Things to see and do on a trip to Santa Ana

At the gates of the volcano of the same name, beautiful Santa Ana is the second most important city in El Salvador. It is one of the most visited by travellers who venture to El Salvador, for its incredible mix of impressive Gothic-influenced monuments and surrounding natural landscapes. Despite its small size, there is much to see in charming Santa Ana. The city streets provide a truly surprising experience for anyone who wanders through them.

You can admire monuments such as the spectacular gothic Santa Ana cathedral, as well as the national theatre and the municipal palace. Furthermore, just a few kilometres from the city you will find one of the most impressive natural parks in the whole country. Read on to find out all the things to see and do in Santa Ana.

What are the best places to see in Santa Ana?

1. Santa Ana Cathedral

If we told you that you had a spectacular Gothic-style cathedral just a few kilometres from the capital of El Salvador, you would probably be surprised. The truth is that the Cathedral of Santa Ana contrasts with other similar buildings in El Salvador, as well as other monuments in Latin America, as most of them are influenced by the Spanish colonial style, unlike the neo-gothic style of the Cathedral of Santa Ana.

That is why we recommend adding it to your list of things to see in Santa Ana, as it is one of the most symbolic points in the city and in El Salvador. It dates back to 1569, when it was first built as a church in various stages, which marked the final product we see today as a unique piece of architecture.

The Cathedral of Santa Ana underwent different reconstructions and reforms, especially from 1994 onwards, as its structure suffered due to natural phenomena. A year later it was named as a National Monument of El Salvador, due to its historical, cultural and religious importance. It is truly impressive, with its two imposing white towers and the three bells brought from the Netherlands more than a century ago.

2. The Theatre of Santa Ana

In addition to spectacular religious monuments, there are other charming buildings to discover in Santa Ana. Among them is the Teatro de Santa Ana, a building with a solemn façade that is located very close to the Cathedral of Santa Ana.

It was built 40 years ago and is one of the most iconic monuments in the city. The history of Santa Ana can be felt in its boxes and its stage where countless shows have been held, especially in the golden age it experienced a century ago.

It is one of El Salvador’s national monuments. Its impressive design includes the vault that crowns the stage hall, with engravings by Wagner, Bellini and other renowned artists.

It has different areas of interest in addition to the main hall, such as the Foyer Hall and the Spanish Terrace, in Art Nouveau style. Don’t hesitate to visit this building during your stay.

3. The Municipal Palace

Continuing with the list of essential monuments to visit, we can’t miss the opportunity to tell you about the Municipal Palace of Santa Ana, an iconic building that is the seat of the mayor of the city.

It is not far from the city’s national theatre and is especially striking for its peculiar mix of architectural styles. From French neoclassicism and Italian neo-Renaissance, this unique piece of architecture is a must-see in Santa Ana.

It is said to have been designed by the architect Joaquín Pérez and is another construction that forms part of El Salvador’s list of national monuments. If you happen to be nearby, come and admire its striking design.

4. La Plaza Libertad

Last on our list of things to see in the city, we couldn’t fail to mention Plaza Libertad (also known as Parque Libertad). It is one of the liveliest spots in the city that embodies the essence of Santa Ana.

It is the place where the other monuments mentioned above converge, but also somewhere you can spend hours enjoying the activities that take place there, such as different musical events or local festivities.

You can also enjoy the different stalls of the local marke. Buy typical products such as handicrafts, or try out typical food stalls of El Salvador, which are a real delight.

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 Santa Ana

1. Lake Coatepeque

El Salvador has many volcanoes, which leave behind natural spaces you have to visit during your trip. One of these spectacular sites is Lake Coatepeque, just 18 kilometres from the city of Santa Ana.

Located in the municipality of El Congo, the gigantic lake has a small island in its centre, called Isla del Cerro or Teopán. You can visit the Isla del Cerro by ferry, where long ago the native peoples erected sculptures and religious symbols.

Lake Coatepeque is a beautiful place with crystal clear waters, where you can do many activities, including sailing and jet skiing. This lake is of volcanic origin, so you can also enjoy the thermal waters. A great idea is to spend a night in the surrounding hotels, which offer spa and relaxation services.

2. San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador

If you decide to visit Santa Ana, you will most likely have passed through San Salvador before. This is definitely a city worth spending at least a day, wandering its streets full of history and admiring the nature that surrounds it.

The Plaza de la Libertad is an ideal place to start your adventure in San Salvador: a crowded spot with the ”Angel of Liberty” monument at its centre, commemorating the country’s independence.

We tell you all about what to see in San Salvador in our post

Another must-see is the Palacio de la Libertad, a historic monument that crowns the city centre, with its spectacular statues of Christopher Columbus and Isabella I of Castile guarding the building’s façade.

And of course, if you want to admire the natural beauty of El Salvador, head to Boquerón National Park. This huge park is filled with vast hectares of forests and exotic flora. It is so large that it is divided into three areas, with the highest point being called El Picacho.

What to see in 1 day in Santa Ana, El Salvador?

Although Santa Ana has many spots and monuments to admire, the truth is that one day is more than enough to see what the city has to offer.

Our recommendation is that you start your tour of the city at the Cathedral of Santa Ana, and then approach the National Museum, as the two are very close to each other and are the two main points of interest in the city.

After this, head to the Plaza de la Libertad to enjoy the local food, while you enjoy the lively rhythm of the city and its people. Finally, we recommend visiting the Palacio Municipal de Santa Ana. If you have more time in the area, the best thing to do is to visit Lake Coatepeque.

Organise your travel itinerary with Passporter, completely free to use, easy and practical. Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you most by adding them to your route map.

Where and what to eat in Santa Ana?

The cuisine in El Salvador is one of its strong points, as we guarantee that it will surprise you. To make it easier to choose where and what to eat, here are out recommendations for your trip to Santa Ana:

• Simmer Down: An excellent blend of Italian and El Salvadorian gastronomic culture. Simmer Down is the perfect place to eat, but also to have original and refreshing cocktails. The price is around 20€ per head.
• Taquería La Chismosa: Tacos, giant burgers and various cocktails make this place a must in Santa Ana. You can also eat for less than 10€ per person.
• La Pampa Coatepeque: A perfect restaurant to enjoy Salvadorian cuisine while admiring Lake Coatepeque from its terrace. Prices are around 20€ per head.

Where to stay in Santa Ana?

Santa Ana is a bustling city frequented by travellers from all over the world, so there’s no shortage of accommodation options. But to make it easier for you to choose a place to stay, we’ve put together a short list:

• Remfort Hotel: A luxurious hotel, with a beautiful swimming pool, palm trees and a minimalist style that permeates all the rooms. The price for a weekend for two people is 116€.
• Hotel Brunette: An stripped-down hotel, with classic décor and facilities as well as the essentials for a pleasant stay. The price for a weekend is usually around €100.
• Pool House Hostel: A charming hostel, with a private pool and all you need for a relaxing weekend. The price for two days for two people is around €34.

Travel tips for Santa Ana, El 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 Santa Ana?

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 Santa Ana