Suchitoto is a popular town to visit no matter your interests, simply because it’s one of the few in the country that still retains well-preserved colonial architecture. Once ravaged by civil war, Suchitoto is now a hub for arts and culture, as well as outdoor recreation. You’ll want a full day to explore the galleries, artist workshops, and cafés, then another full day to explore the landscape. Day-tours leaving from San Salvador are a convenient way to see the highlights of Suchitoto with limited time.
Most weekends feature markets and arts or food festivals.
Lake Suchitlan is a large, artificial lake, and is home to small islands that you can kayak or boat to.
The Cascada Los Tercios is an easy hike that you can access by foot from town, though the waterfalls are typically only active between June and November.
Suchitoto is 37 miles (60 kilometers) from San Salvador, and can be reached by taking public bus route 129, which is the cheapest and slowest option. Private car hire and shared shuttles are also available, along with organized tours.
The dry season (December through May) is an ideal time to visit for outdoor activities, while January also brings the annual Guazapa Mountain Festival, and the city hosts an international festival of arts and culture on weekends in February. In general, Suchitoto tends to have higher crowds on the weekends thanks to the Asi es mi Tierra Artisan Market, which is a must-visit for handicraft souvenir shopping.
You won’t need much convincing to spend more than a day in Suchitoto, and if you’ve got time to spare, consider taking the ferry across the lake to the Chalatenango Department. The ferry docs at San Francisco Lempa, where you can enjoy other waterside hikes and dining.