Top 5 Things to Do in El Salvador
El Salvador is the second destination I’ve ever solo traveled to and is so close to my heart. It’s a hidden gem of a country filled with lush rainforests, beautiful beaches, and wonderful people. See below for my top 5 things to do in Central America’s smallest (and in my opinion, most underrated) country.
1 . Hike the Santa Ana Volcano
The Santa Ana Volcano is a stratovolcano outside Santa Ana, El Salvador. This 4.3-mile out-and-back hike takes around 3-4 hours and is considered pretty challenging — I was huffing and puffing at some points but it was a great hike. You can head up on your own or go on a Guided Tour. I went with Jonathan at Litoral Surf Trips and can’t recommend him enough.
Once at the top, there’s a view of the blue-green crater lake, which is unlike anything I’d ever seen. The surrounding views of El Salvador are incredible, too. And if that’s not enough, an ice cream man hangs out at the top (how he hikes up and down several times a day is beyond me).
2. Swim in Lake Coatepeque
Lake Coatepeque is a popular spot for Salvadorans and visitors to unwind and have fun. I visited the lake after the Santa Ana Volcano and it was such a refreshing swim after a long hike. There are boat and jet ski rentals, restaurants, and bars around the lake, so there are plenty of ways to enjoy being on (or at least near) the water.
Hostels and tour groups around El Salvador offer day trips to the lake, but there’s also lodging in the area if you’d like to extend your stay. Some Guided Tours visit the Santa Ana Volcano and Lake Coatepeque in one day, which is what I did!
3. Discover la Ruta de las Flores
The Ruta de las Flores is a stretch of road in the Salvadoran highlands, named after the beautiful flowers that bloom along the road in the springtime. Several small towns are situated along the route, each with unique characteristics and sights. I visited Apaneca and Juayua. Apaneca is a calm village filled with cafes, restaurants, and local artisans. It’s famous for the bright, colorful murals that cover its walls celebrating Salvadoran culture.
Juayua was our favorite of the two towns — it was more exciting since we went during its weekend Food Festival. Different vendors sell food, drinks, souvenirs, and art. It felt like one big party and we loved the vibe.
There are plenty of other places and attractions to check out along the route including coffee plantation tours, hikes, and other small towns. The website Everything El Salvador was my guide to planning my trip. You can explore the route on your own if you have transportation, or book a Guided Tour.
4. Relax at the Beach
There are tons of beach towns along the coast of El Salvador to explore. For a busier, more party-oriented area, check out El Tunco. It’s a surfing hotspot filled with locals and tourists heading to the many bars and restaurants to unwind once the sun goes down. For a chiller vibe, head down the road to El Zonte. It’s a smaller, quaint beach town, with some great bars, restaurants, and a ton of open beach area perfect for relaxing. I stayed in El Zonte for 5 days and loved its laid-back beach vibe and locally-owned bars and restaurants.
5. Explore El Imposible National Park
El Imposible National Park is a rainforest and the largest national park in El Salvador. Many different tours go through the park, so there’s something for anyone who wants to visit, whether you’re looking for an adventure or a more relaxed sightseeing experience.
I took this Hidden Waterfalls Guided Tour through El Imposible and couldn’t recommend this tour enough. The guides taught us about the different plants and their uses while macheteing through uncharted territory. It was truly wild, in the best way. We hiked by a few gorgeous waterfalls, were able to cliff jump, slide down some natural waterslides, and even rappelled up a waterfall. This is an adventurous excursion and I’d be mindful of the intensity level, but the guides accommodated anyone who wanted a modification.
