El Salvador

Western El Salvador may be a small region, but it contains the majority of the country's attractions. The cloud forest and conical splendor of Parque Nacional Los Volcanes, the mysterious and at times unvisited Maya ruins at Tazumal, the Ruta de las Flores, and a volcanic lake are all within a 90-minute drive of Santa Ana, the charming provincial capital with the finest plaza in El Salvador.

From the wilds of Parque Nacional El Imposible near the Guatemalan border – where you can find pumas, boars and tigrillos – traverse waterfalls until you pick up the famed Flower Route, a pin-up region of hot springs, food fairs and artisan villages.

Indeed, if you fly into San Salvador, you can reach it all in a day and end at the far western tip at Barrio de Santiago, a wind-swept beach with massive surf where turtles lay eggs by moonlight.

Western El Salvador

Surrounded by green-tipped volcanoes, San Salvador is a handsome capital city. Its leafy suburbs are pleasant to explore on foot, and its galleries and museums stand out.

After undergoing a major facelift, the city center has never looked better. The area around the cathedral has been paved, pedestrianized and planted with greenery, while new lighting has improved safety and made Plaza Barrios look pretty at night. During the day, dive into the teeming centro markets, where travelers are greeted with typical guanaco hospitality.

Though travelers rarely catch a glimpse of gang-related violence, there are a few neighborhoods east of town that should be avoided. Head instead to the nightspots of Zona Rosa and the shopping and cafe scene of Colonia Escalón.

Perhaps San Salvador’s greatest asset is its location within easy reach of the ocean and the mountains, making it an excellent base for day trips.

San Salvador

Most travelers race down the Carretera Interamericana in search of El Salvador's western attractions or, if heading east, the Nicaraguan border. However, the wild east of the country is a diverse geographical region that warrants greater consideration. The quaint village of Alegría, the visceral war history around Morazán and the long, sandy surf beaches near El Cuco and Las Flores will give even the most worldly traveler something to savor. They see only fleeting traffic from nearby cities such as San Miguel, a city with a distinctly cavalier attitude. Real off-the-beaten-track coastal adventure is found at Bahía de Jiquilisco, where birdlife soars, and in tiny fishing villages with little contact with the outside world.

Eastern El Salvador

San Salvador lies in the "valley of the hammocks," skirted by communities clinging to sloping land and with Maya ruins dotting its fringe. It is also surrounded by steep volcanic peaks that offer hiking opportunities and visits to small artists' towns and coffee fincas (plantations) elevated from the heat. The coast is a short drive to the south; La Libertad, the main port, marks the start of a world-class surf voyage.

Central El Salvador

Set on the green slopes of Cerro Chulo, Panchimalco is a small town renowned for its religious festivals, particularly Palm Sunday, when residents march through the streets bearing decorated palm fronds. Early May’s Fería de Cultura de las Flores y las Palmas features palm artistry, folk dancing and fireworks.

Inhabited by descendants of the Pipils, Panchimalco has reinvented itself as an artists' enclave. You can visit a number of working galleries here and purchase work from leading national artists at reasonable prices.