PARQUE NACIONAL MONTECRISTO

The country's most visited national park, Montecristo was, on November 18, 1987, the first area declared in El Salvador to protect flora and fauna. It covers 1,973 hectares, borders Honduras and Guatemala, and is extended by the Trifinio Biosphere Reserve. Within it, three mountains rise to over 2,000 metres: Montecristo (2,418), Miramundo (2,394) and Brujo. Here you can observe birds, orchids, reptiles and amphibians, mammals, flora and fruit. The park hides a sublime orchid garden (around 80 species), and its nebulous forest is home to trees over 30 meters tall, 275 species of endemic birds, mammals such as the puma and snakes of varying degrees of danger. Quetzals reside here, as do deer, squirrels and tigrillos. There are trails to familiarize you with this superb environment. You can walk along rivers and waterfalls, in the company of otters... Viewpoints offer a beautiful view of the lower slopes. The more adventurous can climb to the summit of Cerro Montecristo, at an altitude of 2,400 metres (a permit is required). Hikers and adventurous tourists will be delighted to discover this park. Camping here will add a touch of pure adventure to your stay in the heart of a truly unspoilt natural environment. Remember to bring warm clothing, especially for the night. Because of the altitude, temperatures are cool, ranging from 6 to 18 degrees!