El Salvador-Discover a Surprise Destination!

EL SALVADOR-WHY GO?

Twenty-five volcanoes--one, Izalco, which can be viewed from nearby Cerro Verde Park, is still smoking!

A cloud forest with a stunning view of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras from the summit.

Museum of the Revolution and El Mazote-Arambala Civil War Memorial Massacre sites

200 miles of unspoiled and uncrowded Pacific Coast beaches, coves, and bays

The best surfing in Central America

Colonial and indigenous villages where time has stood still

Humongous arts and crafts--several towns are dedicated to the making of these native crafts, such as La Palma in the North and Ilobasco in the East of the country.

You will find throughout all of El Salvador friendly and industrious people, always ready to assist you and to practice their English (almost 60% of El Salvadorians have relatives living and working abroad).

Most importantly, El Salvador is an uncrowded, exotic, and surprise destination: no tourist hordes here!

Quick Tips:

Donald Lee, a long-term retired North American resident of El Salvador and Guatemala (view his bio at http://www.jetsetliving.com/article/postcard_from_latin_america.html) offers first-time visitors to San Salvador a free half-day welcome tour, including the archaeological museum, botanical gardens, and arts and crafts market (Mercado de Artesinias). This is a guide service only - client provides admission fees and transport, taxi, car rental, etc. The three locations are all located within 3 km (2 miles) of one another. Donald can also reserve lodgings, transportation, and guide services for you if you contact him well in advance of your departure. Email: donaldlee@thepolyglots.com

Best Way To Get Around:

The country is small, about the size of Maryland in the USA, and most attractions within the country can be visited within 3 to 4 days with rental car or on Tour. El Salvador is not kind to "low-budget" backpackers or independent travelers. Local transport is cheap but crowded, and there are no luggage racks.

Local tour operators provide minivans and drivers for small groups at moderate prices. Otherwise, if planning on taking local transport, base yourself in the centrally located capital city of San Salvador and find a place to leave your luggage.

The Anthropological Museum of El Salvador is located in San Salvador's upscale Colonia San Benito. The new museum traces the history of our land from prehistoric through pre-Hispanic Mayan, times then onwards to post-Hispanic Colonial and up to the modern times, a fascinating journey through the history and culture of a little-known land.

THE BEACHES AND THE PACIFIC COAST

One reason, perhaps the main reason, to visit El Salvador is the tiny country’s 330km or 220 miles of Pristine Pacific Coastline, far too much for one to describe in the limited space provided here, so dear reader, for information on any aspect of El Salvador’s Coast, world-class surfing and water sports, lodgings, and other things to do, contact Hugo Villarroel of Pacific Route, based in the famed fishing port of La Libertad, by email at pacificroute@navegante.com.sv. Hugo is a multilingual native of Chile who has resided over 30 years in El Salvador, working as a professional photographer, journalist, and tourism specialist. Pacific Route can assist you with any El Salvador vacation planning.