ancient ruins
Joya de Cerén
A UNESCO site known as the Pompeii of the Americas, a Maya farming village preserved under volcanic ash from the 6th century.
6 km · about 10 min drive
North AmericaEl SalvadorLa Libertad Department
San Juan Opico
La Libertad Department, El Salvador · North America
About San Juan Opico
San Juan Opico works well as a base: 20 minutes from Ciudad Arce, 18km from El Boquerón Crater.
San Juan Opico is in La Libertad Department, El Salvador, with about 7,100 people. The nearest town is Ciudad Arce, about 10 km away.
San Juan Opico (or Opico) is a municipality in the La Libertad department of El Salvador.
It is located 42 kilometers from San Salvador, capital of the country. The municipality has an area of 218 km2 and a population of 74,280 inhabitants; according to the 2007 census it is ranked No. 13 in population.
Within itsRead more
territory are pre-Columbian archaeological sites like Joya de Cerén and San Andrés and a church built in the colonial era.
Where to Stay in San Juan Opico
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near San Juan Opico?
Within an hour or so of San Juan Opico: Joya de Cerén (6 km), El Boquerón Crater (18 km), Lake Coatepeque (20 km), Santa Ana Volcano (Ilamatepec) (29 km).
Are there any good drives near San Juan Opico?
The nearest famous roads are Ruta de las Flores.
Where is San Juan Opico?
San Juan Opico is in La Libertad Department, El Salvador, about 10 km from Ciudad Arce.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 7,127
- Continent
- North America
- Country
- El Salvador
- Region
- La Libertad Department
- Timezone
- America/El_Salvador
- Coordinates
- 13.8761, -89.3597
Tags
Worth the detour from San Juan Opico
7 notable places within an hour's drive.
natural wonder
El Boquerón Crater
The 1.5-km-wide crater of San Salvador Volcano, reached by a scenic road climbing from the capital to 1,800 m: peer into the perfect cinder cone left by the 1917 eruption.
18 km · about 20 min drive
natural wonder
Lake Coatepeque
A stunning volcanic crater lake in western El Salvador with turquoise water, surrounded by forested hills and lakeside restaurants.
20 km · about 25 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Santa Ana Volcano (Ilamatepec)
El Salvador's highest volcano, whose nested craters hold a sulphurous turquoise lake. A two-hour guided hike from Cerro Verde car park ends on a rim looking down at the acid lake and across to Izalco and Lake Coatepeque.
29 km · about 35 min drive
landmark
Suchitoto
El Salvador's best-preserved colonial town: cobbled streets and a white timber-columned church above Lake Suchitlán, a reservoir that draws huge flocks of migratory birds each winter.
36 km · about 40 min drive
beach
El Tunco
El Salvador's top surf beach with a distinctive pig-shaped rock formation, vibrant nightlife, and consistent Pacific waves.
43 km · about 50 min drive
famous road
Ruta de las Flores
A picturesque route through the western highlands of El Salvador connecting colorful colonial villages and coffee plantations.
52 km · about 60 min drive
Driving roads near San Juan Opico
- 29 kmSanta Ana Volcano (Ilamatepec)El Salvador's highest volcano, whose nested craters hold a sulphurous turquoise lake. A two-hour guided hike from Cerro Verde car park ends on a rim looking down at the acid lake and across to Izalco and Lake Coatepeque.
- 52 kmRuta de las FloresA picturesque route through the western highlands of El Salvador connecting colorful colonial villages and coffee plantations.
When to drive here
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
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