Lago de Guija
A lake shared with Guatemala whose falling waters expose petroglyph-covered rocks and old settlement remains.
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Guija lies in a basin northwest of Metapan, formed when lava from the Sanjuanera volcano dammed river valleys, and it is divided between El Salvador and Guatemala. Its level rises and falls considerably with the season and with the hydroelectric scheme downstream, and when it drops, rocks and islets emerge carrying petroglyphs: spirals, faces and figures pecked into the basalt, along with the traces of settlements that were flooded. Igualtepeque island holds an archaeological site. Boats are hired at shore villages to reach the rocks and the islands. Birds are numerous on the shallows, and fishing is the main local activity.
What you actually see
- Petroglyph rocks - the pecked figures exposed as the water drops.
- Igualtepeque island - the archaeological site on the lake.
- Waterbirds - the herons, ducks and waders on the shallows.
- Fishing villages - the settlements around the shore.
When to go
February to May, when the water is at its lowest and the petroglyphs are exposed; in the wet season they are underwater and invisible. Mornings are calmest for boats. Levels vary year to year.
Honest expectations
The petroglyphs are only visible when levels are low, which is not guaranteed. Boat hire is informal and negotiated. There are no facilities at the shore. The lake crosses an international boundary and boats stay on the Salvadoran side.
Nearby
Metapan lies southeast; Montecristo is north.
What to pack for Lago de Guija
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
