El Salvador Vacation Package

Experience El Salvador’s Hidden Wonders

Get ready for the trip of a lifetime with this El Salvador vacation package. You’ll find yourself on the go from the time you land, with plenty to see as you tour the capital city of San Salvador. Enjoy visiting the famous El Boqueron in the center of the city before visiting some of the historic markers throughout. You’ll travel through cloud forests and visit volcanoes, climb summits and swim in crater lakes and waterfall pools.

El Salvador offers a wonderful mix of both nature and culture and this tour will give you a taste of both. Experience the real El Salvador as you mix with the locals in small towns, relax on the beach, or enjoy simply delicious food everywhere you go. This country is ready to win you over, so give it a try. 

Lake Coatepeque

Stunning natural jewel

Cerro Verde

El Salvador’s volcanic heart

Suchitoto

El Salvador’s cultural capital

Lake Ilopango

A lake of vibrant life

Highlights

There’s something for everyone with this El Salvador vacation package. If you like beaches, we have several to choose from, including El Cuco and Las Tunas. You’ll visit Volcano Conchagua, El Boqueron, and several others on your journey through the country, reveling in the cool waters of the crater lakes. You can even soak in geothermal springs at Santa Teresa Spa and let the healing minerals do their job. 

Trek through the forest at Cinquera Reserve and listen to the stories told her by the guerrillas who once fought between these very trees. You’ll also have a chance to visit colonial towns like Suchitoto, Ataco, and Santa Ana. Interested in Mayan ruins? That’s also on our itinerary! You’ll stop by Tazumal’s archeological site and go even further back in history. Ready for the adventure?

Itinerary

You’ll land in El Salvador’s International airport in San Salvador where our guide will meet you. Take a minute to settle into your beautiful hotel and then the adventure begins with a trip to El Boqueron National Park. The park is in the middle of the city, so it’s a quick trip to see one of the most impressive natural sights in El Salvador. Depending on your schedule, the following may be split into two days.

El Boqueron is a valuable habitat to many animals native to the area, including armadillos, white-tailed deer, agoutis, raccoons, foxes and woodpeckers, owls, and hawks. As we hike to the top of the San Salvador Volcano, keep watch for some of these creatures. We’ll be walking through a beautiful cloud forest, but the best scenery is at the summit. The crater of the volcano has a smaller crater within that, making it a fun photo op.

After your trip up the volcano, we’ll head back down to the city for a short driving tour. As the capital city of El Salvador, San Salvador is essentially the cultural and political center of the country. In fact, roughly 60% of the country’s GDP is generated in this single city. 

We’ll travel the streets to see some of the more impressive sights here, including the National Palace, Metropolitan Cathedral, Plaza Libertad, Plaza Barrios, and the National Theater. Since the country’s civil war (1980-1992), El Salvador has worked hard on improving the city’s look and safety, while also trying to retain the indigenous and colonial heritage here. 

  • One night in San Salvador.

We leave the beautiful capital city today to visit Lake Coatepeque, located in the Santa Ana Department. First, though, we’ll stop by Joya de Ceren, a Mayan farming village discovered in 1976 during construction work. Preserved under volcanic ash, the town is in excellent condition and serves as a valuable key to life in Mayan times. It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to the amazing fact that even organic materials such as thatched roofs and food were preserved by the ash. You’ll learn about the ancient techniques used in farming, as well as village life as we explore. Then it’s off to Lake Coatepeque.

Over 50,000 years ago, a volcano erupted, forming a massive crater where Lake Coatepeque is today. The 10 square mile lake is a stunning blue to turquoise color, depending on the levels of mineral deposits in the water. In the middle of the lake, there are two small islands, with the larger one, Teopan Island, serving as a sacred site for the indigenous people of the area. 

We’ll take some time to enjoy the beauty of this lake and you’ll see exactly why it’s a popular holiday spot. Geothermal hot springs, restaurants and sacred caves with petroglyphs nearby also make it a good place to explore. We’ll have lunch by the lake before continuing our journey. We’ll visit Cerro Verde, a dormant volcano surrounded by cloud forest before arriving at our destination in Concepcion de Ataco. You’ll have a chance to walk around and see the surrounding volcanos from a panoramic viewpoint.

  • Two nights in Concepcion de Ataco.

Today, you have the opportunity to follow a beautiful scenic and cultural route through the western highlands of the country. It’s called the Flower Route, perhaps due to the lovely flowers that grow alongside the road. Towns including Concepcion de Ataco, Apaneca, Juayua, Nahuizalco, and Salcoatitan form the route. Each town has its own charm, but we’ll head to Juayua first. 

Juayua is a tiny mountain town best known for its impressive Gastronomic Food Festival every weekend. If you’re here over the weekend, be prepared to stuff yourself with delicious Salvadoran foods. After exploring the colonial church that sits in the center of town and seeing the Black Christ statue here, we’ll visit the local handicraft market so you can purchase some souvenirs. Next, we’ll hike up to La Caldera waterfall. Four waterfalls pour through tunnels and provide both water and electricity for the town.

You’ll have the option to continue on and visit more towns on the route or you can take a coffee tour and learn more about how the world’s favorite beverage is grown and processed. If nature is more interesting to you, we can also walk to a hidden lagoon deep in the cloud forest. Add-on activities include ziplines, buggy and ATV tours, or visiting Cafe Albania, an adventure park known for its huge rainbow slide.
Finally we’ll head back to the hotel for the night and you’ll have some time to explore the pretty town of Ataco, with its cobbled streets and beautiful art. There are plenty of cafes to visit and you can also visit artisan markets here. 

Just a 15 minute drive from Ataco, we come to the famous Santa Teresa Thermal Spa. Just as you might suspect, the spa is powered by geothermal springs, featuring over 30 pools with mineral-rich, naturally heated waters. It’s said to be therapeutic to take a soak in the pools,but if you want to really boost the benefits, consider one of the mineral mud treatments made from the mud right in the springs. There are also volcanic steam sweat lodges where you can detox just like in a sauna. 

Once you’ve soaked away the aches of previous travel days, we’ll move on to Tazumal in Chalchuapa. This is a pre-Columbian archeological site that was inhabited between 1200 BCE to 1200 CE and served as a valuable ceremonial center in its times. It was an important link between sites like Tula and Teotihuacan in Mexico, Kaminaljuyu in Guatemala, and Copan in Honduras. 
Archeologists have found both Maya and Toltec influences in the art and architecture at Tazumal. You can now take a tour through the city to learn more about its history and then visit the Stanley Boggs Museum.

On our way to the hotel, we’ll stop in Santa Ana, the second largest city in El Salvador, and visit the historical center. Santa Ana’s town center features some impressive architecture, including the Santa Ana Cathedral built in Gothic and Byzantine styles, City Hall, and the National Theater. It’s a beautiful piece of history that you’ll enjoy checking out before we head to the hotel in Suchitoto.

  • Three nights in Suchitoto.

You’ll wake up in the colonial town of Suchitoto, where there is no doubt the Spanish had a hand in building the place. This was the original location of San Salvador, back in 1528, but the capital was quickly moved to its current location. Today, Suchitoto is popular for its artsy feel, cultural festivals, and its many museums. Be sure to wear good walking shoes on the cobbled streets!

We’ll take a tour of the town so you can learn a little more about its history. On this tour, you’ll have a chance to visit the Santa Lucia church, which was built mid-1800’s. The original church was badly burned in the late 18th century, but has been restored. We will also visit the Arts for Peace Center, Cigar Ladies workshop, and walk to the Waterfall “Los Tercios.”
If you are still up for an adventure, you can pay for a pupusa workshop where you’ll learn to make the traditional stuffed tortilla of El Salvador or an indigo dyeing workshop. These are both optional.

After a delicious breakfast, we will visit the Cinquera Ecological Park, a vital part of El Salvador’s checkered past. Guerrilla fighters hid in the dense forest here and used the trees for protection from attacks. These same fighters established a reserve after the war out of respect for the forest that kept them alive. As we walk through the area, you’ll see the rebel hospital, kitchen, and other important places. The guides here are usually former guerrillas who can give you a personal look at what life in the forest was like. 

In addition to its history, Cinquera Reserve also provides water for the region and provides a powerful reminder of how resilient humans are. You can also take a dip in the cool waters at the base of a waterfall and snap some photos from the viewpoints that let you see the beauty of the forest from above.

In the afternoon, we’ll head to Lake Suchitlan, also known as the Cerron Grande Reservoir. It’s the largest lake in the country, formed by the Cerron Grande Hydroelectric Power Plant on the Lempa River. The lake not only provides electricity for the nation, it’s also an important habitat for a variety of fish, waterfowl, and migratory birds. The many islands throughout the lake provide the perfect refuge for birds. We’ll hop on a boat and tour the lake, checking out the bird-filled islands before watching the sun set over the stunning blue water. 

We’re on our way to the beach today! We’ll stop at a lookout on the way to sip fresh coffee and look out over Lake Ilopango. Steep hills surround the lake formed in the crater of a volcano. Crystal clear waters make the lake a popular destination for tourists and locals alike and it’s a hotspot for water activities, like kayaking, sailing, and fishing. While the area is still somewhat active, the lake itself is cool water. You can find hot springs and fumaroles nearby, though.
After checking out the lake, it’s off to the Pacific Ocean. You have two choices for where you want to stay:

El Cuco Beach – This beach features both golden sand and black volcanic sand. It’s a popular surfing spot, thanks to the waves, but swimming, sailing, paddle boarding, etc. are also popular here. It’s not a big tourist destination, so you’re more likely to meet locals here. Enjoy hiking, viewing wildlife, or sampling delicious seafood dishes.

Las Tunas Beach – This beach is famous for its rock formations, but it also has grand expanses of black volcanic sand. If the sea is rough, smaller pools in the rocks are the perfect alternative. The waves here tend to be smaller than El Cuco, making it more family friendly.

  • Three nights at the beach of your choice.

Get your hiking shoes on, because today we’re visiting Volcano Conchagua. While the volcano is dormant or possibly extinct, both of its peaks, Cerro del Ocote and Cerro de La Bandera have fumaroles. The volcano is said to be home of the Lenca jaguar princess goddess, Comizahual. You’ll have plenty of time to explore and hike the extensive forest surrounding the volcano, but the big excitement is reaching Mirador Espiritu de la Montaña or Mountain Spirit Lookout. From this vantage point, you can look out over the Gulf of Fonseca and see parts of El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua from a single point. 
We’ll return to your beach hotel after the hike and you’ll have some time to relax.

Ready to enjoy a tropical vacation day? Today is set aside specifically for spending your time on the water or sand. You can choose from several optional activities or just make your own fun for the day. 
Choose to stay at the beach you’re staying at or visit another. We can take you to any of the following three beaches: 

El Esteron – The vibe here is peaceful, since few people show up on this golden beach. It’s ideal for walking and sunbathing, or beginner surfing and swimming. If you’re looking for a less touristy place to hang out, this is it.

Las Flores – With black sand and palm trees, this beach is ideal for more advanced surfing. It’s also perfect if you want to catch the sunset and there are resorts and surf clubs lining the beach if you want to do something besides swim or sunbathe.

Intipuca – This hidden gem is the perfect tropical retreat. With white and gold sand, pristine turquoise water, and coconut palms, you’ll feel like you’re in the Caribbean. If you just want to paddle around or go kayaking, fishing, or snorkeling, this is the ideal beach for that.
You may also choose to visit La Tortuga Verde, near Intipuca, to see how they protect sea turtles and release them back into nature.

If you want to extend your stay in El Salvador, let us know. We can easily add on some days for resting on the beach or exploring the area.

Leaving the beach today, we’ll head to Alegria Lagoon or the Happiness Lagoon. This is another body of water in a volcanic crater and the minerals in the water have turned it a stunning green. Local myth says a mermaid lives in the mineral-rich lagoon and lures men to their death at night. You shouldn’t swim there anyway, due to the excessive chemicals, but the story adds an extra layer to the enchantment of this beautiful emerald lagoon.

We’ll check out the lake and then stop at the town of Alegria to have lunch. This area is cool and comfortable, so it’s a nice change from the warm beaches. After lunch, we’ll walk through the colorful streets of the town and take a little hike in the park before returning to San Salvador where you can prepare for your trip home.

Your El Salvador vacation has come to a close. Our driver will drop you off at the airport for your flight home. Come again soon!

map, expenses & price

El Salvador Vacation Package

Expenses included:
-All private transportation
-Ten nights of hotel accommodations
-Professional local guides
-Tours and activities as listed
-All park entrance fees
-Daily breakfast

Extensions

ADD-ON

Nature Park Puerta del Diablo

The Devil’s Door National Park or Puerta del Diablo is so named for the popular natural rock formation that lies within. Two huge boulders create a natural archway where you can stand and view the Pacific coast, Panchimalco, Lake Ilopango, and the San Vicente volcano.

The crack in the mountain between the two rocks was created by storms over time, but the locals have a story saying that the Devil himself created it. The story goes that the Devil was courting a landowner’s daughter, but he ran away and darted through the arch between two rocks that he turned into a doorway to hell. 

On your visit, you can hike to the door, but there are plenty of other activities to do in the area, including rock climbing. You’ll find a nearby plaza where you can buy traditional dishes and try some local foods before or after your hike.

The majestic La Puerta del Diablo in El Salvador showcases awe-inspiring rock formations and spectacular views of a waterfall and surrounding mountains
A view of the mountain chain in the national park El Imposible in El Salvador

add-on

El Imposible National Park

Need more of El Salvador’s gorgeous nature? This extension takes you to the nature reserve El Imposible, in Ahuachapan. Just under 15 square miles, this park is part of the Apaneca-Ilamatepec Biosphere Reserve and is named for its extremely dangerous mountain pass by the same name. The park is full of deep canyons and towering mountains, with a wide variety of tropical forests. You’ll find ceiba and mahogany trees as well as orchids growing here.

We’ll plan your hike based on your physical fitness level to ensure you make the most of the trip. Whether you want to see some gorgeous waterfalls or just take an easy hike through the jungle, you’ll see plenty of wildlife, birds, and tropical vegetation. You can hike up to Cerro El Leon for a panoramic view of the nearby valleys and all the way to the Pacific on a clear day. There are also less intense hikes to rivers where natural pools offer the perfect spot for a dip.

Similar trips
Hanging bridge in the jungles of Belize
Belize

7 days & 6 nights

Volcano in Ometepe Island, Nicaragua.
Nicaragua

6 days & 5 nights

Hot srpings in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica

9 days & 8 nights