Things to see and do - El Salvador in 2025

Practical information : Sightseeing El Salvador

Timetable

Shops generally open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Supermarkets daily from 8am to 7pm, some until 11pm. Banks Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm and Saturday 9am to 12pm. For these establishments, the days of influence are in the middle and at the end of the month, when salaries are paid. Archaeological sites from Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 4pm, and national parks every day of the week, 8am to 4pm.

In El Salvador. Museums and historic sites are open Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 4 or 5pm. The World Heritage site, Joya de Ceren, is open daily from 8am to 4pm.

Main events

In El Salvador.

The most authentic events in the country are

:The Monday following Palm Sunday: Los talcigüines de Texistepequethis

tradition refers to the temptations Jesus underwent in the desert, the character of the devil and the drama of the passion. The word talciguín in the Nahuat language means "devilish man"; in reality, it's a dance with no music, accompanied only by the rhythm of a bell.

August 31 in Nejapa: las bolas de fuego or fireball festival commemorates a volcanic eruption in 1658. The town becomes a battlefield as two groups marinate cloth balls in kerosene, set them ablaze and throw them at each other.

September 7 in Ahuachapan, but also in Ateco and Apaneca: los Farolitos take place on the eve of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. The festivities include the lighting up of the streets with small lanterns made by the local population.

Guided tours

In El Salvador,

In archaeological sites such as Tazumal, or Joya de Ceren, it is possible to take a guided tour of the site in Spanish or English by an official site guide, at no extra cost (but a tip is welcome, as employees' wages are very low). For other tourist sites, guided tours are not available unless you go through a local tourist agency, which offers guided tours in Spanish, sometimes in English, rarely in French.

Things to see and do El Salvador

LES CHUTES DE MALACATIUPÁN

VOLCANO CHINGO

LA FINCA SAN ANTONIO

IGLESIA EL ROSARIO

EL TAZUMAL

MUSEO JOYA DE CERÉN

MUSEO DE ARTE DE EL SALVADOR (MARTE)

CEMENTERIO DE LOS ILUSTRES

BOAT EXCURSION

FABRU'S

COOPERATIVA LA SEMILLA DE DIOS

HACIENDA LOS NACIMIENTOS

LA LAGUNA CUZCACHAPA

BASILICA DEL SAGRADO CORAZÓN DE JESÚS

PARQUE NACIONAL EL BOQUERÓN

CATEDRAL DE SANTA ANA

CATEDRAL METROPOLITANA DE SAN SALVADOR

SALVANATURA

MEMORIAL OF THE VICTIMS OF THE MOZZARELLA DEL MOZOTE

TEATRO NACIONAL

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Practical information : Sightseeing El Salvador

Timetable

Main events

Guided tours