Montecristo National Park

Montecristo National Park is a large protected, heavily forested area in Western El Salvador. The park encompasses about 2,000 hectares of misty cloud forest. It is part of the UNESCO Trifinio Fraternidad Biosphere Reserve, which also includes protected regions in neighboring Guatemala and Honduras.

Understand
The park is officially known as Parque Nacional Montecristo and is sometimes also referred to as Montecristo Trifinio National Park.

History
The park was El Salvador's first protected natural area.

Landscape
The park is mostly misty cloud forest.

Flora and fauna
The park is home to a huge variety of wildlife including almost 50 species of reptiles and amphibians and more than 250 species of birds. Mammals in the park include several large cats (including pumas and jaguars), monkeys, peccaries and a number of smaller species.

Get in
From Santa Ana, the route 239 chicken bus departs hourly for Metapan. The trip takes just over an hour and will cost less than US$2. From Metapan, use a taxi to get to the park, which is about 10 km northwest of town. Be aware that many taxis will refuse to take you, especially during the rainy season, because the road is very rough, may be steep, often washed out, and generally not recommended for standard cars. If you are renting a vehicle, a 4WD truck is recommended.

Be aware that you can only enter the park in the morning. If you are driving from San Salvador, get an early start.

Because of the formalities required at this park, it may be easier for foreign travelers to go to the park with an organized tour operator. The tour guides take care of permits and make sure you arrive at the correct time.

Fees and permits
To visit Montecristo, you must obtain a permit at least 48 hours before your planned arrival at the park. Permits are issued by the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources. You can email them for more information: visitasanp@marn.gob.sv You will have to show the permit at the park entrance to be allowed into the park. A limited number of permits are issued per day.


 * Hours: 07:30 - 11:00 (until 13:00 for campers), verify park entry hours ahead of time by calling +503 2132-6276 (Don't expect English speaking staff to answer.)

Get around
Hike.

See

 * Garden of 100 Years: A small botanical garden features plants found in the park, including a collection of more than 70 species of orchids. Most of the orchids found in El Salvador can be found in the park.

Do

 * Hike: Most visitors come to hike to the summit of El Trifinio. The peak is the highest point in the park and is the point where the countries of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras converge, an obelisk marks the convergence point. Walk around the obelisk and you can say you've been in three countries within three minutes.. A round-trip hike to the peak and back will take 4 to 5 hours depending on the physical condition of your party and current trail conditions. Local guides can be hired to accompany your party. In addition to the Summit Trail, there are several shorter trails that can be outstanding options for birdwatching.


 * Stargazing: Due to its location far from any large city, the nights are exceptionally dark in the park and offer an opportunity to see far more stars with far better clarity than in most of the world.

Buy, Eat, and Drink
There are no shops in the park selling anything. Bring whatever you will need. The nearest town with stores and restaurants is Metapan.

Sleep
Hotels are available in the town of Metapan. Camping is available in the park and is widely recommended so you can arrive a day before you plan to hike to the summit.

Go next

 * Quetzaltenango
 * Honduran Highlands
 * Santa Ana
 * El Salvador national parks