Heading for the El Salvador Border-El Impossible?

Setting out from Antigua at 11 am Daniel, Orvar, and I rode thru the capital towards Cuilapa and south to the border town of Pedro de Alvarado. On the way we were stopped waiting almost an hour at a construction zone. We met a nice couple Shimon and Veronica from San Salvador there and we stopped down the road with them for lunch. Sara made friends with the local police. He really liked her bike and her RCMP mascot wearing the same hat as him.

There is not much to choose from for hotels here, but our choice was 5 star compared to the Hotel California next door. We had hot water and aircon, which was essential in this heat. There was a very nice courtyard to park the bikes too. There is a line up of trucks at the border day and night.

Luckily bikes just ride to the front which is what we did the next morning on the Guatemala side. We parked by the security office to get our Guatemalan vehicle importation permits cancelled. After this was done we obtained the countries exit stamp in our passports. There sure is a lot of action at the border with coming and goings. These security guys really liked our bikes and were happy to pose for a photo.

The crossing here is fairly easy and just requires some copies which are easily obtained just across the street. The SAT official had a great hat on when he came out to check the VINs on the bikes.

Crossing the river on the bridge we were now in El Salvador. Arriving at the El Salvador Customs and Immigration we found very friendly officials and signs everywhere telling you that there is no corruption there. The signs were true.

I wonder how long these guys in the red car had waited at the border? Or how long has this guy has been parked in the no parking zone. We were almost done now we just needed to check the VINs on this side. All three bikes imported in about 90 min. Thanks Dan and Orvar…..I just waited with the bikes.

Leaving the border area we were stopped and again 50 feet later and asked for our papers and passports.Now we are on the loose in El Salvador. Thanks to Julio and Mario for route suggestions.

We left the border for a short ride on pavement to the 14 km “road” to the El Imposible Park. The dirt was the easy part. It was the steep hills with very bumpy cobble stones that was the challenge.

Sara stuck in a divit.

We arrived hot and sweaty at the eco lodge almost at the top of the road. Luckily they had cold beers and a cool natural spring pool for a dip.

We walked the last km up the road to the national park and went for a hike thru the jungle to the miradors. We also had a great view over the jungle to the ocean.

We celebrated our first night in El Salvador with a drink of Orvar’s special whisky brought all the way from Sweden.

Then it was up early for the ride back down to the highway. The cobbles sure are easier downhill.

We headed down the CA-2 and then east up the 15 to Apaneca and Salcoatitan where we had breakfast at a “drive-in”.

We went up thru San Isidro dodging potholes and then drove up the paved road on Volcano Santa Ana to the national Park Cerro Verde. Heading to the mirador above Lago de Coatepequue we posed for a photo op.

We went down to the lake side on the dirt road and then really needed a swim and a lemonade.

Finishing the day we headed to Santa Ana to find a place to stay.