🌳Los 5 Mejores Parques Para Niños Cerca de San Salvador

Published: June 2025

One of my favorite things to do with my kids is get outside and explore. If you’re anything like me and crave a weekly dose of fresh air and nature, this list is for you. These are some of the most kid-friendly parks near San Salvador—perfect for letting little ones run, play, and discover. Each spot offers a safe environment with space to walk, explore, and enjoy a change of scenery together.

☀️Tip for parents: I recommend visiting these parks in the early morning hours to avoid the midday heat and weekend crowds. You of course can go later as well, just keep in mind: if you’re visiting during the rainy season (May–October), afternoon showers are common, so plan accordingly!

All of these parks allow you to bring your own food, and it’s not unusual to see families arrive with boxes of pizza, soda, cups, and snacks for a full afternoon picnic. That said, each park also has small kiosks or shops selling chips, drinks, and sometimes typical Salvadoran snacks if you prefer to travel light.

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1. Jardín Botánico Plan de la Laguna

📍 Antiguo Cuscatlán
🕒 Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday

A shaded botanical garden full of trees, ponds, walking paths, and hidden corners—perfect for exploring nature with kids. When you pay the entrance fee, be sure to also purchase a bag of fish food. Sprinkled throughout the garden are ponds full of a variety of fish and turtles. The main pond by the cafeteria also has giant iguanas (garrobos) who would be happy for a snack as well. If you are lucky you could also see a large rodent called an agouti or cotuza in El Salvador. The trails are a bit rustic and can be muddy, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring bug spray and water. Different sections of the garden feature unique plant species, making it a great place to learn a bit about native and exotic flora as you go. If you go to the right at the main entrance you will get to the play area which has a huge slide, swings and other playground equipment. 

💵 Admission:

• Children (2-12 years): $1.25
• Adults: $1.75
• Fish food $0.60 per bag

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2. Parque Saburo Hirao

📍 Final Blvd. Los Próceres, San Salvador
🕒 Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday

Originally built in the 1970s, this park remains a local favorite for family outings. It features a variety of areas, including multiple play zones, picnic spots, a small natural history museum, and a peaceful Japanese garden.

One of the sections looks like something out of Super Mario Bros—complete with tube-like tunnels and bridges. There are waterfalls, a mini zipline, and even a concrete castle with slides branching off from different levels. The structures are solid and imaginative, but because they’re made of cement, I was a little nervous about falls with my younger kids. It’s not a space where I’d let toddlers roam completely freely. That said, the slides—while long and steep—are surprisingly gentle thanks to the material, which slows them down quite a bit. To make the slides faster, many families bring pieces of cardboard to sit on as they go down—a scary thrill for sure!

💵 Admission:

• Salvadorans: $1.00
• Central American residents: $3.00
• Non-residents: $5.00
• Free for children under 12

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3. Parque Infantil

📍 Downtown San Salvador
🕒 Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday

Parque Infantil is a beloved spot in the heart of San Salvador, especially popular with families who have young children. The park is divided into different areas—right at the entrance, you’ll find a cozy mini children’s library (ludoteca), along with creative play zones made from recycled materials like used tires.

There’s also a large section with mechanical rides, available for a small extra fee of $0.30 per person. One of the newest additions is a beautifully remodeled play area with soft surfaces and artificial grass. It’s colorful, whimsical, and feels like something straight out of a Dr. Seuss book—perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who need a safe place to run, climb, and explore.

🎠 A favorite attraction is the little train that circles the park ($0.50 for kids under 10, $1.00 for those 11 and up). Just a heads-up: it’s known for breaking down often (it wasn’t working when we visited), but word is that it’s been fixed—so go check it out, but maybe don’t make any train promises to your kids ahead of time. (Learned that one the hard way.)

💵 Admission:

• Salvadorans: $0.75
• Central American residents: $3.00
• Non-residents: $5.00
• Free for children under 12

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4. Parque Balboa

📍 Carretera a Los Planes de Renderos
🕒 Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., daily (picnic area open till 10pm)

Located at a higher elevation, Balboa Park offers cooler weather, tall trees, and several play areas. Kids can explore a cement castle with slides, a variety of playground areas, a maze, and small paid rides like a mini Ferris wheel, airplane ride, and train. Families come here to walk, relax, and take in the views along paved paths. Inside the park, you’ll find food stands—and just outside is the famous Pupusódromo, a row of pupuserías perfect for wrapping up your visit with a delicious local meal. It’s an ideal spot for a fun half-day outing.

💵 Admission:

• FREE!
• Parking $2.00

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5. Parque del Bicentenario

📍 Antiguo Cuscatlán
🕒 Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., daily

This is one of the largest urban green spaces in the San Salvador area. While the playgrounds are limited (you’ll find a few wooden structures with slides and swings near the main entrance), the park shines with its long walking trails, wooded areas, and an extensive paved bike path—perfect for stroller walks, scooters, or family bike rides. It’s also full of quiet corners ideal for nature breaks or a light picnic.

One unique feature is the new outdoor movie theater at the southern end of the park, with three showings most days of the week. The first showing is always a kids’ movie around 4:00 or 4:30 p.m. (You can check what’s playing by following @obraspublicassv on Instagram and joining their distribution channel linked in the bio: Cartelera Cine al Aire Libre.)
Note: All movies are in Spanish, and kids’ movies are usually dubbed.

💵 Admission:

• FREE!
• Parking $1.00 (Monday – Thursday)
• Parking $2.00 (Saturdays and Sundays)

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🌳 Ready to explore?

These parks are some of the best options for outdoor fun near the city. Whether you’re planning an early morning adventure or a relaxed afternoon visit, San Salvador has great green spaces for families to enjoy.

Check out our map to find all these parks and more on google maps!

💬 Know another great park? Share your recommendations in the comments or tag us in your photos on Instagram with @ElSalvadorKidsGuide!