last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in El Salvador
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Location Map of El Salvador
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
El Salvador has one site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Joya de Cerén (1993)
About thirty kilometres from the capital, Joya is a Mayan village buried in ash like Pompeii. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
About thirty kilometres from the capital, Joya is a Mayan village buried in ash like Pompeii. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Coast
Acajutla
It is the main Pacific port. Just a few kilometres away is El Salvador's large all-inclusive hotel.
It is the main Pacific port. Just a few kilometres away is El Salvador's large all-inclusive hotel.
Gulf of Fonseca
On the Pacific coast, between El Salvador and Nicaragua, the Gulf of Fonseca is home to several beaches nestled among mangroves.
On the Pacific coast, between El Salvador and Nicaragua, the Gulf of Fonseca is home to several beaches nestled among mangroves.
La Libertad
It is one of the country's main tourist destinations. La Libertad is popular for its beaches and surfing.
It is one of the country's main tourist destinations. La Libertad is popular for its beaches and surfing.
Natural Heritage
Costa del Balsamo
A coastal and mountainous region bordering the ocean, located southwest of the capital. It offers some beautiful landscapes.
A coastal and mountainous region bordering the ocean, located southwest of the capital. It offers some beautiful landscapes.
El Imposible National Park
This park near the coast and the Guatemalan border is home to a very rich flora and fauna.
This park near the coast and the Guatemalan border is home to a very rich flora and fauna.
The Interior
Chalchuapa
Around this city in western El Salvador, you’ll find several sites dating from the pre-Columbian era (Casa Blanca, Tazumal, and others).
Around this city in western El Salvador, you’ll find several sites dating from the pre-Columbian era (Casa Blanca, Tazumal, and others).
Joya de Cerén
About thirty kilometres from the capital, Joya is a Mayan village buried in ash like Pompeii. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
About thirty kilometres from the capital, Joya is a Mayan village buried in ash like Pompeii. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Juayúa
A small colonial town renowned for both its architecture and its surroundings, featuring rivers, waterfalls, and coffee plantations.
A small colonial town renowned for both its architecture and its surroundings, featuring rivers, waterfalls, and coffee plantations.
Perquin
A high-altitude town in the northeast with a beautiful mountainous setting. It is also home to the Museum of the Revolution.
A high-altitude town in the northeast with a beautiful mountainous setting. It is also home to the Museum of the Revolution.
Flower Route
This tourist route in the west passes through many traditional villages amid beautiful landscapes.
This tourist route in the west passes through many traditional villages amid beautiful landscapes.
San Ignacio
In the north of the country, near the Honduran border, San Ignacio has become a tourist town thanks to the surrounding mountains and the hikes available there.
In the north of the country, near the Honduran border, San Ignacio has become a tourist town thanks to the surrounding mountains and the hikes available there.
San Salvador
While not one of the most tourist-heavy destinations, the Salvadoran capital boasts broad avenues, parks, and various monuments dating from the late 19th century.
While not one of the most tourist-heavy destinations, the Salvadoran capital boasts broad avenues, parks, and various monuments dating from the late 19th century.
Santa Ana
This city in the west is the country's second-largest. It boasts beautiful colonial architecture in its downtown area.
This city in the west is the country's second-largest. It boasts beautiful colonial architecture in its downtown area.
Tazumal
The site is one of the most important pre-Columbian sites in El Salvador. It is located on the outskirts of the city of Chalchuapa.
The site is one of the most important pre-Columbian sites in El Salvador. It is located on the outskirts of the city of Chalchuapa.
Natural Heritage

Izalco and Cerro Verde
Izalco is a volcano in the western region whose summit can be reached on a hike starting from the neighboring volcano, Cerro Verde, which is also a national park.
Izalco is a volcano in the western region whose summit can be reached on a hike starting from the neighboring volcano, Cerro Verde, which is also a national park.
Montecristo National Park
This is a forest park in the far north of the country where you can go for walks.
This is a forest park in the far north of the country where you can go for walks.
Recommended
Costa del Balsamo
★★★ A coastal and mountainous region bordering the ocean, located southwest of the capital. It offers some beautiful landscapes.
Izalco and Cerro Verde
★★★ Izalco is a volcano in the western region whose summit can be reached on a hike starting from the neighboring volcano, Cerro Verde, which…
Montecristo National Park
★★★ This is a forest park in the far north of the country where you can go for walks.
Worth a look / Other
Gulf of Fonseca
★★ On the Pacific coast, between El Salvador and Nicaragua, the Gulf of Fonseca is home to several beaches nestled among mangroves.
Juayúa
★★ A small colonial town renowned for both its architecture and its surroundings, featuring rivers, waterfalls, and coffee plantations.
La Libertad
★★ It is one of the country's main tourist destinations. La Libertad is popular for its beaches and surfing.
Lake Coatepeque
★★ A beautiful volcanic lake in the west of the country, not far from Guatemala.
Lake Güija
★★ Another beautiful volcanic lake straddling Guatemala and El Salvador.
El Imposible National Park
★★ This park near the coast and the Guatemalan border is home to a very rich flora and fauna.
Flower Route
★★ This tourist route in the west passes through many traditional villages amid beautiful landscapes.
Santa Ana (El Salvador)
★★ This city in the west is the country's second-largest. It boasts beautiful colonial architecture in its downtown area.
Suchitoto
★★ It's a charming small colonial town near the capital.
Tazumal
★★ The site is one of the most important pre-Columbian sites in El Salvador. It is located on the outskirts of the city of Chalchuapa.
Acajutla
★ It is the main Pacific port. Just a few kilometres away is El Salvador's large all-inclusive hotel.
Casa Blanca (El Salvador)
★ Pre-Columbian archaeological site near Chalchuapa featuring several pyramids.
Chalchuapa
★ Around this city in western El Salvador, you’ll find several sites dating from the pre-Columbian era (Casa Blanca, Tazumal, and…
Joya de Cerén
★ About thirty kilometres from the capital, Joya is a Mayan village buried in ash like Pompeii. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Perquin
★ A high-altitude town in the northeast with a beautiful mountainous setting. It is also home to the Museum of the Revolution.
San Andres (El Salvador)
★ This is a large archaeological site northwest of the capital.
San Ignacio (El Salvador)
★ In the north of the country, near the Honduran border, San Ignacio has become a tourist town thanks to the surrounding mountains and the…
San Miguel (El Salvador)
★ The third-largest city in El Salvador with an old colonial center.
San Salvador
★ While not one of the most tourist-heavy destinations, the Salvadoran capital boasts broad avenues, parks, and various monuments dating from…
San Salvador Volcano
★ A beautiful volcano near the capital that you can hike to the crater.
- Joya de Cerén
- Acajutla
- Gulf of Fonseca
- La Libertad
- Costa del Balsamo
- El Imposible National Park
- Chalchuapa
- Juayúa
- Perquin
- Flower Route
- San Salvador
- Suchitoto
- Tazumal
- Izalco and Cerro Verde
- Lake Coatepeque
- Lake Güija
- Montecristo National Park
- San Salvador Volcano
- Casa Blanca (El Salvador)
- San Andres (El Salvador)
- San Ignacio (El Salvador)
- San Miguel (El Salvador)
- Santa Ana (El Salvador)