Ruta de Las Flores

Introducing Ruta de Las Flores

The winding mountain road that links Sonsonate to Ahuachapán has been dubbed Ruta de Las Flores (Route of the Flowers). Thirty-six kilometers long, it's a dramatic ride that traverses the heart of El Salvador's coffee country, and is known for its natural beauty, charming towns and cultural traditions. Flowers, as the name suggest, are also found on this road; the cool mountain climate and the rich soil are favorable to growers, and nurseries dot the route. The only time you're likely to see lots of 'wild' flowers is in May, when coffee blossoms cloak the volcanoes like white skirts.

The route is easy to navigate - the roads are in great condition and the buses pass frequently. If you're in a car, don't hesitate to pull off the road at the many vista points, or at a stand selling homemade honey in recycled bottles. La Ruta de las Flores is perfect for wandering about, and its popularity will come as no surprise. Look out for the following highlights:

Nahuizalco A Pipil village specializing in wicker artesanía (handicrafts) and furniture; stop by the gift shop at CEDART for a sampling of the town's work.

Juayúa A charming mountain village with a popular weekend food fair - munch on yuca (steamed and fried sweet potato topped with curtido, a mixture of pickled cabbage and carrots, and hot sauce) as you stroll the cobblestone streets. Or stay the night at the hip Hotel Anáhuac, a hostel with a dorm and a handful of private rooms.

El Jardin de Celeste Spend the night in a comfortable cabin, enjoy a tasty meal or just admire the flowers at this charming, lush nursery and coffee farm between Apaneca and Ataco.

Ataco A colonial town with a strong indigenous presence; similar to how Antigua, Guatemala, was before tourism hit big.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009