Located about 90 minutes (53 km) from San Salvador, Suchitoto is a beautiful historic town on Lake Suchitlán. The city is known for its famous waterfalls, stunning architecture, and cobblestone streets.
There’s quite a bit to do in this small town and enough to fill up a full day or even a weekend. We help you plan your itinerary for your visit.
Cascada los Tercios
Location: Carr. a Cinquera, Suchitoto
The top sight and probably the reason most folks hear about Suchitoto is the Los Tercios waterfall, a unique wonder with its beautiful basalt rock formations. These rock columns were created by ancient volcanic activity, giving the waterfall a surreal look.
The waterfall is best during the rainy season (May to October). The hike is very short, and a few vistas are also in the area. Those who are up for it can hike lower down on the rocks to get a better view of the waterfall.
The waterfall is an excellent stop on your way to or from the town. If possible, go early. During our visit, we were the only ones present. There is paid parking near the waterfall.
Boat Ride on Lake Suchitlan
Location: Puerto San Juan, Suchitoto
Lake Suchitlan is a beautiful artificial lake on the edge of Suchitoto. Formed by the Cerrón Grande Dam, the lake has become a haven for local wildlife such as herons, pelicans, and hawks.
There are several different boat options that are available here. Along the port, you’ll see several different-sized boats and different options for itineraries. It’s crucial to negotiate exactly what you want, especially if crowds are low. You can even visit several different sites, including islands within the lake.
Be sure to ask how long the boat ride is, as well. Depending on your schedule, you may want more or less time, and being stuck or feeling cheated definitely hurts.
Lunch at Puerto San Juan
Location: Puerto San Juan, Suchitoto
Even if you don’t plan to get out on the water, the Port is a lovely spot to stop at. There’s a “food hall” here that has quite a few different booths. I found it a great place to stop and get a reasonably priced meal.
Also, the view and area on the water is a nice place just to relax and stay awhile. It’s a nice respite from exploring the town.
I recommend walking through and checking a few menus before deciding where to sit. The places and prices vary.
Casa De Alejandro Cotto
Location: Suchitoto, El Salvador
One of the most incredible houses in El Salvador, Casa De Alejandro Cotto, is the former home of Alejandro Cotto, the renowned Salvadoran filmmaker. The house showcases important relics from his life, film memorabilia, arts, and antiques.
You can wander through the various rooms of the house, getting up close with personal information, photographs, and information. I learned so much about Cotto, given that I knew nothing before visiting.
The grounds were the most impressive part of the tour. My favorite part was wandering among the large trees and beautiful tiles. Be sure to wander all the way to the end along the serpent tiles to see the beautiful views of the lake.
Peace Arts Center
Location: 2a Calle Pte. 5, Suchitoto
Housed in a former convent, the Peace Arts Center feels like an oasis in the town. The center specializes in art, education, and social programs, and you’ll often see various programs going on when you visit.
We explored the grounds and the small exhibits within the buildings as well. There are also quite a few murals and other art pieces along the site’s grounds.
Beyond the arts, the center is also an important institution of peace, promoting understanding of the Salvadoran Civil War, reconciliation, and training. It’s worth a stop, even a quick one, to get a sense of this beautiful place and its important spot in the local community.
Indigo Shopping & Workshop
Location: Multiple
Indigo has had an essential place in Salvadorian History. It was one of the most important sites of indigo cultivation and a major export of the country. Even today, Indigo is still an export crop of El Salvador, even with synthetics used widely.
You can find Indigo across the country, but there is a lot in and around Suchitoto. There are beautiful Indigo shops to explore, especially those adjacent to Central Park. Several of these also have Indigo workshops where you can learn about indigo cultivation and its usage in dying. These vary in price depending on what items you dye.
Note that we didn’t do a workshop here in Suchitoto since we did it in another town in El Salvador.
Museo de la Moneda
Location: 4a Calle Pte., Suchitoto
Museo de la Moneda is a small museum that traces the history of currency in El Salvador. Located in a historic building, the museum exhibits various banknotes and coins from different historical times. The site includes pre-Columbian trade items, Spanish colonial coins, and modern currencies.
This is interesting as El Salvador currently uses the US Dollar, so tourists don’t otherwise interact with their currency, the Colones.
The site has various exhibits on the economics of trade and banking. It’s a great way to understand how trade and commerce have shaped El Salvador through the ages.
A Thousand Plates And More Museum
Location: 2a Calle Ote., Suchitoto
If you are a fan of the quirky, then the A Thousand Plates & More Museum is a fun, quick excursion. The museum occupies a small storefront and contains walls full of interesting plates collected from around the world.
The plates are not explicitly related to anything Salvadorean and encompass many different locations and stories. The folks running it only speak Spanish, so it may be hard to grasp some of what’s being shared if you don’t.
They also showcase non-plate related items such as photos and currency. This was cool for me as it was the first spot I saw Colones (since El Salvador now uses the $US dollar).
Central Park
Location: Plaza Central Suchito
Central Park is the heart of the city. The Plaza is the best place to explore for shops, restaurants, people-watching, and getting a feel for the city of Suchitoto. The Santa Lucia Church (described below) also bookends one of the sides of the park.
Along the tree-lined square are some of the best shops in the city for indigo and other tourist goods. There are also some great restaurants (with nice outdoor seating). During weekends, artisans often showcase local crafts in the park as well. It is the liveliest area in all of Suchitoto.
For visitors, this is likely to be their first stop in the town. We recommend spending time here and exploring the various cobblestone streets fanning out from the park.
Santa Lucia Church
Location: Plaza Central, Suchitoto
The most important church in the town, Santa Lucia Church, has a prominent place in its history and geographically in its center. The church is a stunning 18th-century example of neoclassical design featuring a beautiful white exterior, wooden altars, stunning religious craftsmanship, and lovely bell towers.
The site hosts regular religious ceremonies and traditional festivals. It’s often full of tourists and locals alike paying their respect to the site and religion. I really enjoyed the warm, peaceful interior of the church.
Where to Stay in Suchitoto
- Hostal Koltin Suchitoto: A great budget option within the town between the downtown and Casa de Alejandro Cotto. Don’t avoid it cause of the name; it has cheap, clean private rooms with ensuites and included breakfasts.
- Casa Hotel Santa Lucia: One of the better-located hotels in the city, with clean rooms and friendly staff. The included breakfast is a highlight here and pretty good.
- Los Almendros de San Lorenzo: Possibly the best in town, which is reflected in the price. Great location near the center of town with lovely rooms, excellent service, and great breakfast. If you want comfort and willing to splurge (for El Salvador) check it out.
How to Get to Suchitoto
By Bus
The Cheapest way to get to Suchitoto from San Salvador is by bus. Take Bus 129 from Terminal Plaza Amanecer. The cost is $1 USD, and it takes about 90 minutes.
By Car
This is the most comfortable option. You can either drive yourself or take a taxi or Uber.
If you are planning a day trip to Suchitoto, you can negotiate with a driver in San Salvador. They will often take you there to various sites (city center, waterfall, lake/port) and back to your hotel in San Salvador.
This option will likely cost $30 or more, depending on how many stops you make and how long you plan to stay in Suchitoto.
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