The coastline at El Salvador has a huge number of beaches lining it. There are serene beach villages that promise peace, quiet and tranquility, as well as a number of locations that have more action. The available accommodations are also varied, from superb luxury to budget. El Salvador has some excellent beaches on offer.

1. Costa del Sol

Costa del Sol is an extremely beautiful beach. It is popular with the jet setting crowd. The beach is a narrow and strait strip of golden sand that has ocean front villas, upmarket beach homes, vacation rentals and others ling it. There are three beaches that make up the Costa Del Sol, namely the Los Blancos, San Marcelino and the Costa del Sol.

2. Playa El Zonte

Playa El Zonte is an oft visisted La Liberdad, and is extremely popular with surfers from all over the world. The beach has a bit more of seclusion that other beaches in the country such as El Sunzal and El Tunco, which makes the crowd free beach a popular option.

3. Playa El Majahual

El Majahual is a busy village and is among the most favorite destinations with backpackers in El Salvador from all over the world. The beach is sizeable and has a decent list of activities on offer.

El Salvador beaches are situated along the Pacific coast of Central America. El Salvador beaches are known to have the best surf breaks in all of Central America. Surfing is the most popular activity, but surfers are not only tourists in El Salvador. The coastline has plenty of villages, some bustling with energy while others remote, secluded and peaceful. Accommodations range from budget to luxury. The warm waters are ideal for swimming and surfing. The beaches at El Salvador beg to be explored.

La Libertad:

The region of El Puerto de la Libertad is home to some of the most exquisite El Salvador beaches. The break at La Punta is a particular favorite among surfers. La Libertad is renowned for its seafood. The annual Gastronomic Festival is held here.

Playa El Sunzal:

El Sunzal is tranquil beach in El Salvador. It is situated in La Libertad. The glittering sands have blackish hue to it. The waves at El Sunzal vary from mild to rough. Amateur surfers can learn about the best surf breaks through enquiry.

Playa El Tunco:

El Tunco gets its name from a rocky protrusion. This beach also has dark sands. It is situated in the Department at La Libertad. The breaks are intense here. The beach town is a paradise for budget travelers.

Costa del Sol:

Costa del Sol is ideal for those who wish for luxury vacations. The beach is long and thin with a light beige color. The beach is lined with villas, opulent beach homes, and vacation rentals. The region is home to three El Salvador beaches: Costa del Sol, Los Blancos, and San Marcelino.

Playa El Zonte:

El Zonte is a favorite with international surfers. This beach is much more secluded and isolated in comparison with El Sunzal and El Tunco. Hence, the waves see fewer crowds.

Playa El Majahual:

El Majahual bustles with activity. It is a favorite destination in El Salvador. It may not score points on cleanliness. However, the sands are immense.

Playa El Cuco:

Playa El Cuco is the perfect El Salvador beach. The sands are dark in color. The beach is replete with vendor huts, palm trees, and restaurants.

Playa San Diego:

It lies to the south of La Libertad. Playa San Diego is often regarded as the prettiest white-sand beach. The waves are gentle and ideal for swimming.

It borders the Pacific Ocean, Honduras and Nicaragua in the south.

San Salvador is the largest city in the whole republic.

In the early sixteenth century, the Spanish came to this land and called it the province of our lord Jesus Christ, the savior of the world.  This was later shortened to ‘el Salvador’.

The Spanish then established a capital city in San Salvador at a place called  ciudad vieja.

The country has had a violent past; due to the major civil unrest. Later on the country had a destructive earth quake   which happened in 2001.

The country has about three hundred kilo meters of coastline. The place has not picked up as a good surfing spot.

The montecristo forest region is quite famous amongst visitors; also the active volcanoes are a beautiful sight.

The local people here have an ancient Mayan ritual sacrifice which involves tazumal bears. This ritual is done as a testimony to the significance of the past of El Salvador.

Before the Spanish came along, the locals here were of three types, one were the pipils who were a nomadic tribe from nahua who settled in Mexico.

The lencas occupied the east and the lempas in the north.

The entire early history of El Salvador has many revolutions.

El Salvador supported the government a lot by exporting its good quality coffee beans and the duties and imports and foreign currency that the country received back in return was a big help to the country.

Later on a democracy was established however, the democracy didn’t seem to curb the political unrest.

When the reformist government junta took power, the extreme left and the extreme rightist had large disagreements. The constant political unrest would often lead to civil war.  Although since 1990, a lot of developments like improvements in social conditions, opening the local markets to the international financial markets. Also opening the financial markets to foreign investment.

El Salvador has lovely beaches. Apart from the beaches the flora and fauna of the region is also beautiful.

La liberated , el sunzal , playa las flores , el zonte and el este are lovely locations which are quickly putting el Salvador on the world map at a very high pace.

Suchitoto

This place is known all over El Salvador for its cobblestones streets and the famous historic church. This place also has amazing landscapes with scenic greenery with an astounding view of the Suchitlan Lake.

These have attracted a lot of tourists and are amongst the most popular destinations in Salvador.

This place also has many cultural centers, art galleries and handicraft markets.

Joya De Ceren Archaeological site

List as a UNESCO world heritage site, the joya de ceren archeological site is a pre Hispanic farming community. This entire community has been buried here because of the eruption of the Laguna Caldera in the 600 BC.
The remains have been respectfully turned into historical remains which depict the everyday lives of the community who worked and lived there just before the volcano could destroy them.

El Salvador has high temperatures with a fair amount of humidity.  The temperature during the night time is around twenty degrees and during the day time it is about thirty degrees.

The period from May to November is when it rains.

Lets us look at two ancient ruins of El Salvador

The ruins de tazumal

The pyramid temple which was used to burn human beings for sacrifices, along with smaller pyramids and tombs. The temple lies over around ten square kilometers.

The joya de ceren archeological site

This used to be a pre Hispanic farming community that got buried under the Laguna Caldera volcano. This structure has been listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.

The entire nation of El Salvador is known the world over for its huge coffee industry and one of the biggest processing plants in located near the city of Santa Ana.  The city occupies a significant importance and is second only to the capital. Today, the city has become a very major tourist destination with travelers visiting the place from all around the world. In short, it gives a glimpse of the entire nation of El Salvador.

The highlights of the city include green gardens, theatres, wonderful churches, city halls and historical ruins. Besides, there are a number of good restaurants and the city also possesses a vibrant night life. Let’s go through some of the major attractions in brief.

Townhall:
This wonderful colonial building attracts leisure and business traveler from around the world. Another amazing feature about the Town hall is its beautiful garden. Hence, a trip to Santa Ana is incomplete without a glimpse of the Town hall.

Teatro de Santa Ana:
In simple words, this masterpiece is the national theatre of the city. This 19th century renaissance-styled building brings tourists from all over the globe just to admire its artworks along with the spectacular staircases made of marble and stained glass windows. If you are an art lover, the Teatro de Santa Ana is the place to be.

Cathedral de Santa Ana:
Without a shadow of a doubt, the Cathedral de Santa Ana is the most impressive amongst all the marvelous structures of the city. This neo-Gothic building was actually a church, when the construction was completed in 1905. However, the next 8 years saw the church become a cathedral and the official naming ceremony took place in 1913 for the Catedral de la Nueva Diocesis.

The cathedral differs from other churches and the most striking of all differences is the shape of its cross. Unlike other cathedrals or churches, the cross of the Cathedral de Santa Ana points towards the east.

Ruinas de Tazumal:
This is a historical Mayan Pipil ruins site and is located on the outskirts of the city.

Some other popular landmarks include Occidental Regional Museum, which is also known as the Museum of the west. Then there are the central and colon markets, besides the Alcaldía Municipal de Santa Ana.

Besides, as seen in the rest of the country, Santa Ana also is home to the Lamatepec, alternatively known as the Santa Ana volcano. At an astonishing 7,804 feet above sea level, the volcano is the tallest in the entire nation.

The Coatepeque Lake is also frequented by visitors in large numbers. This lake is spread around 26 sq kilometers and is easily the largest among all lakes in El Salvador. Besides, the origin of the lake is also interesting as it is a large crater lake. Another feature about the place is the numerous hot springs in the vicinity. The waters of the lake also surround the Teopan island, which is an important Mayan site.

Some of the noted personalities, who owe their roots to the city of Santa Ana, are David Escobar Galindo, who is a well known writer. Then there’s Jose Valdez, a popular poet along with two former Presidents, Pedro Jose Escalón and Tomás Regalado.

The city also boasts of fine educational institutions. Some of the major ones include Liceo San Luis, Colegio Santa María, Colegio Latinoamericano and CE INSA. The major universities include Universidad Autónoma de Santa Ana and Universidad Católica de El Salvador.

Listed below are some of the questions which may be on your mind.

How do I reach Santa Ana?

Santa Ana is easily accessible from the capital San Salvador.  However, you first need to get into the country. The country’s only international airport is the Comalapa International Airport is the gateway to all the fun here. Once, in the county you can hire a cab to proceed towards Santa Ana and the journey should take around 3 hours.

Where do I stay during my Santa Ana trip?

There are a number of accommodation options in Santa Ana. Some of the major and popular landmarks of the city are Santa Ana Pueblo Hotels, Hotel Santa Ana and Candlewood Suites – Hotel Santa Ana.

When is the best time to visit Santa Ana?

The best time to visit Santa Ana is during the dry season and best months are from November to March. The weather tends to get very humid and out of control during the ensuing months of April and May. The following rainy season will only ruin your outdoor activities; however, a nice part of the rains in this part of the world is it normally rains only during the evenings. It’s a fair statement “The sun shines for 350 days in a year in El Salvador.” However, the rainy months of late May to October can also get you the much needed budget trip as fares are at their lowest.

In conclusion, Santa Ana is the place to visit. With so much of history to go through, I can only guarantee you will be tired at the end of the day. So, what are you waiting for, just go ahead and start planning a trip to Santa Ana.

The town is home to a lively artisan community and is a very major center for arts in the whole of El Salvador. The economy of the town is predominately based on arts and craftwork.  As per estimates, around 75% of the population survives on artwork and the tourism industry has helped the town and the nation earn the much needed foreign exchange.

The remaining 25% of the population is all about agriculture, with the corn, vegetable coffee and beans are the order of the day for the farmers.

The coffee production industry has been declining in the city and the main reason for this slump is that the local producers are not able to compete with the foreign companies. This in turn has had an adverse effect on the exports of the nation as a whole.

The town has a small place in the country’s history as well. La Palma was the place where the government and the guerrillas sat for negotiations during the bloodiest part of El Salvador’s history, the civil war from 1980-92. This war saw some 75,000 people lose their lives.

Let’s go through some of the attractions of the town in brief.

Miramundo:
This place is situated in a hill forest and is a perfect place if you wish to experience cool temperatures unlike any other part of El Salvador. The average temperature here is just 12 degrees Celsius. The place is set at an altitude of 2400 above sea level and is located some 13 kilometers from La Palma.

San Ignacio:
This place is just 3 km away from La Palma and is famous for the reputed hotels and other fun activities. The Lempa and Citala Rivers are the highlights of San Ignacio.

Las Pilas:
This place is situated in the hill forests of the town. It enjoys a very cold climate and as per a majority of observers, the place is cooler than Miramundo. Agriculture constitutes the economics of the area and the main produces of the area are cabbages, peaches, lettuce along with strawberries and blackberries.

Cayahuanca Stone:
More popularly known as Piedra Cayahuanca, this rock is situated at a height of some 1550 above the sea level. The rock marks the territorial border of El Salvador and Honduras. Owing to the height, one can experience spectacular views of both nations.

This site comes alive every year during the Easter celebrations. The event sees the locals and visitors come together at the Rock and they also camp the night away.

El Pital:
If you are still not satisfied with cool temperatures, there’s one more place for you to visit, that’s the El Pital. Situated at a height of 2730 meters above sea level, the site holds the distinction of being the highest point in the entire territory of Salvadoran. In simple words, it is a spectacular mountain in the middle of a forest full of clouds, and the annual temperature averages at 10 degree Celsius, now that’s really cool, isn’t it.

The date April 13, 2004, goes down in history as the temperatures in the region hit record lows on that day. On that day, the mountain was covered by ice and frost and the event caused uproar among the locals as they attributed the event to a ‘Nevada.’

Quinta Las Piñuelas:
Without a shadow of a doubt, this marvelous country home is considered to be Central America’s best. This huge house has 5 bedrooms along with another 5 bathrooms, besides a huge kitchen full of all the modern accessories and appliances. Located some 5 miles from La Palma city, this house is unique in many aspects and the most notable aspect is its design and the materials used during the construction.

The house is the best get away spot to forget all about your office worries and just chill.

The location of the house is ideal for the perfect vacation, as there are several tourist spots in the near vicinity like the Historical church, which saw the 1984 peace treaties. The other major towns of El Pital and San Ignacio are not far away either.

Listed below are some of the questions which may be on your mind.

How do I reach the town of La Palma?

La Palma lies in the northern region of El Salvador. You need to enter the country via the nation’s only international airport at Comalapa, which is some 50 kilometers off the capital.

This airport hosts flights from the US and other major nations. Once inside El Salvador, you can travel to La Palma via a hired cab.

Alternatively, you may also use the country’s public transport system, which is very cheap. However, traveling by bus will take a lot of your time though. You will first have to take a bus to San Salvador and then take bus no 129 to Suchitoto. From Suchitoto you will have to change another bus to Aguilares and you will have to board bus no 107 and subsequently bus no 119 will lead you to your destination of La Palma.

Where do I stay during my La Palma holiday?

There are a number of good accommodation facilities in and around La Palma. Some of the prominent landmarks are Hotel La Palma, Entre Pinos Resort, El Pital Highland Mountain Hotel, and Posada de Reyes.

When is the best time of the year to visit La Palma?

La Palma can be visited throughout the year. However, it is recommended you avoid the rains, which occur from May to October. Hence, you should visit the place from the months from November through April.

In conclusion, La Palma is a unique place in El Salvador. Considering the fact the nation enjoys a tropical warm climate, the town is very cool and hence is completely different from the rest of the country.

The chilly weather makes the perfect setting for that ideal holiday. So, what are you waiting for, just go ahead and plan that all important trip to La Palma.

The volcanoes in question here are the Izalco Volcano and the Santa Ana Volcano. The Santa Ana Volcano holds the distinction of being the highest standing volcano of the nation till date at 7,759 feet and hence, exploring this volcano is more than just an adventure, imagine standing some 7700 feet high, what do you think you will be able to view, yes you’ve got it right, you can view the entire nation.

However, in order to spice up your experience, it is recommended you do not scale the heights alone, you should hire an experienced guide, who will make your hiking experience all the more knowledgeable as he is aware about all the history of the place.

The Santa Ana volcano can be easily accessed via the park’s main parking lot area in around 2 hours. During the process of the climb to the top, you can view the four craters and one of these craters has a boiling turquoise crater lake inside. Yes, you’ve guessed it right; I am referring to the picture perfect view of the Coatepeque Lake from the slopes of the Santa Ana volcano.

The next of the volcanoes is the Izalco, which is not far away from the Santa Ana volcano. The heights of the volcano can be scaled in approximately 3 hours from the city of Izalco. The city of Izalco is full of El Salvador tourism activities in present times, thanks to this volcanoes presence.

The last eruption of this volcano was in 1966 and you can view a black lava cone along with a crater and this site is known the world over as the lighthouse of the Pacific owing to its near continuous eruptions for a century and a half.

In short, Cerro Verde is full of fun and excitement. Climbing the heights of the volcanoes is definitely a spectacular experience and something everyone should experience. The best part here is the higher you climb, the more you get caught in the superb misty clouds. You can also view tons of abandoned coffee bushes, which only prove the fact that the country of El Salvador is very rich in coffee production.

Another popular activity when on the grounds of the park is bird watching and many have termed Cerro Verde as a “Paradise” as it attracts so many wonderful species of birds.  The place is full of migratory bird species and I can guarantee you will be lost and will be very busy trying to figure out which bird was that? The more common visitors are emerald toucanets, jays, woodpeckers besides 17 different types of hummingbirds.

The Park is home to a total of 127 different species of birds and the lush green vegetation is a sight to see whether you are in the park or viewing it from the top of the eruptions.

The park also houses an orchid nursery, so please don’t miss out on that I’m sure your guide will cover that.

The Park was opened to the general public in 2002 and over the years major changes have also taken place. The country’s Tourism ministry has concentrated its efforts to bring together the best guides and in the process the quality of services has improved immensely in the Park. The guides are from the local neighborhood and are well educated youth and are quite familiar with the surroundings as they grew up in the region. The guides also have a wonderful way of explaining the various facts of the region.

Besides the popular features like flora, fauna, pathways and the orchid nursery, the Park has all the basic necessary facilities like washrooms and restrooms besides a cafeteria as well.

Listed below are some of the questions which may be on your mind.

How do I reach the Cerro Verde National Park?

You first need to enter the nation of El Salvador via air. The country’s only international airport at Comalapa hosts numerous flights from the US and other prominent countries. There are a number of flights to the coastal US city of Florida.

Once you have set foot in El Salvador, you may travel to the capital San Salvador and subsequently to Cerro Verde National Park. The entire road travel time shouldn’t exceed two hours.

It is recommended you hire a cab for your traveling purposes. However, El Salvador also boasts of a very cheap public transportation bus network. However, you should confirm all the facts with the bus drivers before entering the bus.

Where do I stay during my Cerro Verde National Park adventure?

It is recommended you stay in the capital, which is just around an hour’s drive from Cerro Park. The city has many accommodation facilities to choose from. Some of the prominent landmarks are Hilton Princess, Sheraton Presidente San Salvador Hotel, Real InterContinental, Radisson Plaza Hotel, Holiday Inn San Salvador, Tazumal Guesthouse, Ximenas Guest House, Hostal Lonigo, Comfort Inn, Hotel Villa Serena Flor Blanca, Mariscal Hotel & Suites and Hotel San Mateo.

When is the best time to visit Cerro Verde National Park?

The region follows a tropical climate and is split into two main seasons, the rainy and dry seasons. The rains fall from May to October and this season sees very few people visiting the place and as a result hotel rates are at their lowest and some tourist facilities even shut shop during the period.

On the other hand, the dry season runs from November to April and is an ideal time for a visit. These months also constitute the peak tourist season and the hotel room rates touch the sky. With the possibility of rain showers almost devoid, the weather is also perfect for a visit.

In conclusion, the Cerro Verde National Park is a wonderful place for a holiday be it a single person visiting or a family or a couple’s visit. The place is a favorite amongst trekkers and adventure lovers and provides a spectacular experience of a volcanic eruption site and the surrounding beauty only adds to the adventure.

The Cerro Verde has it all, you can stroll in the park and in the process of enjoying the green surroundings you will be tempted by the views of the Santa Ana and Izalco volcanoes.  Once you give in to temptation and scale their heights, I’m sure the sights from the top will take your breath away. So, what are you waiting for, just go ahead and plan your trip to this natural wonder.

The town is steadily emerging as Central America’s premier surfing destinations among world travelers. The tropical climate of the region makes the area ideal for surfing activities. La Libertad is also blessed with some of the finest beaches in the entire nation and region. A main reason for the rise in popularity of the place is attributed to the fact that the area is just around a half hour drive from the capital city of San Salvador.

The beach is mostly frequented by locals and some international backpackers. Owing to the not so impressive facilities in El Salvador, the number of tourists visiting the place is not huge as seen in other parts of Central America like Costa Rica’s Jaso Beach. Hence, there are a lot of expectations from the authorities to get their act together and derive maximum benefit from the regions natural resources.

The beaches are all about dancing, reggae music, sun-warmed hammocks and beers. The area has become sort of a paradise for surfers and major credit needs to be given to a company named Punta Mango which is turning around the region silently. This company specializes in customized packages and surf trips, besides extended trips to the country’s internal treasures. The company also specializes in coaching classes for novice surfers besides also conducting guided tours.

Some of the popular surf breaks of the area include El Zunzal, El Tunco, El Zonte, Punta Roca, La Paz and La Bocana.

Besides, you may also try out different stuff like horseback riding and sea kayaking and if you are still not satisfied, you can also visit the nearby Santa Tecla, which is spectacular in every aspect. Santa Tecla is situated on the foot of the historic San Salvador volcano, which dates back to the 19th century.

However, besides all the fun, there are some areas of concern in the town as well. A visitor needs to take care of himself and his or her belongings. It has been noticed that even though the area is developing rapidly, the number of robberies is on the rise especially during the night. Hence, visitors are requested to be alert at all times and avoid traveling alone during the night.

On the other hand, it is recommended that one avoid walking barefoot on the sands in the afternoon. The sand tends to get very hot during the noon time and hence, it is advised to stay on the shore area as your feet may get adversely affected. Lastly, you should not swim deep into the seas as there are chances and as seen in recent cases, you may be pulled by the waves and get drowned.

It is also advised that a visitor protect himself from mosquitoes. Besides, you should try and avoid the local tap water.

The La Libertad port area is home to a number of popular restaurants as well. These restaurants mainly serve local stuff like the shrimp cocktails, snails, oysters and everyone’s favorite, fish. The hotels of the region specialize in international cuisine.

Listed below are some of the questions you may have on your minds.

How do I reach La Libertad?

La Libertad is very near to the capital city of San Salvador. In order to get in the country, you need to align at the nation’s only international airport, which is the Comalapa International Airport. This airport is around 50 kilometers from the capital. Hence, the total travel time from the airport to La Libertad should be around 1 and a half hour. It is recommended you hire a cab and travel throughout the country. On the other hand, public bus travel is very cheap in the entire country; hence if you can also consider the public services as an alternate option, however, it is recommended you clarify all facts with the driver before entering the bus.

Where do I stay during my La Libertad trip?

The area has some good accommodation facilities for visitors. Some of the important and popular landmarks include Sunzal Luxury Hotel and Villas, La Bocana Premium Surf Hotel and East Coast Surf Hotel.

When is the best time to visit La Libertad?

La Libertad is all about sandy beaches and blue waters. Hence, you should visit the place when there is no question of the rain pouring. You should also avoid the rainy season as venturing into the waters during the rains may actually land you in some unknown territory all together.

The region enjoys a dry period during the months from November to March. You should travel to the region during this period as the region doesn’t see a better period rather than this for a visit. This period may also see ticket fare go through the roof.

On the other hand, the rainy season runs from late May to October. The unique part about the rain is it usually rains only during the evenings and the sun actually shines for some 350 days in a year, amazing isn’t it. Therefore, if you wish to have a low cost holiday, you can visit the town during the rains as the rates are at their lowest during this period.

In conclusion, the town of La Libertad is a wonderful place and amongst the happening places to be in. The beaches are hot and so are the surroundings. The facilities may not be up to the mark vis-à-vis when compared to other prominent beach destinations of the region, yet the place makes a perfect holiday. Nevertheless, we can always expect a bright future for the place as it is only a matter of time when the place develops to cater to the growing needs of the region. So, what are you waiting for, just go ahead and book your tour of the region.

The Park is a four hours drive from the capital of San Salvador. The area is a breathtaking site and is set an altitude of around 7000 feet above sea level. The forest enjoys plenty of rain and also a number of climates. Besides, the area is also rich in wildlife and other flora.

The Park is dominated by three huge hills, The Miramundo, Monte cristo and Burjo. Of the entire area, the cloud forest area of some 1200 is the most popular and is frequented by visitors in large numbers owing to the ample open spaces for various fun and leisure activities.

Another famous spot is the ancient colonial-style San Jose hacienda. This house has a Nature Interpretation Centre, which provides all the information one needs about the residents of the Park.

The entry to the park is restricted and one needs to take permission well in advance before visiting the park. A permit from the Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment is a must at least 48 hours in advance before attempting to visit the place.

Some of the species found in the area include orchids, ferns, mosses, anteaters, spider monkeys, toucans, Jaguars, pumas, howler, grey foxes along with striped owls

The Park is home to some 230 species of birds, however, this figure is definitely not complete as more and more types of species are being discovered everyday. Hence, it is quite possible that the figure may double in the years to come.

Ten bird species found in El Salvador are restricted to Montecristo National Park alone, and off this figure, five belong to the cloud forest area. The Park plays a huge role in protected the endangered species of the region and 52 percent or 118 bird species found in the entire park are actually threatened. Off this figure, 22 percent are threatened at the national level.

There are 18 regionally endemic bird species reported from El Salvador off which, a majority come from this Park. The number stands at 15 and the remaining three are found out to the nations borders.

Listed below are some of the questions which may be on your mind.

How do I reach the Montecristo National Park?

The Montecristo National Park can be easily accessed via road from the El Salvador’s capital city of San Salvador. The entire journey can be completed in around 4 hours. In order to enter the country, you need to align at the nation’s only international airport, which is the Comalapa International Airport.

The Comalapa airport hosts flights from the US and other major countries.

When is the best time to visit Montecristo National Park adventure?

The best time of the year to visit the Montecristo National Park adventure is during the months of November and April. These months constitute the dry season of the nation and leave the roads and other facilities in perfect conditions to be exploited. The peak tourist season of the place runs from the Christmas week to the middle of January. Other times of the year, when the area is full of visitors include the Holy week and the first week of August, when prices go up by more than 50 percent. The rainy season from May to October sees very few people in the area and as a result many services even shut down during the period.

However, if you are looking at cutting costs, you can visit the place during the rains.

In conclusion, the Montecristo National Park is a jewel in the crown for the nation of El Salvador. The Park is playing a very important role in the current day as it is preserving the species of the land, which in other words mean the beautiful treasures of the country. If this Park did not exist, for sure most of the species found in the Park would have been extinct. Thanks to the Montecristo National Park, we still have hope for a colorful future full of these species.

Hence, you should visit the park on your next trip to El Salvador. The area is all about nature at its best high up the hills with a panoramic view of the neighboring countries as well. So, what are you waiting for, just go ahead and plan your trip to this wonderful place.

The Park came into existence in 1989 and is spread over a huge 3,794 hectares of green lands. With 400 flora species, the Park is undoubtedly the richest in the entire nation of El Salvador. Add to this, there are some 53 different amphibious and reptile species along with 100 mammal and 279 different kinds of birds along with 500 different types of butterflies.

A reservation needs to be made in advance for permission to visit the Park. One needs to contact Salva Nutura for permission to visit the Park.

There is an interesting story behind the naming of the park. The high altitudes of the area are in the range of 300 to 1,450 meters and, add to that the rugged topography, which makes the place a breathtaking sight to visit.

During the early 20th century, the native coffee makers used to transport their produce via mule-train using a trail that traveled via the current El Imposible pass. There used to be a narrow valley between mountains that used to interfere with their progress. In order to rectify the situation, the drivers constructed an unsafe bridge, which crumbled with the weight of the mule and the drivers, and as a result several lives were lost in the process.

Later in the century in 1968 the government commissioned a bridge to the Pass and in the process the place became safely accessible. In order to commemorate the event, a plaque which read “The year 1968, no longer is it impossible” was also left.

Some of the major attractions and activities in the park are bird watching, walking, swimming and camping.

Some of the main species of animals found in the Park include collared anteater, Margay cat, Jaguarundi and Mountain Lion. On the other hand, the birds include King Vulture, Great Curassow and Spectacled Owl.

The conservation of the Park is possible thanks to the efforts of an organization known as Salva Natura. Some of the initiatives taken by this organization are environment education wherein the organization has been educating the nearby villages about the general aspects of environment and development of communities. The main objective via these initiatives is to cut down the use of the precious forest reserves by the locals in their day to day lives. Currently, the organization runs some 40 community schools.

The organization also provides community assistance and has started a land purchase program since 1992 to acquire the adjoining land of the Park. The locals have also been provided with stoves that run on other sources of energy rather than fire wood.

The conservation efforts have more or less yielded positive results. In recent years, conservationists have foiled a bid to build an illegal road in the area and the success in controlling unlawful firewood gathering and hunting is also a success. The only main areas of concern are coffee farms at the Parks borders. The current methods used by the farmers are destroying the environment, unlike the traditional growing methods; the farmers are cutting the forest to have new sunny plantations.

The authorities and Salva Natura in particular needs to take immediate positive action in this regard. The El Imposible National Park remains the last hope to save the country’s wildlife from extinction. Hence, the authorities needs to purchase more land, in other words, the El Imposible National Park holds the key to the future of the nation’s wildlife.

Listed below are some of the questions which may be on your mind.

How do I reach the El Imposible National Park?

The entire country of El Salvador is served with only one international airport in the Comalapa International Airport. Located some 50 km southeast of the capital of San Salvador, this airport connects the nation to the US and other major nations. Once in the country, you can hire a cab to enjoy the El Imposible National Park and the trek is also a wonderful experience.

Besides, the expensive air travel option, you may also enter the El Salvador via road or sea through the neighboring countries of Honduras, Panama and Mexico.

Where do I stay during my El Imposible National Park adventure?

It is recommended you stay at the Hostel Imposible. The place is all about promoting eco tourism and the hotels tries to go green as much as possible. The electricity in the entire structure is solar powered and location of the hostel is also adequate at just 1 kilometer from the entrance of the Park.

When is the best time to visit the El Imposible National Park adventure?

The El Salvador region has two main seasons and it is actually possible to visit the place anytime during the year.  As regards to the weather seasons, the dry season runs from the months of November through April.  These months see hotel rates and other general rates at their peak. On the other hand, the rainy season is from May to October. It is recommended you avoid the rainy season and your visit should be at either the beginning or the end of the dry season. However, if you are looking to save costs, then the off-season rainy months may suit your budget.

In conclusion, The El Imposible National Park is a wonderful place to be in. After the construction of the “Impossible” bridge in the last century, the place has become simply accessible and possible rather than impossible. The Park has all the features for a perfect holiday with nature. So, what are you waiting for, just go ahead and plan that all important date with nature at the Impossible National Park.

San Salvador is spread over a huge 220 sq miles and also houses some 1.6 million residents. In short, the city is home to half of the country’s wealth and has a vast history, which includes the Spanish rulers and some fatal natural destruction.

If you are expecting to see a rich Spanish culture in the city, you may be disappointed as there are limited traces of the Spaniards as most of the heritage structures have collapsed due to the numerous natural calamities the city has seen.

Nevertheless, the city can be termed as ultra modern with wonderful roads and other facilities to its residents. The city boasts of the widest streets in the entire Central American region. Besides, the city also houses some of the best educational institutions and universities.

As seen above the city has seen many disasters and has actually recovered quite well. The 1854 earthquake was the most disastrous of all and the San Salvador volcano also caused massive destructions in 1917. In the new millennium the nation has not been spared from disasters either, 2001 saw another huge earthquake and the resultant landslides claimed many lives.

Besides, the period from 1980 to 1992 saw a bitter civil war and many residents fled the city. The city is under constant threats from hurricanes; however, it has not been affected by hurricanes till date.

The san salvador el salvador tourism industry is the lifeline of the city’s economy and there are various places of interest. Let’s go through some of the places in brief.

Lake Coatepeque:
This Lake is one of the best in the world and the origin of the lake is as interesting as well, owing to the fact that it was created by a volcanic eruption some five to six thousand years ago.

Joya de Ceren archaeological site:
This world heritage site is all about ruins and is again associated with a volcanic eruption. Excavations at the site have revealed that a Mayan farming village of the pre Columbian era was buried under an eruption somewhere around 600 AD.

Devil’s Door or Puerta del Diablo:
This peak is situated on the south east side of the capital city. The place used to be of great importance to the Mayan people. It used to be used for sacrifice rituals until the Spanish Catholics opposed such practices and named it the ‘Devil’s Door.’

The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Holy Savior:
This cathedral is the headquarters of the Catholic Archdiocese of the city and houses the seat of the Archbishop of San Salvador. Pope John Paul II visited the cathedral twice during his tenure in 1983 and 1996. A major pilgrim site inside the cathedral is the tomb of Archbishop Oscar Romero, who was assassinated way back in 1980.

Military Museum El Zapote Barracks:
This museum was built way back in 1895. The museum houses exhibits used by the Salvadoran army from the 17th to 20th centuries. The place is full of army uniforms and weapons used during those times. Entry is free to the museum, besides the services of a guide are also provided at no extra cost.

Los Chorros:
This popular site is frequented in large numbers by both foreign and local tourists. The place is all about clean pools of spring water.

Balboa Park:
Balboa Park is all about rabbits and birds spread over 70 acres of green lands. Besides, the park is used for walks and pre-Colombian style sculptures are also present in the near vicinity.

National Zoo:
This zoo is ranked as the most modern amongst all zoos of the Central American region. An interesting fact about the zoo is the animals enjoy a habitat similar to their natural habitats and credit for such a thing being possible should definitely go to the authorities.

La Laguna Botanical Garden:
This garden is unique in many ways. The major feature of this garden is it is set in a crater of a volcano, which is of course extinct. The garden showcases the rarest of foreign and local plants.

Listed below are some of the questions which may be on your mind.

How do I reach San Salvador?

The country’s only international airport is the Comalapa International Airport, which is located some 50 kilometers off the capital. This airport hosts flights from the US and other major nations. Once inside El Salvador, you can travel to the capital city via a hired cab.

Where do I stay during my San Salvador trip?

The capital city of San Salvador is rich in accommodation facilities. Some of the popular landmarks include Hilton Princess, Radisson Plaza, Comfort Inn Real, Intercontinental Real, Holiday Inn, Courtyard Marriot, Plaza Hotel and Suites and Apart-Hotel Maria Jose.

When is the best time to visit San Salvador?

The regions weather is broken into two main seasons. The rainy season runs from May to October and the hotel rates are very low during this period and the place is not crowded at all. On the other hand, the dry season runs from November to April and this period also marks the peak tourist season and the room rates are at their peak.

It would be recommended that you visit the place during the dry months even though the rates may be high. As rain is almost devoid, the timing seems to be perfect for a visit.

In conclusion, San Salvador is a wonderful place to visit. A visit to this wonderful city is a fitting tribute to the people who rebuilt this city, considering the fact the city has seen so many destructions in the past few centuries. So, what are you waiting for, just go ahead and plan your trip to San Salvador.