# Ahuachapán Department, El Salvador – Population

> Source: https://wherepedia.org/el-salvador/ahuachapan/

Department · El Salvador 

# Ahuachapán Department

Ahuachapán Department is a department of El Salvador. It had an estimated **370,578 people** in 2024 on 1,225 km² (about 303 per km²). Its main town is Ahuachapán. It is divided into 3 municipalities. 399 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 568 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 370,578people (2024)
- 1,225km²
- 3municipalities
- 568mapped services

## How many people live in Ahuachapán Department?

Ahuachapán Department had an estimated **370,578 people** in 2024 — 5.8% of El Salvador, 6th of 14 departments. There are 1,068 women for every 1,000 men (below the El Salvador figure of 1,142). Spread over 1,225 km², that is about **303 people per km²**, 6th of 14 departments.

27.6% of people are children under 15 and 7.7% are 65 or older; the median age is about 27 years (it is 29 across El Salvador). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 54 children and older people.

0–4 ****33,375**

5–9 ****35,330**

10–14 ****33,411**

15–19 ****32,846**

20–24 ****35,779**

25–29 ****37,550**

30–34 ****31,865**

35–39 ****24,164**

40–44 ****19,869**

45–49 ****17,538**

50–54 ****15,739**

55–59 ****13,567**

60–64 ****11,184**

65–69 ****9,091**

70–74 ****7,183**

75–79 ****5,308**

80+ ****6,779**

Source: [El Salvador UNFPA country office and Dirección General de Estarística y Censos (DIGESTYC) via OCHA HDX, population 2024 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-slv).

## Where is Ahuachapán Department?

Ahuachapán Department lies in [El Salvador](https://wherepedia.org/el-salvador/). It borders 2 other departments: [Santa Ana Department](https://wherepedia.org/el-salvador/santa-ana/) and [Sonsonate Department](https://wherepedia.org/el-salvador/sonsonate/). By area it is the 8th largest of 14 departments in El Salvador. It covers 6.0% of [El Salvador](https://wherepedia.org/el-salvador/). The centre of Ahuachapán Department is about 82 km in a straight line from San Salvador, the capital. The centre point is at 13.8630° N, 89.9298° W.

Source: [National mapping agency via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-slv).

## Things to see in and around Ahuachapán Department

OpenStreetMap lists 56 named sights in Ahuachapán Department: 17 attractions; 9 nature reserves; 7 viewpoints; 5 hot springs; 5 waterfalls; 4 beachs; 2 national parks; 2 memorials; 2 ruins; 1 museum; 1 cave; 1 archaeological site.

- El Museo · museum
- Sitio Arqueologico de Cara Sucia · archaeological site
- Don Juan Waterfall · waterfall
- Don Juan waterfall (correct location) · waterfall
- Salto el Burro · waterfall
- The Dead Woman · waterfall
- The Meetings · waterfall
- Área Natural Protegida Laguna Verde · national park
- Área Natural Protegida Laguna de Las Ninfas · national park
- Parque Nacional El Imposible · nature reserve
- Área Natural Protegida Acaxual · nature reserve
- Área Natural Protegida Atehuesian · nature reserve
- Área Natural Protegida Buenos Aires y El Carmen · nature reserve
- Área Natural Protegida Complejo Barra de Santiago · nature reserve
- Área Natural Protegida Complejo Barra de Santiago · nature reserve
- Área Natural Protegida Hoja de Sal · nature reserve
- Área Natural Protegida La Labor · nature reserve
- Área Natural Protegida Santa Rita y Zanjón el Chino · nature reserve
- Barra de Santiago · beach
- Playa Dorada · beach
- Playa La Barrona · beach
- Playa Los Limones · beach
- Crater Viewpoint · viewpoint
- Finca y Mirador La Providencia de Concepción de Ataco · viewpoint
- Mirador El Mulo · viewpoint
- Mirador El Pedredon · viewpoint
- Mirador La Cruz · viewpoint
- Mirador de Apaneca · viewpoint
- Peña Blanca · viewpoint
- Apaneca Canopy Tour · attraction

…and 26 more.

Source: [© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright).

Named attractions, museums, viewpoints, historic sites and natural features mapped in OpenStreetMap. Places of worship are not listed.

## Know before you go: Ahuachapán Department

- Time zoneUTC−6, no daylight saving · America/El_Salvador
- CurrencyDollar (USD)
- Country calling code+503
- LanguagesSpanish
- Plug typesType A, B · 115 V
- Driving sideRight
- Postcode format6 characters (CP ####)

### Nearest airports

- Ilopango International Airport (ILS) · San Salvador89 km
- La Aurora International Airport (GUA) · Guatemala City103 km

### Nearest railway station

Antigua Estación de Ferrocarriles de Ahuachapán (Ahuachapán), about 11 km from the centre.

### Daylight

Days are longest in Jun (about 12.9 hours, sunrise around 05:31) and shortest in Dec (about 11.3 hours, sunrise around 06:15, sunset around 17:34).

Month Sunrise Sunset Daylight 

Jan 06:26 17:49 11.4 h 

Feb 06:23 18:04 11.7 h 

Mar 06:08 18:10 12.0 h 

Apr 05:47 18:12 12.4 h 

May 05:33 18:18 12.8 h 

Jun 05:31 18:27 12.9 h 

Jul 05:39 18:31 12.9 h 

Aug 05:46 18:22 12.6 h 

Sep 05:48 18:01 12.2 h 

Oct 05:50 17:40 11.8 h 

Nov 05:59 17:29 11.5 h 

Dec 06:15 17:34 11.3 h 

Source: [GeoNames country and time-zone files (CC BY 4.0)](https://www.geonames.org/); [Wikidata (CC0) — plug types, mains voltage, driving side; retrieved 2026-11-03](https://www.wikidata.org/); [OurAirports (public domain)](https://ourairports.com/data/).

Airports with scheduled passenger flights; straight-line distances. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of each month in local standard time. Check entry and visa rules with official government sources before travelling.

## Municipalities of Ahuachapán Department

Municipality Area km² Districts Services 

[Ahuachapán Centro](https://wherepedia.org/el-salvador/ahuachapan/ahuachapan-centro/) 519 4 394 

[Ahuachapán Norte](https://wherepedia.org/el-salvador/ahuachapan/ahuachapan-norte/) 128 4 92 

[Ahuachapán Sur](https://wherepedia.org/el-salvador/ahuachapan/ahuachapan-sur/) 578 4 82 

Source: [National mapping agency via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-slv); [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/); [Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)](https://overturemaps.org/).

## Largest towns in Ahuachapán Department

- Ahuachapán34,102
- Turín11,829
- Atiquizaya9,476
- Concepción de Ataco7,797
- Tacuba5,055
- Jujutla2,022
- Guaymango1,517
- San Francisco Menéndez1,264

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/).

Populations as recorded in GeoNames, which may be older than the estimates above.

## Landscape and landmarks of Ahuachapán Department

Named natural and historic features inside Ahuachapán Department, from the GeoNames gazetteer.

### Water

88 rivers and streams; 2 lakes; 1 waterfall.

- Brazo del Río Paz
- Laguna de Bijagual
- Laguna del Llano
- Quebrada El Dorado
- Quebrada El Jutal
- Quebrada La Joya
- Río Agua Caliente
- Río Agua Caliente
- Río Agua Fría
- Río Agua Fría
- Río Agua Shuca
- Río Aguachapío
- Río Aguachapío
- Río Amolunca
- Río Cara Sucia
- Río Cara Sucia
- Río Cauta
- Río Chagalapa
- Río Chagalapa
- Río Chalguaza
- Río Chilapa
- Río Copinula
- Río Cuilapa
- Río El Corozo

…and 67 more.

### Coast and islands

2 islands.

- Isla El Cajete
- Isla del Muerto

### Hills and mountains

15 mountains; 8 hills; 1 mountain pass.

- Cerro de Apaneca · 1,831 m
- Cerro Cuyanausul · 1,686 m
- Cerro El Cerrito · 1,465 m
- Cerro Los Alpes · 1,406 m
- Cerro Laguna Verde · 1,395 m
- Cerro de Oro · 1,346 m
- Cerro Bonete · 1,268 m
- Loma Monte Hermoso · 1,128 m
- Cerro El Tambor · 1,127 m
- Cerro El León · 924 m
- Cerro El Carrizal · 807 m
- Cerro Mistepe · 773 m
- Cerro Peña Pinta · 610 m
- Cerro Artillería · 545 m
- Cerro El Cucurucho · 543 m
- Loma El Montoso · 536 m
- Cerro Peña Pinta · 510 m
- Loma El Infiernillo · 346 m
- Loma La Maquina · 288 m
- Los Copinoles · 228 m
- Loma El Camalote · 203 m
- Loma El Tesoro · 121 m
- Loma El Nanzalito · 72 m
- Paso de Los Amates · 9 m

### Forests and nature

1 wildlife reserve.

- El Imposible National Park

### Getting around

3 airfields; 1 bridge.

- Cara Sucia
- El Zapote
- La Gloria
- Puente El Jobo

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/).

Places of worship are not listed. Elevations are from the GeoNames terrain model and are approximate.

## Weather in Ahuachapán Department and the best time to visit

In Ahuachapán Department, the warmest month is Apr (average 27 °C) and the coolest is Nov (23 °C). About 1,271 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Sep (227 mm) and the driest Jan (6 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **November to April**.

- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec

Month Average °C Rain mm 

Jan 23 6 

Feb 25 8 

Mar 26 8 

Apr 27 34 

May 26 159 

Jun 25 207 

Jul 25 178 

Aug 25 218 

Sep 24 227 

Oct 24 171 

Nov 23 45 

Dec 23 11 

Source: [NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29](https://power.larc.nasa.gov/).

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Ahuachapán Department

Places mapped inside Ahuachapán Department in open map data, by type — each number opens the full list with locations.

- Hospitals25
- Banks15
- ATMs6
- Petrol pumps19
- Hotels100
- Shopping malls6
- Schools91
- Colleges and universities8
- Cinemas1
- Pharmacies27
- Restaurants243
- Police stations12
- Dental clinics15

Source: [Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)](https://overturemaps.org/).

Coverage depends on what has been mapped; contact details are not shown.

## Quick answers

- Where is Ahuachapán Department?In El Salvador
- What is the population of Ahuachapán Department?370,578 (2024 estimate)
- What is the median age in Ahuachapán Department?About 27 years (2024 estimate)
- What is the population density of Ahuachapán Department?About 303 people per km²
- What borders Ahuachapán Department?Santa Ana Department and Sonsonate Department
- What is there to see in Ahuachapán Department?Apaneca Canopy Tour, Arco Duran, Ausol, Ausol
- What time zone is Ahuachapán Department in?UTC−6
- What currency is used in Ahuachapán Department?Dollar (USD)
- What language is spoken in Ahuachapán Department?Spanish (main languages nationally)
- What is the largest town in Ahuachapán Department?Ahuachapán
- What is the highest point in Ahuachapán Department?Cerro de Apaneca (1,831 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Ahuachapán Department?November to April
- How many hospitals are in Ahuachapán Department?25 mapped
- How many banks are in Ahuachapán Department?15 mapped
- How many ATMs are in Ahuachapán Department?6 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Ahuachapán Department?19 mapped
- What is the P-code of Ahuachapán Department?SV01 (OCHA common operational dataset)