When a Costa Rican recently asked locals on Facebook how to spend six days in El Salvador, they responded in force. Here’s their suggested El Salvador vacation guide, straight from the source.
In recent years, El Salvador has become more prominent as a tourist destination. It makes sense really, as this small country packs a lot into its tiny size – from beaches and mountains to volcanoes, cloud forests, lakes and cities – it’s now also the safest country in the region, far removed from its previous reputation as a dangerous hellhole with the highest homicide rate in the world. Those days are long gone, and El Salvador is well on the way to reinventing itself as safe, welcoming, and viable tourist destination.
So when a traveler from Costa Rica went to the Turismo en El Salvador Facebook group last week to ask for advice on how to plan a six-day El Salvador vacation, the responses came flooding in. Local residents shared their insights, offering various ways to experience their country’s highlights in less than a week. We thought it would be helpful to share what they were saying travel to Salvador should cover, straight from the horse’s mouth, for anyone else thinking of a short, first-time visit.
What the Locals Recommend
The consensus among locals points to several must-see destinations. The Centro Histórico (Historic Center) of San Salvador appears in nearly every suggestion, along with the Ruta de las Flores – a route connecting several towns in the western part of the country. As one local explains, “Six days isn’t much time, but you can still see the Historic Center, Surf City, Santa Ana, and the Ruta de las Flores, including Ataco and Apaneca.”
Many locals suggest organizing the trip by geographic zones to maximize time. “Make your itineraries by geographic areas so your trips are productive,” writes one resident, who then outlines a route starting from La Libertad on the coast and working inland through San Salvador before heading west to the Ruta de las Flores.
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Starting the Journey
Most locals recommend starting the journey at La Libertad, about an hour from San Salvador. “If you arrive on an early flight, begin by visiting Puerto La Libertad,” suggests one resident, who recommends Playa El Palmarcito for a first stop and lunch at Beto’s, known for its food and ocean views. From there, they suggest heading to San Salvador to visit La Puerta del Diablo (The Devil’s Door) and the Centro Histórico in the late afternoon.
Heading West
For the second day, the consensus points to heading west to the Ruta de las Flores. This collection of towns includes Nahuizalco, Juayua, Apaneca, and Ataco. “Stay overnight in this area and take advantage of visiting Los Naranjos zone,” suggests one local. Several residents mention that visitors shouldn’t miss Café Albania in this region.
The third day, according to most recommendations, centers on the Santa Ana area. This includes three major attractions: Cerro Verde, the Santa Ana volcano, and Lake Coatepeque. “You can stay in Santa Ana city – it’s clean and beautiful, about 63 kilometers from San Salvador,” one local notes. They add that Lake Coatepeque’s floating restaurants offer both good food and great views of the water.
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Exploring the East
From day four onwards, locals suggest heading east to experience a completely different side of El Salvador. “Starting from San Salvador, visit Suchitoto, a colonial town, then continue to San Miguel,” one resident advises. From there, several options open up. Some locals recommend heading to Alegría and Berlín, while others suggest visiting Arambala and El Mozote for their historical significance.
The eastern beaches deserve their own day, according to many locals. “The beaches in the east are the best in the country,” one resident states firmly. El Cuco and El Jaguey get frequent mentions, along with Las Tunas, known for its black sand. Several locals specifically recommend visiting the Espíritu de la Montaña vista on Volcán Conchagua, La Unión, noting its “spectacular views of the Gulf of Fonseca and its islands.”
Final Day in the Capital Region
For the final day, most locals recommend returning to the San Salvador area to catch any missed attractions. The El Boquerón crater tops many lists, along with the botanical garden in Antiguo Cuscatlán. “You can stay in Santa Tecla or Antiguo Cuscatlán,” suggests one local, noting these areas are convenient bases for exploring the capital region.
Interestingly, many locals end their recommendations with a similar observation – six days isn’t enough to see everything El Salvador has to offer. As one puts it, “You’ll have to come back – six days isn’t enough, there’s much more to see.” The wealth of additional suggestions bears this out, from additional volcano hikes to hidden beaches and charming towns not included in the main itinerary, not to mention time just spent surfing or relaxing by the Pacific Ocean for a few days.
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Making the Most of Your El Salvador Vacation
While six days might seem like plenty of time to explore Central America’s smallest country, the locals’ enthusiastic responses show just how much El Salvador packs in. But as the local responses make clear, consider this itinerary just a first taste – one that will likely leave you planning a next El Salvador vacation to discover more of what this reinvented nation has to offer.
