After spending an initial couple of days on the surf beaches of El Tunco, the one well-trodden spot in the nation, then a further two in the capital, we boarded a series of buses and wended our way up to the mountains. Sideward glances were shared among our fellow passengers as we made our haphazard way onboard, oversized bags squeezing through the thronged aisles. 

El Salvador is known as the "Land of Volcanoes" with 25 volcanoes visible to the naked eye. Many travelers combine a city tour of San Salvador with an easy volcano hike in El Boquerón National Park, just a short drive from the city. Local guides can navigate visitors up steeper volcanoes for half- and full-day trips. The country's tallest volcano is Santa Ana Volcano in Cerro Verde National Park northwest of San Salvador where hikers will find moderate to difficult trails with a stunning turquoise crater lake at the top.