With its reputation still linked to the brutalities of its Civil War, waged in the 1980s, El Salvador is still struggling to shake off its image as the least stable country in Central America, and it should be pointed out that it still has certain problems with street crime. It has however been at peace since 1992, for more than 15 years, and its attraction for the visitors who keep on coming could be down to a whole series of outstanding qualities that it can effortlessly demonstrate. Having survived earthquakes and wars, this is a country where there is incredible surfing, you can visit fascinating museums, undertake thrilling hiking tours and stand on top of a volcano, overlooking coffee plantations and find a warm welcome from the locals wherever you may go.
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Ahuachapan city square at dusk
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Tourists do not usually linger too much longer in the capital San Salvador than is necessary to see its sights, such as the Catedral Metropolitana, Palacio Nacional, the National Treasury and the beautiful colonial church of St Ignatius Loyola, either close at hand or from a bird's-eye perspective. The San Jacinto Mountain has an amusement park and cable car, while the views are even more dramatic from the Puerta del Diablo rock formation, near the outlying Balboa Park. Beyond the capital, there are several more attractive colonial cities which would form a better base for exploring the coast and the National Parks. One of these is Santa Ana, with its beautiful buildings, atmospheric old town and lively bar and restaurant scene as well as a good range of accommodation. This city is surrounded by coffee plantations and sugarcane fields as well as within reach of the fascinating Mayan ruin of Tazumal. At the foot of the Santa Ana volcano, Lake Coatepeque is the perfect spot to fish, sail or waterski. Continuing the Mayan theme, there are tours available to Joya de Cerén, a site once buried beneath volcanic ash but now excavated to form a UNESCO Heritage Site. Within the San Andrés region, visit the remains of ancient Mayan settlements and the site of the acropolis.
For those interested in more recent history, the region to explore is Morazán, around Perquín, where the FMLN was based. The guerrillas used the forested rocky landscape as their cover, which today provides an ideal terrain to hike, swim and relax in beautiful natural surroundings well known for their abundant bird life. Further relaxation can be enjoyed at El Salvador's superb Pacific coast beaches, such as La Libertad, Las Flores and Playa Herradura. The biggest waves break on to Punta Roca and El Sunzal. At Costa del Sol and San Juan del Gozo you will escape the surfers and find calm waters and pristine white sand. North of San Salvador, on the borders of Guatemala and Honduras, the national parks of Montecristo and El Imposible are great for trekking and outdoor adventure. Wildlife enthusiasts will get the chance to spot spider monkeys, pumas and toucans amongst the giant trees of the Montecristo Cloud Forest.
With its reputation still linked to the brutalities of its Civil War, waged in the 1980s, El Salvador is still struggling to shake off its image as the least stable country in Central America, and it should be pointed out that it still has certain problems with street crime. It has however been at peace since 1992, for more than 15 years, and its attraction for the visitors who keep on coming could be down to a whole series of outstanding qualities that it can effortlessly demonstrate. Having survived earthquakes and wars, this is a country where there is incredible surfing, you can visit fascinating museums, undertake thrilling hiking tours and stand on top of a volcano, overlooking coffee plantations and find a warm welcome from the locals wherever you may go.
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|
Ahuachapan city square at dusk
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Tourists do not usually linger too much longer in the capital San Salvador than is necessary to see its sights, such as the Catedral Metropolitana, Palacio Nacional, the National Treasury and the beautiful colonial church of St Ignatius Loyola, either close at hand or from a bird's-eye perspective. The San Jacinto Mountain has an amusement park and cable car, while the views are even more dramatic from the Puerta del Diablo rock formation, near the outlying Balboa Park. Beyond the capital, there are several more attractive colonial cities which would form a better base for exploring the coast and the National Parks. One of these is Santa Ana, with its beautiful buildings, atmospheric old town and lively bar and restaurant scene as well as a good range of accommodation. This city is surrounded by coffee plantations and sugarcane fields as well as within reach of the fascinating Mayan ruin of Tazumal. At the foot of the Santa Ana volcano, Lake Coatepeque is the perfect spot to fish, sail or waterski. Continuing the Mayan theme, there are tours available to Joya de Cerén, a site once buried beneath volcanic ash but now excavated to form a UNESCO Heritage Site. Within the San Andrés region, visit the remains of ancient Mayan settlements and the site of the acropolis.
For those interested in more recent history, the region to explore is Morazán, around Perquín, where the FMLN was based. The guerrillas used the forested rocky landscape as their cover, which today provides an ideal terrain to hike, swim and relax in beautiful natural surroundings well known for their abundant bird life. Further relaxation can be enjoyed at El Salvador's superb Pacific coast beaches, such as La Libertad, Las Flores and Playa Herradura. The biggest waves break on to Punta Roca and El Sunzal. At Costa del Sol and San Juan del Gozo you will escape the surfers and find calm waters and pristine white sand. North of San Salvador, on the borders of Guatemala and Honduras, the national parks of Montecristo and El Imposible are great for trekking and outdoor adventure. Wildlife enthusiasts will get the chance to spot spider monkeys, pumas and toucans amongst the giant trees of the Montecristo Cloud Forest.