The Santa Ana volcano, also known as Ilamatepec, stands as one of the highest and most active volcanoes in El Salvador. With its striking presence, the volcano has captivated the imagination of locals and visitors alike for centuries making the Santa Ana Volcano hike a very popular hike.
Erupting for the first recorded time in 1520, this iconic volcano has remained active throughout history, leaving its mark on the surrounding landscape. Its most recent eruption occurred in 2005, reminding us of the power and unpredictability of nature. Despite its occasionally volatile nature, the Santa Ana volcano is a fascinating destination for adventurers and nature enthusiasts.
Nestled within the Cerro Verde National Park, the Santa Ana volcano shares its enchanting surroundings with two other prominent volcanoes: Cerro Verde and Izalco. This trio of volcanoes creates an awe-inspiring spectacle that showcases the raw beauty and geological wonders of the region.
Among the many attractions within the Cerro Verde National Park, the Santa Ana volcano hike stands out as a must-do experience. The trail leading up the slopes of the volcano offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, lush forests, and eventually leads to a beautiful crater lake at the top of the volcano.
Whether you are a seasoned adventurer seeking an adrenaline rush or simply an admirer of natural beauty, the Santa Ana volcano and its captivating hiking trail offer an unforgettable experience.
Table of Contents
- Best time to do Santa Ana Volcano Hike
- What to pack for Santa Ana Volcano Hike
- Getting to Santa Ana Volcano
- Santa Ana Volcano Hike: Step-by-step Breakdown
- Return to Santa Ana City from the Volcano Hike
- Hike Cost Summary
- More Central America Travel Inspiration
Best time to do Santa Ana Volcano Hike
The Santa Ana volcano hike is best done during the dry season in El Salvador. Typically, the dry season runs from November to April. During the dry season, you have a higher chance of hiking on a clear and sunny day. This will especially allow you to get a good view of the crater lake and even Lake Coatepeque in the distance.
What to pack for Santa Ana Volcano Hike
The Santa Ana Volcano hike is a fairly short hike and will only take half a day to complete. Although it is a shorter hike, you may face different climates at the top of the volcano versus at the start of the trailhead. For this reason, be sure to bring layers as it does get very windy at the summit.
Hiking shoes or sneakers are recommended. I would not do this hike in sandals because it does get a bit rocky towards the top. Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun. On the top of the volcano there is no shade and on a clear day the sun can get very strong.
I also recommend bringing 3 to 4 liters of water for this hike. It gets very hot on the climb up and it’s important to stay hydrated throughout the hike. Small snacks may also be a good idea to replenish your energy levels.
Getting to Santa Ana Volcano
By Public Transportation
The chicken buses in all of El Salvador are very convenient and cheap, although they may be time consuming. Getting to the Santa Ana volcano trailhead by bus is very convienent however.
- In Santa Ana, walk or Uber to the bus stop located here. The chicken buses run every 20 minutes or so. The first bus goes at 7:30am.
- Enjoy the 1 and a half hour bus ride to the trailhead. The ride should cost $0.60.
- The bus will drop you off here, very close to the trailhead.
By Uber
Ubers also go to the Santa Ana volcano but beware of a possible surcharge by Uber. I tried taking an Uber to the trailhead and the app showed me the ride would cost $10. However, after the ride was complete I was charged $36 for whatever reason. I was able to dispute the charge, but this is something to be wary of.
Santa Ana Volcano Hike: Step-by-step Breakdown
Do I need a guide for the Santa Ana volcano hike?
In short, you technically don’t need a guide, but you may end up getting one anyways. I, along with a few people from my hostel, arrived at the hike earlier than the first bus because we took an Uber. When we got dropped off, we were approached by several tour guides who told us we weren’t allowed to hike without a guide. They were charging $36 as a group for the guide, which ended up being around $5 each since we were a group of 7. This is more than the daily guided hike which leaves at 11 am and costs $3 per person. But we wanted to miss the crowds and catch an early bus back to Santa Ana, so we went with it.
From others I heard it is possible to do the hike without a guide as long as you are following another group. The hike itself was very easy to follow and definitely does not need a guide. The guide also didn’t provide any historical information or any information at all for that matter. But I did notice that most of these guides make a living off of being guides so I’m glad my money was going back to the locals.
Starting the Santa Ana volcano hike
My hike started somewhere around here and supposedly goes through private property, which you have to pay $1.25 for. A man emerges seemingly out of nowhere to collect the $1.25. The 11am guided hike starts around the actual trailhead right where the bus drops you off.
The first bit of the hike goes through the woods. It’s very hot and humid so I was taking a few sips of water every few minutes. Eventually you make it to the National Park office where you pay another $6. Now you have officially entered the park.
Hike to the top of the Santa Ana Volcano
From the National Park office, I hiked through the woods for a bit more until you finally break the tree line. Now you’ll see some small shrubs and very little shade. The views, however, are fantastic. I was able to see panoramic views of the nearby Izalco Volcano.
Eventually we reached the sign that says “Felicidades!”. Which meant we were almost at the top. By now there were no plants on the trail, only rocks. The sun was beating down of us and the wind was blowing dust into our eyes. One more push and we made to the top of the Santa Ana volcano.
Santa Ana Volcano Summit
The top of the Santa Ana volcano was very windy and chilly. I had to pull over my sweatshirt to stay warm. The views were amazing from up there. I could even see the nearby Lake Coatepeque. Once I was on the crater ridge the first thing that caught my eye was the big, turquoise crater lake. The contrasting bright turquoise against the gray of the volcano was a beautiful sight. Almost too magnificent to be real.
There was a man selling chocolate covered bananas at the top of the volcano. How he was able to bring up the whole cooler, I will never know! The bananas cost $2 each, which is pricier than how much they would go for in Santa Ana ($0.50), but given the location I guess $2 is understandable.
After spending a chilly 20 minutes on the summit, I began the hike back down to the bus stop. All in all, the hikes took about 2 hours in total (an hour to hike up, less than an hour to come down).
Return to Santa Ana City from the Volcano Hike
The chicken buses leave only two times from the Santa Ana volcano to Santa Ana city: 1pm and 4pm. We were back down around 11:30am, so we had some time to kill until the first bus came. There are several street food stands along the road where you can grab a delicious meal while you wait. There is also a small café near Casa Cristal which is nearby.
The bus will come up the road first and then when it starts coming back down, it’ll pick everyone up. The bus should again cost $0.60 and will go back to the same bus station in Santa Ana.
Hike Cost Summary
In total, the whole trip and hike to the Santa Ana volcano should cost less than $13.45 if taking the chicken buses. The entry fees for the hike totaled $12.25. Depending on if you take the chicken buses or Uber to the trailhead, the cost to go to the Santa Ana volcano will vary.
More Central America Travel Inspiration
If you enjoyed this hike and are looking for more adventurous opportunities, consider exploring the magnificent volcanic landscapes in Central America and Mexico. One I wouldrecommend is the Pacaya Volcano in Antigua, Guatemala where you can roadt marshmallows using thermal heat from the volcanic activity below.
Another volcanic hike worth considering is the Acatenango Volcano located in Antigua, Guatemala. This challenging hike rewards you with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, along with the erupting Fuego Volcano. Camping overnight on the volcano allows you to witness a mesmerizing lightshow put on by the Fuego Volcano which erupts every 20 minutes.
If you find yourself in Nicaragua, don’t miss the opportunity to hike the majestic Volcan Concepcion on the island of Ometepe. This awe-inspiring volcano offers a demanding but rewarding trek, taking you through dense forests, volcanic ash fields, and eventually granting you breathtaking vistas of Lake Nicaragua and the neighboring Volcan Maderas.
Lastly, if Mexico is on your travel list, consider hiking the impressive Malinche Volcano. Located near the city of Puebla, this stratovolcano provides a challenging yet accessible hike for outdoor enthusiasts. As you trek through forests and volcanic rock formations, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of nearby peaks.
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Sending this to my friend who loooooves to hike! What a great post with so many suggestions and tips!
I’ve never done a volcano hike, and Santa Ana Volcano looks like a great place to start! Look at that beautiful blue water – wow! Xx Sara
Your first photo of Crater Lake makes it look like the hike would be much longer! I enjoy getting outside when I’m traveling and being in nature and this would be a perfect stop on the itinerary!
The beautiful blue water is what caught my attention, but your tips and tricks is what made me keep reading. The Santa Cruz Volcano hike looks like a great option for someone like me who loves to hike!
This is such a great trail… that crater lake looks SO mesmerizing!