Highlights
Santa Ana Volcano (Ilamatepec)
The country's highest volcano has a turquoise, steaming crater lake at its summit. A guided hike through Cerro Verde National Park takes a few hours, with views over Izalco volcano and Lake Coatepeque.
Lake Coatepeque
A large crater lake whose water can turn a vivid blue-green, ringed by forested slopes. Lakeside restaurants and boat trips make it a popular weekend escape.
Ruta de las Flores
A winding road through coffee country in the western highlands, linking the towns of Juayúa, Apaneca, Ataco and Nahuizalco. Expect murals, weekend food festivals, waterfalls and coffee farm tours.
The surf coast
El Tunco, El Zonte and Punta Roca near La Libertad have consistent waves breaking over rocky points, attracting surfers from around the world. Beginners can take lessons on gentler days.
Joya de Cerén
A UNESCO-listed farming village buried by volcanic ash around the year 600, preserving houses, tools and even food remains. It offers a rare view of everyday Maya life rather than temples and kings.
Tazumal and San Andrés
Tazumal, in Chalchuapa, is the country's best-known Maya ruin, with a stepped pyramid. San Andrés, a short drive away, was an important regional centre.
Suchitoto
A colonial town of cobbled streets and whitewashed churches overlooking Lake Suchitlán. It is known for indigo dyeing workshops, arts festivals and boat trips on the lake.
El Boquerón National Park
On the San Salvador volcano just above the capital, a short trail leads to the rim of a huge crater with a smaller cone inside, often wrapped in cloud.
Interesting facts about El Salvador
- El Salvador is the only country in Central America without a Caribbean coastline.
- Pupusas, thick corn tortillas stuffed with cheese, beans or pork, are the national dish, and the country celebrates National Pupusa Day each November.
- El Salvador has used the US dollar as its official currency since 2001.
- Joya de Cerén is sometimes called the 'Pompeii of the Americas' because of how well volcanic ash preserved it.
- The country has more than twenty volcanoes, and several of them are active.
Best time to visit
The dry season, from roughly November to April, is the best time for hiking and sightseeing, with sunny days and clear volcano views. The rainy season, from May to October, brings afternoon and evening storms but green landscapes; mornings are often clear. Surfing is good all year, with bigger swells typically from around March to October. Holy Week (Semana Santa) and August's holidays in San Salvador are busy domestic travel periods.
Practical information
| Capital | San Salvador |
|---|---|
| Currency | US dollar (USD) |
| Languages | Spanish |
| Plugs | Type A, B |
| Voltage | 120 V, 60 Hz |
| Emergency | 911 for all emergencies |
| Driving | On the right |
| Tipping | Many restaurants add a service charge to the bill. If not, leaving a tip for good service is customary, as is tipping guides. |
Getting around
Distances are short: most highlights are within a few hours' drive of San Salvador. Colourful public buses link nearly every town and are very cheap, though slow and crowded. Tourist shuttles connect popular spots such as El Tunco, Santa Ana, the Ruta de las Flores and the airport. Ride-hailing apps work in San Salvador and nearby areas. Renting a car is a good option for the Ruta de las Flores and the coast, and main highways are generally in good condition.
Staying connected in El Salvador
Mobile coverage is good in San Salvador, other cities, the surf towns and along main roads, with 4G widely available. Coverage can weaken in rural highlands, on volcano trails and in the more remote eastern beaches and national parks such as El Imposible. Hotels, hostels and cafés usually have Wi-Fi. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land so maps and ride-hailing work from the airport.
See El Salvador eSIM plans · How to install an eSIM
Useful apps for El Salvador
- Uber: Ride-hailing in San Salvador and along the nearby coast.
- Waze: Popular with local drivers for traffic and road updates.
- Google Maps: Directions between towns and offline maps for hikes and rural roads.
- WhatsApp: The standard way to contact surf schools, guides and guesthouses.