El Boqueron National Park

El Boqueron protects the summit crater of the San Salvador volcano, which rises directly above the capital, and the crater is the point: around a kilometre and a half across and five hundred metres deep, with a small secondary cone at the bottom formed in the 1917 eruption, known as the boqueroncito. A paved path runs from the entrance to viewpoints on the rim, and a longer trail descends partway. The rim sits at around 1,800 metres, cool and often in cloud, with coffee and pine on the slopes. The road up from Santa Tecla passes restaurants and viewpoints looking down over San Salvador, which are a destination in themselves.

What you actually see

• The crater - the wide deep bowl with the small cone at the bottom.
• The rim path - the paved route to the viewpoints.
• The city view - San Salvador spread out below from the road and rim.
• Cloud forest edge - the vegetation on the upper slopes.

When to go

November to April in the dry season for the clearest views; cloud sits on the rim for much of the rainy season and often in the afternoons year round. Mornings are clearest. Weekends bring crowds from the city.

Honest expectations

Cloud frequently fills the crater and removes the view entirely. The rim is cool and can be cold and wet. Weekend crowds and traffic on the volcano road are heavy. The paved path is short; the descent trail needs a guide.

Nearby

Santa Tecla lies below; San Salvador is east.