El Salvador attractions

This neo-Gothic-inspired cathedral lies in El Salvador’s second-largest city’s main square—and with one look, it’s no surprise the Santa Ana Cathedral (Catedral de Santa Ana) took eight years to complete. But don’t be fooled, its inside is just as impressive, filled with massive pillars and cascading chandeliers that line the way up to its traditional, ornate Catholic altar.

Once you’re up there, it’s easy to see why Devil's Door (Puerta del Diablo) was used as a sacred site by the Mayan Pipil people. Overlooking Los Planes de Renderos, it’s made up of massive boulders that almost feel as if they’ve parted themselves just to give way to panoramic vista views of El Salvador.

Contrary to the name, it is possible to see El Salvador’s El Imposible National Park. While its moniker comes from a steep gorge, which created a deadly, often impossible route for traders to cross, a bridge was built in 1968, making this dazzling yet fragile ecosystem much more accessible to travelers.

Created by the Cerron Grande Dam, Suchitlan Lake is the largest freshwater reserve in El Salvador. This reservoir was formed via the Lempa River; it was completed in 1976 to supply energy and water to nearby towns, as well as protect wetlands teeming with birds and fish. Today, visitors stop to take in panoramic views from the dam’s edge.

Just west of San Salvador, Santa Tecla was established as the “new San Salvador” in 1854 when it acted briefly as the nation’s capital after an earthquake. Some government offices still sit in the city, such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. The Plaza Merliot malls, museums, and greenspaces make Santa Tecla a draw today.

A volcanic caldera close to San Salvador, Lake Ilopango is one of the largest lakes in the country. Warm water invites people to discover underwater features like volcanic rock formations and caves, while small, rocky islands play host to birds and marine life searching for a quiet spot under the sun.

An extremely somber place to the people of El Salvador and the world, the El Mozote Monument memorializes the innocent civilians killed during El Salvador’s Civil War. Its tiles display the names of those murdered by the Atlacatl battalion. The silence, even when people are present, reminds you of the sadness and pain of war.

The National Museum of Anthropology (Museo Nacional de Antropología Dr. David J. Guzmán) houses two floors of Mayan and Salvadorian historical artifacts and cultural exhibits from pre-Columbian times. Visit for insights into Mesoamerican death rituals, crafts pieces of the past, and historical tidbits. It's conveniently located in the Zona Rosa area of El Salvador’s capital city, San Salvador.

La Laguna Botanical Garden is in a volcanic crater that erupted more than 2,200 years ago. After years of development for other commercial purposes, the land was turned into a botanical garden in 1976. It hosts more than 3,500 species of plants, including those used for medicinal and industrial purposes.

The Museum of the Revolution (Museo de la Revolucion Salvadorena) is located in the rural area of Perquín, a four- to five-hour drive from the capital, San Salvador. Past guerilla fighters from the country’s Civil War act as guides for the museum. Visitors come to get a civilian viewpoint on the war and to learn about the artillery and artifacts used.

From historic pieces like John Paul II’s Popemobile to more solemn items, such as dangerous weapons used in the Salvadoran Civil War, the El Zapote Barracks Military Museum is filled with collections that make for a great half-day history lesson on El Salvador’s past. Plus, the museum is housed in old barracks and its entrance is guarded by military soldiers.

With three volcanoes to scale (Cerro Verde, Izalco, and Santa Ana), hiking trails through the jungle, and a crater lake to explore all within its grounds, Cerro Verde National Park combines great views with booming biodiversity. Lying just 40 miles (64 kilometers) from San Salvador, the park is truly an outdoor adventurer’s dream, whether you’re climbing volcanic peaks, birdwatching in the wilderness, or kayaking on the lake.

Formed from a volcanic crater, Lake Coatepeque (Lago de Coatepeque) is famed for its vibrant color, which alternates from deep blue to clear turquoise. Visitors flock to the lake for its array of water sports, such as kayaking, boating and fishing, while the lakeside restaurants are a popular spot for anyone exploring the nearby Cerro Verde National Park.

The Museo de la Palabra y la Imagen, translated to the Museum of the Word and Image, was created in 1993 via a traveling exhibition. This campaign sought to capture the documents, stories, and photographs that told the history of violence and the civil rights violations suffered during years of conflict. MUPI became a full museum in 2003.

Monsenor Romero Center is a museum within the Department of Theology at Central American University in San Salvador. It was founded in 1985. A 1994 renovation and expansion added a memorial room, library, and rose garden. Its mission is to promote peace, justice, and harmony.

Easily reached from both Santa Ana and San Salvador, the Guajoyo River is a major tributary of the Lempa River, which flows into the Pacific south of San Salvador. The tributary itself only runs for 8.5 miles (14 kilometers), and is best known to tourists as the country’s top destination for white-water rafting.