San Diego and San Felipe Las Barras National Park

San Diego and San Felipe Las Barras National Park is a large protected natural area in Western El Salvador near the border with Guatemala. The park boasts extensive tropical forests and part of Lago de Güija (Lake Guija), a large lake shared with Guatemala, as well as a smaller lake, Laguna de Metapan.

Understand
The national park is large, covering an area of 1,902 hectares. Most of that area is dry tropical forest with rocky terrain that includes 7 volcanoes. It is the largest dry tropical forest in El Salvador and is home to a wide range of plant and animal life, including several endangered species. More than 125 bird species have been spotted in the park, including several aquatic species that make their home around Lake Guija. The park includes rehabilitation facilities that seek to release animals into appropriate park habitats when the animals are ready.

Five archaeological sites have been discovered with relics from pre-Columbian settlements dating from 600 - 1525 AD. The sites are Teotipa, Belén Güija, Azacualpa, San Diego y la isla Igualtepeque (also known as Cerro de las Figuras).

By car
The park is 45 km north of Santa Ana using highway CA-12. The road is in generally good condition and the drive will take about 45 minutes. An access road off CA-12 goes to Azacualpa, a lakeside village with palapa restaurants and visitor activities. The access road is well maintained and passes through the park for several miles before reaching the lake.

By bus
Chicken buses run every hour between Santa Ana and Metapan and they go through the eastern part of the park. Use the ruta 235 bus, generally marked Transportes Silvia Emperatriz. The fare is about US$1. Tell the driver or conductor that you want to go to the park and they will drop you off along the highway.

Fees and permits
Park admission is free.

Do
Park naturalists lead hikes to experience the park's natural scenery.


 * Hiking - the park has miles of trails through wooded areas to volcanoes, lakes, and caves. Many of the trails are wide, very well cleared roadway with long stretches of flat, easy terrain.
 * Caving - there are several caves in the park, some of which house bat colonies

Buy, Eat and Sleep
There are limited facilities in the park itself, but the town of Metapan to the north of the park and Belen Guijat on the south side of the park both have stores, restaurants, and lodging.

Go next

 * Santa Ana
 * Montecristo National Park