IMG
© Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos

Los Volcanes National Park

13.82669 , -89.62418

El Salvador

PN Los Volcanes

Los Volcanes National Park is a protected natural area in El Salvador comprising three of the 14 “young” volcanoes (between 2 million and 250 years, according to geologists) of the Cordillera Apaneca-Lamatepec: volcanoes of Santa Ana, Izalco and Cerro Verde, located in Santa Ana and Sonsonate. With 4,500 hectares, it comprises state land, private land and municipal land. Its elevations vary from 500 and 2,380 meters above the sea. 

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Site name was changed by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos into "Los Volcanes National Park" (2021-08-02 21:05:54 )

Site name was changed by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos into "PN Los Volcanes" (2021-08-02 21:05:41 )

Coordinates were changed by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos : 13.8267/-89.6242 (2021-07-31 17:06:15 )

Site name was changed by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos into "PN Los Volcanes Sector Cerro Verde" (2021-07-31 17:06:15 )

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : 13.8400/-89.6258 (2021-01-22 17:54:05 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "PN Cerro Verde" (2021-01-22 17:54:05 )

Edited by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos on 2021-07-31 18:01:12
Los Volcanes National Park is a protected natural area in El Salvador comprising three of the 14 “young” volcanoes (between 2 million and 250 years, according to geologists) of the Cordillera Apaneca-Lamatepec: volcanoes of Santa Ana, Izalco and Cerro Verde, located in Santa Ana and Sonsonate. With 4,500 hectares, it comprises state land, private land and municipal land. Its elevations vary from 500 and 2,380 meters above the sea. 

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Singing Quail (Dactylortyx thoracicus)
White-faced Quail-Dove (Zentrygon albifacies)
Mexican Violetear (Colibri thalassinus)
Green-throated Mountain-gem (Lampornis viridipallens)
Rufous Sabrewing (Pampa rufa)
Eye-ringed Flatbill (Rhynchocyclus brevirostris)
Bushy-crested Jay (Cyanocorax melanocyaneus)
Rufous-browed Wren (Troglodytes rufociliatus)
Crescent-chested Warbler (Oreothlypis superciliosa)
Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer (Diglossa baritula)

Rufous Sabrewing (Pampa rufa) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-07-31 17:42:35)

White-faced Quail-Dove (Zentrygon albifacies) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-07-31 17:27:53)

Singing Quail (Dactylortyx thoracicus) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-07-31 17:27:36)

Eye-ringed Flatbill (Rhynchocyclus brevirostris) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-07-31 17:24:50)

Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer (Diglossa baritula) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-07-31 17:24:27)

Rufous-browed Wren (Troglodytes rufociliatus) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-07-31 17:22:53)

Mexican Violetear (Colibri thalassinus) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-07-31 17:22:34)

Crescent-chested Warbler (Oreothlypis superciliosa) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-07-31 17:22:21)

Bushy-crested Jay (Cyanocorax melanocyaneus) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-07-31 17:21:59)

Green-throated Mountain-gem (Lampornis viridipallens) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-07-31 17:19:07)

  • Timing and strategy

Los Volcanes National Park has two different areas that are amazing for birding one of them is San Blas that is in area in between Cerro Verde and Santa Ana Volcano, it has a combination of Pine Oak and Cloud Forest as well as open areas. You can park the car at El Tibet Hotel & Restaurant and from there walk towards Casa de Cristal and then back. Better if you start there between 6 and 6:30 a.m. It is better to hire a local guide who can take along the best birding spots on the area.

The Cerro Verde ark opens at 8:00 a.m and it is a good idea to be there around that time to bird the "Ventana a la Naturaleza" trail before anybody else for better chances on spotting birds. It takes from San Salvador city around 90 minutes to be at the park. Among the local guides in the info booth there are some that have been trained to do birding ask for Victor, Gaby or Odir. If they are available they will maximize the experience. Birding around the park can take around 3 to 4 hours. 

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos on 2021-08-02 21:11
The Los Volcanes National Park has two different areas that are amazing for birding one of them is San Blas that is in area in between Cerro Verde and Santa Ana Volcano, it has a combination of Pine Oak and Cloud Forest as well as open areas. You can park the car at El Tibet Hotel & Restaurant and from there walk towards Casa de Cristal and then back. Better if you start there between 6 and 6:30 a.m. It is better to hire a local guide who can take along the best birding spots on the area. The Cerro Verde ark opens at 8:00 a.m and it is a good idea to be there around that time to bird the "Ventana a la Naturaleza" trail before anybody else for better chances on spotting birds. It takes from San Salvador city around 90 minutes to be at the park. Among the local guides in the info booth there are some that have been trained to do birding ask for Victor, Gaby or Odir. If they are available they will maximize the experience. Birding around the park can take around 3 to 4 hours. 
Edited by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos on 2021-07-31 17:36
The park opens at 8:00 a.m and it is a good idea to be there around that time to bird the "Ventana a la Naturaleza" trail before anybody else for better chances on spotting birds. It takes from San Salvador city around 90 minutes to be at the park. Among the local guides in the info booth there are some that have been trained to do birding ask for Victor, Gaby or Odir. If they are available they will maximize the experience. Birding around the park can take around 3 to 4 hours. 
  • How to get there

If you are getting there by bus you can do it from Santa Ana City since Bus 209 takes you all the way to the park. It departs from Santa Ana city at 6:00 a.m. If you are driving you can take the highway to Sonsonate City and then take the detour to Cerro Verde on Km 45 approximately you just need to follow the signs.

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos on 2021-07-31 17:38
If you are getting there by bus you can do it from Santa Ana City since Bus 209 takes you all the way to the park. It departs from Santa Ana city at 6:00 a.m. If you are driving you can take the highway to Sonsonate City and then take the detour to Cerro Verde on Km 45 approximately you just need to follow the signs.

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Not available yet
  • Other attractions

Along the year the Cerro Verde park is the starting point for two volcano hikes. The most popular is Santa Ana Volcano (difficulty 3-4), you just need to be at the park before 8:30 am and report to the guides at the info booth that you are doing the Santa Ana Volcano climb and once they have the group they will call the group and start the hike with a couple of local guides. During the dry season (November-March), you can also hike to the top of Izalco Volcano (difficulty 5) and you just need to tell the local guides you are doing that volcano. 

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos on 2021-08-02 21:12
Along the year the Cerro Verde park is the starting point for two volcano hikes. The most popular is Santa Ana Volcano (difficulty 3-4), you just need to be at the park before 8:30 am and report to the guides at the info booth that you are doing the Santa Ana Volcano climb and once they have the group they will call the group and start the hike with a couple of local guides. During the dry season (November-March), you can also hike to the top of Izalco Volcano (difficulty 5) and you just need to tell the local guides you are doing that volcano. 
Edited by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos on 2021-07-31 17:32
Along the year the park is the starting point for two volcano hikes. The most popular is Santa Ana Volcano (difficulty 3-4), you just need to be at the park before 8:30 am and report to the guides at the info booth that you are doing the Santa Ana Volcano climb and once they have the group they will call the group and start the hike with a couple of local guides. During the dry season (November-March), you can also hike to the top of Izalco Volcano (difficulty 5) and you just need to tell the local guides you are doing that volcano. 

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Not available yet

It is located inside Los Volcanes National Park so it is absolutely safe to walk around the park.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos on 2021-07-31 17:39
It is located inside Los Volcanes National Park so it is absolutely safe to walk around the park.
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

Local guides

Gallery

Reports

Season:
to
2021-11-24 to 2021-11-30 Birding El Salvador with Nigel Marven 2021 Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos
2020-01-07 to 2020-01-08 Birding & Photo Tour with Stephon Sterns Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos
2018-02-02 Photographing birds at Los Volcanes National Park with Pierre and Philippe Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos
2020-02-07 Los Volcanes National Park with Nicholas Titelbaum Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos
2018-01-22 Birding at Los Volcanes National Park with David Palmer & Gracia along with local birding guide Victor Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos
2019-02-07 Parque Nacional Los Volcanes with Guy Poisson & Diane Thibault from Decameron Salinitas Resort Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos
2020-02-24 Ecoparque El Espino & Parque Nacional Los Volcanes with Jon Lee Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos
2019-06-21 to 2019-06-24 Chris Fischer's 2019 Central American Big Year El Salvador Trip 1 Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos
2020-03-02 Birding Layover with Leslie at Los Volcanes National Park Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos
Los Volcanes National Park - Orniverse