National park · El Salvador
El Boquerón National Park
El Boquerón is the vast summit crater of San Salvador Volcano, immediately west of San Salvador, El Salvador. The national park gives access to rim viewpoints looking down on the green crater and its small inner cone, Boqueroncito.
The crater
El Boquerón—“the big mouth”—is the steep-walled summit crater of San Salvador Volcano. It is about 1.5 km across and roughly 500 m deep, a scale best understood from the rim rather than from the road below.
The crater formed in a major explosive eruption around 800 years ago. Its floor once held a crater lake; the 1917 eruption evaporated it and built the small cinder cone now visible below. That cone, Boqueroncito, is the essential detail to pick out from the viewpoints.
What the park visit involves
El Boquerón National Park occupies the summit area at about 1,950 m. Its marked walking trails lead to three viewpoints from different angles over the crater. Allow around 20–25 minutes for the walk up, plus time at the rim.
Facilities include:
- An interpretation centre
- Walking trails and rim viewpoints
- Toilets and parking
Pines, cypresses, wild flowers and cultivated flowers soften the upper slopes. On a clear day, viewpoints along the approach and within the summit area also open towards San Salvador and Lake Ilopango.
Getting there
The direct approach from San Salvador is by car, taxi or arranged transfer via Santa Tecla or Ciudad Merliot. Around kilometre 20, take the signed turn towards El Boquerón; the park is about 3.5 km farther on.
By public transport, take route 101-D and then route 103. The latter leaves passengers about 1 km before the entrance, so factor in the final uphill walk. If arriving by taxi, arrange the return journey before entering the park.
Hours, fees and conditions
The park is open daily, 08:00–17:00, without a midday closure. Entry is US$1 for Salvadorans and US$2 for foreign visitors. Children under eight and older visitors enter free. Sedan parking costs US$1.
Summit air is markedly cooler than in the capital: daytime temperatures are typically 18–22°C and can fall to 8–12°C at night. Bring a light layer and wear shoes suited to steps and uneven paths. Stay on the signed trails and viewpoints; the crater is a volcanic landform with steep walls, not an open hiking basin.
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