Lylli
Salto de Malacatiupán hot waterfall and bathing pools, Atiquizaya, Ahuachapán

Experience·Atiquizaya, Ahuachapán

Salto de Malacatiupán — hot waterfall

Duration
half day
Difficulty
moderate
Best time
morning
Lylli's rate
From $25 / person ($1.50 entry + private transport)

Salto de Malacatiupán is just outside the town of Atiquizaya in Ahuachapán department. The river here is fed directly by the Ahuachapán geothermal aquifer — so the water cascades into the swimming pools at roughly 38–40°C (100–104°F) year-round. It's one of very few naturally hot waterfalls in the Americas.

Entry is $1.50 cash for adults 12+; parking $2 cars / $1 motorbikes. From the parking lot it's a ~10–15 minute walk down a steep dirt path to the falls — slippery in rain, sturdy footwear needed. Open daylight hours roughly 7 AM to 5 PM.

Best visited in dry season (November to April) when the water runs clearer. Weekday mornings avoid the local crowds that fill it on weekends. About 1 hour from Barra de Santiago, 1.5 hours from Caluco.

Stay nearby

Lylli’s base for this: Thermal Paradise — Villa I

Most guests pair this experience with a stay at her closest property — saves the cross-country drive and keeps the day flexible.

Sources

  1. [1]Sally Sees — Salto de Malacatiupán sallysees.com/salto-de-malacatiupan/ (accessed 2026-05-04)
  2. [2]El Salvador Travel — Salto de Malacatiupán elsalvador.travel/destination/salto-de-malacatiupan/en/ (accessed 2026-05-04)

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