Located in the center of Santa Ana, Santa Ana National Theater rubs shoulders with the Santa Ana Cathedral and Parque Libertad, which became the city's center after the Spanish takeover in the 17th century. After a decade of construction, the theater finally opened in 1912 with a production of the Italian opera, Rigoletto.
Best visited as part of a tour, the no-expense-spared theater features elements from worldwide. Visitors can explore three levels linked by sweeping staircases and salons with crystal chandeliers dangling from painted ceilings and learn about a century of history from both sides of the velvet curtains.
Santa Ana Theater is one of the main cultural attractions in Santa Ana.
Perfect for families, couples, and solo travelers alike, visiting Santa Ana Theater is a short but sweet way to learn about Santa Ana’s fascinating history.
Check to see what is on before you go. Even if you can’t make a screening, the theater is open for visitors most days (entry fees apply), and there is a small museum on the ground floor.
You can explore the theater as part of a day tour or show up and join a private guided tour.
The theater offers nice, modern restrooms for paying visitors.
Many food and drink options are nearby, from street food stalls in the square to sit-down Western-style restaurants.
Santa Ana Theater is found in the center of Santa Ana on Avenida Independencia. It is opposite Parque Libertad and next to Santa Ana Cathedral. It can be reached by taxi and local bus, although you’ll have to walk into the city center from the bus station if you’re coming from San Salvador or La Ruta de Las Flores. It’s also easily walkable on foot from around Santa Ana.
The best time to visit Santa Ana Theater is during a show when you’ll have the chance to see the century-old theater in all its softly-lit, red velvet glory. However, if that isn’t possible, it’s also a great place to visit during the day, when the daylight illuminates the grand decor, and you can admire it in peace. It’s accessible all year round.
Santa Ana may be known as El Salvador’s “second city” after San Salvador, but it was actually the country’s economic powerhouse at the beginning of the 20th century, with coffee growing and production at an all-time high. This “Golden Age of coffee,” as it was known, led to a cultural revolution designed to put the city on par with its arch-rival. The theater’s construction was funded by taxes on the local coffee growers, who wanted to enjoy world-class performances in their own theater without going to the capital.