Recommendations for visiting the waterfalls of El Salvador
To start excursions and hikes to all the waterfalls of El Salvador, you should take into account these indications:
- Wear light and comfortable clothing and closed-toed, non-slip shoes appropriate for hiking.
- Using sunscreen, insect repellent, hats, and sunglasses is essential.
- It is advisable to carry a backpack to carry light food, water, and other beverages, sweets, and cookies.
- Visits and excursions to El Salvador’s waterfalls must be guided by trained personnel and tourist police.
- It is necessary to obtain the required permits and comply with the regulations for each visit.
Other suggestions that we should apply if we wish to take baths in any of the pools of the different waterfalls:
- Check the depth of the pool before entering the pool or making a jump.
- It is not safe to make high jumps from the edges of the collections.
- Avoid bathing in the pools if it rains in the place, foreseeing the consequences of the possible increase of the flow of the same one.
Traveling to El Salvador and exploring its impressive waterfalls is a unique and different experience that leaves us with the desire to return. However, it encourages us to continue discovering other charms and natural riches that describe this enchanting land, which indeed remains to be found.
