El Salvador
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View of hills and a distant volcano beneath a pink sky.

El Salvador · San Salvador & surroundings

Parks for a family day out

ISTU parks and a botanical garden near the capital, with hours and fees on each card.

5 places1 unconfirmed, flagged

  1. 1

    NatureOpen

    Saburo Hirao Park

    End of Calle Los Viveros, Colonia Nicaragua, San Salvador (ISTU).2.3 km from the centre

    Entry
    Non-resident foreigner US$5
    Hours
    Wed–Sun 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
    Booking
    Not stated

    An urban park run by ISTU, with the Natural History Museum (MUHNES) inside. The former National Zoo next door closed permanently in May 2022.

    Source: ISTU – Tarifas y horarios de parques (2026) · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Nationals US$1; non-residents US$5. Parking: car US$1; heavy vehicle US$2 (ISTU, 2026). ISTU's table labels a third fee of US$3 «Extranjeros salvadoreños» (literally «Salvadoran foreigners»): the label is ambiguous, so check at the park who it applies to.
    Hours
    Wednesday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (ISTU, 2026).

    Nearby: Natural History Museum of El Salvador (MUHNES) (0.3 km) · Francisco Morazán Mausoleum (2.2 km) · National Palace (2.3 km)

    Sources: ISTU – Tarifas y horarios de parques (2026) · Diario El Salvador – Cierre permanente del Zoológico Nacional (26 de mayo de 2022)

  2. 2

    WaterOpen

    Los Chorros Recreational Park

    La Libertad department, 18 km west of San Salvador (ISTU).14.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    Foreign visitor US$3
    Hours
    Mon–Sun 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
    Booking
    Not stated

    An ISTU recreational park with swimming pools, 18 km west of San Salvador. Not to be confused with Chorros de la Calera in Juayúa.

    Source: ISTU – Tarifas y horarios de parques (2026) · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Nationals US$1.50; foreign visitors US$3. Parking: car US$1; heavy vehicle US$2 (ISTU, 2026). The national rate requires a Salvadoran ID (DUI).
    Hours
    Monday to Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (ISTU, 2026).

    Nearby: El Boquerón National Park (6.3 km) · La Laguna Botanical Garden (8.6 km) · Museum of Art of El Salvador (MARTE) (8.6 km)

    Sources: ISTU – Tarifas y horarios de parques (2026) · El Salvador.com – Los Chorros (agosto de 2026)

  3. 3

    WaterOpen

    Apulo Recreational Park

    Cantón Dolores Apulo, Lake Ilopango (ISTU).12.4 km from the centre

    Entry
    Foreign visitor US$3
    Hours
    Mon–Sun 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
    Booking
    Not stated

    An ISTU recreational park on the shore of Lake Ilopango, 16 km from San Salvador.

    Source: ISTU – Tarifas y horarios de parques (2026) · 2026

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Nationals US$1.50; foreign visitors US$3. Parking: car US$1; heavy vehicle US$2 (ISTU, 2026). The national rate requires a Salvadoran ID (DUI).
    Hours
    Monday to Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (ISTU, 2026).

    Nearby: Historic Centre of San Salvador (12.4 km) · National Palace (12.5 km) · Francisco Morazán Mausoleum (12.5 km)

    Sources: ISTU – Tarifas y horarios de parques (2026)

  4. 4

    NatureOpen

    Balboa Nature Park (Los Planes de Renderos)

    Cantón Planes de Renderos, 12 km from San Salvador (ISTU).6.5 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free on foot
    Hours
    Mon–Sun 6:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
    Booking
    Not stated

    An ISTU nature park in Los Planes de Renderos, south of the capital, for walks in the open air; the area has viewpoints and restaurants.

    Source: ISTU – Tarifas y horarios de parques (2026) · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Free entry on foot. Parking: car US$2; heavy vehicle US$3 (ISTU, 2026).
    Hours
    Monday to Sunday, 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (ISTU, 2026).

    Nearby: Puerta del Diablo Nature Park (1.6 km) · Natural History Museum of El Salvador (MUHNES) (4.1 km) · Saburo Hirao Park (4.3 km)

    Sources: ISTU – Tarifas y horarios de parques (2026) · El Salvador.com – Qué visitar en Los Planes de Renderos (enero de 2026)

  5. 5

    NatureStatus unconfirmed

    La Laguna Botanical Garden

    Antiguo Cuscatlán (La Libertad), about 8 km from San Salvador; bus routes 44 and 42-A, according to the press.6.7 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not confirmed
    Hours
    Not confirmed
    Booking
    Not stated

    A private non-profit garden founded in 1976 inside an old volcanic crater in Antiguo Cuscatlán. According to the press, it holds more than 3,500 species in 32 themed areas.

    Hours and fees unconfirmed: the garden does not publish them on its website and the figures come from the press (January 2026), with different amounts elsewhere. Check before you go.

    Source: El Salvador.com – Jardín Botánico La Laguna (enero de 2026) · 2026

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    According to the press (January 2026): adults US$1.75; children aged 2–12 US$1.25. Other sources give different figures.
    Hours
    According to the press (January 2026): Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; closed Mondays. No pets or drones.

    Nearby: National Museum of Anthropology (MUNA) (2.1 km) · Museum of Art of El Salvador (MARTE) (2.6 km) · Natural History Museum of El Salvador (MUHNES) (5.4 km)

    Sources: El Salvador.com – Jardín Botánico La Laguna (enero de 2026)

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