Discover all the things to do in Lake Coatepeque, a wonderful tourist destination that will surprise you. This lake of volcanic origin with an area of 25km² is known for its crystal clear waters, black sand beaches and the beautiful mountain scenery that surrounds it. Besides being a place of peace and relaxation, Lake Coatepeque offers a wide variety of water and land activities for everyone, such as hiking, kayaking or diving.
In this post we will tell you about all the activities the lake has to offer and give you other travel tips to help you organize your visit. It is a very common day trip from El Salvador or Santa Ana. And if you prefer to spend more time at the lake, we also have prepared some suggestions for overnight accommodations. Are you ready for your trip to Lake Coatepeque? Let’s get started.
What are the best things to do in Lake Coatepeque?
1. Anteojos Peninsula and Teopan Island
Lake Coatepeque has interesting geographic formations, such as several islands or small peninsulas like the Anteojos. You can reach them walking around the lake.
The island of Teopán is the largest in the lake. This island is a place of great historical interest because there was a temple and a monolith in honor to the goddess Itzqueyé. She was the goddess of mothers and fertility, worshipped by the Nahua Indians. They were the ones who baptized the lake with its current name.
2. The changing color of the water, a must-see at Lake Coatepeque
From time to time the water of the lake turns an incredible turquoise color. This usually happens between June and August, but not always with the same intensity. It is believed that the color change is due to the proliferation of certain types of algae and the volcanic material on which the lake was formed. The phenomenon usually lasts about three weeks and everyone should see it at least once in a lifetime.
3. Lake Coatepeque ferry excursion
A two-story ferry departs from the port very frequently and takes passengers on a tour of the lake. It is a perfect way to enjoy the lake from different perspectives while having a refreshing drink, as there is a bar at the entrance of the boat.
4. Activities at Lake Coatepeque
If you are a nature and water sports fan, Lake Coatepeque is your ideal destination. There you can do activities such as kayaking, diving, snorkeling and jet skiing as well as hiking or biking around the lake. Many trails go into the dense forests that cover the entire area. They lead to incredible viewpoints where you can take pictures of the lake from high above.
In the ports of the lake you can choose the activity you like the most and enjoy a day under the sun swimming in the crystal clear waters of the lake.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Things to do around Lake Coatepeque
1. Santa Ana, the second most important city in the country.
Located on the border with Guatemala, Santa Ana is the second largest city in the country. It is also one of the most important in terms of economy, culture and tourism. Besides, Santa Ana is one of the most visited destinations by travelers who venture into El Salvador. The gothic influence reflected in its buildings and the natural landscapes that surround it, such as the Cerro Verde National Park or the Ruta de las Flores (“Flowers Route”) are amazing.
You can reach Lake Coatepeque from Santa Ana by car (1 hour drive) or take a bus to the Congo and then take a cab or another bus to the lake. If you want to know more about Santa Ana you can read this post: Things to see and do on a trip to Santa Ana?
2. Santa Ana volcano
The Santa Ana Volcano, also known as Ilamatepec, is the highest peak in the country with a height of 2,381 meters above sea level. It is definitely worth spending some time to enjoy the views from this still active volcano. You will be able to appreciate the craters of the volcano, the green landscapes and the panoramic views of Lake Coatepeque.
Just 27km separate the lake from the volcano, however, it is not very well communicated. That is why we recommend to hire a guided tour. You’ll get to know the most interesting parts of the volcano and information about the flora, fauna and geology of the place.
What to see in 1 day in Lake Coatepeque
One day is enough to enjoy the beauty of the lake and its surroundings. That’s why many tourists decide to see Santa Ana and Lake Coatepeque on the same day. In our opinion, one day is not enough to enjoy all the activities offered by this beautiful natural enclave. That’s why we recommend spending at least a couple of nights at the lake. Hiking, doing some water activities like kayaking or windsurfing, and enjoying sunbathing on its white sandy beaches is definitely worth it.
Where and what to eat in Lake Coatepeque?
In the surroundings of Lake Coatepeque you will find a wide range of restaurants where you can try the specialties of the area, including the fried fish, pupusas de pescaditas (stuffed dough tortilla), yucca or atol de elote, a typical drink made from corn, milk and cinnamon.
Here’s a list of some of our favorite restaurants:
- Rancho Alegre: This pleasant restaurant on the shores of the lake is a perfect place to taste the typical dishes of the area, have breakfast or enjoy the evening with a cocktail and live music. There is also a natural swimming pool where you can take a swim. The price of breakfast ranges from $ 6 and lunch does not exceed $ 20.
- La PAMPA: is an exclusive restaurant specializing in grilled meats, although it also serves breakfast, seafood, hamburgers and many other quality dishes. Prices are similar to the Western ones. A plate of meat can cost up to $20.
- Vista Lago: This is a complex of cabins for lodging that has a restaurant with the best views in the area. The specialty is the Guapote fish accompanied by vegetables, rice and tortillas.They also offer a variety of soups, meats and cocktails. Prices are inexpensive and you can eat well for less than $15.
Where to stay in Lake Coatepeque
Lake Coatepeque is a very popular tourist destination in El Salvador, which means that you will find a wide range of accommodations, from luxury hotels and resorts, to more economical villas or guesthouses. The city of Santa Ana is less than 30km away, so it is also possible to stay there. Here are some of our recommendations for lodging in the lake area:
- Villa Noelia: is a 5-star hotel located on the shores of the lake. It has an outdoor pool, garden, terrace and private beach. All rooms overlook the lake and are equipped with air conditioning and flat-screen TV. The price per night starts at €129 and includes breakfast.
- Hostal Casa Verde: this pleasant hostel is an economical option to stay in Santa Ana, near the lake. The accommodation offers 24-hour reception, common terrace, shared kitchen, lockers, laundry service, lounge area and games room. The price per night ranges from 37€ to 70€ and breakfast is included.
- Remfort Hotel: is a luxurious hotel located in Santa Ana that has a beautiful pool set with palm trees and a minimalist style that dominates all rooms. The price for a weekend for two people is 116€.
How to get to Lake Coatepeque
The most common way to get to Lake Coatepeque in El Salvador from Europe is to fly to San Salvador’s Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport, which is located about 50 km away from the lake. There are several airlines that operate the route, including Iberia, Air Europa, American Airlines and Delta Airlines, among others.
Once at the airport or in the city of El Salvador, you have three options to get to the lake:
- Rental car: is the most comfortable option. To get to the lake take CA-1S and then CA – 12 highways. The drive takes about 45 minutes.
- Organized excursions: In El Salvador you can sign up for an organized day trip that includes the lake and Santa Ana. They provide transportation and the price is around 80€.
- Bus: is the cheapest option but takes the longest time. For less than 5€ you can take the 201 bus in the direction of Santa Ana and get off at the El Congo stop. From there you can take another bus to the lake. This will take you at least 2 hours.
What should I consider before traveling to Lake Coatepeque?
- The official currency is the Salvadoran dollar.
- Mosquito repellent is recommended.
- Always try to drink bottled water and avoid ice.
- It’s best to carry small notes, as change is hard to come by.
- The private car is a good option for getting around, but so is the bus as the whole country is very well connected.
- The electricity and voltage has a current of 115 volts (v) and a frequency of 60 Hertz (Hz).
- As for plugs in El Salvador, plug types A and B are used.
- The best time to travel to El Salvador is the dry season, which runs from November to April.
- It is best to avoid exchanging money at the airport, as its prices are high.
- Spanish is spoken in San Salvador.
- You don’t need a visa to travel to El Salvador, but you do need a passport.
- It is advisable to get a malaria vaccine.
- Cover yourself against possible medical emergencies: travel with insurance.
How to plan your trip to Lake Coatepeque
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all of its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
- Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the modifications you need and you’re all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers what to see in Lake Coatepeque.
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary on Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Lake Coatepeque
The fastest option to get to Lake Coatepeque is to rent a car in El Salvador (45 min). Another option is to go by bus to El Congo, and there take another bus that will drop you at the lake.
Some of the most typical dishes that you can try in the restaurants of Lake Coatepeque are fried fish, fresh seafood such as shrimp and lobster, pupusas stuffed with fish, yucca with chicharron or atol de elote.
The best months to visit Lake Coatepeque are December and February, when temperatures are more pleasant.
You will find a wide range of accommodations around Lake Coatepeque, including luxury resorts and hotels, cabins and more modest guesthouses.
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