Exciting El Salvador Escapes

Often overlooked compared to its more popular Central American neighbours, El Salvador offers visitors Mayan ruins, smoking volcanoes, sleepy Spanish-colonial villages and broad stretches of fantastic Pacific coast. All this makes it a fabulous and enchanting destination. At Destination Seekers we are excited to discuss itineraries with you for this off-the-beaten-track country.

Interested? Contact our specialist Adventure Designers today to start your journey

Santa Ana is idyllic, consisting of tree-lined streets and vibrant buildings. This is a great base to explore the Tazumal ruins or the Ruta de las Flores. Northeast of the capital city, San Salvador, you’ll discover the former colonial city of Suchitoto. It is a fabulous mountain getaway, and an exceptional destination for culture, with arts and food festivals filling the streets. In town you can take in the beautifully preserved Spanish-colonial buildings, and for outdoor adventures head beyond town for waterfalls and caves.

Tazumal is the most impressive Mayan ruins in El Salvador, believed to have been an important centre of trade. Explore this vast site to learn about the history of the Maya civilisation. Less famous than neighbouring Tikal in Guatemala, visit the pyramids and ancient ball courts at Cihuatán and you will have them all to yourself. This is an excellent day trip from San Salvador being only 45 minutes away, and when you’re there it is so silent that you will hear toucans and tanagers in the surrounding forest.

Popular with surfers, it is fun to stroll the quaint streets of Playa El Tunco or visit the beach caves when the tide is low. Sunsets here are stunning, and at night the bars are fabulously upbeat. Playa el Espino, a palm-shaded, beautiful stretch of sand running twelve miles between the Periquera mountains and the bays of Jiquilisco is well worth a visit. Although the village is busy with restaurants and hotels, the sand is empty, offering more wildlife than tourists.

Situated in central El Salvador edged by towering cliffs, Lake Ilopango is much loved by divers and boating enthusiasts. You will be enchanted by its serene beauty. The volcanic lake Lago de Coatepeque is one of the largest lakes in El Salvador. Soak in the views taking a kayak or boat out over the clear blue waters. Emerald-green Laguna de Alegria in the Cerro Verde mountains is one of the prettiest lakes in El Salvador. Sitting in the summit of Tecapa Volcano, it’s easy to reach by road from the nearby village of Alegria, and trails run from the shore into the surrounding forest to hot springs.

Taking you through some of the most charming villages in El Salvador, the Ruta de las Flores will take you past Spanish-colonial buildings, towering churches, and weekend markets. You will also delight in spectacular views of waterfalls and coffee plantations.

From dense canopies of oaks to soaring laurel trees, and mushrooms, lichens and mosses lining the forest floor you will not be disappointed adding Montecristo National Park to your itinerary. Wildlife is abundant here and you might glimpse rare pumas and anteaters, spider monkeys and coyotes, alongside quetzals, green toucans and white-faced quails. Puerta del Diablo (Devil’s Door) comprises of two tall boulders, forming a window out over the lush El Salvadoran landscape offering unparalleled views. For lovers of outdoor adventures, there are more than 60 rock climbing routes in the area, with ziplining, canopy tours and caving.

There is so much to discover in this fantastic destination, and we are excited to speak with you about your bespoke tour.

Please contact Destination Seekers to start planning your holiday

Enquiry Call Back