Over the years, El Salvador’s capital, San Salvador, has been rocked by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, civil war, and a shady rep amongst travelers, who often overlook it in favor of other tourist attractions. But give it a chance, and you’ll find a shiny and welcoming cosmopolitan city filled with historical, cultural, and natural wonders—from world-class museums to nearby volcanoes and the Pompeii of Central America, Joya de Cerén. Add in designer shopping malls, some of the country’s best hotels, and a buzzing nightlife, and you’ll soon see why El Salvador’s capital city is also its best-kept secret—with endless things to do.
While the best time to visit San Salvador is during El Salvador’s dry season (between November and April), it’s also an excellent year-round destination, with plenty of indoor attractions, museums, and shopping malls to keep you cool and dry during the hot, wet summer months. The capital is busiest over Christmas and New Year, as well as Semana Santa when many Salvadorans return home to see their families and join the celebrations.
San Salvador is surprisingly easy to get around for a pretty big city—the second-largest in Central America. Although traffic can be a little hectic, the public bus system is pretty good and affordable, and there are excellent connections from San Salvador to the rest of the country and across Central America. If you prefer to travel in cabs, there are also many taxis and ride-share cars around the city; just make sure you opt for licensed ones, particularly if you’re traveling at night.
San Salvador is one of the few places in the country that offers travelers a deeper insight into El Salvador’s past, present, and future. The Museum of Words and Images (MUPI), the Art Museum of El Salvador, and the National Museum of Anthropology (MUNA) are all good places to start, while other destinations like Iglesia El Rosario tell a very different story. It’s also well worth taking a city tour, where a local guide will take you to all the capital’s best sights while filling you in on all the things a guidebook can’t.
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San Salvador is worth visiting, especially if you’re interested in history, culture, or shopping. A great starting-off point for exploring the rest of the country, San Salvador has the nation’s best museums and art galleries—including lots about the civil war—as well as other must-see attractions like the National Theater, the National Palace, and La Laguna Botanical Garden.
...MoreMost travelers to San Salvador spend a few days in the city, which is long enough to visit the museums, the palace, the cathedral, the botanical gardens, and the nearby Boquerón Volcano. Home to some of the best hotels in the country, San Salvador can also be a good base for travelers wanting to visit nearby tourist attractions like Joya de Cerén, Suchitoto, El Tunco, and Santa Ana.
...MoreThe capital of El Salvador, San Salvador is probably best known as the jumping-off point to get to El Tunco and the surf beaches on the Pacific Coast. However, there’s more to this city than the transport links. It’s also home to excellent museums, mega malls, fascinating architecture, and awesome pupuserías serving up El Salvador’s national dish.
...MoreWhile some people could spend a whole day in San Salvador shopping in the many mega malls around the capital, there are plenty of other things to keep everyone happy, from nature lovers to history enthusiasts and, of course, foodies. A good day might start with a trip to the Art Museum of El Salvador and the National Museum of Anthropology (MUNA), involve lots of Salvadoran coffee and pupusas, and maybe a trip up to the top of El Boquerón volcano to check out the epic views.
...MoreLike many other Central American capital cities, San Salvador doesn’t have the best safety reputation. However, if you follow common sense like keeping your valuables out of sight or, even better, leaving them in the hotel safe—and avoid certain parts of the city, especially at night, San Salvador is pretty safe for tourists.
...MoreAs with most Central American urban areas, certain places are better than others, and some—like Soyapango, Apopoa, and Mejicanos—are probably best avoided at all costs. The upscale neighborhood of Escalón is especially popular with travelers, while Colonia San Benito is also a good option.
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