Things to see and do El Salvador

The El Boquerón National Park is located on the volcano crater of the same name, at 1 800 metres above sea level. The main attraction of the park is, of course, the crater 5 km in diameter and close to 560 m deep, in which we see El Boqueroncito, a small volcanic cone. An information centre is located at the entrance to the park and several trails allow to follow the crest of the crater in the middle of a tropical forest. There are many hotels and restaurants, with a pleasant climate, more fresh than in the capital. Salvadorans go to the family weekend to walk, picnic and camp.

Destroyed by fire in the 1950s, San Salvador's Metropolitan Cathedral was rebuilt in 1999. It was the last cathedral built in the ^20th century. It is located on Plaça Cívica, a stone's throw from the National Palace. Although today the cathedral is all in white, this was not always the case.

Fernando Llort's mosaic destroyed. In 1997, the cathedral's facade was adorned with a gigantic mosaic, a beautiful work of art by Fernando Llort, using naive, Indian-inspired paintings in sparkling colors. The mosaic was destroyed on December 30, 2011, at the request of José Luis Escobar Alas, Archbishop of San Salvador, despite the opposition of the Llort family and government cultural and heritage authorities, who did everything in their power to protect the cathedral's priceless cultural heritage. Archbishop Alas cited aesthetic, maintenance and restoration reasons..

The tomb of Monsignor Óscar Romero, a human rights activist assassinated in 1980 during the civil war, is located in the cathedral's basement. The bronze-covered mausoleum measures 2.50 meters and was created by Italian sculptor Paolo Borghi. The tomb is a place of pilgrimage: John Paul II paid his respects there twice, in 1983 and 1996, and US President Obama in 2011. His beatification was celebrated in San Salvador on May 23, 2015 in front of 300,000 people.

It is a Salvadoran organization that depends on the government and works for the preservation of nature. It manages and protects natural areas in El Salvador: El Imposible and Los Volcanes National parks and Parque Bicentenario in San Salvador.

The El Jocotal lagoon was the first wetland to obtain international recognition in El Salvador by the Ramsar Convention on 22 January 1999. Located at the foot of the Chaparrastique volcano, it houses pastures, sugar cane crops and piment trees. The lagoon protects, on 4 479 hectares, the largest concentration of aquatic flora in the country (végétation-type vegetation, mangrove or wetland) as well as fish and 20 000 birds including 100 migratory species. The El Jocotal lagoon is of great natural beauty and fishermen stay there. It is not advisable to bathe due to snakes and caïmans who barbotent in its waters… It is possible to negotiate with fishermen to take a tour from the lagoon to the boat.

The Aramuca lagoon is equipped with a tourist centre offering swimming, boat trips and a restaurant service. A legend tells us that a huge horned snake lives in the depths of the Aramuca lagoon; According to another of these legends, it would be impossible to cross the lagoon apart because pieces of ice congéleraient the feet of the bold in the middle (you can always try the experiment!).

Later, 15 kilometres east of San Miguel, the Olomega lagoon is even more savage.

The Tecapa volcano, 2 kilometres south of Alegría, has a large crater with a beautiful lagoon. You can access it (and turn it around) into a vehicle. Thermal and fumaroles waters complete the tourism infrastructure. Despite the heat, these hot thermal waters are very frequented by Salvadorans who come to bathe. Naturally rich water is known for its healing powers. Walkers can follow Ruta Quemada (4 km), which passes through the lagoon and offers beautiful views over Jiquilisco bay. On the way, you can discover ausoles (geysers), these volcanic outbreaks that generate promising energy, geothermal. To discover with local guides. Gentlemen, attention if you swim in the lagoon: it is said that an siren lives there and falls in love with the beautiful young men, whose soul she steals, and which she basically provokes…

A beautiful natural reserve that allows a pleasant walk with a superb view of the Pacific Ocean while enjoying the fresh air of the volcanic mountains. The National park Walter Working Deininger stretches over 732 hectares and preserves medicinal plants, more than a thousand apple trees, but above all a dry tropical forest in which a varied fauna and flora is housed. Deer, carcajous, tattoos, garrobos, snakes and masacuata are some of the species living inside the park, in addition to 70 species of birds and about types of amphibians. Specialized guides can accompany you on the different paths.

El Mirador. This trail offers visitors a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. On this path you will discover a river, the Cueva del Encanto («Grotte de l'Enchantement») and its legend.

On the Chanseñora trail, the landscape will become exuberant with lush vegetation.

The trail of the river Amayo leads through a wood to the Cascade El Salto waterfall and its crystalline waters.

For the most adventurous, the fourth Coyolar Trail offers the opportunity to carry out an intense adventure with the free presence of guides. You can ride it on a 3 km road bike.

Cerro El Pericón is located 3 km north of Arambala, at 1 379 metres above sea level. From above, the view is breathtaking in the area of the Oriente.

You can visit a beautiful natural site, El Llano del Muerto, a large meadow where pines «set up their altières peaks». You can stay in the tourist centre of the same name after a good day of walking.

Close to Metapán, the lagoon of the same name will delight lovers of nature and soothe the excited. There is abundant fishing there: many carp (mojarras).

Ecotourism facilities have been installed, including a campsite, a centre for the observation of wildlife and flora as well as trails for long walks. There is also an escalation in the part of Peña Rajada. From the natural viewpoint, you can admire the view of San Ignacio, La Palma and see the forests and valleys of Honduras and Guatemala, as well as the eastern area of El Salvador.

Located near the city of San Miguel, the Chaparrastique volcano (2 132 metres), also known as San Miguel volcano, ejected on Sunday 29 December 2013, following an explosive eruption, a thick cloud of ash and gas that forced the authorities to evacuate the population established around the volcano. Some international flights have also had to be cancelled. The volcano remains active and continues to eject gases. But there was no new eruption. Before visiting the San Miguel area, it is recommended to consult the civil protection site of El Salvador: www.proteccioncivil.gob.sv. Surf mountain biking fans, contact the Garrobikes association on Facebook.

2 kilometres from the village falls the waters of the very beautiful waterfall of Los Tercios, whose polyédriques columns, on which water flows, about 30 meters, are interesting curiosity. To be seen mainly between May and October.