A refuge for endangered plants and animal species, this site of mountain peaks, mangrove forests, and waterfalls cascading into crystalline waters is a treat for serious hikers, nature lovers, and those who love wild swimming. Keep your eyes peeled for rare species like pumas, wild boar, king vultures, black-crested eagles, and more as you wander the trails. Though protected, this ecosystem is quite delicate, so be prepared to save your trash or food waste to deposit in a garbage bin at the park entrances.
El Imposible is the largest of El Salvador’s national parks, and many visitors arrive as part of a guided tour from a nearby city. Tours leave from both Santa Ana and San Salvador, with some offering full- or half-day excursions, while others include additional attractions, like the Santa Ana volcano.
Guides are available for hire at the entrances of El Imposible, and you’ll need to go with one to hike the park.
All the interpretive signs within the park are written in Spanish.
Stop in the park’s small museum to learn about its history and view taxidermied animals that you might spot on your hike.
In the western part of El Salvador near the Guatemala border, El Imposible National Park can be reached by car from both Santa Ana and San Salvador in about 2.5 hours, and is often visited on guided tours. If you plan on camping overnight, consider booking a private shuttle to get to the park as quickly and conveniently as possible.
The dry season lasts from November through April, which is an ideal time to visit without having to lug around your rain gear. The wet season may be rainy, but the warmer weather makes diving into the crystalline waters all the more refreshing. Leave extra time for hiking the muddy, steep trails in the wet season, and arrive as early as possible for maximum daylight hours.
El Imposible National Park was historically a trade route for coffee beans, along which farmers would lead mule trains from the hills to the port city of Acajutla. Many coffee farms surround the national park, so plan a stop at a nearby town like Concepción de Ataco for a fresh cup of coffee grown in these mountainous surroundings.