Things to Do in El Salvador

This bustling urban center named after the famous 2nd century hero, Saint Thecla, is home to roughly 133,000 residents. Travelers to this thriving metropolis, which is tucked at the foot of San Salvador Volcano, can explore the nation’s unique arts, rich culture, deep-rooted religion and eclectic local life while wandering the streets of Santa Tecla.

From the famed halls of the Santa Tecla Museum—built as a prison in 1902—to the neo-classical architecture of the Municipal Palace, to the iconic El Carmen Cathedral, it’s the historical landmarks of Santa Tecla that make this city truly worth a trip. 

After exploring the history and architecture that makes Santa Tecla famous, visitors can unwind in Daniel Hernandez Town Square, where locals lounge on grassy patches of land under shaded trees to escape the heat. Travelers will find the three malls that make up Plaza Merliot to be the perfect place for purchasing local food, handicrafts and even designer items. 

Perched on a hilltop, overlooking the glittering waters of Lake Suchitlán, Suchitoto is among El Salvador’s most picturesque towns, a maze of timeworn cobblestones and well-preserved colonial architecture. 

Suchitoto’s tranquil surroundings and laid-back pace of life make it a popular retreat for capital dwellers, as well as nurturing a lively arts scene, and the streets are dotted with artist’s workshops, galleries and cozy cafés. The town’s most famous landmark is the striking white Iglesia Santa Lucia, but the area is most celebrated for its natural assets, with the neighboring Suchitlán reservoir sheltering a large variety of migratory birds and nearby sights including the Los Tercios Waterfall.

The national cathedral of El Salvador may not offer the same old-world architectural charms"”like ornate stone work and detailed religious statues"”of its European counterparts, but the iconic white Roman Catholic church is still a stunning monument and homage to San Salvador's deeply religious roots.

Once the site of a violent massacre where some 40 people were killed during a stampede at the funeral of Archbishop Oscar Romero, today the iconic structure offers a bit of peace and tranquility for visitors to this capital city. The white façade gives way to a colorful interior, where images of the Divine Saviour and a four-column bladcchino bless the main altar. Travelers can spend a moment in quiet contemplation, light a candle, and take in the massive paintings that depict moments in the life of Christ while on a visit to the nation's most famous cathedral. 

El Salvador is a nation that's experienced its share of tragedy in the last couple of decades. Violence, poverty, corruption, and conflict have taken their toll on local people all struggling to simply get by, and when Oscar Romero, a Catholic Archbishop, was murdered in 1980, one of their staunchest, most steadfast voices was instantly made a martyr. At the Monseñor Romero Center on the campus of UCA, graphic displays recount the tale of his death in the middle of Mass, as well as the brutal assassination of 6 Jesuit priests. It was here where the priests were dragged from their beds and executed in the night, and photos today display how their bodies were found the following morning. Visiting the Monseñor Romero Center is a moving and sobering journey, where a dose of perspective is interspersed with displays that hang on the wall. It's a must stop spot for anyone interested in El Salvador's modern history, and way to learn about one of the nation's most influential figures.