Places to Visit in El Salvador: Ruins, Beaches, and Volcanoes

There are many historical places to visit in El Salvador, and its Maya ruins stand out as the most prominent and impressive ones to add to your list. The Maya people built one of the most advanced civilizations in the ancient Americas and flourished for centuries, starting around 2,000 BC. Visiting at least one Maya archaeological site is a must-do in El Salvador.

The Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in El Salvador. It’s often called the “Pompeii of Central America,” as it was buried by the Loma Caldera volcano lava around 650 AD. The lava preserved many artifacts, offering archeologists a rare opportunity to study how Mayas lived their daily lives. Also, the small Maya site of San Andrés is located nearby, so it’s easy to add both to your list of places to visit in El Salvador on the same day.

The Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in El Salvador. It’s often called the “Pompeii of Central America,” as it was buried by the Loma Caldera volcano lava around 650 AD. The lava preserved many artifacts, offering archeologists a rare opportunity to study how Mayas lived their daily lives. Also, the small Maya site of San Andrés is located nearby, so it’s easy to add both to your list of places to visit in El Salvador on the same day.

Archaeologist Stanley Boggs discovered Tazumal in 1940. The site contains 13 well-preserved original structures, along with a museum that displays a wide array of archeological discoveries. Archeology and history buffs absolutely must add this to their list of places to visit in El Salvador.

Like other Central American countries, El Salvador sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area around the edges of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. 

Volcanic material covers around 90% of El Salvador’s surface area, and experts classify a total of 23 of the country’s volcanoes as active. They generally aren’t as tall as the volcanoes in neighboring Guatemala, but they’re easier to access, making them among El Salvador's most popular attractions. Next up are the best volcanoes to add to your list of places to visit in El Salvador.

The imposing Ilametepec Volcano, colloquially known as the Santa Ana Volcano, is a spectacular natural wonder and a must-see in El Salvador. Standing at 7,800 feet, it ranks as the country's highest volcano, and is still active. But don’t worry, it last erupted in 2005. The climb up the volcano takes about three hours, and is an absolute-must place to visit in El Salvador. Note that you can only explore these hikes (like many of El Salvador's natural monuments) with a guide, so you’ll need to plan ahead or arrive early.

This hike is absolutely spectacular. The volcano's caldera thrives in a magnificent green color, and the view of Lake Coatepeque from the summit will take your breath away. The volcano sits close to the town of Santa Ana (hence its nickname), a beautiful colonial town and the second largest city in the country. Once you’ve made your way back down, grab a bite to eat in town.

This volcano attracts many visitors due to its proximity to the capital city, just about a 40-minute drive away. The hiking trails on this volcano are even easier to navigate than those on Ilametepec, making it ideal for families. This volcano is dormant, and its crater displays stunning green vegetation. Its last erupted in 1917 and caused extensive damage to the capital city.

A special feature of this volcano is that you can see a smaller crater inside its large crater, which isn't very common. This fact alone makes it one of the most unique places to visit in El Salvador. Plus, from its main viewpoint, you can also spot the Santa Ana volcano on the horizon.

The most beautiful places in El Salvador can all be seen by following the Ruta de las Flores or "Route of Flowers." The route passes through six picturesque villages, each more beautiful than the last: Tacuba, Concepción de Ataco, Apaneca, Juayúa, Salcoatitán, and Nahuizalco. You can do the whole route, or just visit one or two villages. It’s best to do the route on a weekend, when the atmosphere is particularly lively and lots of festivals and activities are taking place.

In addition to visiting the villages themselves, you can also enjoy a wide range of activities and hiking trails on the Ruta de las Flores. In the village of Apaneca, for example, an adventure park offers various activities such as zip lines and giant swings. And the La Calera hiking trail begins in the village of Juayúa, which will lead you past beautiful waterfalls and natural swimming pools. No matter which village you choose, the Ruta de las Flores is packed full of some of the prettiest places to visit in El Salvador.

Suchitoto is the most beautiful colonial town in El Salvador. The colonial architecture typical of Central America, with its cobbled streets and colorfully painted facades, thrives in Suchitoto. Founded in 1528, it ranks among the oldest cities Europeans built on the Central American continent. 

The city is a sight in itself, and the best way to discover it is on a leisurely stroll through its picturesque, brightly painted alleys. If you climb to the top of its streets, you’ll catch a beautiful view of Lake Suchitán

The city is a sight in itself, and the best way to discover it is on a leisurely stroll through its picturesque, brightly painted alleys. If you climb to the top of its streets, you’ll catch a beautiful view of Lake Suchitán

Besides swimming and birdwatching, many activities await you around the lake, ranging from mountain biking, fishing, and diving to kayaking, jet skiing, and motorboating. Various viewpoints also let you enjoy spectacular views of the cone-shaped volcanic lake. Given the wide array of activities you can enjoy here, this lake is one of the top places to visit in El Salvador.

El Salvador is the only country in Central America that doesn't have access to the Caribbean Sea. But it doesn't need it, because the beaches on the Pacific coast are nothing short of spectacular. Just a 40-minute drive from San Salvador is El Tunco, one of the country’s most famous beaches, and a surfing mecca. While most people may think of Costa Rica as Central America’s best surf destination, El Salvador’s El Tunco beach offers waves up to 20 feet high in the high season, making it a favorite among surfers. 

But El Tunco is also a perfect destination for travelers who want to use their vacation in El Salvador to relax on the sand, enjoy a spectacular sunset over the sea, or simply relax after exploring everything this stunning country has to offer.

Whether you’re looking to hike up an active volcano, swim in a volcano crater lake, discover Maya history, or relax with a surf day at the beach, there are plenty of places to visit in El Salvador.