Sights in Eastern El Salvador
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Chaparrastique
Also known as Volcán de San Miguel, Chaparrastique is the 2130m volcano towering southwest of San Miguel. It's a real behemoth, and climbing it requires some advance planning (and should be done only in the dry season). First, you'll need a police escort, usually arranged through the Chinameca police station, whose jurisdiction the volcano falls into. Two weeks' notice is preferred, but with some friendly pleading you may be able to get an escort, within a couple of days.
You'll have to fax a written request with the date and names of the people in your group. There is no fee, but definitely bring food for all - say, tamales for breakfast and pupusas for lunch - and extr…
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A
Capilla Medalla Milagrosa
Built in 1904 by an order of French nuns and modeled after their church in Paris, the small Gothic-style Capilla Medalla Milagrosa is one of San Miguel's best attractions. It's a sublime place, set in the middle of large tree-filled grounds, with a high arched ceiling (painted baby blue) and famously gorgeous stained windows.
The altar is populated with flowers and statues of saints, most prominently the Virgin Mary, who has a neon crown and displays the words - also in neon - María, concebida sin pecado, rogad por nos que recurrimos a vos (Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee). The saying comes from the namesake 'Miraculous Medal,' which w…
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Museo de la Revolución Salvadoreña
Just west of the parque central, the Museo de la Revolución Salvadoreña is an excellent museum that charts the causes and course of the armed struggle with photos, posters, weapons and histories of those who served and died in action. Weapons range from high-tech hardware to homemade bombs and mines. Behind the main building are the remains of the downed helicopter that carried Lieutenant Colonel Domingo Monterrosa, head of the notorious Atlacatl Battalion, to his death.
The studios of the FMLN's clandestine station Radio Venceremos (We Shall Prevail Radio) are also here; an elaborate hoax involving a radio transmitter rigged with explosives was what brought Monterrosa…
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B
Antiguo Teatro Nacional
Just around the corner from the main plaza sits the Antiguo Teatro Nacional . Opened in 1909, this neoclassical building was converted into a movie theater during the silent-film era, and later functioned as the Telecom building and a public hospital. At the time of research it was undergoing a slow renovation - there were no stage lights and only plastic chairs - but music concerts and spoken-word performances are held often, and typically free of charge.
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Area Natural Protegida Río Sapo
Southeast of Perquín, the Río Guaco and Río Talchiga tumble over several picturesque waterfalls before meeting southeast of Perquín to form the Río Sapo, considered the cleanest river in El Salvador. An agreement between landowners and the local environmental organization has set aside 6000 hectares (about 14,826 acres) to create the Area Natural Protegida Río Sapo .
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C
Museo Regional del Oriente
Don't waste your time at the Museo Regional del Oriente. Located inside the Casa de Cultura, it contains a small collection of photographs of churches and colonial buildings, as well as a bit of pottery. Few items have descriptive signs - it's a good thing it's free.
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D
Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Paz
Facing Parque David J Guzmán, Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Paz is San Miguel's cathedral and dates from the 18th century. It was heavily damaged during the civil war.
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