Places to Discover in El Salvador

If, you know a little history about this small, tiny nation in Central America, El Salvador. Then you know that it is not always the best news that seems to come out of it. War, Poverty, Gangs, and Drugs seem to dominate the headlines on any given day. Every country has its share of problems, but this should detour you from experiencing the hospitality, accommodations, and delightful people of El Salvador

Let’s take at some of the things that make El Salvador a country that is one of the last hidden gems in the world.

The Beaches

The Largest attraction in El Salvador is the miles of natural Pacific coast line along its border. The sand is a beautiful sparkling black color. The sand gets this color due to the frequent volcanic eruptions that have dotted El Salvador’s ancient past. El Salvador is flush with over 200 miles of beaches for you to explore. Many are still relatively unscathed by human encroachment and provide the unique opportunity to see the natural ecology and diversity of these beaches.

Since the majority of locals do not see many tourists here, they treat you more like friends than a tourist. The local culture and traditions you discover are as traditional as the houses you pass.

La Libertad: This little city is known for two things in particular. One of them is small locally manufactured figurines. These are small collectables made to look like traditional people or animals. These little figurines that are made here are like a never ending box. Within each hand painted figurine is another small person depicting the history of El Salvador.

La Liberated is also right on the coast, so you can view the beach from most parts of town. This is an active tourist town if you love to surf. El Salvador is known around the world as one of the top 5 destinations to break a wave. The height and strength of the waves of this tiny pacific coast are enormous and are immensely popular among surfers that are searching for a challenge.

La Costa del Sol: The next city that tops my list of favorite places in El Salvador is La Coast del Sol. La Costa del Sol is home to the estuary of Jaltepeque, a flush bio-diverse eco system that holds many rare and protected species that are native to El Salvador. Kayaking through the estuary and mangroves is a breathtaking experience, being able to spot Spider Monkeys and butterfly species, and even some northern migratory birds – is a thrilling adventure!

Archaeological Ruins

For those interested in history, a visit to the archeological ruins of El Salvador is a must. One particularly significant place is Joya de Cerén, located in La Libertad. It has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The preservation of this site is so significant that it can only be compared to Pompeii, it is one of the most complete settlements of early Central America ever unearthed. You get a feeling of actually being there in the market talking to people in their homes as they were thousands of years ago. Another exciting area that depicts a lot of the history of early Meso-America is Cihuatán, on the north end of San Salvador.

Outdoor Activity Paradise

Every want to try, and climb a volcano? Well, in El Salvador you can, they have daily tours with a guide that will take you up the sides of a real volcano. It is one of the inactive ones in el Salvador that allow you to see just how valuable volcanos are to the ecology and natural habitats of many of the countries plants and animals. On top of the mountain, you can see the many other active and dormant volcanoes that dot the landscape of this little country. The beauty of this natural wonderland cannot be surpassed in all of Latin America which makes it unique and must see destination while in El Salvador. Another area of interest is El Boquerón National Crater Park. El Boquerón is the volcano located in San Salvador, with flush flora and fauna, so make sure you have your camera ready. They also offer adventures in mountain climbing, hiking, canopy tours, and eve zip lining. There are so many different outdoor activities for those that want it.

There's so much to see and do in El Salvador, you have to go to really see firsthand, the beauty of the region. So, come and explore El Salvador, the hidden gem of Central America.