Laguna de Alegría, Crater lake in Usulután, El Salvador.
Located within a volcanic crater, the water of Laguna de Alegría displays a distinct yellow-green color due to sulfur deposits beneath its surface.
The lake, formerly known as Tecapa, received its current name from the adjacent municipality following a legislative decree in February 1891.
Nobel Prize winner Gabriela Mistral honored this natural formation by referring to it as 'America's Emerald' in her literary works.
Visitors can access the lake through a circular road, with thermal springs and fumaroles visible in the northwestern section of the crater.
Local nurseries surrounding the lake cultivate tropical flowers, taking advantage of the area's elevation of 1,200 meters above sea level.
Location: Usulután
Address: Laguna de Alegria, El Salvador
GPS coordinates: 13.49299,-88.49378
Latest update: March 7, 2025 03:50
Architectural, natural, and historical sites in El Salvador including its volcanoes, lakes, Mayan sites, and colonial towns. The country features pre-Columbian temples like Tazumal and Joya de Cerén, natural areas such as Los Volcanes National Park and Lake Coatepeque, beaches along the Pacific coast like El Tunco, as well as historical urban centers such as San Salvador and Suchitoto. Visitors can explore waterfalls, hot springs, museums, and religious buildings scattered across the region.
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