Jardín Botánico La Laguna

The Jardín Botánico La Laguna (La Laguna Botanical Garden) sits in an ancient volcanic crater in the municipality of Antiguo Cuscatlán, about 20 minutes from the city centre. The crater's bowl shape and the central lake create a peaceful green space that feels very distant from the surrounding city. Collections of orchids, tropical trees, cacti, and aquatic plants are spread through the grounds.

Open Tuesday through Sunday, 9am-5:30pm. Admission is modest. The gardens are best visited mid-morning or late afternoon. Bring walking shoes — the crater rim and interior paths involve some uneven terrain. A taxi from the historic centre costs a few dollars.

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A story
The botanical garden occupies the caldera of an ancient volcano — La Laguna, the lagoon that gives it its name, is the crater lake at the centre of the bowl. The crater walls protect the interior from the city's heat, creating a microclimate several degrees cooler than the surrounding areas. Walking into it from the hot suburbs of Antiguo Cuscatlán feels like walking into a refrigerator.

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