NoteEl Salvador’s infrastructure was badly affected by the earthquake in Jan 2001. This has resulted in years of ongoing work and you should consult Government travel warnings for up-to-date information on specific conditions in the country.
San SalvadorSituated 680m (2240ft) above sea level, the capital, San Salvador, is the second-largest city in Central America, with a population of over 600,000. Founded by the Spaniard Pedro De Alvarado in 1525, the city is a blend of modern buildings and colonial architecture, broad plazas and monuments, amusement parks and
shopping centers. The most important public buildings are downtown. Standing within a short distance of each other are the Catedral Metropolitana (metropolitan cathedral), the Palacio Nacional (national palace), the National Treasury and the Teatro Nacional (national theater). Among the many beautiful colonial churches to be seen are St Ignatius Loyola (once the shrine of the ‘Virgin of Guadalupe’) with a traditional Spanish colonial facade, the Juayua and the Suchitoto. The amusement park on San Jacinto Mountain can be reached by cable car and gives a panoramic view of the city.
Balboa Park, 11km (7 miles) from the capital, and the 1200m (3900ft) rock formation, the Puerta del Diablo (devil’s doorway), just south of Balboa Park, also give a bird’s-eye view of San Salvador.
ExcursionsFrom San Salvador, excursions can be made by road to Panchimalco, 15km (9 miles) south of the capital, around which live the Pancho Indians (pure-blooded descendants of the original Pipil tribes), who retain many of their old traditions and dress. The village of San Sebastián, approximately one hour by car from San Salvador, is known for its beautiful woven materials. The village is situated near Lake Ilopango, the largest of El Salvador’s lakes, surrounded by volcanoes and mountains, and is a popular destination for outdoor and watersports’ enthusiasts. The mountain village of Ilobasco, northeast of the capital, is renowned for its beauty and its craftwork.
Archaeological sitesEl Salvador has a number of ancient archaeological sites from the Maya civilization, some dating back to the third century BC. The Mayan village of Joya de Cerén was buried under volcanic ash 1400 years ago and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also close to the capital is the San Andrés region, where fertile soil once housed Mayan settlements and where the architectural jewel, the acropolis, is a highlight. El Salvador’s earliest people lived between 300 BC and AD 1200 at Chalchuapa in the Tazumal region, 78km (46 miles) from San Salvador. During this period, five important ceremonial centers were built: Pampe, El Trapiche, Las Victorias, Casablanca and the beautiful ruins at Tazumal, which boasts structures over 30m (90ft) high and a ball court where the Maya practiced an unusual sporting rite. Other interesting sites include the pre-Columbian Tehuacán site near San Vicente; the monumental Santa Letìcía sculptures near the town of San Miguel; and the pre-Columbian village of Quelepa, also in San Miguel.
Volcanoes & parksThere are more than 25 volcanoes in El Salvador, only three of which – the Izalco, San Miguel and Santa Ana (the largest) – are still considered active. The extinct San Salvador volcano is within close proximity of the capital. Another extinct volcano, the easily accessible Cerro Verde in the west, is located within the Cerro Verde National Park, also home to the popular and beautiful Lake Coatepeque, which sits on top of a volcanic crater. The nearby Santa Ana volcano, which is still active and last erupted in 1966, is located near the town of Santa Ana, whose cathedral is the most famous in El Salvador. Also within the area is El Imposible National Park, the country’s most important ecological reserve, where varied vegetation and fauna offer a refuge for numerous bird and wildlife species, including the rare Black Hawk Eagle.
The CoastEl Salvador has a 320km- (200 mile-) Pacific Coast with resort hotels, unspoiled beaches, fishing villages and pine views. Beaches include la Barra de Santiago, los Cóbanos, el Cuco, el Sunzal and el Tamarindo. The best resorts tend to be found along the Costa del Sol, easily accessible via a modern highway. For details on sports and activities that can be pursued on the coast and elsewhere in El Salvador, see the
Activities section.
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