Laguna Verde

13.89153 , -89.78695

El Salvador

Laguna Verde is a vibrant green crater lake situated near the town of Apaneca, within the Ruta de las Flores in El Salvador. It's a popular natural attraction characterized by lush vegetation and misty surroundings, offering opportunities for walking, picnicking and birdwatching. The area is a serene escape, ideal for nature lovers and those interested in El Salvador's diverse ecosystems and volcanic landscapes. 

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were changed by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos : 13.8915/-89.7870 (2025-09-03 12:58:09 )

Coordinates were set by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos : 13.8911/-89.7885 (2021-12-01 16:02:12 )

Site name was set by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos as "Laguna Verde" (2021-12-01 16:02:12 )

Edited by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos on 2025-09-03 13:11:06
Laguna Verde is a vibrant green crater lake situated near the town of Apaneca, within the Ruta de las Flores in El Salvador. It's a popular natural attraction characterized by lush vegetation and misty surroundings, offering opportunities for walking, picnicking and birdwatching. The area is a serene escape, ideal for nature lovers and those interested in El Salvador's diverse ecosystems and volcanic landscapes. 

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Green-throated Mountain-gem (Lampornis viridipallens)
Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird (Tilmatura dupontii)
Rufous Sabrewing (Pampa rufa)
Emerald-chinned Hummingbird (Abeillia abeillei)
Northern Emerald-Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus prasinus)
Guatemalan Tyrannulet (Zimmerius vilissimus)
Bushy-crested Jay (Cyanocorax melanocyaneus)
Blue-and-white Mockingbird (Melanotis hypoleucus)
White-winged Tanager (Piranga leucoptera)

Green-throated Mountain-gem (Lampornis viridipallens) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2025-09-03 13:10:06)

Bushy-crested Jay (Cyanocorax melanocyaneus) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2025-09-03 13:09:43)

Blue-and-white Mockingbird (Melanotis hypoleucus) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2025-09-03 13:09:30)

White-winged Tanager (Piranga leucoptera) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-12-01 16:04:43)

Northern Emerald-Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus prasinus) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-12-01 16:04:31)

Guatemalan Tyrannulet (Zimmerius vilissimus) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-12-01 16:04:20)

Rufous Sabrewing (Pampa rufa) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-12-01 16:04:09)

Emerald-chinned Hummingbird (Abeillia abeillei) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-12-01 16:03:55)

Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird (Tilmatura dupontii) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-12-01 16:03:42)

  • Timing and strategy

There is amazing birding throughout the year at Laguna Verde. Between October and March the crater is full with migratory species from North America, the rest of the year local species (some endemic to Northern Central America) are present in the spot such as Bar-winged Oriole, Blue and White Mockingbird, Bushy-crested Jay, Rusty Sparrow, Rufous Sabrewing, Green-throated Mountain Gem, Emerald-chinned Hummingbird and many more species. The way to do your birding walk is by taking the trail around the lagoon either way and of course it is much better early in the morning. On weekend the lagoon is a touristy spot starting from 9 to 10 am and it is not a quiet as early in the morning so plan it for a weekday better for more enjoyment. 

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos on 2025-09-03 13:08
There is amazing birding throughout the year at Laguna Verde. Between October and March the crater is full with migratory species from North America, the rest of the year local species (some endemic to Northern Central America) are present in the spot such as Bar-winged Oriole, Blue and White Mockingbird, Bushy-crested Jay, Rusty Sparrow, Rufous Sabrewing, Green-throated Mountain Gem, Emerald-chinned Hummingbird and many more species. The way to do your birding walk is by taking the trail around the lagoon either way and of course it is much better early in the morning. On weekend the lagoon is a touristy spot starting from 9 to 10 am and it is not a quiet as early in the morning so plan it for a weekday better for more enjoyment. 
Edited by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos on 2025-09-03 13:07
There is amazing birding throughout the year at Laguna Verde. Between October and March the crater is full with migratory species from North America, the rest of the year local species (some endemic to Northern Central America) are present in the spot such as Bar-winged Oriole, Blue and White Mockingbird, Bushy-crested Jay, Rusty Sparrow, Rufous Sabrewing, Green-throated Mountain Gem, Emerald-chinned Hummingbird and many more species.
  • How to get there

A dirty road gets all the way to the lagoon and it is accesible to all kind of vehicles, if you are not driving your only choice is to get to the town of Apaneca and hire a mototaxi to take you there (5 USD each way per trip not per person) or you can walk the 3 kilometers along the road.

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos on 2025-09-03 12:58
A dirty road gets all the way to the lagoon and it is accesible to all kind of vehicles, if you are not driving your only choice is to get to the town of Apaneca and hire a mototaxi to take you there (5 USD each way per trip not per person) or you can walk the 3 kilometers along the road.

You can access the town of Apaneca from multiple points, one of them is the city of Ahuachapan, from there take the road to Sonsonate city and once you get to the town of Apaneca follow the signs to Laguna Verde. Same scenario from Sonsonate city, take the Ruta de las Flores road by followings the signs in Sonsonate and once you get to the town of Apaneca follow the signs to Laguna Verde.

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos on 2025-09-04 17:24
You can access the town of Apaneca from multiple points, one of them is the city of Ahuachapan, from there take the road to Sonsonate city and once you get to the town of Apaneca follow the signs to Laguna Verde. Same scenario from Sonsonate city, take the Ruta de las Flores road by followings the signs in Sonsonate and once you get to the town of Apaneca follow the signs to Laguna Verde.
  • Other attractions

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Not available yet

Casa Colibri Apaneca (casacolibriapanecasv@gmail.com, Whatsapp +50379878788, Facebook & Instagram @casacolibriapaneca) is the first birding lodge in El Salvador and offers cozy bedrooms with private bathroom and hot water. The main attraction of the lodge is a specially designed porch looking over a specially designed garden that attracts 9 species of hummingbirds as well as more than a hundred species that have been spotted in the garden or the inmediate surroundings. 

https://ebird.org/hotspot/L34251416

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos on 2025-09-03 13:04
Casa Colibri Apaneca (casacolibriapanecasv@gmail.com, Whatsapp +50379878788) +50379878788, Facebook & Instagram @casacolibriapaneca) is the first birding lodge in El Salvador and offers cozy bedrooms with private bathroom and hot water. The main attraction of the lodge is a specially designed porch looking over a specially designed garden that attracts 9 species of hummingbirds. hummingbirds as well as more than a hundred species that have been spotted in the garden or the inmediate surroundings.  https://ebird.org/hotspot/L34251416
Edited by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos on 2025-09-03 13:00
Casa Colibri Apaneca (casacolibriapanecasv@gmail.com, Whatsapp +50379878788) is the first birding lodge in El Salvador and offers cozy bedrooms with private bathroom and hot water. The main attraction of the lodge is a specially designed porch looking over a specially designed garden that attracts 9 species of hummingbirds. 

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Not available yet
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

Local guides

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Reports

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Species:
2021-11-24 to 2021-11-30 Birding El Salvador with Nigel Marven 2021 Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos
Laguna Verde - Orniverse