Still unknown to the general public, the Republic of El Salvador recently made headlines by being one of the first nations to adopt a crypto-currency as its national currency. But it is for other reasons that we invite you to discover this charming little country, nestled between the Pacific Ocean, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras. The tourist offer is quite diversified and will allow you to visit colonial villages, thick jungles, beautiful beaches or even to climb up a volcano during your stay. From the adventurer to the idler, there is something for everyone in El Salvador!
An unusual trip
El Salvador offers the traveler various original experiences such as the visit of the Mayan Pompeii, Joya de Cerén, a Mayan city destroyed by an eruption in the year 535 of our era. It is a remarkably preserved site offering a unique testimony of the daily life of the ancient Maya. This site was discovered in 1976 and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. Hiking enthusiasts will also be spoiled by the 21 volcanoes that dot this small country and allow, for example, to have breakfast while admiring the acidic waters of the lake hidden in the heart of the crater of the Santa Ana volcano, at an altitude of 2,380 meters, and to enjoy, a few hours later, the sunset on a beautiful Pacific beach.
Sustainable tourism
Far from mass tourism, you will often be alone during your visits to El Salvador and will be able to make the most of a preserved nature while hiking in the country's four protected national parks. Don't miss El Impossible for its impressive rios and waterfalls; discover the cloud forest of the Montecristo Reserve, a small corner of paradise on the border with Honduras and Guatemala; meet the local people and taste the country's excellent coffee or learn how to prepare the national dish, the delicious pupusas, made of corn flour, stuffed with different ingredients such as red beans, cheese, pork, etc. El Salvador is one of the countries in the world where the concept of sustainable tourism is fully understood, probably due to the late discovery of this little jewel by travelers from all over the world. Here, no excessive resorts, tourism in El Salvador is naturally ecoresponsible.
Warm population
Marveling at the beauty of El Salvador's landscapes is a first step in your discovery, but it is its people that you will fall in love with! There is no need for protocol to meet Salvadorans who will always be ready to help you. Whether you meet them at the bend of a mountain path or at the exit of a store in the center of the capital, they will always have a reassuring smile towards you. It is certainly by taking the famous road of flowers, which crosses many small colorful villages typical of the country, that you will have the most opportunities to meet Salvadoran families. But be careful, it will always be very difficult to say goodbye to these new friends with whom you will quickly feel like family!
Going further on the trail of the Maya
This overview of the country would be incomplete without mentioning the lands and habitats of the Maya, whose territory extended, in pre-Columbian times, from the north of the Yucatán in Mexico, to El Salvador, passing through Guatemala, Belize and Honduras. A trip to El Salvador can be devoted in whole or in part to this exceptional civilization of the first millennium of our era and whose many descendants still populate the region. In addition to the Mayan Pompeii mentioned above, several other pre-Columbian sites can be discovered, one of which, the site of the San Andres Valley, attracts the particular attention of historians because it houses a pyramid built of volcanic stones. This pyramid makes it possible to confirm the approximate date of the most powerful volcanic eruption that Central America knew during these last 10 000 years; it would have taken place between 530 and 540 of our era and this dating makes it possible to confirm that it would probably be responsible for the climatic cooling observed in the northern hemisphere around the year 535. The Maya still have many things to teach us!
To deepen the discovery of this extraordinary civilization, it is easy to complete a trip to El Salvador by a small circuit on the traces of the Maya, taking for example the way of Belize, then that of Guatemala, and ending in the Mexican Yucatán.
From El Salvador, it is easy to reach Honduras by road, then Belize by boat or by plane, before pushing on to Yucatán with a small detour through Guatemala... On your maps!
FUTURE INFO
When is the best time to visit?
The ideal season to discover El Salvador is from November to March, in the middle of the dry season, when hiking and most outdoor activities are possible. The months of October, April and May are also interesting, especially for surfers. As temperatures vary relatively little, El Salvador is a country that can be visited all year round if you are properly equipped.
Duration
A trip to El Salvador should ideally last at least two weeks in order to make the transatlantic trip worthwhile, but those who have the time will take an extra week or two to discover neighboring Mayan countries such as Honduras, Guatemala or Belize, or even the Mexican Yucatán.
Public
El Salvador is a country that will appeal primarily to lovers of nature and/or the Mayan civilization. It is indeed a small country in which the cities are not very developed and whose wealth is mainly located in the small villages with shimmering colors, on the seaside for the beaches, and especially in the mountains, on the side of volcanoes, in the heart of the raw nature.
The advantages
- A relatively untouched nature and a tourism still in its infancy are the guarantees of sincere and constructive encounters.
- The inhabitants of El Salvador are the best advertising argument of the country!
The minuses
- Security and infrastructure, which were highly criticized at the beginning of the century, have improved significantly thanks to the sustained efforts of the authorities. El Salvador is a pleasant country to travel in 2023.
Useful
There is a French-speaking team to guide you on the spot or during the preparation of your trip:
- EXPEDITION MAYA - More information on the site
Phone (and WhatsApp): +503 7631 7374
