Coatepeque

Coatepeque in western El Salvador is a technical, small SW-facing takeoff with spectacular views over Lake Coatepeque (a large crater lake) and the Santa Ana volcano beyond. It's an excellent ridge-soaring site — expect plenty of airtime — and the vehicle drives right up to takeoff. The season runs November through August. The site is managed by the local flying club; visiting pilots are welcome. Windy days are the main hazard: over about 20 km/h it becomes tough to descend.

Launch & conditions

Takeoff at 1,004 m ASL (13°52'40.56''N 89°31'3.48''W), SW orientation. Technical and small. Excellent ridge-soaring — plenty of airtime. Vehicle drives all the way to takeoff.

Getting there & local rules

From San Salvador, take the Pan-American Highway west towards Santa Ana. Turn left at El Congo towards Coatepeque Lake. Instead of driving down to the lake on the main road, take an immediate left onto the road that circles the lake, towards Sonsonate. Drive up about 5 minutes; the property is on your right about 100 m before Nantal (a restaurant that's no longer operating). ~45 min total from San Salvador. Landing: 13°53'10.31''N 89°31'39.26''W, 746 m elevation — best field is about 1,400 m to the right of takeoff facing the lake. It's ~110 m long (short-ish), parallel to the beach, and has a distinctive rock nearby. Land sideways to the wind. About 5 min walk back to the road for retrieve.

Local rules & hazards

Fly at your own risk. Tropical conditions — no flight suits needed. Tough to come down when windy (over 20 km/h). Season November to August.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Coatepeque, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Coatepeque with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.