Laguna El Jocotal is a freshwater lagoon and Ramsar wetland reserve about 35 km south of San Miguel, near the town of El Transito. It is one of the most important bird sanctuaries in El Salvador, sheltering over 130 recorded species including herons, egrets, jacanas, anhingas, and large flocks of migratory waterfowl in the November to February season. The lagoon is surrounded by wetland vegetation and backed by distant views of the Pacific coastal plain.
The reserve is managed by the Salvanatura foundation. Local guides are available at the entrance and are worth hiring — birds that look like distant specks without local knowledge become specific, named species with someone who knows them. Early morning visits (before 8 am) offer the best combination of light and bird activity. Access is by the road south from San Miguel toward El Transito; the lagoon is signed from the highway. A pickup truck or four-wheel drive is advisable in the rainy season.