Why El Salvador Is the Perfect Travel Destination (And What to Do While You’re There)
El Salvador is a Central American country full of life, natural beauty, interesting traditions, and kind people.
It’s the smallest country in Central America, with a territory of 8,124 square miles (21,041 square kilometers) and a population of 6.8 million. It borders Honduras to the northeast, Guatemala to the northwest, and the Pacific Ocean to the south.
Let’s take a journey to discover why it is the perfect spot for your next vacation destination!
7 Fantastic Reasons to Visit El Salvador
The capital of El Salvador is San Salvador. While the official language of El Salvador is Spanish, the population also speaks several indigenous languages. In spite of Covid-related travel restrictions, flights to El Salvador are plentiful.
Check out these 7 amazing factors that make El Salvador a perfect travel destination—along with suggestions of brilliant places to go and things to do while you’re there!
1. Delicious Food
Salvadorian food is savory, hearty, and delicious. Try these 3 typical dishes when you visit:
Chuco Atole (Atol Chuco)
Known as “the breakfast of the poor” or atol agrio (sour atole), this is a nutritious mix of cornflour with ground squash or pumpkin seeds. It’s perfect for cold mornings. Some people use it as a dressing atop black beans and tender corn or add chili sauce to the atole.
Pupusas
Pupusas are the quintessential Salvadorian food. Pupusas are tortillas made with corn masa, filled with cheese, chicharrón (pork), fried beans, or other ingredients. They’re fried and accompanied with salsa (tomato sauce) and curtido—a mix of cabbage, vegetables, and vinegar.
Learn more about pupusas!
Quesadillas
This sweet treat from El Salvador is different from Mexican quesadillas. Las quesadillas are bread made with a mix of cheese, cream, and milk. They are delightful to eat, either hot or cold, with coffee or tea.
2. Incredible Natural Beauty
El Salvador boasts amazing natural wonders. If you’re interested in communing with nature, here are three of the country’s best parks and reservations:
El Boquerón Natural Park (Parque natural el Boquerón)
A popular destination for tourists and locals alike, this natural reservation is easy to access thanks to its proximity to San Salvador. The principal attraction of el Boquerón is the volcano crater you can access with a specialized guide. It also has great hiking trails, where you can glimpse exotic flora and fauna.
Plan of the Laguna Botanical Garden (Jardín botánico de Plan de la Laguna)
This botanical garden is located inside what was once a volcano crater! It contains plants from all around the world. Rest beside several small ponds with fish and turtles.
Fundation Wild Refuge (Furesa)
With the amazing mission of taking care of animals in danger of extinction, la fundación refugio salvaje FURESA (Foundation wild refuge) is home to several animal species. It is open to visitors to raise awareness of the importance of the care and conservation of the flora and fauna in El Salvador and around the world.
3. They Use Dollars
In 2001, El Salvador changed their currency from colones to dollars for several reasons.
In El Salvador, you don’t have to worry about exchanging money for the local currency. In addition, using credit or debit cards doesn’t require mental math or currency rates.
4. A Perfect Spot for Sports
If you’re a fan of sports, nature, and adventure, El Salvador is the perfect spot!!
Playa el Tunco is famous for its distinctive boulder in the form of a tunco (slang for “pig”). This beach is perfect for its high waves, and touristic development. El Tunco is just 40 minutes from San Salvador.
Another pristine surfing spot is Playa Las Flores in the department of San Miguel. It’s near a small fisherman’s village and tropical vegetation that makes it feel like a piece of heaven on earth.
Moreover, El Salvador has 23 official volcanic formations, including:
- Izalco Volcano – Volcán Izalco
- San Salvador Volcano – Volcán San Salvador
- Cerro Verde Volcano – Volcán Cerro Verde
- Conchagua Volcano – Volcán Conchagua
See also: 35+ Must-Know Spanish Slang Words Used in Central America
5. Stunning Architecture
El Salvador was home to Mayas, Lencas, and Cuzclatecs, exhibiting a rich pre-colonial history. Visit Tazumal, a Mayan archeological site in the city of Chalchuapa, Santa Ana.
When it comes to colonial architecture, El Salvador doesn’t disappoint. Check out la Catedral de la Señora Santa Ana (Cathedral of our Lady Saint Anne), a neo-gothic structure built in 1576.
Finally, sports fans must visit El Estadio Cuscatlán (Cuscatlán Stadium) in San Salvador. Built in 1976—and most recently renovated in 2020—it’s the largest stadium in Central America and the Caribbean.
6. Picturesque Flora and Fauna
El Salvador is rich in flora and fauna, thanks to the tropical weather of the region. El torogoz (the turquoise-browed motmot) is the national bird of El Salvador. La flor de Izote (izote flower) is the national flower.
It boasts more than 800 species of trees and over 400 types of orchids. El Salvador’s diverse ecosystems include forests, manglars, and lakes. It’s also home to at least 1,000 types of butterflies, 500+ bird species, and 800 types of fish. Some of its iconic mammals are jaguars, tapirs, coyotes, and monkeys.
7. Perfect Weather Year-Round
El Salvador has fantastic weather all year long. Its two major seasons are:
- A cool dry season from November to April
- A warm wet season from May to October
The best month for surfing is May. In December, the weather is on the cooler side but the sunny, clear days are perfect to enjoy your visit.
Learn Spanish Before Your Trip to El Salvador!
Do you know that learning Spanish helps your cognition and decision-making abilities? Thinking about your next destination while preparing your travels is not an easy task, and learning Spanish actually helps you to make the best decision to enjoy those amazing vacations you deserve!
And if you decide to go to El Salvador, being able to speak and understand Spanish will make life so much easier and more fun during your visit! You’ll be able to talk with the locals and have a more fulfilling and authentic experience. Speaking dramatically improves your comprehension skills and enhances the quality of your vacation experience.
To prepare for your trip to El Salvador, sign up for a free, 1-to-1 class with a certified, native Spanish-speaking teacher at Homeschool Spanish Academy!
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