Centro
Food, busesAround Parque Libertad.
City guide
Things to do in Santa Ana
El Salvador's second city and the base for its best hike: up the Santa Ana volcano to a turquoise crater lake, with Izalco volcano and Lake Coatepeque below, plus a Gothic cathedral and the Maya ruins of Tazumal.
27
Hostels in the city
8.9
Average, from 3,373 reviews
2,381 m
Santa Ana volcano
2–3
Days
The volcano city
Santa Ana is El Salvador's second city, in the west of the country, about an hour and a half from San Salvador. It grew rich on coffee in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and that money built its white neo-Gothic cathedral and the Teatro de Santa Ana, both on the main square.
Most travellers come for the volcano. Santa Ana volcano, also called Ilamatepec, is the highest in the country at about 2,381 metres, and the guided hike from Cerro Verde National Park ends at the rim of a crater holding a steaming, turquoise lake. Next to it stands Izalco, a near-perfect cone once known as the Lighthouse of the Pacific.
Below the volcanoes, Lake Coatepeque fills an older crater and is good for swimming and kayaking, and the Maya site of Tazumal is 20 minutes from town. Santa Ana is also on the way to the Ruta de las Flores and the Guatemalan border. Give it two or three days.
Where to base yourself
The centre near the cathedral for food and buses, or Lake Coatepeque for a lakeside stay.
Lake Coatepeque
LakesideA crater lake south of town.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 10 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Santa Ana
Hike Santa Ana volcano from Cerro Verde National Park, where guided walks leave every morning; the return trip takes about four to five hours and ends at the crater lake, with views of Izalco and Lake Coatepeque.
Spend an afternoon at Lake Coatepeque, swimming or kayaking from one of the lakeside restaurants and hostels.
In town, visit the cathedral and the Teatro de Santa Ana on Parque Libertad, and take a short trip to Tazumal in Chalchuapa, the most important Maya site in the country, and to the Casa Blanca ruins nearby.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Parque Libertad, the cathedral and the outside of the Teatro de Santa Ana are free, and the square is busy in the evenings.
The central market is free to explore.
Cerro Verde charges a few dollars, which includes the guide, and Tazumal charges a small fee.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Santa Ana is cheap. Pupuserías around town serve pupusas for €0.50 to €1 each, and comedores do set lunches for €3 to €5.
Try yuca frita with chicharrón, and local coffee from the slopes around the volcano.
Many restaurants add a 10 per cent tip to the bill, so check before adding more.
Nightlife
Going out
Santa Ana is quiet at night. A few bars and cafes around Parque Libertad stay open, busier at weekends.
Most travellers go to bed early before the volcano hike.
Beer costs €1 to €2.
Getting around
Getting around
Buses run from San Salvador to Santa Ana in about an hour and a half, and tourist shuttles connect with El Tunco, Juayúa and Guatemala.
A bus leaves Santa Ana early each morning for Cerro Verde, in time for the guided hike. Taxis, tours and buses reach Lake Coatepeque and Tazumal.
The centre is walkable by day; take taxis at night.
Costs
What Santa Ana costs
Santa Ana is cheap. Dorm beds start at around €9 to €15 a night. Pupusas cost €0.50 to €1.
The volcano hike costs a few euros in park fees, or about €15 to €30 with transport on a tour.
El Salvador uses the US dollar. Bring small notes, as many places will not take $50 or $100 notes.
Safety
Safety and scams
Santa Ana is generally fine for travellers by day. Take taxis at night and keep valuables out of sight.
Only hike the volcano with the official guides from Cerro Verde, which is required, and check for volcanic activity warnings before you go. Bring water, sun protection and a layer, as it is cool at the top.
Do not drink the tap water; bottled and filtered water is cheap everywhere. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth the trip
Volcanoes, lakes and ruins.
Lake Coatepeque
Swim and kayak.
Juayúa
Food fair and waterfalls.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Fiestas and holidays.
July
Fiestas Julias
Santa Ana
The patron saint festival, peaking on 26 July.
March or April
Semana Santa
Santa Ana
Processions in the centre.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Santa Ana, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
Hostel Casa Verde Santa Ana
Dorms from €15 a night
See dates and book
Casa Coco
Dorms from €5 a night
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Urban Nest Hostel
Dorms from €9 a night
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Chill & Go Hostel
Dorms from €6 a night
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Old Bells Hostel
Dorms from €6 a night
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Ricks Hostel Santa Ana
Dorms from €6 a night
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Pool House Hostel
Dorms from €7 a night
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Captain Morgan Hostel Lake Coatepeque
Dorms from €9 a night
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The Coffee Garden Hostel
Dorms from €7 a night
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Napoli Centro
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
When to go
November to April is the dry season, with the clearest views from the volcano. May to October brings afternoon rain, so hike early.
Jan
Dry, clear views
Feb
Dry
Mar
Hot
Apr
Semana Santa
May
Rains begin
Jun
Afternoon rain
Jul
Fiestas Julias
Aug
Rain
Sep
Wettest
Oct
Wet
Nov
Dry season returns
Dec
Holidays
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Cooler on the volcano.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Santa Ana prices.
Treat these as a guide. Tours cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Santa Ana questions
The ones we get asked most.
How hard is the Santa Ana volcano hike?
Moderate. About four to five hours return, with a guide.
Do I need a guide for Santa Ana volcano?
Yes. Guided walks leave Cerro Verde National Park every morning.
How do I get to Cerro Verde?
By early morning bus from Santa Ana, or on a tour.
Can I swim in Lake Coatepeque?
Yes, from lakeside restaurants and hostels.
How do I get to Santa Ana?
By bus from San Salvador in about 1.5 hours, or by shuttle from El Tunco.
Is Santa Ana worth staying in?
Yes, as a cheap base for the volcano, the lake and Tazumal.
When is the best time to hike?
November to April, for clear views.
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