THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Santa Ana (2025) - Must-See Attractions
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Things to Do in Santa Ana
Check out must-see sights and activities:
Santa Ana Volcano, Parque Nacional Cerro Verde, Nature and Wildlife Tours, Cultural Tours. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
Santa Ana Volcano, Parque Nacional Cerro Verde, Nature and Wildlife Tours, Cultural Tours. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
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Book these experiences for a close-up look at Santa Ana.
- fromper adult (price varies by group size)£72
- fromper adult (price varies by group size)£83
Private Sightseeing Toursfromper adult£9- fromper adult (price varies by group size)£72
Ports of Call Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)£101
Layover Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)£105
Day Tripsfromper adult (price varies by group size)£72- fromper adult (price varies by group size)£88
- fromper adult (price varies by group size)£99
- fromper adult (price varies by group size)£58
Volcanoes
Challenging volcano hike through uneven terrain rewards with breathtaking views of a unique green caldera lake, amidst a social, secure atmosphere.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
Churches & Cathedrals
Volcanoes
Architectural Buildings
Speciality Museums
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Other Top Attractions around Santa Ana
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What travellers are saying
- bostondave11Boston, MA288 contributionsWe just hiked this last week. We did not take an orgainzed tour. We had a car rental and drove here ourselves. We drove to Cerro Verde park entrance and were told that they are not doing hikes to Santa Ana Volcano anymore and to drive back down the hill 2 kms to the town with streetside restaurant stalls and we could hire a guide and hike from there - which we did. I believe it cost $3 to park, then $3 per person for park entrance, then you also need to go with a guide - either join a group tour for around $3.50/person, or hire a private guide for $35. We hired a private guide becuase I didn't want to be constrained by a large group (our pace might be faster or slower). it took just under 3 hours up and back including the stop at the top for views and photos. We saw all kinds hiking up, from people who looked like they have never hiked to very fit people. Our guide did not speak much english, but it still worked. She instituted what seemed a very fast pace, even though we had chosen a medium pace (she hikes it every day). But, she adjusted. The view of the inside of the crater is gorgeous. One of the top activities while we were in El Salvador. Note, we drove from Juayua in Rutes de las Flores and I think it took about 1.5 hours. I'm guessing its about the same from San Salvador, depending on traffic. Highly recommend.Written 15 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Czech Me Out Travels144 contributionsWe stayed two nights right in the park at Casa 1800. The day we checked in after check in we explored the national Parque a bit to see the different vendors & market sellers. Was a weekend do the park was full of people mostly families enjoying themselves & the area. Lots of great places for kids to explore, run around, a big playground area.
They have these amazing enchanting trees that they have turned into tree top look out points. You climb up the tree & can stand on the build platforms & look out at the spectacular views of the volcanos. It never seen anything like this, the concept of the viewpoints being in tree tops was wonderful. The whole place is very well established with so many observation decks, view points etc. Great place to catch the sunset. Just so picturesque. Admission to the park is $3 pp for foreigners regardless if you stay at the hotel onsite you still must pay.
It’s also quite clean, with recycling s as bad trash bins throughout,
The next morning at 9 am we met at the tour booth for a tour of Santa Ana. The price is $4 per person with another $6 to be paid at the other tourist booth that’s write at the base of the volcano. Cash only!
The tour group is quite big & the guide does tend to walk through quite quickly so keeping everyone together wasn’t easy & many times we had to stop to wait for people to catch up. But the views are incredible once you get out of the forested area. The trails are well kept.
Along the way there are stands for refreshments but mostly sugary, junk food. There was one stand at the second tourist booth that sold cut fresh fruit. So if you are in the healthy lifestyle bring your own snacks because there aren’t hardly any other options from the chemical snacks.
The view to the volcano creature is out of this world, the climb is steep & rocky, and even at the top you have to be careful there is no barrier there are poles but nothing going across it to stop you from slipping & falling down: some people looked way to close so take care cuz again like most toured groups you get a guide that takes you there & nothing more, so use your own smart judgement. Hiking in sneakers is ok though hiking boots is preferred just cuz the way is super rocky. Seen some guys in flip flops so they can be done but not recommended. The weather changes quite quickly up there so recommend a windbreaker as it can get windy & drizzly.
There is a man at the top that sells ice cream which is the “cool” but to be honest the ice cream wrappers & sticks end up on the trail as they fly away or people just throw it on the ground or loose it on the way down and no one picks it up. I happened to have a plastic bag from our snacks so on the way down I picked up trash from the trail& people were surprised how much trash I ended up collecting at the end. Which for me I always do this on all my hikes wherever I am. But it Los should be the guides responsibility & also show & set an example to the hikers that the really do take care of the trails. Especially the spots that you could see locals loved there, there was a lot of trash on the ground that no one cares to pick up. Though at the second tourist booth there were containers for recycling.
On the way back we choose to take the truck back to the starting point. We paid $2 each & it was a fun ride & something different to experience. Though you felt like cattle here’s
in the back of a truck cuz it was exactly like that.
Overall the whole experience in this national Parque was lovely, magical & enchanting. Highly recommend visiting & recommend the administration of this place have their guides pick up more trash along the way & education people especially locals to take care of the beautiful nature they have surrounding them.Written 8 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Dixie W3 contributionsBeautiful place!! We highly recommended it
Looking forward to coming back soon
We had a great time
Have a great private boat rideWritten 4 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Salsachick67London, UK49 contributionsI visited this cathedral as part of a history / walking tour. It’s not only beautiful, there are lots of fascinating things to learn about the inside including traditions. Our guide also took us up to the roof top for some spectacular views of the city. I would have missed out on this had I done it on my own. My tour guide was called Fatima and she is on the Guruwalk website (Spanish and English).Written 31 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- QuakeupVictoria, Canada264 contributionsOne of the guides on the trail up Santa Ana Volcano suggested that hiking Izalco Volcano is about the same distance as Santa Ana, but double the exertion. He was right!
I joined a guided hike that started from the Cerro Verde parking lot at 11 AM. Our large group on this Sunday morning descended through a beautiful wooded switchback trail to the saddle that separates Cerro Verde from Izalco Volcano. From here it’s a 45° rise, which is hiked on a rough and rocky switchback trail. There are plenty of solid handholds if you need to pull yourself up in places.
It was amazing to see the steam vents seeping out of the rock as we neared the small crater rim. Izalco has retained its iconic cone shape, so it’s not very wide at the top or as interesting as the sweeping view inside the magnificent Santa Ana Volcano nearby. I was rewarded by the expansive views all the way into Guatemala to the north, Lago de Coatepeque to the east, San Salvador to the south, and the great blue sea of the Pacific to the west.
Enjoy a frozen ice cream novelty at the crater rim when you get there. Only $1.5 for a popsicle—wow!
This is an out and back trail, and we retraced our footsteps to the car park the way we came. Going down the volcano was easy, but the return up Cerro Verde was a tough slog because of the grade and distance. The saving grace is that this section is entirely in the shade.
Prices: I was charged $4 for park admission (including parking fee), plus $3 for the guide.
Hiking time: Guides suggest four hours. Took me three hours, because the guides eventually allow us to hike the last strenuous section at our own pace.Written 13 February 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - LolaGo1Washington DC, DC6,624 contributionsGlad that I visited it on my last day in Santa Ana! Entrance fee for foreigners is $5 plus $2 for the use of camera. I had an English speaking guide named Stephanie.
She explained the history of the theater and showed me its various areas. My favorite area is the salon where they do the dancing. On its sides are the separate areas for men and women. The paintings on the ceilings mouldings, chandeliers. etc are all very beautiful.
There are 3 levels or sections for the audience to sit. The top level is for the poor customers where the seats had been modernised. The bathroom at this level is modern and free to use during my visit.
There is a small museum on the right side of the theater (ground level). Highly recommende to visit!Written 17 December 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - dakotamorton48 contributionsI’ve been on other coffee tours before that we’re not even as close to as detailed in comparison to the tour at Finca ale Esperanza.
Farm owner Eduardo really takes the time to show you every step of the process relating to coffee production on the farm.
On top of all of that, he’s a really great guy and you can talk to him for hours. We shared some really good vibes and conversations late into the day; which began with some amazing pupusas, and finished with some very tasty desserts.
Eduardo also took the time to talk about other ecology and plants, animals, that play into the coffee lifecycle on the property.
The three varieties of coffee grown on the property are all very good, and you get to taste them via the pour-over method - right there at a little table on the farm.
Moreover, he drove us up the Sahara Ana Volcano for some amazing views of the city of Sahara Ana and surrounding areas.
He was kind enough to roast our favorite varieties that we sampled during the tour that evening, and then dropped the 1lbs bags at our hostel the next morning.
Do not miss an opportunity to check out his farm! Thanks Eduardo!Written 19 March 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Rene_pippAmsterdam, The Netherlands46 contributionsVery beuatiful quiet place in the middle of the market. Hard to believe something ruimed like this can look so pretty after all!Written 15 December 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- drea45El Salvador4 contributionsWell, there are different events happening here. Depends on when you go. It changes. But it's very interesting to learn the history. Downstairs in the vault there are gold bars and the history of the money used.Written 21 November 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TravelingFamilyTripChicago, IL209 contributionsWe visited with an arranged tour. We did about a 7 mile hike (round trip) from the visitor's center down to the junction of two streams in the valley below. It's not virgin forest by any means, but it was a nice hike, and swimming the the stream pools at the bottom was very refreshing.
Yes, the road to the visitor's center is very bad. Not the worst I've ever been on, but I was glad it wasn't me who was driving!Written 28 February 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Kathy L14 contributionsGreat place to visit with a beautiful view to Coatepeque Lake☀️
Breakfasts , coffee, desserts and snacks🍴
Zipline
Petfriendly💗Written 13 September 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The above attraction descriptions were created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for any of the above attraction descriptions. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information.
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