Santa Ana is one of the most popular cities to visit in El Salvador. This old colonial town has incredible sites, activities, volcanoes, great food, and more. It a great place to visit for a day or more and even a good spot to set up a base for exploring surrounding areas.
This was one of our favorite cities in the region, with just a great lively vibe and top attractions. Among those a beautiful volcano that is a popular day trip from town. We think you’ll enjoy your time, and we highly recommend visiting here. So, we put together this short guide to help with you planning. Read along.
Indigo Workshop
One of the fascinating things about El Salvador’s history is its position in the Indigo trade. The history is fraught with conflict with the arrival of the Spanish and the high demand for the dye. These days, El Salvador still leads Latin America in dye production, and coming here, you can experience some of the history yourself.
There are quite a few places to make Indigo creations in the city. You can talk with various shops around town and even make shirts or hats depending on what’s available. Our favorite, however, was the Casa Blanca Archeological Site. We made small cloth squares, which was enough for us, and we had various designs to choose from. There was even a cute studio cat to keep you company.
Catedral de Nuestra Señora Santa Ana
The seat of the Santa Ana parish, the Catedral, originally dates back to the late 16th century. However, lightning destroyed it in the 19th century, and it was rebuilt in the early 20th century.
The cathedral is often full of life with worshippers, and you should be mindful of tourism visits and photography. If you have the time, it’s worth a quick stop to explore the cathedral. My favorite part, though, is there are often events and performances in the front courtyard.
Parque Libertad
The main central square of Santa Ana. You’ll likely find yourself here on any city exploration, especially when looking for tourist information, food, or activities.
There seems always to be something going on. My favorite part was exploring all the booths that pop up along the square on various days. You should take time to explore, eat, and shop when you come. It’s also a fascinating place for people watching and such a beautiful space.
Santa Ana Volcano (Llamatepec)
Likely the main reason you came to Santa Ana for tourism. This large stratovolcano is the highest peak in the country and one of the most accessible to hike.
Located west of Lago de Coatepeque, the 2,381 m (7,812 ft) Llamatepec volcano offers impressive views over the Laguna Llamatepec and east to Lago de Coatepeque. The weather will greatly affect your view and hike.
The hike itself is not as challenging as I expected. It’s also far easier than many of the other well-known volcanos in the region. The views were beautiful and now I can say I’ve reached the highest point in El Salvador.
Getting here takes about 1 hour by car or 2 hours by bus (bus #248). The entrance fee is $6 for tourists, and guides cost an additional $3. If you choose to do taxi/uber, be sure to work with the driver to wait for you. Picking up a ride from the volcano is difficult.
Do you need a guide? Probably not these days. The trail is well-marked and traveled; it would be hard to get lost (especially on weekends). I know in the past, friends insisted guides were necessary. But it’s really a good way to help the local economy. They share some information on the hike and stop for good viewpoints.
Lago de Coatepeque
Located south of Santa Ana, Lago de Coatepeque is a lake in a huge caldera The caldera was formed by a series of eruptions believed to have occurred between 57,000 and 72,000 years ago. That’s a long span of time.
The lake is now the main focus of the area, as it is one of the largest in the country. Some hot spring waters remain along its edges. The lake and its island were also significant to the ancient Mayans.
The lake is a very popular destination for both local and foreign tourists. Hotels and restaurants are located alongside the lake, which are lovely to visit for a day or multiple days.
If you go, getting out on the water is popular at the lake. We recommend kayaking, canoeing, or even just relaxing along the water’s edge.
Old Art School
The old Mariano Mendez Art School is one of the most intriguing buildings in downtown Santa Ana. Located on Calle Jose Mariano Mendez, it was a victim of the Civil War. These days, it’s a far cry from its heyday as a beautiful school of fine arts.
But there’s a lot to the dilapidated state of the building and beauty to that as well. Visiting can be tricky. As far as I could tell, there’s a guard there nearly any time of day you’d want to visit. I’ve heard some folks have had luck walking past the guard or communicating with him. Overall there’s not much to do here but just to wander and admire the beauty of the place.
For a more official way in, you can get a permit from the tourist office in Parque Libertad. You’ll see a small office downstairs on your left when you enter and ask them for a permit (which is free).
National Theater of Santa Ana
This stunning building is another of the incredible architectural gems you’ll find in the town and in particular, Parque Libertad. The theater has more than 100 years of history and was a popular place for Salvadorean elites to spend evenings.
The exterior and interior are stunning. While seeing a show here is best, you can still take tours during their opening hours (below). The building has an eclectic mix of styles, including Romanesque, Greek, and Renaissance. Be sure to check the calendar of events for information on shows and events.
Hours: Wednesday through Sunday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Price: Foreigners $5
Parque Arqueológico Tazumal
Located in the nearby town of Chalchuapa, Tazumal is a series of Maya structures from the classical period (AD 250–900). The main structure is the massive central pyramid, which you can’t miss. There are also a few other small structures around it.
The site is relatively compact. There are options for guides at the site, but we found that during the busy periods, it was a bit of a wait. For those who want to explore on their own, it takes about 45 mins – 1 hour to explore the park. Guides will help a lot with explaining what each of the structures you see are and their history.
The site was excavated in the 1940s/50s, and it’s believed there is still far more that has not been excavated. The original archeologist used modern elements to stabilize the site and reconstruct it to what you see today.
Getting here takes about 20 minutes from Santa Ana, by car or Uber. We took an uber here, which was about $6-8 each way. Alternatively, you can take bus #218.
Casa Blanca Archaeological Site
Named for the plantation on which it sits, Casa Blanca protects important Mayan ruins from the Late Preclassic (500 BC-AD 250) and the Classic (AD 250–900) periods. The site consists of a small museum area and a circuit to walk between the various pyramids.
The site is small and infrequently visited compared to its neighbors. The pyramids here are related to the ones you’ll see at Tazumel and San Andres. We actually would not have heard of this place had it not been recommended for a visit by our guide in Joya de Ceren.
The site is worth a visit. However, you’ll be walking through more jungle than other sites, and there were far more bugs than we anticipated. Also, at the site, there is an option to pay for an indigo workshop, worthwhile if you haven’t done it elsewhere.
Getting here. We ended up walking here from Tazumel. You can alternatively take a under $2 Uber ride. The walk is fine, we ended up stopping at Laguna Cuzcachapa which is popular with locals but seems to have seen better days. Ubers from Santa Ana run under $10 each way.
Travel the Ruta de las Flores
The Flower Route as it translates into English is a road through the western highlands connecting a series of colonial towns. The road takes its name from the flowers that bloom along this route. The best time to do the route is from November to February when you have the highest chance to see wildflowers in bloom.
Most folks do this as a side trip from Santa Ana and you can do some of the highlights in a day or even do more over several days. Each of thte towns has something its known for such as night markets or beautiful historic churches and lovely small shops.
Most folks who go for a day trip usually center around Juajua the largest of the towns along hte route. Also known for the famous 7 Waterfalls Hike. It’s also a good option to base yourself and explore out to the various towns along the route.
Museo de Joya de Cerén
The only UNESCO World Heritage site in El Salvador, Joya De Ceren, is remarkable and certainly one of a kind. While many Mayan temples exist throughout the Americas, this “Pompeii of the Americas” is the only discovered preserved Mayan Village.
The site was discovered when they were trying to build in the area, and excavators and construction vehicles were digging to level the ground. A construction vehicle hit one of the walls of a building, thus leading to the discovery we see today.
The site is still in a state of discovery and preservation. You’ll still see active work sites as you travel through the various locations within the park. You’ll get a guide as part of your entrance, and it’s worthwhile, as we learned so much from the visit. One other thing I found interesting is the small Turquoise-browed motmots that live in the ruins. The beautiful birds have increased site erosion by making nests in the walls.
Where to Stay in Santa Ana
There’s plenty of options for stays in Santa Ana and overall we found options that were clean and quite reasonable.
- Hostal Casa Verde: One of the most popular options so it can book out fast. Very clean, central, and with a good breakfast.
- Hostal Las Puertas: Great Location in Central Santa Ana. The rooms were comfortable and had air conditioning. I liked the small courtyard.
- Velvet Hostal: It’s in a great location, and breakfast is included. The rooms were quite clean, and it’s a great option.
- Kali Hotel: Moderately priced and centrally located. Clean, friendly staff, and included breakfast.
- Remfort Hotel: Great hotel but on the pricier end of Santa Ana. 24-hour front desk is nice for those arriving at weird hours. Breakfast Included.
Where to Eat
There are quite a lot of places to eat in Santa Ana. There are options for those who want to eat local delicacies or even some non-local ones. We liked that there was a great selection of places, especially when we got tired of pupusas.
- La Ceiba: We were told this is the top spot for pupusas in Santa Ana, and they didn’t disappoint. It’s a great local spot that is not fancy at all, which is the right vibe for pupusas.
- Food Stands: Throughout central Santa Ana (especially Parque Libertad) you’ll find many small food stands. There’s so much selection and pretty good turn-over. You’ll find great options to snack.
- Artisant: An excellent option for those looking for something non-Salvadorean. They make a great burger, fixings, and sides.
- Simmer Down: Another great option for non-local food. Simmer Down has an eclectic clientele that matches its eclectic menu. It’s best known for its pizza, which is surprisingly tasty.
Is Santa Ana El Salvador and Safe?
This is the question and comment we got most from friends and family when we said we were visiting, especially for those who are from or have lived in Central America. El Salvador has a reputation for safety concerns; I know it crossed my mind.
While things were undoubtedly really bad in the past, from what we gathered, things have significantly improved. We never felt in danger during our time in Santa Ana or anywhere else in El Salvador. We even traveled on local buses and even walked around at night.
Things have improved a lot in terms of safety in the country and we felt it. Everyone who we talked to had noted how much safety has improved in the last few days. There’s obviously some controversy on the methods and we are not here to discuss politics.
However, I think it should be without question that you should always be careful when traveling. Don’t flash money or belongings. Always look like you have a destination in mind. Be aware of your surroundings at all time.
What is the Currency in El Salvador?
I was surprised to learn that El Salvador uses the US Dollar. Things are cheap here, but not as cheap as some other destinations in the region, and the currency may contribute to that.
Before 2001, El Salvador used the Colon, but due to inflation issues, it abandoned the currency and adopted the US dollar. You can still find Colones in the country, although they are primarily on display (or sold for far more than their face value).
In 2021, El Salvador also officially adopted Bitcoin as a second official currency. The announcement was lauded and lampooned in the media. I’m unsure if this is more of a gimmick than anything else, as using Bitcoin in the country is difficult (except for large stores).
We recommend sticking with US dollars. Dollar coins are prevalent in the country (and pennies absent), so coins are handy if you have any.
Getting to Santa Ana
By Air
The closest airports to Santa Ana are actually in San Salvador. The main airport, El Salvador International Airport, is located 40 minutes southeast of San Salvador (about 1.5 hours from Santa Ana). Ubers from the airport to Santa Ana can run about $80 each way. Buses are available but require you to change in San Salvador.
There is another airport, Ilopango International Airport, which was the main airport prior to the civil war. These days, however, it serves destinations in Guatemala and Honduras.
By Bus
Bus service is available from San Salvador to Santa Ana. Buses to Santa Ana leave from the Terminal de Buses de Occidente in Central San Salvador. Buses arrive at Terminal de autobuses TUDO, Santa Ana. Note that the Santa Ana terminal is about 4 km outside the city center. You can walk, take a bus, or a sub-$2 Uber.
Prices run from $1-2 depending on the bus class. We recommend looking for one of the Especial buses that are air-conditioned and more comfortable. It can take about 90 mins to 2 hours to travel between cities.
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