El Salvador Travelers Recommend

The long-suffering capital of El Salvador offers both a vibrant introduction to local culture and a gateway to some of the country’s most scenic regions, so don’t spend all your time in the city. Take in the highlights on a multi-day tour or if you’re going it alone, here are some ideas to make the most of three days in San Salvador.

Day 1: San Salvador and El Boquerón

Make an early start and take a walking tour of downtown San Salvador, admiring top attractions like the landmark National Theater and the dazzling El Rosario Church, then explore the impressive Mayan ruins of the Joya de Cerén archeological site. In the afternoon, head to the El Boquerón National Park, just outside of the city, where you can climb the San Salvador volcano for a view over the capital and hike down into the 1,600-foot deep caldera.

Day 2: Suchitoto or La Libertad

There are numerous opportunities for day trips from San Salvador, but our top pick is the charming colonial town of Suchitoto, less than an hour north of the city. Set on the banks of Lake Suchitlán, Suchitoto is a hotspot for hiking and bird watching, but the town itself is also worth a visit, with its impressive colonial architecture and many arts and handicrafts shops. Alternatively, head to the Pacific coast resort of La v, where keen surfers can tackle the world-famous Punta Roca break and sunseekers can enjoy miles of sandy coastline.

Day 3: Cerro Verde National Park

Set aside a whole day to take in the Cerro Verde National Park, one of El Salvador’s most striking natural landscapes and home to the Izalco, Cerro Verde and Santa Ana volcanoes. Scale the 2,381-meter summit of Santa Ana, El Salvador’s highest and most active volcano, take a bird-watching tour of the Cerro Verde cloud forest, then cool off with a dip in the nearby Coatepeque crater lake.

El Salvador is situated at what was the southernmost boundary of the Maya territory. And, though the country does not possess ruins as large or well-known as Chichen Itza in Mexico or Tikal in Guatemala, there are still lots of fascinating and less-crowded archaeological sites on Salvadoran soil. Here are a few of the best.

San Andrés

Home to about 12,000 inhabitants during its heyday between the fifth and ninth centuries, this once-powerful settlement served as a regional capital for the Maya; it was later inhabited by the Pipil people. San Andrés is a 45-minute drive from San Salvador and just 10–15 minutes from Joya de Cerén, making it possible to explore both sites in a single day.

Joya de Cerén

Located about an hour north of San Salvador, this Maya site, which was buried in ash and debris following a volcanic eruption in AD 595, is known as the “Pompeii of the Americas.” Though the site is not particularly large, it is remarkably well-preserved with lots of domestic structures offering insight into the day-to-day life of the Maya. No bodies were found here, indicating the inhabitants had enough time to flee prior to the eruption.

Tazumal

Nestled in Chalchuapa in the north of El Salvador, the Tazumal site is believed to have first been settled as far back as 5000 BC, though the excavated ruins date from between AD 100 and 1200. Once an important trading center for the Maya, Tazumal features tombs and several pyramids, as well as an on-site museum displaying artifacts uncovered here.

Casa Blanca

Just a 5-minute drive from Tazumal, the small Casa Blanca site features a series of Maya ruins dating from between 200 BC and AD 250, including two excavated pyramids. The peaceful woodland setting makes it an attractive stop, while the proximity to Tazumal means the two sites can be easily visited during one day.

El Salvador’s national parks promise access to raw nature, sweeping views, vibrant birdlife, and outdoor adventure. From volcano-covered landscapes to sites filled with cloud-skimming peaks, primary forest, rivers, and waterfalls, here are the must-see national parks for nature lovers in El Salvador. 

El Imposible National Park

Located near the border with Guatemala, El Imposible is El Salvador’s largest national park. The park is packed with rivers, waterfalls, mountains, and tropical forest. Its name (meaning “the impossible”) refers to its treacherous gorge, which—prior to the building of the bridge that now traverses it—cost many lives. Wild boars, pumas, and black-crested eagles all live in the park. 

Cerro Verde National Park

Also known as Los Volcanes National Park, this park is home to a trio of volcanoes—Izalco, Cerro Verde, and Santa Ana—all of which are accessible to hikers. At 7,812 feet (2,381 meters), Santa Ana is the highest, and one of its four craters holds a glowing green lake. Active Izalco, nicknamed the Lighthouse of the Pacific because of its frequent eruptions, is a challenging climb, but the views at the top are unrivaled. The now extinct Cerro Verde is carpeted with cloud forest, and hummingbirds can be seen flittering around the foliage. 

Parque Nacional de Montecristo

Situated in the northwestern corner of El Salvador at the border with Honduras and Guatemala, this verdant natural park boasts a dense expanse of cloud forest where many colorful bird species, including iridescent quetzals and toucans, thrive.

The scenic Flower Route (Ruta de Las Flores) links some of western El Salvador’s most attractive colonial towns and winds through an endless panorama of wildflower-bedecked hillsides, dense forests, and looming volcanoes. See below for places to stop along the way. 

Juayua

The village of Juayua is famous for its lively weekend food market and is a great spot to try traditional El Salvadorian food. It’s also the start of the Seven Waterfalls hiking route, which passes by the magnificent Los Chorros waterfall.

Apaneca

El Salvador’s second-highest town, Apaneca is characterized by its cobblestone streets and colorful adobe houses. Adventurers can also explore the surrounding Sierra Apaneca Ilamatepec mountains, hike to the Green Lagoon (Laguna Verde) and Lagoon of the Nymphs (Laguna de las Ninfas), or zipline through the rain forest.

Ataco

Surrounded by coffee plantations, Ataco is known for its homegrown coffee, colorfully painted houses, and rich art scene. Admire the town’s striking murals on a walking tour, browse the artisan workshops for handicrafts, and of course, enjoy a freshly brewed coffee.