Resorts & Excursions

SAN SALVADOR: Situated 680m (2240ft) above sea level, the capital, San Salvador, is the second largest city in Central America, with a population of over 600,000. Founded by the Spaniard Pedro De Alvarado in 1525, the city is a blend of modern buildings and colonial architecture, broad plazas and monuments, amusement parks and shopping centres. Downtown are the most important public buildings. Standing within a short distance of each other are the Catedral Metropolitana (metropolitan cathedral), the Palacio National (national palace), the National Treasury and the Teatro Nacional (national theatre). Among the many beautiful colonial churches to be seen are St Ignatius Loyola (once the shrine of the 'Virgin of Guadeloupe') with a traditional Spanish colonial façade, the Juayua and the Suchitoto. The amusement park on San Jacinto Mountain can be reached by cable car and gives a panoramic view of the city. Balboa Park, 11km (7 miles) from the capital, and the 1200m (3900ft) rock formation, the Puerto del Diabolo (devil's doorway), just south of Balboa Park, also give a bird's-eye view of San Salvador.

Elsewhere: From San Salvador, excursions can be made by road to Panchimalco, 15km (9 miles) south of the capital, around which live the Pancho Indians (pure-blooded descendants of the original Pipil tribes), who retain many of their old traditions and dress. The village of San Sebastian, approximately one hour by car from San Salvador, is known for its beautiful woven materials. The village is situated near Lake Ilopango, the largest of El Salvador's lakes, surrounded by volcanoes and mountains, and a popular destination for outdoor and watersports enthusiasts. The mountain village of Ilobasco, northeast of the capital, is renowned for its beauty and its craftwork.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES: El Salvador has a number of ancient archaeological sites from the Maya civilisation, some dating back to the 3rd century BC. The Mayan village of Joya de Cerén was buried under volcanic ash 1400 years ago and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Also close to the capital is the San Andrès region, whose fertile soil once housed Mayan settlements and whose architectural jewel, the acropolis, is a highlight. El Salvador's earliest people lived between 300BC and 1200AD at Chalchuapa in the Tazumal region, 78km (46 miles) from San Salvador. During this period, five important ceremonial centres were built: Pampe, El Trapiche, Las Victorias, Casablanca and the beautiful ruins at Tazumal, which boasts structures over 30m (90 ft) high and a ball court where the Maya practised an unusual sporting rite. Other interesting sites include the pre-Columbian Tehuacán site near San Vincente; the monumental Santa Letìcía sculptures near the town of San Miguel; and the pre-Columbian village of Quelepa, also in San Miguel.

VOLCANOES AND PARKS: There are more than 25 volcanoes in El Salvador, only three of which – the Izalco, San Miguel and Santa Ana (the largest) – are still considered active. The extinct San Salvador volcano is within proximity of the capital. Another extinct volcano, the easily accessible Cerro Verde in the west, is located within the Cerro Verde National Park, also home to the popular and beautiful Lake Coatepeque, which sits on top of a volcanic crater. The nearby Santa Ana volcano, which is still active and last erupted in 1966, is located near the town of Santa Ana, whose cathedral is the most famous in El Salvador. Also within the area is the El Imposible National Park, the country's most important ecological reserve, whose varied vegetation and fauna offers a refuge for numerous bird and wildlife species, including the rare Black Hawk Eagle.

THE COAST: El Salvador has a 320km (200-mile) Pacific Coast with resort hotels, unspoiled beaches, fishing villages and pine views. The best resorts tend to be found along the Costa del Sol, easily accessible via a modern highway. The eastern coast is renowned for having the most attractive beaches, the best of which include El Icacal and Tamarindo. Surfing is popular, with the biggest waves rolling in at Punta Roca and Los Cobanos. Boat excursions on the Gulf of Fonseca, a large stretch of water shared by El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, are also possible, including stopovers at the many volcanic islands dotting the Gulf. For an inland resort, the western region of Lake Coatepeque at the foot of the Santa Ana volcano is recommended and offers a range of watersports. It also has several good hotels, restaurants and lodging houses.