Formed within the crater of a collapsed volcano lies the impressively blue Lake Coatepeque (Lago de Coatepeque). Throughout the day the shades will transform with the shifting light. Life around the lake is slow and serene. With a glance around the perimeter, it’s obvious that this is a setting for El Salvador’s rich and famous to live in seclusion, as well as for international real estate investors to seek new opportunity. Rent a kayak, jet ski, or paddle board, or alternatively take in the view from ashore. With it’s proximity to Volcán Santa Ana, it can be visited in conjunction as a day trip, or spend the night if looking for relaxation. I must say, this is one place that you’ll want to do some planning beforehand as Uber’s are far and few between in this area, taxis can be expensive, public transport isn’t extremely efficient, and most access points to the lake are privately owned.
Transportation
Tour: If you’re only interested in a brief trip to the lake to check it out, it is frequently added onto a tour of the Volcano. The tour leaving from Santa Ana includes a stop at the lake on the way back
Where To Stay
A crucial element to planning a trip to the lake is where to stay. As mentioned, there aren’t many public access points to the lake, and I’ve heard those that are public, aren’t very picturesque. For this reason, it’s important to either book accommodation for the night, obtain a day pass, or take in the view from a mirador or restaurant
Hotels: There are a few hotel options to choose from on booking.com. I stayed at Equinoccio Hotel with my friend. Is it expensive? Yes. But the facilities were nice, super clean, and the service was top notch. The view of the lake from the swimming pool was the selling point for us. The food and drinks weren’t too expensive and we even walked down the street to a pupuseria which offset the price and delivered a more local experience (though we were judged for wanting to leave the property). They offer day passes as well for ~$25 with $10 which can be used towards food/drinks
Airbnb: There are some stunning properties around the lake. If traveling in a group or with your family, I think this could be a great option
Budget Option: Captain Morgan in the most popular budget option. If I was travI believe they have a day pass as well
What To Do:
Water Sports: Rent kayaks, paddle boards, jet skis, or some time out on a boat. Our hotel was renting them for $10-15/hour for a kayak I believe, but they let us take them out for free for taking photos for the promotion of their new restaurant
Swim (with caution): You’ll see the local kids jumping off the docks into the water. I think depending on the time of year, it can get a bit algae-y. When I was there, the water looked appealing from a far, but up close, I was more inclined to use the hotel pool
Enjoy the View: Either visit a mirador (viewpoint) or enjoy a meal at El Gran Mirador or another restaurant/hotel overlooking the lake
Sidenote:
After 4pm, the mosquitos came out. So pack long layers and make sure to close the door of your hotel room. We opened our door for 30 seconds with the light on, attracting ALL the creatures, and it was an experience to say the least
If coming from the beach, the climate is fresher, which is very welcomed after a few days in the humidity. The sun is still strong though so come prepared with a bathing suit as well as warmer clothes when the sun goes down