El Salvador - Ver en español

El Salvador welcomes visitors with a beautiful Pacific coastline and verdant volcanic uplands, along which run two, almost parallel, lines of volcanoes.

El Salvador may be smaller than its neighbors in Central America, but this just means its multiple attractions are more concentrated and thus easier to enjoy. El Salvador welcomes visitors with a beautiful Pacific coastline and verdant volcanic uplands, along which run two, almost parallel, lines of volcanoes. The countryside is breathtaking, offering not only "green" adventure but also a look back into time: El Salvador forms part of the Mundo Maya and is currently home to the presidency of the organization. Here you'll find riches of this ancient civilization, as well as great cultural traditions and a wide variety of flora and fauna. For beginners to experts El Salvador is a surfer's dream-come-true. The high-ranking surfing spots of La Libertad, near San Salvador, El Sunzal, El Zonte and the wild El Este (the east) will deliver various surf conditions. Accommodations, like the waves, differ from place to place. The capital, San Salvador, is a cosmopolitan city with good restaurants highlighting the country's fresh seafood, as well as plenty of shopping and entertainment. Sun and sand, ecotourism, arts and crafts, archeology—you'll find it all in this tiny Central America gem, along with its main attraction: its people, who'll always greet you with a warm smile.

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Location
El Salvador is located in Central America and is bordered north and west by Guatemala, north and east by Honduras and south and west by the Pacific Ocean.

Capital
San Salvador

Population
Approximately 7.1 million: 90% Mestizo, 9% White, 1% Amerindian.

Languages
Spanish, but some groups still speak Náhuatl.

Climate
Tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast, temperate in the uplands. There are actually three climate zones, which vary according to the altitude above sea level.

When to visit
The easiest time to visit is November through April, when the dry season leaves roads in their best condition. The local high season runs from Christmas through mid-January, during the Holy Week and the first week of August; rates go up 50 percent, and many services shut down. Prices are lower during the rainy season—and the evenings cool off a bit after each storm.

Government
Presidential Republic

Local Time
GMT/UTC minus 6 hours (or US Central Standard Time). Daylight Savings Time is not observed.

A value-added tax (IVA) of 13 percent is applied to all goods and services.

Wiring money
You can wire money through MoneyGram in any branch of Banco Agrícola, Banco Cuscatlán or ScotiaBank El Salvador.

Business hours
Government: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Banks: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some open Saturdays.
Business: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Electricity
110V, 60 Hz

Entry and visa requeriments
Tourists are required to have either a tourist visa issued from a Salvadoran embassy or a tourist card, passport valid for at least six months after departure and a return ticket. Visas are free to U.S. citizens. Tourist cards are US$10 and can be purchased at the point of entry. They are usually issued for 90 days.

Customs
The duty free allowance is 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars; two liters alcoholic beverage; six units of perfume; and gifts to US$500.

Tipping
Most restaurants add a 10 to 15 percent tip to the bill. Tip bellboys and chambermaids about US$0.50 per day per person; tour guides, US$1-5 per day per person.

Tourist offices
Corporación Salvadoreña de Turismo (CORSATUR)
Alameda Dr. Manuel Enrique Araujo
Pasaje y Edificio Carbonel #2
Colonia Roma
San Salvador
Tel: 243-7835 Fax: 243-7844
E-mail: corsatur@salnet.net
Web site: www.elsalvadorturismo.gob.sv

Telecommunications
Privately-held CTE Telecom services 90 percent of the country's fixed line telephones and provides long distance and internet access. Several local and international mobile carriers serve this country. Free wireless Internet is available in most hotels, major restaurant chains (like Pollo Campero, Pollo Real, Coffee Cup), and food courts on shopping centers. The international country code is 503; there are no internal area codes. The outgoing international code is 0.

Built in a valley at the foot of the San Salvador volcano, the capital has received an influx of foreign investment that has served to boost the country's economy. San Salvador serves as the center for commerce, industry, government and tourism.

The historical downtown district—renovated and reconstructed—is the home of the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Palace and the Nacional Theater, the triumvirate that represents the country's Spanish origins. Nearby, the David J. Guzmán National Museum is the repository for the country's most notable archeological finds. Another museum, the Museo de Stephen W. Hawking, offers interactive exhibits that revolve around physics and science. About three blocks east, you'll find the Mercado Ex-Cuartel and the enormous Mercado Central, where you can buy everything from shoes to plantains. If you're looking for souvenirs, you might prefer to go to the National Handicraft Market, where both the quality and the prices are higher.

Another of the city's attractions is the La Laguna Botanical Gardens, created in what was once a swamp at the foot of a volcanic crater. Here you can sit and relax after a busy day in the city. Art lovers will want to visit El Arbol de Dios, a gallery and restaurant owned by the famous artist, Fernando Llort.

Two of San Salvador's ritzier districts are Colonia Escalón, where you'll find upscale shopping centers, residential areas, theaters and restaurants, and the Zona Rosa, an exclusive nightlife and restaurant area.

Santa Ana
The second largest city in El Salvador, Santa Ana is a pleasant place to visit and can serve as a good base of operations from which to visit the western and northwestern areas of the country. Eighteen miles to the north lies the beautiful Lago de Coatepeque, a large lake lined with archeological sites. Two other important attractions to visit are the Montecristo National Park and the Tazumal ruins.

Parque Nacional Montecristo
This "international" park borders El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, and is home to a great diversity of plants, birds and mammals, including rare spider monkeys, pumas, toucans, striped owls and more. It's also home to some 87 species of birds, including the resplendent quetzal. The cloud forest is made up mainly of oak and laurel, and its dense canopy keeps the forest floor dark and damp. Points of interest include the Montecristo, Miramundo and Brujo mountains (bring a jacket!)

The park is closed from April to September, but during that time visitors can enjoy nearby forested areas for picnics or a visit to the flowering gardens. The park is open during the rest of the year, and camping is permitted.

La Palma
Located nearly 52 miles north of San Salvador, La Palma is small town high on the mountain of El Macotal. Off the beaten path, La Palma revels in its pristine natural beauty and the crystal waters of its river. The town is known for its beautiful ceramic and wooden handicrafts and its population of blue-eyed, blonde inhabitants in the higher elevations. Hiking and camping are popular activities here.

Suchitoto
This colonial village lies east of San Salvador and gives visitors the thrill of stepping back in time. There are hotels and restaurants serving home-cooked Salvadoran meals you can enjoy while looking at the stunning views. This beautiful city offers visitors the opportunity to get to know a part of El Salvador's culture through its permanent festival of art and culture that began in 1991.

Cerro Verde
This national park with its temperate climate lies close to the Santa Ana and Izalco volcanoes, giving visitors a great view of both cones plus a picture postcard vista of the Coatepeque Lake on the slopes of the former. A cloud forest reserve, Cerro Verde is home to nearly 127 species of birds, including 17 species of hummingbirds. The lush vegetation is dotted with orchids and bromeliads, which grow in the emerald green canopy.

El Imposible National Park
One of the country's newest ecotourism destinations, the park boasts 13,000 acres and one of the last remnants of dry tropical forest in the Americas. Over 260 species of birds, 40 species of mammals and 400 species of trees make their home here. A hike with a trained guide will enable you to spot many of these otherwise hard-to-see denizens.

San Salvador's Zona Rosa hosts the best restaurants and clubs. Ladies nights, student nights and other occasions for celebration are quite popular. Live music can be enjoyed at various bars and clubs—ask your concierge for directions. For loftier interests, the National Theater is the perfect backdrop for theater, dance and musical performances.

El Salvador's specialty is seafood: lobster, shrimp, calamari and oysters can be found in popular restaurants, served in a tasty garlic and cilantro sauce, covered in cheese, fried or grilled. Coastal towns particularly have a handle on the oyster trade, offering them on the half shell at the drop of a hat. Salvadoran ceviche (an appetizer of fish cured in lime juice, cilantro, green peppers and onions) is another popular dish, as are the ever-present pupusas. These are corn tortillas stuffed with one or more of the following: refried beans, cheese (a soft Salvadoran cheese like Quesillo con loroco), chicharr (a ground pork product, often mixed with tomato paste) or chicharrón (pork rinds). Vegetarians can enjoy versions of pupusas stuffed with chayote squash, garlic or spinach. Pupusas can be bought nearly everywhere—there are even restaurants dedicated to this hearty treat, aptly named pupuserías.

Other traditional dishes include yucca frita (deep fried cassava root) served with curtido (pickled cabbage, onion and carrot topping) and either pork rinds or pepesquitas (fried baby sardines), and panes rellenos. Panes rellenos are big stuffed sandwiches filled with roasted chicken or turkey and vegetables.

Rice and beans round out just about any meal. Salvadorans also eat platanos (fried sliced plantains) with a variety of accompaniments such as beans, sour cream, cheese and eggs.

Pilsener is El Salvador's most popular beer, while Suprema is a close second. Tic Tac and Torito are two potent liquors made from distilled from sugar cane.

Non-alcoholic beverage favorites include Kolachampan (a sugarcane-flavored soda), Horchata (a sweet and spicy drink made from rice and 'morro' seeds), Ensalada (a thick drinkable blend of finely chopped tropical fruits), and juices made from tamarind and guava.

The restaurant scene in El Salvador is truly international. There's everything from Italian to Japanese, Middle Eastern and German. Many large supermarkets, found mostly in the bigger towns, stock a wide variety of both local and international foods.

Really fork into the local cuisine by heading to any of a number of food festivals. These are held in towns such as Ilobasco (Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., on South Avenue between Avenue Carlos Bonilla and East Street), Salcoatitan (weekends, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Colonial Park), Juayua (weekends, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Central Park), and Apaneca (weekends, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., in front of the park).

El Salvador is the smallest country in Central American, but there's no lack of things to do, places to go, and sights to see. Water sports, especially surfing, are hot along the Pacific coasts, while the inland countryside is breathtakingly beautiful thanks to a wondrous landscape of lush greenery as well as volcanoes and mountains.

Archaeology/Historic Sights

Joya de Cerén and the Tazumal ruins are two places to glimpse life prior to the arrival of the Spaniards in the early 1500s. Joya de Cerén is a Mayan community that suffered a fate equal to that of ancient Pompeii—sans the death toll. The ruins were bereft of human remains, as apparently the population fled before it was too late, leaving behind their possessions and foodstuffs. The adobe homes were perfectly preserved, as was a community center and a steam bath—evidence, according to the archeologists, of a fairly high standard of living. An on-site museum presents exhibits of the excavations and possible scenarios of village life. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just a few miles from the city of Santa Ana in the municipality of Chalchuapa, lie the Tazumal ruins, whose partially restored pyramid rises some 75 feet into the air. The on-site museum showcases artifacts from the Pipil culture (the builders of Tazumal), as well as paintings that illustrate life in pre-Hispanic El Salvador. Souvenir hunters will want to forego the stands at the entrance and travel some 20 minutes more to San Juan el Espino, where you can meet the artisans and buy from them directly.

Beaches

Beaches in El Salvador boarder the Pacific ocean and dot some 184 miles of majestic coastline. Warm waters, perfect wave breaks for surfing, and rare crowds make beach-going a year-round recreation. Favorites include La Libertad, the mecca for surfers from around the world, and Playa Herradura. Non-surfers flock to the beaches of San Juan del Gozo and Costa del Sol where white sand and calm waters rule. Many beaches have small shacks or kiosks that serve fresh seafood like oysters and clams, along with cold beer.

Bird Watching

Habitats ranging from mountainous cloud forests to dry valleys and mangrove swamps have attracted over 540 species of birds to El Salvador. The most spectacular of these include the White-breasted Hawk, the Bare-throated Tiger-Heron and Muscovy duck. The Parque Nacional Montecristo is home to some 87 of these species, including the resplendent quetzal. Travel up to Cerro Verde to see nearly 127 species of birds, including 17 species of hummingbirds. El Imposible National Park is another birding hot spot.

Caving

Prehistoric drawings of about 10,000 years old line the cavern walls of the Holy Spirit Grotto (La Gruta del Espíritu Sant), is located near the town of Corinto. The human figures range from 1 to 8 foot high, while sketches of snakes, birds and crabs range from 1 to 20 inches in size. Various galleries within the cave illustrate different styles and colors. Entrance to the cave is free.

Golf

Las Veraneras Golf Club and Resort, in Sonsonate, boasts an 18-hole, par-72, 7000-yard golf course, open to members and non-members alike. Obstacles here, which add to the challenge, include the many lagoons and rivers that cross the course. There's also a driving range and putting green. Professional instruction is available for hire, as are golf clubs and golf carts. Campestre is an 18-hole, par-71, public golf course in San Salvador.

Hiking

Given the dramatic, volcanic landscape of El Salvador and its many archeological sites, hiking and trekking is a favorite pursuit of visitors. Cerro Verde Volcano National Park, about 40 miles west of San Salvador, offers an interpretative trail leading straight to the Izalco Volcano and a chance to take an ash slide on the way back down. A viewpoint reached on a hike in El Imposible National Park lets you look out on over one-third of the park's mountainous landscape. There's a visitors center here and eco-lodge that serves lunch. If you're really ambitious, take the pine forested trail to El Pital, the highest point in El Salvador, almost 9,000 feet above sea level.

Watersports

FISHING — Sports fishing off the coast has gained international renown: El Salvador hosts an annual marlin fishing tournament that draws competitors from six countries. Closer to shore, Los Cobanos Coral Reef is home to a great quantity and diversity of gamefish that attracts light-tackle anglers in December and January who come to catch the bountiful schools of rooster jack, snapper and Spanish mackerel. Fishing charters and guides are available.

KAYAKING & WHITE WATER RAFTING — Kayaking, canoeing and white-water rafting are popular activities on some of the country's rivers, especially the Torola. Bahia de Jiquilisco, located about 70 miles southeast of San Salvador is a beautiful places to visit. You can take a kayak tour around the different islands, see an incredible diversity of flora and fauna, and paddle through the dense mangrove channels for around $72 for two, including the kayak rental.

SCUBA DIVING — Costa Rica offers the chance to dive in open ocean waters as well as crater lake diving. Costal waters of Los Cóbanos offer excellent diving. This area has been declared a Natural Marine Protected Area and is rich in undersea life. There are a number of shipwrecks and natural rock formations that make for fun exploration. Two of the most popular crater lakes for diving are Coatepeque and Ilopango. Lake Coatepeque is volcanic in origin and some 400 feet deep. Lake Ilopango is also volcanic and is the largest lake in the country. It has a novel and rocky topography and depth of nearly 800 feet. Several restaurants and other facilities make visiting this are an enjoyable day trip. Fully equipped dive shops offer rental equipment and guided trips.

SURFING — For beginners to experts El Salvador is a surfer's dream-come-true. The high-ranking surfing spots of La Libertad, near San Salvador; El Sunzal (a favorite of newbie surfers); El Tunco (opposite of El Sunzal and less crowded); El Zonte (off the beaten track), and the wild El Este (the east) will deliver various surf conditions. Tours called 'surfaris' and lessons are abundantly available.

For more detailed information about surfing in El Salvador, click here.