El Salvador has only recently begun appealing to travelers, so identifying the country’s must-see spots can be challenging given the lack of information online.
One absolute must-see on any El Salvador itinerary is the colonial town of Concepcion de Ataco, or commonly referred to as just Ataco. This small town of around 10,000 people is located in El Salvador’s coffee-producing region, which has one of the highest densities of coffee plantations you’ll find anywhere in the Americas.
Ataco’s appeal involves more than just coffee. It also lies in its authenticity, hospitality, art scene, and natural beauty. And while the pace here is slow, there is plenty to do in the surrounding areas.
What Makes Ataco Unique
Evidence of the colonial period remains today throughout Concepcion de Ataco in the architecture, traditions, crafts, and even the people. There remains a substantial number of indigenous Pipil people who keep their ancestors’ spirits alive through their language, art, dance, embroidery, coffee, and even unique customs like traditional funeral processions through the streets.
The temperate climate in Ataco is also prime for thriving plant-life. The colorful flowers that bloom almost year-round can be credited for this region of El Salvador’s recent tourism spike. You’ll see these colors driving along the “Ruta de las Flores” (Route of the Flowers), a 28-mile stretch of road in the mountains connecting five towns: Ataco, Juayua, Nahuizalco, Apaneca, and Salcoatitan.
Locals began realizing the potential Ataco had for tourism in the 2000s. The community has since embraced tourism, and 20 years later it’s become a massive part of the town’s industry. Plus, while crime was rampant throughout El Salvador in past decades, this community and its neighboring towns in the mountains have acted as somewhat of a safe haven, with a stricter local police presence and residents looking out for one another (today, crime is all but nonexistent here). You can feel this warmth when you first arrive and see all the friendly faces.
Things to Do in Concepcion de Ataco
Part of the appeal of visiting Ataco and El Salvador in general is that you don’t have to book much of anything in advance. Since tourism hasn’t totally taken off in El Salvador, you can mostly just plan as you go.
With that said, it’s still good to have a general idea of what your itinerary will look like, so leave room for the following activities.
Go Off-roading on ATVs (4-Wheelers)
Many of the best views and most serene landscapes in the area are only accessible by offroad vehicles. There are a couple on spots in Ataco you can rent ATVs and go four-wheeling with a guide who will take you to these spots. Even if you don’t have experience riding an ATV, you’ll get the hang of it in a few minutes, so don’t be afraid to give it a go!
If you’re staying at Casa Degraciela, you’ll see a row of ATVs on the street right outside the front door by late morning. Just ask a staff member for the guy who owns them and they’ll locate him if he’s not there at the time. Keep in mind that very few people in Ataco can speak English.
Tour a Coffee Plantation
You should take advantage of your location by taking part in a couple of coffee-related activities. Despite its size, El Salvador is one of the world’s leading coffee producers. There are few more important economic drivers in El Salvador than coffee exports, highlighting its importance within their society. Unfortunately, the country’s coffee industry has been hit hard by climate change and farmers migrating to urban centers, so there’s never been a better time to support monetarily than right now.
You’ll see numerous coffee farms driving along the Ruta de las Flores once you leave the town limits. A few of them offer tours and tastings.
Explore Ataco’s Variety of Cafes
Ataco has an incredible collection of cafes for its size. No surprise given the town’s ideal location for growing coffee beans, but it’s still really impressive.
My favorite cafes in Ataco with the best coffee and overall vibe include:
- Dolce Sofia Pasteleria
- The Coffee Spot
- Entre Nubes
- Villa Maria Cafe de Altura
- Geko’s Coffee
- Axul Coffee Artesanias
Visit Nearby Cafe Albania
Cafe Albania is much more than a cafe. This is more like a mini adventure park on a mountain’s edge that includes a giant rainbow slide, butterfly swing, bungee jumping area, and bike ziplining. There’s also a restaurant and rooftop bar with stunning views. There’s no better place to take in the sunset.
Cafe Albania is located in Apaneca, one of the other four famous towns along the Ruta de las Flores, just a 15-minute drive from Ataco.
Wander the Central Park in the Main Square
Concepcion de Ataco’s square comes alive in the evening. On the weekends, there’s a market surrounding the square, which you should take advantage of by buying some fresh fruit, vegetables, and souvenirs.
The Central Park (Fray Rafael Hernandez Park) is the gathering place for locals. Here is where you’ll find the city hall, artisan market, and the gorgeous main church (Santuario Inmaculada Concepción de María). There’s a futsal pitch next to the park, which will either be occupied with a game or turned into its own market on the evenings and weekends.
Get Your Picture in Front of an Ataco Mural
Ataco is an artsy town with an impressive community of local artists. Axul Artesanias is a well-known local crafts store that’s worth popping into, and there are several other boutique shops and galleries you’ll stumble upon as well.
In Ataco, the colorful murals tell a story of the town’s history, hospitality, and expressiveness. One mural is particularly Instagram-worthy, which you won’t miss if you’re wandering the streets webbing off from the square.
Hike Up to Mirador de la Cruz Overlooking the Town
A super easy 10-minute hike at the edge of town will bring you to Mirador de la Cruz, an observation deck highlighted by a large Christian cross overlooking the entire town. There are a couple of vendors at the top selling souvenirs and drinks, and a coffee plantation in the brush behind the cross. It’s a good spot to either start your day or end your day.
Check Out the Food Festival in Nearby Juayua
Nowhere in this region warrants the “touristy” label. But if there’s one town that’s starting to earn that reputation, it’s Juayua.
Juayua is one of the five towns along the Ruta de las Flores. Its main attraction is its food festival, held every weekend of the year. This isn’t your standard small-town market. It takes up multiple city blocks around the main square and vendors go all out. Whether you’re looking for something simple like a pupusa or a steak that’s fresh off the grill, you’ll leave with a full stomach.
Ataco is only 20 minutes from Juayua. If you have a car, it’s an easy and pleasant drive. If not, you can organize a private or group trip leaving from Ataco.
Where to Stay in Ataco
There are some wonderful Airbnbs in Ataco in the form of cabins, apartments, tiny homes, and traditional homes. Many of these are fairly luxurious yet can be booked for less than $100 per night.
However, I recommend staying at Casa Degraciela, without a doubt the best hotel in Ataco. In fact, this is one of the best hotels I’ve stayed at anywhere.
Casa Degraciela has a prime location right next to the town square. But what sets this boutique hotel apart is the service and attention to detail. Google says it’s a 3-star hotel, but the staff will ensure it feels like a 5-star hotel.
The courtyard is perfect for reading a book, breakfast in the morning, or relaxing after a long day of walking and exploring. The bar and restaurant are high class and serve a wide variety of alcohol and traditional food. The breakfast in particular was outstanding. Plus, if you’re stuck with nothing to do or need help booking an activity the staff will gladly assist with pointing you in the right direction.
There are a few other highly rated hotels and hostels in Ataco, such as Hotel Casa Pino, Hostel Juarez Ataco, and Fleur de Lis.
Weather in Ataco
Ataco’s temperatures are moderate year-round, ranging from 50F lows to 80F highs. The elevation prevents temps from getting too hot and air from getting too humid, which I really appreciated. However, it also means it rains a lot in wet season from May to October. These showers can be unpredictable, so bring an umbrella if you visit Ataco around this time. A lot of backroads get washed out in the peak of rainy season.
From November to April, it barely rains in Ataco. The climate is hard to beat around this time, so it might be best to visit Ataco around this time in the dry season.
Food (and Best Restaurants) in Ataco
The food scene in Ataco is surprisingly good for a place of its size, but it’s definitely mostly limited to Salvadoran food. The most popular dishes include Pupusas (a thick tortilla stuffed with cheese, pork, and other fillings, tamales, various soups, atoles (corn porridge), sugarcane soda, plantains, and some seafood like ceviche. It’s a really fun, diverse array of dishes and treats.
You’ll find all this in Ataco, though there will be more meat and vegetables than seafood given its location.
- Axul Coffee Artenesias
- Restaurante Santa Catalina Ataco
- Portland Bar & Grill
- Restaurante & Pupuseria Primavera Ataco
- Piccolo Giardino
There are plenty of other good restaurants in Ataco, many of which specialize in pupusas.
If you want to dance or listen to traditional music, Portland Bar & Grill is your spot. It gives off a big city feel inside and is a really impressive setup in such a small and rural town.
How to Get to Ataco
Getting to Ataco isn’t terribly difficult. If you’re coming from San Salvador, you can get to Ataco in just over two hours via Highway 8 (through Sonsonate) or Highway (through Santa Ana). Check out the real-time traffic along both routes to determine which is quicker before you hit the road. Don’t be surprised if you run into patches of intense traffic or road construction. If you avoid traffic jams, consider yourself very lucky.
If you’re coming from the airport, it will take closer to three hours to reach Ataco. There’s also a coastal route option that parallels the ocean if coming straight from the airport. This route weaves through La Libertad, known as “Surf City,” though it adds another hour to the drive. However, it makes for a much more scenic drive. I took this route, and despite serious construction along the road in La Libertad which forced us to take a slight detour, it was worth the extra time.
Note that if you take the coastal route or Highway 8 from San Salvador, the final part of the drive will be on a road with an obscene number of potholes. Drive slowly and keep your eyes on the road to avoid them. People and dogs also walk on this road, even at night, so potholes could be the least of your concerns if you aren’t paying attention.
In-Summary: Visiting Concepcion de Ataco, El Salvador
Ataco has been a diamond in the rough for decades. Even still, many of El Salvador’s influx of recent visitors prioritize their time in coastal areas like El Tunco.
Now is the perfect time to visit El Salvador. Crime is a thing of the past (for now) and it remains one of the most unspoiled countries in the Americas. If you prioritize Ataco and the surrounding towns on your itinerary, you won’t be disappointed.
