Steeped in history and surrounded by nature, El Salvador’s second-biggest city, Santa Ana, is far friendlier and laid-back than its capital. Although a volcano destroyed all traces of its Mayan roots, Santa Ana’s historical center is still a big draw, and has acted as the social heart of the city since the Spanish arrived in the 16th century. You’ll find some of the top things to do in Santa Ana in and around Parque Libertad (Liberty Park), the city’s main square. Here, you will find the neo-Gothic cathedral and National Theater of Santa Ana, as well as markets and street food galore. Some of Santa Ana’s most treasured attractions, however, lie outside of the city limits, including Santa Ana Volcano (Ilamatepec), Lake Coatepeque, and the pre-Columbian archaeological site of Tazumal.
Santa Ana has a warm year-round climate with two distinct seasons: a humid and wet summer season and a cooler, drier winter. Perhaps a little counterintuitively, the summer is the busiest time of year, even though the winter months are better suited to outdoor activities, like climbing volcanoes in Cerro Verde National Park and exploring Mayan ruins.
Santa Ana may be the second-biggest city in El Salvador, but the majority of the city sights—including the Cathedral of Our Lady Saint Anne (Catedral de Nuestra Señora Santa Ana)—are all clustered around the easily walkable Parque Libertad. If you’re planning on heading further afield for day trips, you can rent a car, take a taxi, join a tour, or jump on a local bus.
If time is of the essence, you can squeeze most of the attractions in the city center into just one day—though you may want to add in a little time to grab a cup of coffee and do some people-watching in Parque Libertad. Day tours are also a great way to combine activities like hiking Santa Ana Volcano with sightseeing at Lake Coatepeque, eating your way around the Juayua weekend market (Feria Gastronomica), and visiting all the different Mayan ruins.
