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© Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos

El Pital & Miramundo

14.36259 , -89.12402

El Salvador

PN San Diego

El Pital & Miramundo are two areas of the high mountains of Chalatenango province in Northern El Salvador. The altitude of both ranges above from 2000 to 2700 meters above sea level. The area is very developed for tourism and there are multiple of hotels of all categories. The highest point of El Salvador at El Pital is a private reserve and there is even a camping site in the place. The Miramundo area is mostly a collection of hotels and reserves that have a lot trees coverage.The full area is a combination of agriculture and forests, cloud forest and pine oak forest are the most common. The best season to go is between February and April and then from July to September. During the last two weeks of December till the last week of January it can be really windy which will make birding complicated. The area is unique in terms of species because of the altitude: Garnet-throated Hummingbird, Rufous-collared Robin, Blue-throated Motmot, Rufous-browed Wren are some of the species that are important in the area.

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 : 14.3626/-89.1240 (2021-08-11 00:18:52 )

Site name was changed by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos into "El Pital & Miramundo" (2021-08-11 00:18:52 )

Coordinates were changed by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos : 14.3628/-89.1240 (2021-08-10 23:54:22 )

Site name was changed by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos into "El Pital & Miramundo" (2021-08-10 23:54:22 )

Coordinates were changed by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos : 14.3797/-89.1243 (2021-08-10 23:45:20 )

Site name was changed by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos into "Reserva Privada El Pital" (2021-08-10 23:45:20 )

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : 14.2951/-89.5382 (2021-01-22 18:10:39 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as " Desembocadura Del Río Ostúa" (2021-01-22 18:10:39 )

Edited by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos on 2021-08-10 23:53:46
El Pital & Miramundo are two areas of the high mountains of Chalatenango province in Northern El Salvador. The altitude of both ranges above from 2000 to 2700 meters above sea level. The area is very developed for tourism and there are multiple of hotels of all categories. The highest point of El Salvador at El Pital is a private reserve and there is even a camping site in the place. The Miramundo area is mostly a collection of hotels and reserves that have a lot trees coverage.The full area is a combination of agriculture and forests, cloud forest and pine oak forest are the most common. The best season to go is between February and April and then from July to September. During the last two weeks of December till the last week of January it can be really windy which will make birding complicated. The area is unique in terms of species because of the altitude: Garnet-throated Hummingbird, Rufous-collared Robin, Blue-throated Motmot, Rufous-browed Wren are some of the species that are important in the area.

  • 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)

Highland Guan (Penelopina nigra)
Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge (Dendrortyx leucophrys)
White-faced Quail-Dove (Zentrygon albifacies)
White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis)
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem (Lampornis amethystinus)
Garnet-throated Hummingbird (Lamprolaima rhami)
Wine-throated Hummingbird (Selasphorus ellioti)
White-eared Hummingbird (Basilinna leucotis)
Unspotted Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius ridgwayi)
Blue-throated Motmot (Aspatha gularis)
Black-capped Swallow (Atticora pileata)
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren (Henicorhina leucophrys)
Blue-and-white Mockingbird (Melanotis hypoleucus)
Slate-colored Solitaire (Myadestes unicolor)
Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush (Catharus frantzii)
Black Thrush (Turdus infuscatus)
Rufous-collared Robin (Turdus rufitorques)
Chestnut-capped Brushfinch (Arremon brunneinucha)
Golden-browed Warbler (Basileuterus belli)

Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge (Dendrortyx leucophrys) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-11 00:33:13)

White-faced Quail-Dove (Zentrygon albifacies) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-11 00:33:02)

Golden-browed Warbler (Basileuterus belli) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-11 00:25:40)

Black Thrush (Turdus infuscatus) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-11 00:25:27)

Wine-throated Hummingbird (Selasphorus ellioti) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-11 00:24:28)

Black-capped Swallow (Atticora pileata) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-11 00:24:09)

White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-11 00:23:55)

Blue-and-white Mockingbird (Melanotis hypoleucus) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-11 00:23:24)

Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush (Catharus frantzii) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-11 00:23:01)

Slate-colored Solitaire (Myadestes unicolor) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-11 00:22:51)

Unspotted Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius ridgwayi) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-11 00:22:34)

Chestnut-capped Brushfinch (Arremon brunneinucha) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-11 00:22:08)

Highland Guan (Penelopina nigra) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-11 00:21:34)

White-eared Hummingbird (Basilinna leucotis) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-11 00:21:22)

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem (Lampornis amethystinus) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-11 00:21:09)

Garnet-throated Hummingbird (Lamprolaima rhami) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-11 00:20:58)

Gray-breasted Wood-Wren (Henicorhina leucophrys) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-11 00:20:44)

Blue-throated Motmot (Aspatha gularis) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-11 00:20:29)

Rufous-collared Robin (Turdus rufitorques) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-11 00:20:10)

  • Timing and strategy

The best strategy to go birding in this region is to book a hotel, hostel or simply camp in one of the camping sites available in the area. Staying from the previuos night is key to enjoy a nice birding morning also the area is so big that you will be able to cover one of the spots in one morning and the other one the next morning. Regarding El Pital you can take a public pickup truck all the way there from Rio Chiquito and then come back hiking. Once at El Pital the entrance fee is 3 USD per person. You can do the trail to Peña Rajada inside the cloud forest until you go down to a rocky lookout (take a look at the cliffs with vegetation that Highland Guan is often attracted to explore them for food) overlooking nearby Honduras and El Salvador as well, then go back to the parking all the way up. Open you eyes very well for at least 4 different kinds of hummingbirds Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem, Wine-throated Hummingbird, Garnet-throated Hummingbird and White-eared Hummingbird as well for other species it is convenient that you get familiar with the calls or songs of the birds of the region since that will be your first way to detect them. That should take around 2 to 3 hours then start going down the road to Rio Chiquito explore every single patch of vegetation by the road as well any open area. Common species along this way can be Emerald Toucanet, Rufous-collared Robin, Mountain Thrush, Common Chlorospingus, Black Thrush and many other species. You can have lunch around Rio Chiquito and go back to your lodge. The next morning explore Miramundo, you can do it along the road from Rio Chiquito or by staying at Alla Arriba Hotel or even better La Burbuja airbnb (Private Reserve) the species that are common in the grounds of both are Blue-throated Motmot, Ruddy-capped Nightingale Thrush, Brown-backed Solitaire, Chestnut-capped Brushfinch, and at night specially in La Burbuja Unspotted Saw-whet Owl. Then you are ready to leave the area by going down to San Ignacio. Transportation can be tricky since it is a complicated road to get there. There are companies in San Ignacio that can offer transfers for you to the high area. I strongly reccommend you to coordinate your visit with a local guide that can arrange transportation specially.

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 2021-08-11 00:15
The best strategy to go birding in this region is to book a hotel, hostel or simply camp in one of the camping sites available in the area. Staying from the previuos night is key to enjoy a nice birding morning also the area is so big that you will be able to cover one of the spots in one morning and the other one the next morning. Regarding El Pital you can take a public pickup truck all the way there from Rio Chiquito and then come back hiking. Once at El Pital the entrance fee is 3 USD per person. You can do the trail to Peña Rajada inside the cloud forest until you go down to a rocky lookout (take a look at the cliffs with vegetation that Highland Guan is often attracted to explore them for food) overlooking nearby Honduras and El Salvador as well, then go back to the parking all the way up. Open you eyes very well for at least 4 different kinds of hummingbirds Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem, Wine-throated Hummingbird, Garnet-throated Hummingbird and White-eared Hummingbird as well for other species it is convenient that you get familiar with the calls or songs of the birds of the region since that will be your first way to detect them. That should take around 2 to 3 hours then start going down the road to Rio Chiquito explore every single patch of vegetation by the road as well any open area. Common species along this way can be Emerald Toucanet, Rufous-collared Robin, Mountain Thrush, Common Chlorospingus, Black Thrush and many other species. You can have lunch around Rio Chiquito and go back to your lodge. The next morning explore Miramundo, you can do it along the road from Rio Chiquito or by staying at Alla Arriba Hotel or even better La Burbuja airbnb (Private Reserve) the species that are common in the grounds of both are Blue-throated Motmot, Ruddy-capped Nightingale Thrush, Brown-backed Solitaire, Chestnut-capped Brushfinch, and at night specially in La Burbuja Unspotted Saw-whet Owl. Then you are ready to leave the area by going down to San Ignacio. Transportation can be tricky since it is a complicated road to get there. There are companies in San Ignacio that can offer transfers for you to the high area. I strongly reccommend you to coordinate your visit with a local guide that can arrange transportation specially.
  • How to get there

From San Salvador you take Troncal del Norte road that goes all the way to the border with Honduras at El Poy. You get to the small town of San Ignacio. From there you take the road to Las Pilas. The road starts at 1600 meters above sea level and it reaches the highest point at 2200 meters above sea level at Rio Chiquito in a distance of 10 kilometers. The road is steep and it is not for any kind of vehicle, preferably a 4x4 in very good condition. Around Rio Chiquito is where you can stay in multiple hotels or if you take the road to El PItal as well, 2 kilometers away from that point to the south there is the Miramundo area with a lot of places to stay as well.  There is also the possibility to travel by bus. You can take bus 119 at Terminal del Norte (Ex-Terminal de Oriente) you get off at San Ignacio and take bus 509 and get off at Rio Chiquito. If you want to camp at El Pital your choices are hiking or hiring a pickup truck that takes you all the way up there. The best thing to do is to hire a local guide who can organize everything for you mainly because the best use of time. 

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

Edited by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos on 2021-08-11 00:53
From San Salvador you take Troncal del Norte road that goes all the way to the border with Honduras at El Poy. You get to the small town of San Ignacio. From there you take the road to Las Pilas. The road starts at 1600 meters above sea level and it reaches the highest point at 2200 meters above sea level at Rio Chiquito in a distance of 10 kilometers. The road is steep and it is not for any kind of vehicle, preferably a 4x4 in very good condition. Around Rio Chiquito is where you can stay in multiple hotels or if you take the road to El PItal as well, 2 kilometers away from that point to the south there is the Miramundo area with a lot of places to stay as well.  There is also the possibility to travel by bus. You can take bus 119 at Terminal del Norte (Ex-Terminal de Oriente) you get off at San Ignacio and take bus 509 and get off at Rio Chiquito. If you want to camp at El Pital your choices are hiking or hiring a pickup truck that takes you all the way up there. The best thing to do is to hire a local guide who can organize everything for you mainly because the best use of time. 

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.

Not available yet
  • Other attractions

During weekends the camping site at El Pital gets full of people experiencing the climate of the region. There are multiple plantations of berries, peaches, vegetables that are touristic 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)

Edited by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos on 2021-08-11 00:55
During weekends the camping site at El Pital gets full of people experiencing the climate of the region. There are multiple plantations of berries, peaches, vegetables that are touristic attractions.  

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

Not available yet

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

Gallery

Reports

Season:
to
Species:
2021-11-24 to 2021-11-30 Birding El Salvador with Nigel Marven 2021 Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos
2020-02-19 to 2020-02-22 Lorenz Hintz Birding Tour Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos
2019-06-21 to 2019-06-24 Chris Fischer's 2019 Central American Big Year El Salvador Trip 1 Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos
El Pital & Miramundo - Orniverse