The Best Places to Visit in El Salvador
El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America and the only one in the region with no Caribbean coastline. It sits sandwiched between Guatemala to the northwest and Honduras to the north and east, with a long Pacific coast to the south. Despite its size, it has a dramatic landscape with over 20 volcanoes and a selection of black sand beaches. Over 6.5 million people are estimated to live in El Salvador, and the country is, much like all its neighbors, a former Spanish colony. El Salvador is still facing the effects of a civil war which ended in 1992, however the country’s tourism levels are growing significantly, with a lot to offer for travelers wanting to see beautiful landscapes and hospitable people.
Capital: San Salvador
Currency: US Dollar
Language: Spanish
When to visit: November to April
1) Santa Ana
Santa Ana is the second-largest city in El Salvador, with a population of over 250,000 in the urban area. It has a rich colonial history, as it was founded in 1569 by Spanish conquistadors. It is filled with well preserved buildings of different architectural styles, ranging from baroque to classical. It has an authentic, Salvadorian vibe to it, and is also a great base for the nearby national park (scroll for more info on that).
Things to do:
Head into the historic center, where you’ll find the iconic Santa Ana Cathedral, the cities best landmark with a beautiful interior. Stroll through the surrounding square, it’s filled with points of interest. Nearby, you’ll find the Teatro de Santa Ana and it’s fascinating green exterior. All the streets around the city are pretty pedestrian friendly, and have a very classical vibe to them. You can take a day trip to the Parque Arqueológico Tazumal, it is about 14km west of the city and is filled with Maya city ruins, the most impressive being Tazumal. Don’t forget to try local coffee and food!
How to get there:
San Salvador, the countries capital, has frequent direct buses which go straight to Santa Ana.
2) Los Volcanes National Park
Los Volcanes National Park is a beautiful and accessible protected area in western El Salvador, which encompasses three main volcanoes inside; Cerro Verde, Santa Ana and Izalco. The park is said to cover around 20,000 hectares, and elevations range around the ~2000m mark. There is a lot of biodiversity and beauty within the park, and is El Salvador’s best option for hikes.
Things to do:
The most popular and most rewarding hike is the Santa Ana Volcano Crater Hike. It’s around an 8km round trip, and takes you up to a crater featuring a bright turquoise sulphur lake in the middle of it. It has some stunning views from all angles. It is a difficult hike to start, you need a local guide to complete it. Your other options for hikes are the Izalco Volcano hike, and the Cerro Verde Crater Trail, however the Santa Ana Crater is the most popular. It is best to ask a local for guides on the steps to complete it, as info is limited.
How to get there:
From Santa Ana, take a local bus (#248) going the direction of the park.
3) El Tunco
El Tunco (El Tunco Beach) is an extremely popular destination in El Salvador. It is on the pacific coast of the country, and its appeal comes from its excellent surfing opportunities, plus the great vibes and hospitality. The main port city it sits near is called La Libertad, but the El Tunco area surrounding the beach is tiny, mainly filled with restaurants and accommodation options.
Things to do:
Of course, at El Tunco you have to come to surf, its what the whole community is centered around. You can of course just come to chill out and swim, watch the sunsets and enjoy the nightlife. After dark, go to bars like La Guitarra, Mango’s, or Tunco Surf Club. As mentioned a million times, the vibe here is excellent, and the beach even has its own website (eltuncobeach.com).
How to get there:
Take a bus from San Salvador to La Libertad, then switch over to a bus headed for El Tunco.
4) San Salvador
San Salvador is the capital and largest city of El Salvador, located in a high valley surrounded by volcanoes, and serving as the cultural, financial and political center of the country. It’s a modern and rapidly growing city, which has a mix of 20th century buildings as well as the new modern high-rises which seem to be more prominent as of late. The city has views of the volcano, and overall just feels very Central American.
Things to do:
Around Plaza Barrios is the historic center of the city, where you’ll see the massive modern Metropolitan Cathedral (you can’t miss it). You also have to see the Palacio Nacional, it’s a beautiful government building which has grand halls and gardens you can check out. Close by is also the luxurious National Theater, built in 1911. If you want to swim and have a lot of fun, 20 minutes from the city is Lake Ilopango, a MASSIVE volcanic crater lake with great views. Definitely worth it to visit when it’s hot. Local life in San Salvador is nice and lively overall, and if you want to see more of it, also go to Mercado Central and try some local food.
How to get there:
Comalapa International Airport (SAL) is El Salvador's only international airport, and is relatively close to San Salvador. It has flights mainly from around the USA and Central America.
If you’re already in El Salvador, take buses from the surrounding cities and towns back to San Salvador.