Santa Ana National Theater (Teatro Nacional de Santa Ana)
Santa Ana National Theater (Teatro Nacional de Santa Ana) Construction on the Santa Ana National Theater (Theatro Nacional de Santa Ana) began in 1902, partly because the city lacked adequate entertainment options and partly — and perhaps more importantly — due to a rivalry with San Salvador, the
Santa Ana Cathedral
Santa Ana Cathedral Probably the city’s most notable landmark, the Santa Ana Cathedral was completed in 1913 after eight years of construction. Where many of El Salvador’s churches and cathedrals were build in the Spanish Colonial style typical of Latin American religious architecture, the Santa A
National Theater San Salvador
National Theater San Salvador Built between 1911 and 1917, San Salvador’s magnificent National Theater is not only one of the city’s principal landmarks, but a National Monument and the oldest theater in Central America. Designed by French architect Daniel Beylard, the building is among the capita
National Palace
National Palace Built to replace the original, which was destroyed in a fire in the late 1880s, El Salvador’s current National Palace offers visitors a look at the politic, historical and national past. It is comprised of four main rooms and more than 100 smaller secondary ones, which provide visi
Museum of the Word and Image
Museum of the Word and Image Unlike other national museums that tell tales of independence and victory using the popular narrative, San Salvador’s Museum of the Word and Image showcases the nation’s past—including its own civil war—through the eyes and stories of guerrilla soldiers. Travelers
Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana)
Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana) The national cathedral of El Salvador may not offer the same old-world architectural charms—like ornate stone work and detailed religious statues—of its European counterparts, but the iconic white Roman Catholic church is still a stunning monument an
La Laguna Botanical Garden
La Laguna Botanical Garden Founded in 1976, La Laguna Botanical Garden sits within a volcanic crater just outside the city of San Salvador. The sprawling gardens display more than 3,500 species of native and exotic plants, including 35,000 specimens inside the garden’s herbarium. The 7.5-acre (3.1
Lake Ilopango
Lake Ilopango This crater lake nestled in a scenic volcanic caldera is the second largest lake in the country and a famed destination for sci-fi loving locals and travelers seeking to spot much-storied UFOs. And while visitors may have to navigate the local bus system to get here, travelers agree
Lake Coatepeque
Lake Coatepeque A startling blue pool nestled beneath the peaks of the Cerro Verde, Izalco and Santa Ana volcanoes and fringed by sloping sugar and coffee plantations, Lake Coatepeque is among El Salvador’s most enchanting natural attractions, located on the cusp of the Cerro Verde National Park.
Izalco Volcano
Izalco Volcano Located within El Salvador’s Cerro Verde National Park (Parque Nacional Cerro Verde), the Izalco Volcano is the highest in the country and the park’s most visually beautiful peak. It’s also one of the most challenging treks in the park; it takes visitors an average of three hours (o
Guajoyo River
Guajoyo River Easily reached from both Santa Ana and San Salvador, the Guajoyo River is a major tributary of the Lempa River, which runs 422 km through southern Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, before flowing into the Pacific south of San Salvador.Despite running for less than 15 km, the Guajo
Santa Tecla
Santa Tecla This bustling urban center named after the famous 2nd century hero, Saint Thecla, is home to roughly 133,000 residents. Travelers to this thriving metropolis, which is tucked at the foot of San Salvador Volcano, can explore the nation’s unique arts, rich culture, deep-rooted religion a
Cerron Grande Dam (Suchitlan Lake)
Cerron Grande Dam (Suchitlan Lake) Suchitlan Lake, the vast body of water created by the Cerron Grand Dam, is the largest fresh water reserve in the county. Visitors flock to this protected wetland in hopes of spotting some of the diverse species of birds and fish that call Suchitlan home. Built
Apaneca
Apaneca The scenic mountain town of Apaneca is the second highest destination in the country. Its back roads, thick forests and fertile farms are a Mecca for eco-tourism and draw travelers in seeking to make an authentic connection with both the people and the land. Outdoor enthusiasts can hi
Suchitoto
Suchitoto Perched on a hilltop, overlooking the glittering waters of Lake Suchitlán, Suchitoto is among El Salvador’s most picturesque towns, a maze of timeworn cobblestones and well-preserved colonial architecture. Suchitoto’s tranquil surroundings and laid-back pace of life make it a popula
San Andrés
San Andrés Between 600 and 900 AD, some 12,000 Mayans inhabited a city in the Valle de Zapotitán dominated by a step pyramid. The grass-covered ruins of the pyramid and a large courtyard were discovered in 1977, and excavation of the site continues to this day.The archaeological evidence suggests
Santa Ana Volcano (Ilamatepec)
Santa Ana Volcano (Ilamatepec) The star attraction of the Cerro Verde National Park is also its most menacing – the Santa Ana Volcano (Ilamatepec), El Salvador’s biggest and most active volcano, last erupting as recently as 2005, when the force of the eruption flung car-sized rocks for more than 1
La Libertad
La Libertad El Salvador’s most famous coastal resort might still be off-the-beaten-track for many visitors to Central America, but La Libertad’s long sandy beaches and world-class breaks have none-the-less earned it a reputation as a surf hotspot.A short journey from the capital, the bohemian beac
El Rosario Church (Iglesia El Rosario)
El Rosario Church (Iglesia El Rosario) Strolling past the grey concrete arch of El Rosario Church, it’s hard to believe that the bleak, hangar-like building is a place of worship, and if it wasn’t for the single, featureless white cross rising from its entrance, you’d likely pass right by. Don’t b
El Imposible National Park
El Imposible National Park The largest of El Salvador’s four national parks, El Imposible National Park is also home to one of the world’s most fragile ecosystems, offering refuge for a number of endangered animals and plant species. Set on one of the country’s most important historic trade routes
