El Salvador’s recent surge in tourism has seemingly come out of nowhere. This Central American country was considered a no-go zone for decades, but now has the lowest homicide rate in all of Latin America.
Looking at a map, the country’s size stands out: it’s very small. In fact, it’s the smallest non-island country in the Western Hemisphere.
So how much is there to do in El Salvador? And is it actually worth visiting? Let’s discuss, but first answer the question: why now are people suddenly making their way to El Salvador?
Why Are People Visiting El Salvador?
The answer is simple: a dramatic decrease in crime. The country’s new controversial leader, Nayib Bukele, enforced a zero-tolerance policy for criminal activity, which led to tens of thousands of people with alleged gang affiliations thrown in prison.
Suddenly, what was once the most dangerous country in the world became a safe haven for travelers in search of a secure section of Central America. Almost immediately, people began taking notice. Then, the government began investing in its tourism infrastructure. While this has led to plenty of construction, the evidence is there that El Salvador is beginning to take tourism seriously.
9 Reasons to Visit El Salvador
So if you’re considering traveling to El Salvador, you should know what the best places are to see and why people visit. Here’s a comprehensive list.
1. World-Class Surfing and Beaches
Prior to the country’s recent revival, the one thing it was really known for was world class surfing.
El Salvador has some of the best surfing in the world, with giant waves crashing on the reefs beyond some really beautiful beaches.
El Tunco and El Zonte are El Salvador’s most notable coastal towns for surfers and general visitors alike. La Libertad, the largest city in the area, is coined “Surf City.”
All three of these are worth visiting, with El Tunco taking the crown in the eyes of most given it has some solid nightlife. El Zonte has a bit less going on but is equally beautiful. Regardless, this entire stretch of coastline is commonly viewed as one of the best places to visit in El Salvador.
2. Volcanoes
El Salvador has over 100 volcanoes, a staggering amount for such a small nation. Of these, 23 are considered potentially active and six are active.
Several of El Salvador’s volcanoes are hike-able, but the main ones that visitors trek are Santa Ana Volcano and Volcan Izalco. These sit right beside one another in the beautiful Cerro Verde National Park. Santa Ana is the highest volcano in the country and the most popular to hike. Despite it being safe to hike, you’ll be required to go with a guide. Make sure to arrive at the park before 10:00, as most groups will have departed by then. There’s no need to book in advance, just ask around and you’ll be pointed in the right direction.
3. Numerous Cultural and Historical Sites
Travelers are finally beginning to discover the culture and history of El Salvador, of which there is a lot of.
The best places to get a real taste of Salvadoran culture include La Ruta de las Flores, a 21-mile stretch of road in the mountains that connect five colonial towns. In fact, this area is so beautiful and has enough to do that you could build your itinerary around it. The two most notable towns along the route include Concepcion de Ataco, or just Ataco, which is a super inviting and walkable pueblo, and Juayua, known for its famous food festival.
Suchitoto is another colonial town on Lake Suchitlan. And if you want to see ruins, head to Tazumal.
4. Lake Coatepeque
Lake Coatepeque is a volcanic crater lake near Santa Ana volcano and the city of Santa Ana.
It’s one of the most gorgeous lakes and areas in all of Central America. Many of El Salvador’s politicians, businessmen, and other wealthy families have property in the lake. Activities include jet skiing, taking a boat cruise, visiting the lake’s inhabited island, and enjoying lunch or dinner on restaurants overlooking the water.
5. It’s the Safest Country in Latin America
I’ve harped on El Salvador’s safety already, but a near-complete lack of crime at the time of my visit really did make a difference.
At the time of writing, visitors can explore cities day and night without fear in El Salvador. We stayed in the city of Santa Ana for two nights, and even though some parts of the city looked sketchy, we were repeatedly told there was nothing to worry about.
Obviously, some neighborhoods are better than others, particularly in San Salvador. However, the country’s crime rate is significantly lower than places like the U.S. and much of Western Europe. El Salvador is totally safe to visit.
One tip, however: this doesn’t apply to the safety of tap water. You should avoid drinking tap water in El Salvador and always drink from bottles due to their outdated drinking water infrastructure.
Related: Safest Countries to Visit in Central America
6. Warmth and Hospitality
Because tourism didn’t really exist here until the early 2020s, Salvadorans are incredibly gracious that their country is becoming a destination for travelers. Not only are they hard-working people, but they have great attitudes and always seemed to have a smile on their face. It’s also generally uncommon to find yourself a victim of scams or being sold overpriced items or fares. This is especially true in the smaller towns worth visiting like Ataco.
I will say, very few people speak English, so it helps to know a bit of Spanish. However, locals will be as helpful as possible if you ask for help or they notice you struggling. We struck up a conversation with cafe owners in Ataco, and by the end of our chat, they gave us three bags of coffee grounds totally free.
7. Top-Notch Coffee
Like most Central American countries, coffee is a huge part of Salvadoran culture. It remains a main export, despite the industry struggling in recent times.
Touring a coffee plantation is a wonderful thing to do in El Salvador. The heart of the coffee region can be found in the area around the Ruta de las Flores (where there’s significant elevation). And if you don’t have time or interest in doing so, rest assured there will be wonderful cafes in any city or town you visit. I found the cafes in Santa Ana to be the best of anywhere in El Salvador. There’s a really cool courtyard cafe culture in this underrated, gritty city.
8. Pupusas and Other Unique Treats
A pupusa is a thick griddle cake of sorts that is the main dish in El Salvador (similar to arepas). Usually, they’re stuffed with some combination of cheese, meat, and vegetables. You will find pupuserias everywhere you look. Even street vendors can cook up some fire pupusas. You will also find plenty of Quesadilla Salvadoreña, a pound cake with a layer of rich cheese.
El Salvador has some very unique drinks as well. What immediately comes to mind is atol de elote, an interesting milk-based beverage filled with corn, cinnamon and sugar. Odd, but it surprisingly works. You can usually get it without corn if the look or taste weirds you out too much. They also love their horchatas with rum.
9. The Up-and-Coming Capital of San Salvador
Many people visit Central America and choose to immediately leave the big cities in favor of beaches, volcanoes, and colonial towns.
El Salvador offers all three of those too, but its capital city is genuinely worth the visit and adding to your itinerary. San Salvador is nearly 50% of the country’s residents, home to a growing financial center. There are also three wonderful squares where residents convene to hang out on sunny days: Plaza Libertad, Plaza Morazan, and Captain Gerardo Barrios Plaza. These are all conveniently located right next to each other. And in the same area, you won’t miss the towering Catedral Metropolitana de San Salvador.
San Salvador is by no means a touristy city, but that can be a good thing. It remains very authentic.
Is El Salvador a Good Place to Visit?
El Salvador is undoubtedly worth visiting. It makes for a very good place to visit thanks to its perfect blend of culture, natural beauty in the form of volcanoes and beaches, bustling city life, and hospitable people. A near complete absence of crime since the early 2020s also makes it a surprisingly good family-friendly vacation destination. Prices are generally fairly cheap, so you can get a lot out of a visit to El Salvador without digging too deep into your pockets.
