Lake Guija

Lake Guija is located on the border between Guatemala and El Salvador and has a surface of 45 km², of which the majority (32 km²) is located in El Salvador.

The lake was formed by a large lava flow from the San Diego volcano that blocked the original drainage of the Guij Depression. Lake Guija is fed by several rivers: the Ostúa, Angue and Cusmapa, and is drained by the Desague River. Three volcanoes surround Lake Gija: Mita, San Diego and Cerro Quemado. There are a few small islands: Teotipa, Cerro de Tule and Iguatepec where pre-Columbian pottery has  been excavated.

At the lake side we can find birds like quetzals, larks, mockingbirds, but also boas, snipers, lizards and other animals. Besides birding, you can hike or take a tour on the lake or even go kayaking or fish. Some species we can find in Guija Lake are tilapia , catfish, filin and others. 

In the area of Chalchuapa, where Lake Güija is located, together with the area of Chalchuapa we find remains of houses and even buildings from the Mayan Empire and it is believed there is a Mayan city hidden under the water. On top of the Igualtepec Hill near the lake are the remains of a pyramid. Petroglyphs of animals, humans and deities are found all over the area  and in the islands of the lakes several Mayan remains such as pottery have been excavated. It is possible to book an excursion to Lake Guija in which you can visit these islands. 

Lake Ilopango

Lake Ilopango is only a few kilometers away from San Salvador and has a surface of 72 km2. Lake Ilopango is eleven kilometers long, eight kilometers wide and has a depth of 230 meters at an altitude of 440 meters. Visitors can sail on the lake, kayak, fish or hike around the lake. Lake Ilopango occupies a caldera formed in the year 535 after a volcanic eruption during which several villages were destroyed. The last eruption was in 1879 during which the Islas Quemadas were formed.

Lago de Coatepeque

Lago de Coatepeque is a large crater lake, 18 kilometers south of Santa Ana, and is located at an altitude of 745 meters surrounded by beautiful green slopes and is a total of 25.3 km². The lake is 6 km wide and up to 115 meters deep and is located in the vicinity of the volcanoes Cerro Verde, Izalco and Santa Ana. This makes it one of the largest lakes in El Salvador. In the lake is the island of Teopan where a small Mayan site was located. The caldera was formed by a large volcanic eruption. The name ‘coatepeque’ means Hill of snakes in Nahuatl. It is a popular weekend retreat for the wealthier San Salvadorians. There are also several cheaper hotels on the lake and it is a nice place to relax in one of the hot springs, kayak or go hiking.