Highlights of El Salvador

You will start the day with a City tour of San Salvador that takes you to you the Historic Center with the Church el Rosario, National Palace, National Theater and the Metropolitan Cathedral, where the remains of Monsignor Romero rest in a tomb.

Then, you will transfer to the National park “Los Volcanes”. Here you will see the incredible topography of the volcanoes of Izalco, Santa Ana and Cerro Verde. The volcanoes are located within beautiful scenery and have a wide biodiversity. There are many species of animals living inside the park; among them are many types of hummingbirds and the black birds known as “chara” and toucans. During an easy walk you have great views to Lake Coatepeque and the cone of the Izalco volcano.

Transfer to Ataco where you will stay the night.

The following day, you will begin early in the morning and will travel to Barra de Santiago. The ultra-remote Barra de Santiago, on the northern Pacific coast, is a national park with estuaries and mangroves behind a sandbar. Visit the mangroves by boat and spot all kinds of birds, iguanas, lizards, marine mammals, shellfish, sea turtles, crocodiles and blue crabs. Female sea turtles wait until it is dark and then slowly walks towards the beach from the ocean. They will dig a nest on the beach and lay their eggs.

You will have the opportunity to learn about and participate in conservation efforts that are carried out by the beach community (August-December). If you are lucky you will be able to help release baby sea turtles. Sea turtle eggs have been collected and re-nested in incubation hatcheries along El Salvador’s coastline.

You will then spend another night in Ataco.

In the morning, you will go to colonial city of Santa Ana, El Salvador’s second largest city, and take a guided tour. On this walking tour, your guide will take you to see the colonia’s houses around the main city square. According to several sources, Santa Ana’s architecture is unmatched anywhere else in the country, with highlights like the Santa Ana’s Neo- Gothic Cathedral, the Theater and the Palacio Municipal, which you will visit.

Tazumal is your next stop and it is the most important and impressive Mayan ruins of El Salvador and Casa Blanca where you can see a workshop producing indigo dye from Pre classic and Classic period of the Maya.

Transfer to Suchitoto where you will stay the night.

The following day begins in Suchitoto. You leave to Chalatenango, where you will visit the Archaeological Pre Hispanic “Cihuatán”, also considered one of the greatest archaeological sites in El Salvador, with an area estimated at about 3 square kilometers (1.2 square miles). This was an important trading route with the Caribbean coast in Honduras.

Then visit La Palma ecological area of Chalatenango, characterized by craftwork made in the style of “palmeño”. The town that shows the development of the handicraft industry from the 1970s recognized the contribution of Salvadoran artist Fernando Llort. It is also known as the “Capital of Handicrafts” or “Cradle of Peace”. Visit the cooperative “La Semilla de Dios”, which was founded by Fernando in 1977. You will find quality handwork in the shop and can see how it is made in the workshop behind. In addition you will have the opportunity to take part in the production of one of these pieces and you will be able to take it home as a keepsake from your visit to this special corner of El Salvador.

Overnight in Suchitoto again.

Transfer to the beach of the Costa del Sol. Here you will stay two nights and enjoy beautiful beaches. This is one of the most popular beaches of Central America and a great place to finish your journey with some relaxation.

This day is left free to accomodate time for you to make your flight in time. If you have time you can explore El Salvador’s capital, if not you will be transfered to the airport in time for your flight.