Vacationing to El Salvador?

Question

I will be in El Salvador for the 3rd time. I love it there! I'm a born us citz from mexican parents. My last vacation there we went to Playa el Sunzal, it was very nice; charcoal sand, warm (very salty) water but this time I would like to visit another one, maybe a lighter color water with calmer beaches...I hear it is winter over there now, so maybe there will not be a calm beach? The family is from san salvador, so something not too far is nice too. Any reccommendations for beaches would be appreciated!

Also, I want to taste new foods, more natural foods, like weird, exotic fruits, any reccommendations there?

For the pupusas, I love to go to Planes de rendero (I think that's the name). So any tips are greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Starting in San Salvador there's the National Museum. Downtown San Salvador is an interesting and 'exotic' place. It's overwhelming with activity, people, noise, etc. The City Hall has been doing a lot of efforts to try to clean up the area and have been somewhat succesfull. A lot of work still remains to be done.

If you decide to visit the 'old' San Salvador, visit the National Palace (a jewel of 'tropical' neoclassical architecture, the National Theatre (undergoing renovation after the 2001 earthquake), the cathedral (modern), Iglesia del Calvario, La Basilica, Iglesia Don Rua, Mercado Cuartel (for local handicrafts- very interesting). In downtown San Salvador keep your eyes open since there are beautiful 19th century buildings that haven't been restored but offer a good idea of what the place must have looked like some 100 years ago, visit La Casa de la Cultura del Centro where they usually host different kinds of exhibits, musical presentations, theatre, literature, poetry readings, and a small cafe.

I found a good website containing some excellent pictures of downtown San Salvador at www.asa2000.org.sv.

A great place to visit while in San Salvador is Punto Literario in Zona Rosa. They have a small cafe (good food and tropical fruit juices in a courtyard-garden), a book store with excellent books about El Salvador and a wonderful art gallery that showcases salvadorean artists.

The Botanical Gardens of La Laguna are a must see in San Salvador. They are located in the crater of an extinct volcano and sourrounded by a small tropical forest. They are impeccably kept and offer a relaxing day trip to learn about the rich flora and fauna of this beautiful country.

Another great place is the Teleferico San Jacinto, an amusement park on top of a mountain. There is a wonderful view of San Salvador on one side and lake Ilopango on the other side. You go up by way of a cable car, which in itself is worth the trip for the amazing views. T

he nearby archeological site of Joya de Ceren is part of UNESCO's World Heritage since it's the only example of a Mayan village preserved by the eruption of nearby Volcano Caldera (called the Pompeii of Central America) it's a truly interesting site with guided tours for a small fee - given the nature of the place it's worth it to take the guided tour to really know what you're looking at. They also have a samll museum with pieces coming from the site. Their web site is: http://ceren.colorado.edu/

Nearby the ceremonial center of San Andres with it's small but well presented museum completes the visit. This is a truly exceptional site and worthwhile to visit. Don't expect to find the soaring pyramids of Guatemala but instead an insight into Mayan daily life.

A unique place to visit when in El Salvador is the Cerro Verde National Park. The view from the spectacular Hotel de Montaña on to the Izalco Volcano is one you will never forget.

The Cloud forest around the hotel is very beautiful and there are clearly marked pathways leading to amazing vistas of Coatepeque lake, Santa Ana Volcano, etc.

If you like mountain and volcano climbing this is a good place both for beginners and pros.

Answer 2

well you could go to Las Palmas were the sand is white or El Espino in San Miguel were the beach is pretty calm ! or Termos del Rio which is a pool are or Zaragoza pool too ! um.....or San diego !! if you need more just ask !!! =)