The Historic Guazapa Volcano
Community tours with Guazapa Tours
For over 15 years Gringo tours has been able to arrange hikes, horseback rides and camping on the historic Guazapa Mountain. We have been able provide added services like transportation and bilingual guides to compliment the local guides had been running the different tour options out of the communities of El Sitio Zapotal and La Mora.
Recent changes and tours offered today
Prior to 2020 the community group in La Mora had some problems and due to these and lack of demand by travelers they no longer offer their hores treks, hike or camping. Perhaps in thje future they will resume but only time will tell.
The tours offered by the communal group in El Sitio Zapotal had many new actrivities added just prior to 2020 and the pandemic, these included some adventurous ziplines and balance sports as well as some new observation decks and trails. That mentioned the local and internation lock downs caused by the pandemic letf the group with zero income. A new board of directors was elected but they were unable to get things started and although there was increased interest in these unique civil war and nature hike many times they were unable to schedule guides, get horses or offer regular services.
Guazapa Tours Rural and their current situation
In 2024 and early 2025 and now with an active new board of directors and several committed to reactivating the economic tours which benefit the local youth of the community, tours and the promotion of these activities has started once again. There are stillcommonly ocasions when they are unable to schedule so planning in advance is highly recommended.
Guazapa Tour and Rates for the different tours
Service includes transportation to and from community from Suchitoto, add on bilingual guides and bottled water. Hikes with local guides (Spanish only) start at $40.00 (groups of 1-5 and $5 for each additional person), horseback rides cost between $25-$35/person, lunch can be arranged on the mountain for $7/person (only available for groups of 4 or more and with advance notice), the above expenses are paid to local guides and are used to provide income to the youth group in the community.
If you are fluent in Spanish, these tours can be done on your own and we would be happy to help you make your own arrangements or put you in contact directly with the community. We are the only tour company in El Salvador that provides this service free of charge in our way of supporting their iniciatives. If you wish to reserve directly the Guazapa Tours Community Youth Group can be contacted via WhatsApp at +(503) 7959-3394 (in Spanish of course)
Gringo Tours working with Guazapa Tours Rural
If you would prefer and if your Spanish is limited, we do provide for an additional $100-$150 fully bilingual guide service and transportation from and back to Suchitoto. We believe that Gringo Tours is your best option if you are not fully fluent in Spanish and you wish to learn how the civil war affected Suchitoto and El Salvador during the 70s and 80s. I have taken great interest in the civil war and can provide details that many other guides cannot. We always work with the local communities and their guides, which many times are young and only know what they have been told about the conflict. We compliment that information when necessary making this a great introduction into the civil war and El Salvador history.
We will also teach you how local farmers work the land: The Guazapa Mountain also offers plenty of diversity and it is common to see the local wildlife while learning about the many different species of trees, plants, animals and birds.
The trails also offer some spectacular views from the historic Guazapa Mountains.
Reservations for groups of 1 to 10 people must be made at least 48 hours in advance (more for larger groups).
Tours last between 3 and 8 hours depending on route, distance, walking speed and interests.
If interested in bird watching, this route can be used to see many local and migratory birds this as an option if not interested in the history.
As of May of 2017 the association now offers a Canopy/zip line tour and their own birding tours and access to a new communal museum.
Ask about pricing for these newer options
The circuit at Guazapa Tours
Included in this tour:
• Transportation from Suchitoto in vehicle with A/C
• Bottled water(1 bottle/person)
• All Entrance fees
• Local guide fees
• Bilingual guide
Tour Duration of Tour including transportation:
5-7 hours
Difficulty level of Tour:
Moderate to Difficult
Not Included
• Snacks and Meals
• Lodging
• Optional Tips to local guides
• Cost of optional activities including: Mountain bike, Jet ski, Buggy, Zip line/Canopy, Kayak, Rafting or other activities not mentioned in tour description