{"id":8571,"date":"2021-12-23T06:31:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-23T06:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/elsalvadorviajar.com\/en\/?p=8571"},"modified":"2022-11-17T23:11:15","modified_gmt":"2022-11-17T23:11:15","slug":"volcanes-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elsalvadorviajar.com\/en\/volcanoes\/","title":{"rendered":"\u25b7 20 VOLCANOES OF EL SALVADOR the most impressive"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We travel to the smallest country on the American continent<\/strong>. Know its extraordinary natural attractions, the volcanoes of El Salvador<\/strong>, an essential point of reference for local and foreign visitors who appreciate ecotourism and those who seek to unload adrenaline by climbing to the top of its peaks as a fascinating adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

El Salvador is home to more than 170 volcanoes in its 21,040 km2 <\/strong>of land area, of which 14 are active, and six are under a system of supervision or surveillance, given the possible eruptions capable of generating situations of high danger to nearby populations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This surprising country is also known as “The land of a thousand volcanoes.”<\/strong> It is within the Pacific Ring of Fire, besides being in the collision zone of two tectonic plates: the Cocos plate, only 50 kilometers from the Salvadoran coasts, and the Caribbean plate, which undoubtedly contributes to intense seismic activity in this Central American territory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, what seems unsafe or dangerous, has become an everyday occurrence for the Salvadorans. People who live on the slopes of many of these volcanoes. For tourists who enjoy the scenery of the environment. This is during the climb and the spectacular panoramic views from their heights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So let’s take a tour of the best-known and most exciting volcanoes of El Salvador <\/strong>and what we can see and do in its geography during the visit.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Volcanoes
Volcanoes of El Salvador. Photo by El SalvadorTravel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

A journey recommended<\/strong> to hiking and extreme sports lovers, image hunters, and addicted to direct contact with nature, but especially to those interested in discovering these fantastic land formations with more than 10,000 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Volcanoes to visit in El Salvador<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here is a list of the volcanoes in El Salvador<\/strong> that you should not miss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn about the location, most relevant characteristics, and activities you can do during your journey through one of these 22 giants, one of the most popular tourist offers in El Salvador.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Santa Ana or Ilamatepec Volcano.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Located between the municipalities of Santa Ana and Chalchuapa in the department of Santa Ana<\/strong>, it is part of the Apaneca-Ilamatepec Conservation Area and Biosphere Reserve.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Ilamatepec
Ilamatepec Volcano. Photo by ElSalvadorViajar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

It reaches an altitude of 2,381 meters above sea level, making it the highest volcano in El Salvador.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ilamatepec<\/a><\/strong> is a stratovolcano listed as active and under surveillance by the authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is ideal for hiking and trekking lovers, although, within its area, only observation activity is allowed, noting that the panoramic views from its maximum height are amazing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Izalco Volcano<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is the youngest volcano among the volcanoes of El Salvador<\/strong>. Located in the municipality of Izalco<\/a><\/strong>, Sonsonate’s department, and at an altitude of 1,950 meters above sea level.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Izalco
Izalco Volcano. Photo by ElSalvadorViajar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Izalco volcano<\/a><\/strong> is a stratovolcano in activity under the surveillance system, and the only activity allowed is hiking to its crater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

San Salvador Volcano<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Also known as Quezaltepeque volcano<\/strong>, it is located between the municipalities of Quezaltepeque or San Juan Opico, Col\u00f3n, and Nueva San Salvador<\/strong>, in the department of La Libertad<\/a><\/strong>, also in Nejapa, in the department of San Salvador.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"San
San Salvador Volcano. Photo by Diego Brito. Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Here you will find a strato-volcano with two masses called El Picacho and El Boquer\u00f3n<\/a><\/strong>, whose summits reach 1,959 and 1,839 meters above sea level, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are classified as “dangerous”<\/em><\/strong> among the volcanoes of El Salvador<\/strong> since it is active and under surveillance; only observation and hiking are allowed during the visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

San Miguel or Chaparrastique Volcano<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The San Miguel Volcano<\/strong>, or Chaparrastique<\/a><\/strong>, is ranked number 3 among the highest volcanoes in El Salvador due to its elevation of 2,130 meters above sea level.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Chaparrastique
Chaparrastique Volcano, San Miguel. Photo by El SalvadorTravel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

It is located in the department of San Miguel<\/a>, about 11 kilometers from the city of the same name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you decide to visit it, you will enjoy a stratovolcano in activity. Its history of eruptions keeps it within the surveillance regime<\/strong>, allowing only hiking and climbing to the summit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

San Vicente Volcano or Chinchontepeq<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The San Vicente or Chinchontepec Volcano<\/a><\/strong>, at 2,182 meters above sea level, is the second-highest volcano in El Salvador.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is between the municipalities of Guadalupe and Tepetit\u00e1n in the department of San Vicente<\/a><\/strong> and Zacatecoluca and San Juan Nonualco in the department of La Paz, about 65 km from San Salvador<\/a><\/strong>, the Salvadoran capital.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Chinchontepeq
Chinchontepeq Volcano. Photo by Daniel chavez castro. Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Its route is attractive since it has two elevations, one of 2,173 meters above sea level and the other of 2,083.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an inactive stratovolcano whose last eruption is unknown<\/strong>, but it is kept on the watch list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They allow climbing to its summit, hiking, and visiting its hot springs called Infiernillos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conchagua Volcano<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Located in the municipality of Conchagua<\/strong>, in the department of La Union<\/a><\/strong>, you can visit it and climb to its peak, with a maximum height of 1,225 meters above sea level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was formed by two hills, the Ocotal and the Cerro Banderas<\/strong>, whose height is 1,156 meters above sea level.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Camping
Camping at the Conchagua Volcano. Photo by Manuel Miranda at Pixabay.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Of all the volcanoes in El Salvador<\/strong>, Conchagua<\/a><\/strong> is one of the lowest in the category of complex stratovolcanoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is inactive and out of the surveillance regime, so you can camp in the area and hike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tecapa Volcano<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Within the territory of the municipality of Alegr\u00eda<\/a><\/strong>, in the department of Usulut\u00e1n<\/a>. The Tecapa volcano is a stratovolcano with a height of 1,593 meters above sea level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no historical record of its eruptions, but it is still considered active due to fumarolic manifestations.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Tecapa
Tecapa Volcano, Alegr\u00eda Lagoon. Photo by ElSalvadorViajar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The volcanoes of El Salvador<\/strong> are well-known because inside its crater is a stunning lake, the unique Alegria Lagoon<\/a><\/strong>, which you can visit and camp in the surrounding area if you want to stay in the sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also practice football<\/strong> on the sports field next to the lagoon. It has parking areas because it is feasible for vehicular access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coatepeque Volcano<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Located in the municipality of El Congo<\/strong>, in the department of Santa Ana<\/strong>, we will find one of the most beautiful tourist places of the volcanoes of El Salvador<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Tourism
Tourism in the volcanoes of El Salvador. Photo by El SalvadorTravel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Coatepeque<\/a><\/strong>, 745 meters above sea level, is a fantastic inactive caldera volcano that has become a hot springs lake. Here you can practice hiking, mountain biking, ecotourism, and diving, apart from kayaking or jet skiing, and enjoy bird watching and photography.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cerro Verde Volcano<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cerro Verde<\/a><\/strong>, or Cuntetepeque, is a stratovolcano category volcano located in the Apaneca mountain range, in the department of Santa Ana<\/strong>, with an altitude of 2,030 meters above sea level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s an inactive volcano with no surveillance regime among the volcanoes of El Salvador<\/strong>. Its last eruption; occurred 25 thousand years BC.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Cerro
Cerro Verde in El Salvador. Photo by Diego Brito. Flickr.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In its trails and paths for hikers, you will find beautiful orchid gardens, the opportunity to climb the volcano, and practice picnics<\/strong>, camping, and campfires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ilopango Volcano<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The departments of San Salvador<\/strong>, Cuscatl\u00e1n, and La Paz<\/strong>, are home to the Ilopango volcano, just 16 kilometers from San Salvador and at an altitude of 440 meters above sea level.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Climate
Climate and fauna of Lake Ilopango in San Salvador. Photo by Gerson Rodriguez at Pixabay.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

This caldera-type volcano is considered active; today converted into an exciting lake with a lot of tourist affluence among the volcanoes of El Salvador, precisely the extensive and captivating Ilopango Lake<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its last eruptions occurred between 1879 and 1881<\/strong> and are not kept under surveillance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Ilopango volcano, you can go on a boat and jet ski, dive in the Quemadas Islands, fish or kayak, swim, hike, do ecotourism or do horseback riding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

El Play\u00f3n Volcano<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This time we find a lava cone north of the San Salvador volcano<\/strong>, which gave its origin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is located between the municipalities of San Juan Opico, Colon, and Nueva San Salvador<\/strong> in the department of La Libertad and Nejapa in the department of San Salvador.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Climbing
Climbing Volcanoes of El Salvador. Photo by El SalvadorTravel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

With its height of 650 meters, its appearance dates back to November 3, 1698. The existence of 323 years allows it to be classified as active within the volcanoes of El Salvador<\/strong> and its generator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hike through the volcanic complex<\/strong> includes varied and charming landscapes through the old Atapascos hacienda, where it is located.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

San Marcelino Volcano<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In your tour of the volcanoes of El Salvador<\/strong>, plan a visit to the San Marcelino volcano<\/strong>, with an elevation of 1,480 meters above sea level.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Climbing
Climbing the Volcanoes of El Salvador. Photo by El SalvadorTravel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Also called Cerro Chino<\/strong>, it is in the municipality of Izalco<\/strong>, in the department of Sonsonate<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to its classification, it is a hypsographic or slag cone-type volcano, registering the last eruption with lava flow in 1722, so it is classified as active and outside the surveillance regime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can make excursions and hikes for observation, but camping is prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Usulut\u00e1n Volcano<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Usulut\u00e1n volcano<\/strong> is in the department of the same name. It is also known as La Piedra Encadenada and is located 7 kilometers from the city of Usulut\u00e1n<\/strong>, close to the Sierra Tecapa-Chinameca.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"At
At Chaparrastique Volcano. Photo by El SalvadorTravel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Its summit by two twin peaks<\/strong> without craters and has a height of 1,449 meters above sea level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is classified as a stratovolcano of rocky formation and is among the inactive volcanoes of El Salvador.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Excursions to the top of this volcano are challenging, requiring good physical condition and a trained tour guide for the journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

San Diego Volcano<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Continuing the tour through the volcanoes of El Salvador, we find the San Diego volcano. Located in the municipality of Metap\u00e1n, in the department of Santa Ana, very close to Lake G\u00fcija, on the border of El Salvador and Guatemala.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It rises to 781 meters above sea level<\/strong>, forming part of the Antigua Volcanic Chain as a young basaltic volcanic field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The volcano is inactive, allowing guided excursions to the entire sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cerro Sing\u00fcil Volcano<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Also known as El Cerr\u00f3n<\/strong>, it’s in the municipality of Porvenir, the department of Santa Ana.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Sulfur
Sulfur from the crater of a Volcano. Photo by Natasha Padgitt. Flickr.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

It is an extinct stratovolcano located 875 meters above sea level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like many other volcanoes in El Salvador<\/strong>, during our visit, you can hike, hike and climb to its summit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chinameca Volcano<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the department of San Miguel<\/a><\/strong>, Chinameca municipality, you can visit the volcano El Pacayal or Chinameca, a stratovolcano with an elevation of 1,300 meters above sea level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is believed to have had some seismic activity in 1951 but is on the list of inactive volcanoes in El Salvador.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to visit it, hikes are organized from Chinameca Central Park.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chingo Volcano<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Located in the municipality of Chalchuapa, department of Santa Ana<\/a><\/strong>, between the border of El Salvador and Guatemala, we find another of the volcanoes of El Salvador<\/strong>, the stratovolcano Chingo, rising to 1,775 meters above sea level.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Volcanoes
Volcanoes of El Salvador. Photo by Milton Parada. Flickr.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

It is called Cerro Chingo because it has no record of activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The summit conditions allow camping for those who organize excursions and hikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cinotepeque Volcano<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Cinotepeque volcano<\/strong> is in the municipality of Aguilares<\/strong>, in the department of San Salvador, whose summit rises to 665 meters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This peninsula was a volcano in the past and is now extinct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can hike and climb to its summit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guazapa Hill<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another of the volcanoes of El Salvador that you should visit is the Cerro de Guazapa, a known tourist destination, with a height of 1,438 meters above sea level.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Views
Views of the Guazapa Volcano. Photo by Daniel chavez castro. Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

It is located between the department of Cuscatl\u00e1n and the municipality of Guazapa in the department of San Salvador.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an extinct volcano where visits and excursions are allowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conchag\u00fcita. Volcanic Island<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the Gulf of Fonseca, Meanguera del Golfo municipality<\/strong>, you will find this volcanic island that belongs to the department of La Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its highest point is at 341 meters, and it is classified as a stratovolcano, with only one record of activity in 1892 with ash emissions and lava flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The exciting part of this visit is the tours and walks through the town and historical sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recommendations for visiting the volcanoes of El Salvador<\/h2>\n\n\n\n