Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico and even countries like Cuba or the Dominican Republic have been favorites with travelers for years, who didn’t include El Salvador in their itinerary due to the high levels of crime in the past and the negative media coverage, but don’t be fooled, El Salvador is hot!

Security has greatly improved and travelers venturing into this small country find themselves in an untouched paradise where you can surf, visit coffee plantations, climb volcanoes, discover colonial towns, explore national parks or relax on one of the beaches. Go to El Salvador now while it is still authentic, traditional and untouched.

El Salvador is one of the smallest countries in Central America. That also makes it such a nice country to visit. You can see a lot in a short time. And there is a lot to see. You will find the largest Mayan pyramid in Central America here; Tazumal.

And instead of snow-white beaches, El Salvador is called El Tunco and Esteron, golden brown, pristine beaches. And then we haven’t even mentioned the volcanoes and national parks that the country is rich in and colonial cities such as Suchitoto or Juayúa and Apaneca that you can visit during the Ruta de las Flores.

In short, plenty to see!

Close to the border of Guatemala you will find the impressive Mayan ruins of Tazumal. They are the most important and most famous Mayan ruins of El Salvador. If you have already visited several Mayan ruins, you will notice that Tazumal is relatively small. Yet here is the largest pyramid in Central America. It is one of the biggest attractions in the country, but still hardly visited!

1. Explore El Salvador’s Rich History At The Mayan Ruins Of Tazumal, San Andrés and Joya de Cerén

El Salvador has several Mayan ruins, including Tazumal, San Andrés and Joya de Cerén. What makes Tazumal so special is the great pyramid, the largest in Central America. When you translate Tazumal from the Mayan language it means ‘pyramid where victims are burned’. Despite the frightening name, this complex is considered the most important and best preserved ruins in El Salvador. The Maya who lived in Tazumal excelled in trade, even with Maya in Panama and Mexico.

The complex looks relatively small at first glance, but the ruins cover a total area of 10 km2. Unfortunately, much of the ruins are still buried under the surrounding village of Chalchuapa.In the complex you will find thirteen monuments, including platforms and pyramids. The most striking is the great pyramid in the center of the Maya complex. This ‘staircase’ pyramid is made up of different platforms. The stone steps lead to the pyramid, which was used as a temple. Under the pyramid are tombs. The best thing about your visit to Tazumal is the view when you climb the pyramid. This makes the visit even more impressive, especially when you are here alone!

You will also find a ball court here, which you will also find at other Mayan ruins such as Chichen Itza or Tikal. Ball games were played here in which the losers were often sacrificed.

A few tips! 

1.Bring enough water

Bring enough water and a snack. It’s hot in Tazumal! A large bottle of water is therefore very nice to have with you. Also, don’t forget to use sun screen. Better safe than sorry!

2. Wear good walking good shoes

Put on your walking shoes and don’t go on slippers or flip flops. You will be walking quite a bit on uneven terrain, despite the park being relatively small. Closed shoes are highly recommended, especially when climbing the pyramid.

3. Spot the animals

Keep your eyes open, because there is a good chance that you will encounter different animals. With a bit of luck you will encounter monkeys in the trees, but also iguanas on the ruins themselves.

2. Have An Active Or Chill Beach Holiday At Playa el Tunco, El Salvador’s Best Surfspot!

Playa el Tunco, located on the Pacific Ocean, is the place for beach lovers. Surfers from all over the world have been coming here for years because of the perfect sea to surf in. It has much more to offer than the surfing waves. Relax on the beaches, enjoy the lively nightlife in the evening or taste the authentic atmosphere that this surfing village has to offer!

What used to be a surfing village has now grown into a real tourist attraction in El Salvador. The village is still not big, but very popular! As a result, you can still experience the authentic atmosphere of El Salvador here.

El Salvador is often skipped when traveling through Central America. This ensures that you will not encounter many other tourists in the country, but that does not apply to El Tunco. This village is popular among travelers and surfers because of the ‘rough’ sea that is perfect for surfing.

We recommend that you book a hotel in El Tunco in advance. There is a good chance that there will be few rooms left if you don’t.

For the active sun lover, El Tunco is the place to be in El Salvador. This is the best surfing spot in the country and most travelers come here to surf or give it a try. It’s not just for advanced surfers. You can also take surfing lessons as a beginner.

You can also surf well in the vicinity of El Tunco. The best places to surf are: Playa Sunzal, Playa la Paz, Playa El Zonte and Punta Roca. In addition to surfing, you can of course also relax here or play a game of volleyball. It is such a typical place where you plan one or two days and end up staying for a week because of the laid-back atmosphere. You can do this even more here:

Chilling At The Beach

A central point in Playa El Tunco is La Bocana. This beach bar is highly recommended both during the day and in the evening. Here you can eat delicious fish or of course drink cocktails. The beaches of El Tunco are located around this beach bar, where you can enjoy the sun, the sea and a nice drink. After a good surf session, most of them settle down in a hammock with a good book or a cold beer. You can also explore the town and grab a cup of coffee, smoothie or some food in one of the nice shops and stalls.

Go To El Zonte

Playa El Tunco is getting more and more on the radar of many international travelers. It is one of the more famous coastal towns in the country. If you are looking for something different, you can also go to El Zonte. This village is about a 15-minute drive from El Tunco. It is a mini village with a few inhabitants and mainly surfers. The beach is nicer than at El Tunco and El Sunzal and it is quieter here.

Have a drink in one of the bars

El Tunco is a real surfers town so it is not surprising that it can also get very cozy here in the evenings. Of course there is the most to experience at the weekend, but you can also plan a pleasant evening here during the week. It is not difficult to find the nicest places since you only have two streets in El Tunco with bars, restaurants and shops.

Visit The Caves Of El Tunco

On the beach of El Tunco you will find a few caves. It’s not spectacular, but it’s fun to visit. You can enter and walk around the caves. Fortunately, you cannot get lost because the caves have no corridors. The caves are only accessible at low tide.

Enjoy The Sunset

One of the highlights in El Tunco is the sunset. Every evening, locals and travelers gather on the beach to enjoy the sunset. The sky turns completely orange and the water becomes extra calm. It’s a great view and after the sun has set you can join one of the bars on the beach for happy hour.

You can stay in all kinds of accommodations in El Tunco. Accommodation here is mainly aimed at surfers, so you will find many hostels and budget hotels, but there are also more expensive resorts for which you pay a bit more. You can also choose to spend the night in nearby El Sunzal or El Zonte. It is quieter here and there is also less accommodation, but because it is so close you can easily travel back and forth between the towns.

3. Travel The Colorful Roads Of The Ruta De Las Flores

The Ruta de las Flores is a beautiful road trip along all kinds of colorful villages. You can enjoy delicious food here, visit the many markets and score souvenirs. You will also find beautiful waterfalls, viewpoints and coffee plantations in the area. It is not surprising that this route is driven by many tourists! Curious about Ruta de las Flores and why this should not be missing from your schedule?

Ruta de las Flores is a road about 30 kilometers long. The route officially starts in Sonsonate, where you can easily get to from San Salvador and La Libertad, and ends in Concepción de Ataco. The village of Juayua is the most popular village to spend the night, but besides Juayua, the other villages are also very nice to stay.

Ruta de las Flores owes its name to the many flowers that grow along this road. In total, you will pass many coffee plantations and small, colorful villages.

There are five larger villages along the route: Nahuizalco, Salcoatitán, Apaneca, Ataco and Juayua. The best time to do this route is between November and February. Then the flowers are growing.

As mentioned, the route starts in Sonsonate and ends in Concepción de Ataco. You can choose to drive parts of the route, but the best thing is of course to drive the entire route. It’s not that long either. The entire route is about 30 to 40 kilometers, depending on what you visit along the way. You will find five villages along the Ruta de las Flores. They are all worth a stop and you will often find a number of fun things to do in the vicinity of the villages.

Nahuizalco

Nahuizalco is the first village you encounter. It is about 10 kilometers from Sonsonate and here you can feel the colonial atmosphere very well through the beautiful buildings and the large church. When you visit Nahuizalco, don’t miss Mercado Nocturno. This is especially beautiful in the evening because of all the lights.

Salcoatitan

Good food and art, that’s what you’ll find when you visit Salcoatitán. Salcoatitan is home to many art galleries and museums. You can also enjoy delicious local food at Plaza de Armas. Highly recommended! San Miguel Arcangel Church and La Ceiba Plaza are the city’s main attractions. Here you can chill out with a cup of coffee and watch the local life pass by.

Juayua

This is actually where the Ruta de las Flores really starts! The village of Juayúa is one of the nicest villages on the route and there is also plenty to do here. If you drive the Ruta de las Flores over several days, this is the perfect base to spend the night. Juahua is an excellent basis for this route and that is mainly due to the fact that there is so much to do and see here.

What to do in Juayua:

• Feria de la Gastronomia: the food festival that is organized here every weekend. It attracts travelers and locals from all over the region and is cozy. You can score delicious food for less than US$5. Live music is often played as well.
• Explore the village: the village is very atmospheric with colored streets, cozy bars and nice restaurants. Well worth exploring.
• Los Chorros de la Calera: the main attraction near the village is Los Chorros de la Calera. Also called the ‘7 Waterfalls’. These waterfalls are located in the jungle surrounded by greenery. You can swim, dive or just chill.
• Go up one of the roof terraces: Juayúa is located against the mountains and if you are looking for a roof terrace you have a nice view over the region. Have a beer, camera ready and enjoy!

Apaneca

For coffee you have to be in Apaneca. You will find many coffee plantations and beautiful landscapes here. A tip is Laguna de las Ninfas, a lagoon with lots of flowers. The newest attraction here is the labyrinth, Labereinto de Albania. You can also hike from Apaneca to various volcanic peaks of inactive volcanoes and the crater lakes Laguna de las Ninfas and Laguna Verde. Apaneca is located at an altitude of 1,450 meters, making it the third highest town in El Salvador. This village also has a colonial appearance with cobbled streets and colorful houses. It is less crowded than Juayúa.

Ataco

The surroundings of Ataco are beautiful, the mountains and the coffee plantations give a beautiful view. In this colonial town it feels like you are going back in time. Visit Plaza Central on weekends and enjoy local food and drinks. This is one of the nicest and most beautiful villages of the Ruta de las Flores.

Of course you can spend the night in all villages, but we recommend that you spend the night in the most touristic village of Juahua. From here you can also easily discover the other villages on the Ruta de las Flores.

4.Discover The Cultural Capital Of El Salvador: Suchitoto

Suchitoto is the cultural capital of El Salvador. This town, also called Ciudad Vieja, was once the first settlement of San Salvador. The city is about 50 kilometers from San Salvador. If you like culture and architecture, you should not miss Suchitoto. The colonial buildings are beautiful and a tour of the city is definitely recommended.

When traveling through El Salvador, Suchitoto should be on your itinerary. This city is also called the cultural capital of El Salvador. It is an atmospheric town with narrow streets, cozy squares and colored houses. It looks a bit like Granada (Nicaragua) or Antigua (Guatemala), only smaller.

The city itself is relatively small and therefore you can visit everything on foot. When you walk through the town, you will come across many photogenic views. The town has a central park, Parque Centenario, which is mainly visited by locals on weekends for the market that is here. In short, Suchitoto is a lovely town that you should not miss. Go to this lovely city in February if you can. In February there is Festival Permanenete de Arte Cultura. February is therefore all about art.

Suchitoto is not very big and is close to San Salvado, which is why most people visit this town in one day, but that’s a shame because there is plenty to do in the area: 

• Visit Iglesia Santa Lucia: When you walk through the town, there are one sight that you should not miss. This is Iglesia Santa Lucia. This church is built in the colonial style and is really beautiful! This beautiful building against the green, mountainous background is a real picture and therefore very photogenic. You will also find many art museums, which are a must see for art lovers.

• Chilling in Parque Central Suchitoto: The center of the city. It is a place where locals and travelers come together to enjoy the local life in the shade of the trees. The park is located on a large square. The Iglesia Santa Lucia is also located on the square.

• Climb the Guazapa volcano. Are you a nature lover? Then a hike on the Guazapa volcano is highly recommended. It is quite a climb, but the view is breathtaking and the nature is really beautiful. We recommend that you do this with a guide so that you also learn a lot about the rich history. You can also do a special hike that takes you back to the time of the civil war, which largely took place here. 
• Discover Ciudad Vieja: Ciudad Vieja is located about 10 kilometers outside Suchitoto. Ciudad Vieja is the area that served as the first settlement of San Salvador, the current capital. Today it is no more than a few old ruins, but if you like history, you can definitely go here!

• Lake Suchitlan: from Suchitoto you often have a beautiful view over this lake. Lake Suchitlán is the largest lake in El Salvador and was artificially created to generate electricity. From the old center you can walk to the lake. This walk is beautiful in itself! Once you have arrived at the lake, you can of course take a refreshing dip or relax on the terraces by the lake.

• Discover San Luis del Carmen and San Francisco Lempa: When you visit Lago Suchitlán, you can take the ferry to the villages of San Luis del Carmen and San Francisco Lempa. These authentic and quiet villages are definitely worth a visit. 

• Swim at the Cascada los Tercios: Not cooled down yet? Then visit one of the waterfalls in the vicinity of Suchitlán. Cascada los Tercios is a special waterfall that is definitely worth a visit. But Salto el Cubo is also a beautiful waterfall. You can also swim here. Nice after a walk!

• Discover the streets of Suchitoto: Perhaps the best thing to do is explore the streets of Suchitoto. It’s not big, but very very nice. Especially during the weekend, when many locals also come here, it is very cozy. Discover the narrow streets, colored houses, atmospheric restaurants or just go out and see where you end up. February is at its best when the whole city turns out for the Festival Permanenete de Arte Cultura. 

5. Old Meets New In San Salvador: El Salvador’s Vibrant Capital

The city of San Salvador is located in the smallest and most populous country in Central America. The capital of El Salvador and a great city to visit. Many people start their journey here and travel straight on. A shame, because it is a beautiful city, surrounded by non-active volcanoes and beautiful landscapes. It is the perfect start to your trip through El Salvador. This city has a lot to offer, but there is also a lot to experience in the area.

The city of San Salvador was founded in 1525 by the Spaniards, but was moved 30 kilometers about 3 years later. Old San Salvador is now called Suchitoto. Present-day San Salvador is located at the foot of the San Salvador volcano. The heart of the city is formed by Plaza Barrios and Catedral Metropolitana. This cathedral was built on another cathedral that burned down in 1956. From the old center you enter a completely different world when you walk along the Boulevard de los Héroes. You will find American fast food chains and large malls where you can shop and eat well. The contrast to the old center is enormous.

Many people skip El Salvador/San Salvador when traveling through Central America because of the country’s safety. There used to be many gangs in the country that made it dangerous to travel through El Salvador. Today El Salvador has made many strides in security and the gangs have been pushed back to two neighborhoods in San Salvador. You don’t come here as a tourist, so you won’t notice this either. Of course you have to be careful when traveling, this applies to every country you go to. Do not go out after dark and if you do, make sure that you are not alone and that you are not wearing expensive jewelery etc. The people are sincere and friendly. They do everything to show you the best of El Salvador and not let you go home with a negative experience. This country is not yet overrun with tourists and it is one of the most authentic and least crowded countries. Don’t be put off by wild stories.

The city of San Salvador is full of beautiful places, old buildings and nice markets. As for the old buildings, appearances can be deceiving: an earthquake destroyed a large part of the historic buildings. These buildings have been rebuilt and so are not that old.

What should you definitely do in San Salvador?

• Explore Plaza Libertad: Plaza Libertad is one of the most beautiful squares in the city and is also where you will find most travelers, locals and restaurants. It is a beautiful square with impressive buildings. The colonial atmosphere comes to life in Plaza Libertad. This is not the central point of San Salvador, but there are still many old buildings that survived the earthquake. You should not miss the following sights:

• Visit the Iglesia El Rosario: The church El Rosario is one of the most beautiful sights in the city. It’s not so much the beautiful outside, but especially the inside. This is due to the rainbow-colored wall that is very beautiful when the light shines on it. The church is not that old, especially if you compare it with other churches in Central America. This church was built in 1971. 

• Go to the Teatro Nacional: San Salvador’s National Theater (Teatro Nacional) is one of the oldest theaters in all of Central America and was built in the French Renaissance style. It was completely restored in 1917 and it gives an impressive picture of how it looked centuries ago.

• Explore the beautiful Plaza Barrios: next to Plaza Libertad you also have Plaza Barrios. This is seen as the historic center. It is a beautiful square and you will find two important sights of the city here; the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Palacio National. Palacio national is the imposing, white building. It is a “newly” built palace. The old palace was lost in a fire in 1889. The Catedral Metropolitana is the most important monument in the city and the resting place of Archbishop Óscar A Romero.

• Visit one of the many markets: San Salvador has many markets ranging from large covered halls to cozy small street markets. You can often buy everything there. From souvenirs to car parts. They are often the best places to buy authentic products. Well-known larger markets are Mercado Ex-Cuartel, Mercado Central and the new Mercado Cuscatlán. Still, the street markets are a lot more fun. You can often find these on the street during the weekend. Not to be missed because of the crowds!

• Try the tasty street food! When you travel through El Salvador you have to eat a pupusa. This is a very popular dish in El Salvador. You can eat them everywhere, it costs little and is tasty! You can order two for less than 1 dollar.

There is plenty to do and see in the city and most travelers only stay here for 1 or 2 nights. If you stay a little longer, you can also explore the surroundings of the city. Some fun things to do: 

• El Boqueron: A must visit in the San Salvador area is the El Boqueron volcano. This volcano is not active, so you can safely hike to it. The view is really beautiful! It is about half an hour’s drive from the city and after that you only have to walk 5 minutes to the top. This walk takes you through a tropical garden, and is therefore very beautiful in itself. Another advantage of visiting the volcano is that it is cooler here than in the city. 

• Joya de Cerén: a bit further away from San Salvador are the ruins of Joya de Cerén. Joya de Cerén is a Mayan village that was submerged 1400 years ago by a volcanic eruption. It is as if time has stood still, because many houses have been petrified and preserved by the lava. The village is located about 35 kilometers outside San Salvador, but is definitely worth a visit if you like culture.

• Lago de Llopango: escape from the busy city? Then pay a visit to Lago de Llopango. This lake is located about 15 kilometers from San Salvador and is the largest lake in the country. With a boat you can sail to the islands that lie in the lake. These islands are called Cerros Quemados. It is wonderfully quiet here and there is a pleasant atmosphere, ideal for a break from the busy city.

Santa Ana Volcano: when you travel from San Salvador to Santa Ana, it is recommended to climb the volcano Santa Ana, also known as volcano Ilamatepec. This is the most active volcano in El Salvador and is almost 2,400 meters high. It is a bit of a climb to the top, but the view is beautiful. You look at the blue lake that lies in the crater. It is well worth the climb. When you arrive at the volcano you can hire a guide to climb to the top. The hike itself takes 4 hours and is easy to do. We definitely recommend that you climb this volcano when you travel through El Salvador!

6. Chilling At Esteron Beach

You should not miss this beautiful beach on the border of Nicaragua when you travel through El Salvador. The beach is quiet and travelers hardly ever go there. The dark sand on the long beaches is a bit reminiscent of El Tunco. Playa Esteron is another pristine piece of El Salvador!

Playa Esteron is perfect for the real beach lover. The elongated beach is ideal for long days in the sun, beach walks, chilling in a hammock and beers under the palm trees. Here you can really relax. Many tourists go straight to El Tunco, making Playa Esteron wonderfully quiet. The nearest village is El Cuco. This is about 3 kilometers to the west. In El Cuco you also have beaches, but these are a lot busier. Besides working on your tan and drinking cocktails, life here is mainly about relaxing on the beach.

You can also see sea turtles here. They come here to lay their eggs on the beach. Another, slightly more active activity is suping. At Intipuca, the river flows into the Pacific Ocean, making it a great place to paddle board.