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Introducing Parque Nacional Montecristo-el Trifinio
At the top of Cerro Montecristo - 2418m above sea level - the borders of El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala all converge at a point called El Trifinio. All three countries have designated their respective wedge's protected areas - on the Salvadoran side Parque Nacional Montecristo-El Trifinio is one of the country's most spectacular natural areas, an isolated and pristine cloud forest with excellent hiking and camping options. This is the most humid region in the country, with 2000mm annual precipitation and 100% average relative humidity. Oak and laurel trees grow to 30m, and leaves intertwine to form a canopy impenetrable to sunlight. The forest floor provides a habitat for abundant unique plant life, including orchids, mushrooms, lichens, mosses, and tree ferns up to 8m tall. The temperature averages between 10°C and 15°C.
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Animals seen (albeit rarely) include spider monkeys, two-fingered anteaters, porcupines, spotted and hooded skunks, pumas, red and gray squirrels, wild pigs, opossums, coyotes and agoutis. The forest is also home to at least 87 bird species, including quetzals, green toucans, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, nightingales, white-faced quail and striped owls.
Parque Nacional Montecristo-El Trifinio is administered by the Ministerio de Medio Ambiente (Environmental Ministry; 2267 6259, 2267 6276; www.marn.gob.sv, in Spanish; Alameda Araujo/Carr a Santa Tecla Km 5.5; 7:30-12:30am & 1:30-3:30pm Mon-Fri) in San Salvador. Admission is US$6 per day for foreigners, plus US$1.15 per vehicle, which you pay whether you hire a truck or drive your own. Permission is required to stay in the park overnight, and it's recommended you call ahead even for a day trip to be sure a large group isn't headed there at the same time. You can apply in person or download the permission form at www.marn.gob.sv/patrimo nio/fmontecristo.doc and return it by fax (2267 6246). You'll need to provide a fax number where you can receive the signed permission - many photocopy or Internet shops have fax service. Be sure to include the names of everyone in your group.
Be aware that the area above Los Planes is closed from May to November, the breeding season of the local fauna.
Last updated: Mar 2, 2009
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