Perched on the side of a volcano, San Salvador is one of Central America’s lesser-known capitals. The city hides a great colonial history, which is not very obvious in its architecture due to past earthquakes that forced locals to rebuild the streets. San Salvador lies in a valley known as Valle Hamaca (Hammock Valley) because of the swaying caused by fairly frequent seismic activity. The largest recorded earthquake to date took place in the 16th century, after which the city underwent a complete transformation. That’s why there is so much to see in San Salvador today.
El Salvador is an increasingly fashionable destination for Central American countries, and the city of San Salvador is the gateway. It doesn’t have much to offer, so tourists tend to spend only a few hours here, just enough time to stop over and travel on to other places of more interest. Even so, we recommend spending at least a day enjoying the city’s colonial history and discovering all it has to offer, which we’ll tell you about in this post.
What is there to see in San Salvador?
1. The National Palace, a must-see in San Salvador
This monumental building, built in 1866 and formerly used as presidential offices, is one of the main tourist attractions in San Salvador. The façade is not the original one as a fire destroyed the building and it had to be rebuilt. The most interesting features of the palace are probably the two statues of Christopher Columbus and Isabella I of Castile that decorate the façade.
Inside you can’t miss the different rooms where famous people from El Salvador’s history have passed through, and where essential moments in the country’s politics have taken place. The Palace is open to visit Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 16:00. There are guided tours of the interior.
2. The National Theatre, the oldest in Central America
Built in 1917 by a Gallic architect, the National Theatre is a must-see on your trip to San Salvador. It is in the heart of the city and the French touches of Renaissance, Rococo, Romantic and Art Nouveau styles make it one of the most beautiful buildings in San Salvador. It is also worth going inside the theatre and seeing the great dome that covers the main auditorium. The best way to do this is to get tickets for one of the performances. There is something for everyone.
3. Plaza de la Libertad and Salvador del Mundo
The Plaza de la Libertad is the liveliest spot in the city. Locals and tourists alike make it the busiest place in San Salvador. The square was once the site of the main administrative and political buildings, but today, all that remains of those glorious years is an impressive monument called “El Ángel de la Libertad” (The Angel of Liberty), which commemorates the country’s independence.
Another square you must not miss is the Plaza Salvador del Mundo, a meeting place for the inhabitants of the city who gather at sunset to rest, ride bicycles… The square is home to one of the most symbolic monuments in the country, Monumento al Divino Salvador del Mundo. It is also the site of the patron saint’s festivities and various cultural activities.
4. El Boquerón National Park
The city of San Salvador is in the heart of the Boquerón National Park, home to one of the most impressive volcanoes in the country. The park is characterised by its lush forests full of native flora and fauna, but above all by this incredible volcano. Its 110 square kilometres of surface area is divided into three main parts, El Picacho, its highest point, El Boquerón, the crater and El Jabalí.
Throughout the park there are several hiking trails that offer incredible views of the volcano, which is only 20 minutes from the city centre. In the park there is also an information centre that tells the history of this volcano that once destroyed the city of San Salvador.
5. Museum of Art of El Salvador
If there is one museum worth visiting in San Salvador, it is the Museo de Arte de El Salvador. It is home to numerous exhibitions of modern and contemporary art by both local and international artists. The cultural heritage contained in this curious building is incalculable and although the opening hours are a little tricky, it’s worth finding the time.
The premises are only open from 10:00 to 16:00 during the weekend. The entrance fee is 1.00$ for Salvadorians, 3.00$ for foreign residents and 5.00$ for foreigners. On Sundays the entrance is free for everyone. Guided tours are also available.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around San Salvador?
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1. El Tunco, the most beautiful beach in San Salvador
El Tunco is one of the most beautiful beaches to see in San Salvador. It is especially famous among surfers as it has exceptional waves that change throughout the year. During some months of the year the waters are calmer and allow beginners to learn and practice. Between April and August, on the other hand, the waves reach up to 6 metres and the beach is full of professional surfers.
The beach is also a perfect place to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of the village. You will find shops, restaurants and a wide range of nightlife as well as accommodation. The only way to get to El Tunco is by private car. It takes 45 minutes to get there from San Salvador and is an ideal place for a day trip.
2. La Ruta de Las Flores
The Ruta de Las Flores is an itinerary of 5 villages located in the middle of nature that you cannot miss. The route can be done with planned excursions, but if you have your own vehicle you can also do it on your own. One day may not be enough time to visit all the villages, but you can always do several trips.
The towns that make up the route are Nahuizalco (one of the most important indigenous centres in the country and with the most impressive market), Salcoatitán, Juayua (known for the church of Cristo Negro), Apaneca and La Concepción de Ataco. In all of them you will discover incredible corners, colonial buildings, craft markets and lots of atmosphere.
3. Concepción de Ataco
The village of Concepción de Ataco, one of the most beautiful on the Ruta de las Flores, is almost 2 hours by car from San Salvador. The municipality was founded by the Piripiri tribes, but you can also see the Spanish colonial influence. From San Salvador it is the perfect destination for a day trip for all it has to offer.
The streets invite you to stroll around, with murals decorating the facades at every turn, depicting regional folkloric scenes. Another mandatory stop is the Central Park, the perfect meeting point at night because of its beautiful illumination. Concepción de Ataco is also known for its handicrafts, which include a wide variety of ornaments, sculptures, embroidery, weavings, key rings and coffee candles.
What to see in San Salvador in 1 day?
San Salvador is a relatively small city that can visited easily in a day. In fact, most visitors only stay for a stopover before heading on to some other part of the country. Most of the monuments and sights to see in San Salvador are located in the historic centre, so you can walk from one to the next. For those points further afield, the best way to get around is by bus, as the network is modern and very efficient.
In one day you can easily visit the main squares such as Libertad and Salvador del Mundo, see the facades of the most important buildings such as the National Theatre, the National Palace and the many religious temples scattered around the city. You should also stop at the Bicentennial Park and if you have time, visit the Museum of Art of El Salvador.
How to get to San Salvador?
There are frequent flights from Spain to El Salvador costing between €500 and €1000. These flights, however, usually stop in other European or South American countries such as Costa Rica or Guatemala. It is definitely not a short trip. Once there, the best way to get around the country is by private car, which we recommend hiring at the airport. However, there are also other options for getting to the centre of San Salvador, which is 30km from the airport. The most convenient option is by taxi, which will drop you off in the city centre for US$6. Another option is to take a public bus in front of the airport, which costs about US$0.6.
Best restaurants in San Salvador
El Salvador has a very varied cuisine whose main ingredients are yucca, rice and beans, corn, meat, fish and seafood, dairy products, fruits and vegetables. The most typical dishes are pupusas, corn or rice tortillas filled with different foods, corn on the cob, and Indian chicken. Here are some of the best restaurants in the city where you can try the region’s specialities.
- Comedor Pupusería La Ceiba: this is the best restaurant to try pupusas at a very good price. They have all kinds of fillings: cheese, beans, chicharrón… and they are served with tomato sauce and vegetables.
- Pampa El Volcán: is a luxurious restaurant amongst gardens on the slopes of the Boquerón volcano. Besides having excellent food inspired by the Argentinean grill, it has one of the best views of the city. However, it is not one of the cheapest.
- Panadería Latino: it is one of the most famous eateries in the city centre. It has a buffet format and you can try some of San Salvador’s most traditional dishes for a very affordable price.
Where to stay in San Salvador?
As the capital of the country, it’s no surprise that San Salvador has a wide range of hotels. You’ll find everything from luxury hotels to backpacker hostels and flats. El Salvador is not a particularly expensive country, so the best thing about it is that you’ll be able to stay at very good prices. Here is a selection of the best accommodation in the city with different price ranges.
- La Zona Hostel: a colourful and cosy hostel located in the heart of the city of San Salvador. The price of a bunk bed is 20€ per night, and private rooms are 50€. It also includes common areas such as a garden, lounge and kitchen, and offers parking and a bar with 24-hour room service.
- Hotel Villa Serena Escalon: a 4-star hotel with colonial decoration in front of the bus station in San Salvador. It has a garden, gym, massage service and fully equipped rooms costing between 50€ and 70€ per night.
- Hotel Gardenia Inn: this hotel is located 8 km from San Salvador’s Bicentennial Park and the best thing about it is that it has a garden and swimming pool. The rooms are fully equipped, it has parking, and the price includes a buffet breakfast. The price per night is between 70€ and 80€.
Travel tips for San Salvador
- The official currency is the Salvadoran dollar.
- Mosquito repellent is recommended.
- Try to always drink bottled water and avoid ice.
- It’s best to carry small notes, as change is hard to come by.
- Private cars are a good way to get around, but buses are also a good option, as the whole country is very well connected.
- Electricity and voltage has a current of 115 volts (v) and a frequency of 60 Hertz (Hz).
- As for plugs in El Salvador uses A and B plug types.
- The best time to travel to El Salvador is the dry season, which runs from November to April.
- It is best to avoid exchanging money at the airport, as prices are high.
- Spanish is spoken in El Salvador.
- You don’t need a visa to travel to El Salvador, but you do need a passport.
- It is advisable to get a malaria vaccine.
- Cover yourself against possible medical emergencies: travel with insurance.
How to plan your trip to San Salvador
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its useful features.
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
- Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of every place you’ve visited to the app and recommend to other travellers all the things to do in El Salvador.
If you have any doubts about how to plan your itinerary, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about San Salvador
The best way is to fly into the capital’s airport and from there to the centre by taxi or bus.
The dishes not to be missed in San Salvador are:
– Pupusas
– Corn
– Indian hens
The best time to travel to El Salvador is the dry season, which runs from November to April.
The city is small and as tourists you can get around on foot without any problems. The bus is the best way to get to the more distant points of interest.
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