El Pital

Cerro El Pital is the highest point in El Salvador at 2730 meters. It is in the country's western highlands.

Landscape
El Pital mount offers scenic views on the surrounding mountains (including in Guatemala and Honduras), and allows to see all the major volcanoes of El Salvador.

Flora and fauna
The flora is of course very different of what can be found in the lower areas of El Salvador. It seems much less tropical here, except for some could forests on the way to the top to El Pital.

Even at the dry season, grass stays green in El Pital.

Climate
Due to its elevation (~2700 m), El Pital is really fresh, in comparison to most locations in El Salvador. It nevers snows there, but rain can be chilly cold. Avoid the rainy season.

Get in
The road is steep to El Pital, but good enough to get to Rio Chiquito village with a basic car.

If you want to drive to the top of the mountain, you'll need a good 4x4 car.

Some camionetas drive tourists to El Pital. ~25USD/vehicle.

Fees and permits
The top of the mountain is located on a private land. Admission costs US$3/person, plus and extra for cars. The very top of the mountain is actually located in Honduras. Some Salvadorian soldiers block the way (theoretically), a few hundred meters from it.

Get around
Rio Chiquito Village is small, everything can be done by foot. The center of the village has good roads, but they quickly become tracks as soon as you get out of the center.

See
According to the locals, quetzals can be seen at the very top of the mountain.

Do
Hike from Rio Chiquito to the top (less than 2 hours one way).

Buy
A few tiendas can be found in Rio Chiquito. Prices are high.

Eat
Rio Chiquito offers a few comedors and some restaurants. Some restaurants can also be found at the top of the mountain, but they are not open every day.

Sleep
El Pital mount and Rio Chiquito Village offer plenty of accommodation options (most of which are overpriced), including hotels, cabañas, and campgrounds.

Stay safe
One of the really safe places in El Salvador.