Santa Ana Volcano (Ilamatepec), El Salvador

At a glance

Source: Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program: Santa Ana; Ministry of Environment: Santa Ana volcano, climbing the highest volcano of El Salvador, 2025^1,4

Map

The volcano

• A long fissure: vents and cones line a 20 km fissure from near Chalchuapa to the south-east flank. In 1722 the San Marcelino lava flow ran 13 km from a flank vent.
• The 2005 eruption: on 1 October 2005 an explosion sent ash about 10 km high. Ash fell on Juayúa, Nahuizalco, Ahuachapán and other towns, about 1,400 ha of crops were damaged and two people were killed by landslides; the authorities declared a red alert within 4 km of the crater.
• Neighbours: the young Izalco cone grew on its southern flank from 1770, and the Coatepeque caldera lies on its eastern side.

Source: Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program: Santa Ana; Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program: Izalco; Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program: Coatepeque Caldera^1,2,3

Visiting

• Guide required: the Ministry of Environment says the climb takes 1.5 to 2 hours and must be made with an authorised guide on the permitted route.
• Hours and fees (Ministry of Environment): entry from 7:30 to 11:00 a.m. on weekdays and from 4:00 a.m. at weekends; $2 for Salvadorans and $3 for foreigners; free for children under 12 and older adults.
• From Cerro Verde: the Cerro Verde park lists a daily guided walk to the Santa Ana volcano at 8:30 a.m., with limited places.

Source: Ministry of Environment: Santa Ana volcano, climbing the highest volcano of El Salvador, 2025; El Salvador Travel (Ministry of Tourism): Cerro Verde recreational park^4,5

Hours, fees and access rules change, and areas can close for maintenance, weather or volcanic activity. Check with the park or the Ministry before you travel.

For investors

Volcanoes bring geothermal power, fertile coffee land and visitors, and they also bring risk. For a hotel, a farm or a home near a volcano, ask your engineer and insurer about volcanic, landslide and seismic hazards before you buy.