Tourist Attractions in El Salvador

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in El Salvador

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About El Salvador

In its small territory, El Salvador has managed to accommodate a huge historical and architectural heritage, rich culture and luxurious nature. What attracts tourists to this South American country?

The capital of El Salvador is actively developing. Quarters with banks and offices are growing right next to poor and dirty neighbourhoods. But the locals manage not to notice it. San Salvador has a lot of beautiful colonial architecture, and the nature here is beautiful. The most soulful city of the country can be called Suchitoto, where you need to come to relax your soul. In addition to incredible landscapes and delicious cuisine, the tourist is welcomed by friendly and romantic streets with ancient architecture.

El Salvador has very interesting ruins of Mayan settlements. They include tombs, household items and funeral rituals. Some objects archaeologists continue to find on islands in the middle of beautiful volcanic lakes. The country has many volcanoes, of which Isalco is the most active. Every eight minutes it erupts. For fans of ecotourism there are tours to national parks, which introduce the rich fauna and flora of the country.

Top-16 Tourist Attractions in El Salvador

Tazumal Archaeological Park

 4.6/5

3802 reviews

These are the ruins of the largest Mayan city in El Salvador. They date back 100 to 1200 years. The complex includes pyramids, temples, tombs, and ritual sites. The name of the city translates to “place of burning victims”. It also has a ball field and a drainage system. In the centre of Tasumal its main structure is a ceremonial platform 24 metres high. Near it, 23 tombs with artefacts have been discovered.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

San Salvador

 0/5

It is the capital of El Salvador and the largest city in the country. It is located in the valley of the Amacas River, at the foot of the San Salvador volcano. It was founded in 1525 by the Spanish conquerors. Therefore, there are many historical and architectural monuments in the city. There are also restaurants, shopping centres, clubs, and banks. Nevertheless, San Salvador is called the crime capital of the world.

El Boqueron National Park

 4.6/5

4992 reviews

El Boquerón is hugely popular with tourists. In addition to its luxurious flora and fauna, its territory is home to the crater of the San Salvador volcano, also known as “Volcan Quetzaltepec”. The last detection of the volcano’s activity was in 1917. Several towns were affected by it. The park organises hikes to the volcano crater, bicycle rides and has ecotourism trails.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Lake Ilopango

 4.6/5

440 reviews

The lake was formed after a powerful eruption of the San Salvador volcano. It occurred in the 5th century and caused enormous damage to the Mayans living in South America. The area of Lake Ilopango is 72 kilometres square. Its depth is 230 metres and it is located at an altitude of 440 metres from the city of San Salvador.

Parque Nacional El Imposible

 4.6/5

492 reviews

El Imposibles, El Salvador’s main national park, was founded in 1989. Only a few years later, it was inscribed on the UNESCO heritage list. On an area of 5,000 hectares, a huge number of plants and animals grow and live there. Among them are hummingbirds, ocelots, emerald toucans, deer and black eagles. There are also more than 500 species of butterflies.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Closed

Santa Ana

 0/5

It’s a city of fertile land, amazing scenery and perfect weather. Just what the rich need. Since ancient times, they have loved this place and began to actively develop it. Today Santa Anna is one of the most developed cities in El Salvador. It has a lot of beautiful architecture, churches, cinemas, restaurants. The city is surrounded by three volcanoes with hot springs and a national park.

Lago de Coatepeque

 4.7/5

1542 reviews

The caldera was formed by powerful volcanic eruptions tens of thousands of years ago. Over time, Lake Coatepeque appeared in it. Its area is 25.3 km², making it one of the largest lakes in El Salvador. In places, its water is warm because of hot springs. On the lake there is an island sacred to the Mayans called Teopan. Tourists on Coatepeca enjoy water sports.

Santa Ana Volcano

 4.9/5

296 reviews

It is the highest point in El Salvador and attracts many tourists. The volcano is 2,385 metres high. It is one of the youngest in South America. Since the XVI century, the volcano has erupted 15 times, the last one in 2005. To climb Santa Ana does not need special physical training, but the hike is tiring. The reward for the tourist is a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding area.

Suchitoto

 0/5

On the shores of Lake Lago de Suchitlán lies a picturesque town whose name translates as “city of birds and flowers”. Despite its small size, Suchitoto is called the most beautiful city in the country. It has a quiet, measured and happy life. Suchitoto has a lot of luxurious colonial architecture and there is no rush and noise. It is also home to some of El Salvador’s most delicious traditional food.

Cihuatán

 4.7/5

363 reviews

A major Mayan archaeological complex is located 39 kilometres from the capital of El Salvador. The city was founded in the 10th century, but was abandoned around 1200. Its name translates as “city of women”. You can spend the whole day exploring it. The Chihuatán territory of almost 4 km² covers pyramids, burial plots, a ball field, many statuettes, ritual objects.

Open time

San Miguel

 4.7/5

167 reviews

It is the third largest volcano in El Salvador. It is located in the east of the country, with a height of 2130 metres and a crater diameter of 800 metres. The volcano makes itself known from time to time. Most recently, he threw out a plume of ash and hot gases. The height of the emission was almost 2 thousand metres. Near the volcano there is a very cosy and tidy town where tourists stay.

Lago de Guija

 4.5/5

271 reviews

It is the largest natural lake in El Salvador. It has an area of 44 km². It is located on the border between El Salvador and Guatemala. It is of volcanic origin, fed by tributaries of several rivers and surrounded by cones of picturesque volcanoes. The lake has several islands on which archaeologists have discovered interesting artefacts.

Joya de Ceren Archaeological Site

 4.5/5

1177 reviews

This archaeological complex is called the “Pompeii of South America”. It was formed after the eruption of the Loma Caldera volcano in 600. As a result, the Mayan settlement was destroyed. More than 12,000 inhabitants left their homes and wealth. They were found in 1976. Archaeologists dug up workshops, cemeteries, houses, bathhouses and entire streets. Because of the low temperature of the ash, the exhibits were perfectly preserved.

Open time

Gulf of Fonseca

 4.6/5

420 reviews

It is a bay that washes the shores of El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras. It was discovered by a Spanish conquistador and named in honour of Christopher Columbus’ sworn enemy, Juan Fonseca. The bay covers an area of 3000 km² and is 74 kilometres long. There are several cities along it. A special route along the bay has been created for tourists to admire the forests, islands and landscapes of volcanic wave cones.

Church of the Rosary

 4.7/5

707 reviews

This is the most unusual church in El Salvador, which does not correspond at all to the usual ideas of a shrine. It is made of concrete and resembles a hangar. At first they did not even want to sanctify such a church, but then they managed to persuade the Pope. The magic of El Rosario is hidden behind its coloured stained glass windows. Thanks to them the rainbow colour is dispersed in the church. And after the service there are happy songs sung here.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 12:10 PM, 2:00 – 4:40 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 12:10 PM, 2:00 – 4:40 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 12:10 PM, 2:00 – 4:40 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:10 PM, 2:00 – 4:40 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:10 PM, 2:00 – 4:40 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 3:30 PM
Sunday: Closed

Playa Los Cobanos

 4.4/5

212 reviews

Los Cabanos beach is located on the coast of El Salvador. It has many hotels that host tourists. There are also restaurants and cafes where you can eat delicious local food. There is no noise on the beach, it is quiet and peaceful. It is an ideal place for romantic pastime. Incredibly beautiful landscapes, gorgeous sunsets and privacy await tourists.

Open time