El Salvador is a country with diverse topography and culture. This small country, located in the heart of Central America, is home to amazing national parks, extensive lengths of stunning beaches, a plethora of inland attractions, and visa requirements that are quite flexible. Despite its outdated reputation as a dangerous country, El Salvador is one of the safest places to visit in Central America. Visitors of different origins and interests are quickly discovering the variety of things this country has to offer, despite the country’s horrific civil war having ended over two decades ago. The following are Places You Should Visit in El Salvador that you should visit from the huge range of possibilities.
San Salvador
El Salvador’s capital is San Salvador. It is the second-largest city in Central America, located in the central plateau region (second to Guatemala City.) Despite its enormous size, tourists are sometimes surprised to find laid-back residents, a laid-back attitude, and a city that moves at a relatively moderate pace.
Though on the mend since the century, infrastructure is still hit or miss, with earthquakes and conflict leaving scars all across the metropolis. San Salvador faces a long journey ahead, from the decaying vestiges of original Spanish colonial buildings to the widening disparity between affluent and poor. There is still violence in the city, but it is primarily centered in the city’s poorest districts, far from the tourist areas, where inter-gang violence is rampant.
San Salvador’s location is one of its most distinguishing features. Visitors are only minutes away from awe-inspiring natural beauty despite the fact that it is the country’s largest metropolis. Natural beauty is constantly around the corner, from magnificent volcanoes and the breathtaking crater lake to some of the best parks in the country. San Salvador is an excellent home base for touring El Salvador because it is only four hours away from any site in the country.
La Palma
Places You Should Visit in El Salvador: La Palma, located two hours northwest of San Salvador, is known for being the home of national artist Fernando Llort. Llort grabbed the hearts of the El Salvadoran people with brilliant colors, playful pictures, and religious themes, establishing La Palma as a nationally recognized artistic powerhouse. The vast majority of its citizens still make a living by following Llort’s artistic approach.
Because of its proximity to the Honduran border, many travelers simply stay in La Palma for the sake of convenience. Visitors should definitely spend some time taking in the town’s beautiful creative legacy, which includes a large number of galleries and workshops. A visit to La Palma is well worth the stay, with everything from wall art and town murals to handicrafts, tiny Llort-inspired handicrafts, and the mosaic Central Park.
Suchitoto
Places You Should Visit in El Salvador: Suchitoto is one of El Salvador’s few towns that has kept its colonial architecture. This town is one of the most picturesque in the country, with a laid-back ambiance, breathtaking panoramic vistas, and quaint cobblestoned streets. The Museo de los Recuerdos Alejandro Cotto (admission $4) is one of Suchitoto’s most popular attractions. Beautiful grounds, colonial buildings, amazing vistas, and classic fountains may all be found here. This museum (open daily) is like a village in and of itself, with one of the country’s most spectacular art collections!
Santa Ana
When compared to San Salvador, Santa Ana, El Salvador’s second-largest city, provides visitors an urban appeal with a little more calm environment. Santa Ana is a (more than) worthwhile day trip because of its early 20th-century neo-Gothic church, magnificently designed theatre, and the gorgeous main square (Parque Libertad).
The aforementioned theatre (Teatro de Santa Ana) is a gorgeous visit both inside and out, and still hosts the odd live play for those seeking a more in-depth experience in Santa Ana. If you enjoy the arts, make sure to check out the schedule when you’re in town!
Tazumal
Places You Should Visit in El Salvador: Tazumal, which dates back to circa 400 A.D., is a collection of peculiar step pyramids, the tallest of which stands at 75 feet (the largest in the country.) Its autonomy persisted until the arrival of Spanish armies in El Salvador in the 1520s when the native population was overrun and exploited. The on-site Stanley H. Boggs Museum, which houses objects discovered during the excavation, is an interesting stop. Boggs’ discoveries range from incense burners to ceramics and statues, providing a look into Tazumal’s past. Your text will be rewritten by QuillBot. Start by typing or pasting something into this box, then hit the enter key.