El Salvador Travel Guide

Plan your trip to El Salvador with our comprehensive tour guide, featuring must-visit attractions, outdoor adventures, food and drinks, local culture, safety tips, transportation options and much more for a perfect Central American holiday.


Introduction to El Salvador

El Salvador, situated in Central America, is one of the region’s most vibrant and unique travel destinations. The country is a perfect mix of exciting outdoor adventures, awe-inspiring natural beauty, rich cultural attractions, and friendly locals that make it an ideal getaway for travelers seeking a one-of-a-kind experience.

List of Places to Visit in El Salvador

Whether you’re looking for a cultural injection, outdoor thrills, or high-quality relaxation, El Salvador is home to incredible attractions that whet any travel appetite. Below are some of the must-visit places in the country.

Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places

  1. National Museum of Anthropology Dr. David J. Guzman: Displays all kinds of pre-Columbian artifacts from El Salvador and the region. The museum exhibits count among them more than 30,000 pieces of pottery, sculptures, agricultural tools, as well as a replica of the Tazumal pyramid.

  2. Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site: This pre-Columbian Mayan village was preserved by a volcanic eruption in 600 AD. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a must-visit for history buffs.

  3. The Historic Centre of San Salvador: This historic district is home to beautiful architecture with colorful buildings, art galleries, and museums, making it a perfect place to stroll around and discover Salvadoran history.

Natural Attractions of El Salvador: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views

  1. Alegria Lagoon: This crater lake situated near Alegria town is surrounded by green hills that offer an incredible scenic view. Visitors can enjoy a morning of hiking here.

  2. Los Cobanos Beach: This secluded beach is a beautiful place for relaxation, snorkeling, and diving, with blue water and a variety of marine life, including colorful fish, coral reefs, and sea turtles.

  3. El Imposible National Park: El Imposible is the country’s largest and most biodiverse nature reserve with a variety of plant and animal life, including over 500 species of birds, monkeys, jaguars, and more.

Hiking/Biking Routes of El Salvador

El Salvador has an extensive hiking and biking trail network that attracts outdoor enthusiasts from around the world. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hiker/biker, there’s a route for you.

  1. El Boqueron National Park: This park offers some of the most beautiful and accessible hiking routes in the country, offering a breathtaking view of the San Salvador city. There is also a biking route for the outdoorsy who like to explore on two wheels.

  2. Ruta de Las Flores: This route is called the Route of Flowers, known for its scenic views and charming flower-lined streets that take you through the small traditional mountain villages of Nahuizalco, Salcoatitan, Juayua, Apaneca, and Ataco.

  3. Santa Ana Volcano: This hike is the best in the country and perfect for experienced hikers. The hike takes up to 5 hours and ends with a breathtaking view of the crater lake.

Best Things to Do in El Salvador: Activities and Tours

  1. Surfing in La Libertad: This is one of the most popular surfing spots in Central America. La Libertad has a variety of beaches for surfing, miles of coastline, and warm water, making it an ideal location for beginners and experienced surfers.

  2. Coffee Tour: El Salvador is home to some of the best coffee plantations and offers tours that allow visitors to learn about coffee production and taste different varieties of the world-renowned Salvadoran coffee.

  3. Ruta Maya: This tour takes you through the ancient Mayan ruins of Copan, Tikal, and other places of cultural significance, providing visitors with a better understanding of the region’s history, culture, and heritage.

Week-Long Itinerary for El Salvador

Here is the perfect itinerary for a week-long stay in El Salvador.

Day 1 San Salvador Historic Centre & National Anthropology Museum
Day 2 El Imposible National Park & the beach town at La Libertad
Day 3 City Tour in Suchitoto & Boat ride at Lake Suchitlan
Day 4 Ruta de Flores: Visit Juayua, Salcoatitan, and Apaneca
Day 5 Santa Ana Volcano and/or Alegria Lagoon
Day 6 Ruta Maya: Tazumal & Joya de Cerén
Day 7 Relax or choose from optional activities Tours & Excursions

Food and Drink Scene of El Salvador

Food is an essential part of Salvadoran culture, with dishes passed down through generations. Here are some of the must-try dishes in El Salvador.

Must-Try Dishes

  1. Pupusas: A classic Salvadoran dish, Pupusas are a thick corn tortilla filled with cheese and pork, beans, or loroco (a native Central American flower).

  2. Pasteles: A type of empanada, pasteles are filled with pork, chicken, potatoes, green beans, onions, and sweet peppers. They are traditionally served during the holidays and special occasions.

  3. Tamales de Elote: Sweet corn tamales are a dessert made with sweet corn, cinnamon, sugar, and condensed milk, a traditional Salvadoran dessert.

Local Beverages

  1. Horchata: This refreshing drink is made of rice, cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar, and goes great with Salvadoran food.

  2. Kolachampan: A carbonated grapefruit drink popular with Salvadoran youth that is known for its sweet, tangy taste and bright pink color.

Where to Stay in El Salvador: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses

El Salvador has a wide range of accommodation options for every budget and traveler type. Here are some of the best places to stay in El Salvador.

High-End Hotels

  1. Intercontinental Real San Salvador: A luxurious hotel located in the heart of San Salvador, with spacious rooms and a range of upscale amenities.

  2. Las Flores Resort: A high-end beachfront resort located in El Cuco, it offers an exclusive escape with ocean and garden view bungalows.

Budget-Friendly Accommodation

  1. Papaya Lodge: A hostel with different types of rooms available at an affordable price and offers comfortable common areas with a garden and pool.

  2. Hostal Doña Marta: Another affordable hostel known for its friendly and helpful staff, comfortable rooms, and prime location, close to El Tunco beach.

What to Buy in El Salvador: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home

El Salvador offers a variety of souvenirs and local products that you can buy and bring home. Here are some ideas to consider:

  1. Colorful textiles: Artistan weavers handcraft a variety of textiles in El Salvador, including blankets, bags, and clothing.

  2. Salvadoran coffee: El Salvador produces some of the best coffee in the world, and buying coffee beans makes for a great souvenir that will provide memories for weeks to come.

Local Culture and Customs of El Salvador

Salvadoran culture is influenced by unique factors like the Mayan civilization, colonial-era Spanish, and African and indigenous people traditions. As a visitor, it is recommended to behave appropriately to avoid cultural misunderstanding.

Best Time to Visit El Salvador

The best time to plan a trip to El Salvador is from December to February, which is the dry season and the ideal time to visit most of the country’s attractions.

Do’s and Don’ts of El Salvador

Do:

  1. Use sunscreen and insect repellent when outside in the sun and/or near water.
  2. Respect Salvadoran culture, customs, and traditions.
  3. Always carry around a copy of your passport or other important documents, such as your travel insurance and tickets.

Don’t:

  1. Wear flashy jewelry or expensive accessories in urban areas.
  2. Don’t try to negotiate with taxis, as fares have set prices.
  3. Avoid wandering around unknown areas outside big cities, especially at night.

Safety and Health

Safety in El Salvador

El Salvador is known for high levels of crime and violence associated with gang activities. However, crime rates are slowly decreasing, and with appropriate awareness, visitors can enjoy their stay safely.

Health in El Salvador

Besides the crime threat, El Salvador also has risks associated with malaria and dengue fever. Visitors should take precautionary measures like sleeping under mosquito nets in areas with high mosquito activity.

Getting to El Salvador: Transportation Options and Logistics

Airports Near El Salvador

  1. El Salvador International Airport (SAL): Located 44 km from San Salvador and is the busiest airport in the country, with direct flights to many cities worldwide.

  2. Aeropuerto Capitán FAP Carlos Martínez de Pinillos (TRU): Located in Trujillo, Honduras, serves as a smaller regional airport with a limited number of flights.

Bus Stations Near El Salvador

Major bus companies operate in El Salvador and provide easy access to many cities and towns.

Other Options

Shuttle services are another way to travel within El Salvador. Minivans or private cars transport groups of people from a set location to another. This option offers more affordability and convenience than taxis and buses.

How to Get Around in El Salvador

The best way to travel within El Salvador is by public transportation. The country offers a reliable and well-connected bus network that connects various cities & towns. There are two types of bus services in El Salvador, the local buses, and the custom air-conditioned coaches.

Where to Go Next from El Salvador: Nearby Destinations and Excursions

  1. Guatemala: El Salvador shares a border with Guatemala, making it easy to travel from one country to the other. Guatemala offers a great variety of Mayan culture, such as Lake Atitlan, Antigua, and Tikal.

  2. Honduras: The Bay Islands in Honduras offer some of the best beaches and diving spots in Central America, such as the beautiful island of Roatan.

Conclusion

El Salvador is a destination that stands out in Central America for its scenic beauty, cultural heritage, and diversity of adventure activities. Hopefully, our comprehensive tour guide will assist you in planning a memorable trip to this unique and wonderful country.

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    Eastern El Salvador
    Western El Salvador