Although not typically thought of as a popular tourist spot, El Salvador boasts a multitude of hidden gems that make it a worthwhile destination to explore.
One such hidden treasure is the Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site, an ancient Mayan settlement in the Zapotitán Valley that’s listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
El Salvador is also home to some breathtaking natural scenery, including lush rainforests and beautiful beaches, providing the perfect backdrop for a plethora of outdoor activities.
The country is also known for its abundance of volcanoes, most of which are accessible to hikers and provide spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding area from their summits.
For those looking for an adventure for the taste buds, El Salvador also boasts some delicious cuisine.
Does this sound like the kind of place you’d like to visit? If so, read on for a list of all the other top attractions El Salvador has to offer and start planning your trip here today
The 98 Most Popular Things To Do In El Salvador, Central America
98. Mirador Espíritu de la Montaña
5.0
(10 reviews)
Credit: Erik Cleves Kristensen, License, Flickr
Location: 75F5+PP8 Conchagua
97. Tecapa
4.8
(23 reviews)
Credit: Presidencia El Salvador, License, Wikimedia commons
96. Meanguera
4.4
(24 reviews)
Credit: Everthm007, License, Wikimedia commons
95. Isla de La Tasajera
4.7
(35 reviews)
Credit: Hector Melendez, Google Maps
94. Playa de Acajutla
4.4
(37 reviews)
Credit: Nathaly Marcela Angel Argueta, Google Maps
93. Estero Jaltepeque
4.6
(43 reviews)
Credit: Nathaly Marcela Angel Argueta, Google Maps
Location: 8429+QPP El Zapote
92. Playa de Conchalio
4.3
(45 reviews)
Credit: Elvis Gonzalez, Google Maps
91. Isla Zacatillo
4.6
(45 reviews)
Credit: Andres Banderas, Google Maps
90. Playa El Icacal
4.4
(48 reviews)
Credit: Carlos M C, Google Maps
89. Playa El Jaguey
4.5
(48 reviews)
Credit: Marcela Figueroa, Google Maps
88. Playa Dorada
4.3
(48 reviews)
Credit: David Peña, Google Maps
87. Playa Amatecampo
4.6
(50 reviews)
Credit: Sophy Vasquez, Google Maps
86. Playa El Tamarindo
4.3
(52 reviews)
Credit: Fernando Vásquez, Google Maps
85. Playa de Shalpa
4.7
(54 reviews)
Credit: Danni Portillo, Google Maps
84. Cerro Eramon
4.7
(66 reviews)
Credit: Mercadeo Grupoamate, Google Maps
83. Playa El Sunzal
4.6
(67 reviews)82. Playa La Zunganera
4.2
(68 reviews)
Credit: Crisostomo, Google Maps
81. Playa Las Flores
4.6
(69 reviews)
Credit: Historia Apostólica, License, Wikimedia commons
80. San Vicente
4.6
(69 reviews)
Credit: Presidencia El Salvador, License, Wikimedia commons
79. Playa El Cuco
4.4
(74 reviews)
Credit: Caitlin Rodgers, License, Flickr
78. Isla Teopán
4.7
(82 reviews)
Credit: Mario GalanAlvarado, Google Maps
77. Museo de la Palabra y la Imagen
4.8
(88 reviews)
Credit: Maya Argueta, Google Maps
Location: San Salvador
Tel: 2564-7005
Web Address: https://museo.com.sv/
76. Playa Las Hojas
4.4
(97 reviews)
Credit: Erick Flores, Google Maps
75. Colonia Las Viñas
4.0
(107 reviews)
Credit: Pablo Acuña, Google Maps
Location: X4HP+CCG Ahuachapan
74. Playa San Marcelino
4.5
(109 reviews)
Credit: Historia Apostólica, License, Wikimedia commons
73. Playa Metalio
4.6
(113 reviews)
72. Conchagua
4.7
(114 reviews)
Credit: Erik Cleves Kristensen, License, Flickr
71. Road to Surf City, La Libertad, El Salvador
4.8
(115 reviews)
Credit: EmanueL DelgadO, Google Maps
Location: FMVF+FR4 La Libertad
Web Address: http://surfcityelsalvador.sv/
70. Lake Suchitlán
4.5
(119 reviews)
Credit: Alex Keshavjee, License, Flickr
69. Playa Barra Salada
4.6
(119 reviews)
Credit: Xiomara Zeledon, Google Maps
68. Cerro de Las Pavas
4.4
(119 reviews)
Credit: Gaby Melendez, Google Maps
67. San Miguel
4.8
(120 reviews)
Credit: Daniel chavez castro, License, Wikimedia commons
66. Parque Central
4.5
(127 reviews)
Credit: Presidencia El Salvador, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 4ta calle ote Barrio San Jose Juayua
65. Laguna de Olomega
4.5
(135 reviews)
Credit: Juan Alas, Google Maps
64. Sunset Park – Surf City
4.6
(140 reviews)
Credit: Irving Romero, Google Maps
Location: FMPH+QHC CA La Libertad
Web Address: http://istu.gob.sv/
63. Playa el Obispo
4.3
(159 reviews)
Credit: Historia Apostólica, License, Wikimedia commons
62. Playa Los Cobanos
4.4
(173 reviews)
Credit: David Avalos, Google Maps
61. Izalco
4.7
(176 reviews)
Credit: European Space Agency, License, Wikimedia commons
60. Playa Las Tunas
4.5
(193 reviews)
Credit: Diego Rodriguez, Google Maps
59. Turicentro Salto El Perol
4.5
(193 reviews)
Credit: Roxana Blanco, Google Maps
Location: XVGC+5CW Carretera Internacional Llano el Muerto Perquin Ruta De Paz Perquin
Tel: 6022-9827
58. Playa El Cocal
4.4
(204 reviews)
Credit: francisco mejia, Google Maps
57. Playa San Diego
4.6
(217 reviews)
Credit: Eva Rivas, Google Maps
56. Playa Costa Azul
4.6
(219 reviews)
Credit: Douglas Solis, Google Maps
55. Playa Mizata
4.5
(236 reviews)
Credit: lucas aldana, Google Maps
54. Peace Arts Center
4.6
(274 reviews)
Credit: DiaNi Sánchez, Google Maps
Location: WXQC+9G6 Suchitoto
Tel: 2335-1080
Web Address: http://capsuchitoto.org/
53. Cihuatán
4.7
(279 reviews)
Credit: Christina Hunter Villeda, Google Maps
Location: XRJP+827 Aguilares
Tel: 2505-5715
52. Playa El Majahual
4.4
(317 reviews)
Credit: Miroslav Zachar, Google Maps
51. Trips & Tours Cascadas Tamanique
4.6
(345 reviews)
Credit: Trips & Tours Cascadas Tamanique, Google Maps
Location: Tamanique La Libertad CP
Tel: 7664-3134
Web Address: https://facebook.com/1057783507698622/posts/2501917906618501/
50. Cascadas de Don Juan
4.4
(364 reviews)
Credit: MAVIS CARRANZA, Google Maps
Location: RN
Tel: 7852-4500
49. Iglesia Santa Lucía Suchitoto
4.7
(376 reviews)
Credit: Michael Swigart, License, Flickr
Location: WXPF+MM4 Suchitoto
Tel: 2335-1049
48. Laguna de Alegria
4.7
(384 reviews)
Credit: Erik Cleves Kristensen, License, Flickr
47. Walter Thilo Deininger National Park
4.4
(388 reviews)
Credit: Mrs. MacI, Google Maps
Location: CA
Tel: 2121-6700
Web Address: http://istu.gob.sv/
46. Playa Costa del Sol
4.6
(401 reviews)
Credit: Alek Garcia, Google Maps
45. Playa El Espino
4.6
(443 reviews)
Credit: Mercadeo Grupoamate, Google Maps
44. Parque Nacional El Imposible
4.6
(459 reviews)
Credit: SipoteSalvadoreño, License, Flickr
Location: Caserio El Coco
Tel: 2202-1515
Web Address: https://marn.gob.sv/parque-nacional-el-imposible/
43. Cascada Los Tercios-Suchitoto El Salvador
4.5
(566 reviews)
Credit: norman rogelio figueroa escobar, Google Maps
Location: Carretera a Cinquera Suchitoto
Tel: 6201-1406
42. Church of the Rosary
4.7
(599 reviews)
Credit: Siobhan Farr, Google Maps
Location: 6o Avenida Sur El Calle Ote San Salvador
Tel: 2222-2171
41. Parque Acuático Galicia
3.9
(730 reviews)
Credit: Pablo Zepeda, Google Maps
Location: RN W
Tel: 7729-5823
40. Casa Blanca Archaeological Site
4.5
(772 reviews)
Credit: youngrobv, License, Flickr
Location: RN W Km Chalchuapa
Tel: 2343-0119
39. Playa Los Cobanos
4.5
(781 reviews)
Credit: fernando alberto Marquez, Google Maps
38. Palacio Nacional de El Salvador
4.7
(886 reviews)
Credit: Presidencia El Salvador, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 4a Calle Poniente San Salvador
Tel: 2281-5860
Web Address: http://cultura.gob.sv/palacio-nacional/
37. Museo De La Revolucion
4.4
(965 reviews)
Credit: Catedrales e Iglesias/Cathedrals, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: XR5P+FG4 Perquin
Tel: 7310-1378
36. Parque Saburo Hirao
4.4
(1,093 reviews)
Credit: Madelyn Núñez, Google Maps
Location: Calle Los Viveros Final San Salvador
Tel: 2270-1116
Web Address: http://cultura.gob.sv/parque-saburo-hirao/
35. La Libertad
4.5
(1,129 reviews)
Credit: Daniel chavez castro, License, Wikimedia commons
34. Salto de Malacatiupan (Hot Spring Waterfall)
4.5
(1,131 reviews)
Credit: Carlos Aguilar, Google Maps
Location: X6W2+J6Q Atiquizaya Depto Ahuachapan
Web Address: https://mipaissv.com/salto-de-malacatiupan/
33. Furesa
4.6
(1,203 reviews)
Credit: Josue Aaron Escobar Vides, Google Maps
Location: MHQ2+784 Carr a Jayaque Minas
Tel: 2347-9300
Web Address: http://furesa.com.sv/
32. Sitio Arqueológico San Andrés
4.5
(1,248 reviews)Location: RJ26+77P CA San Juan Opico
Tel: 2455-6212
Web Address: https://cultura.gob.sv/parque-arqueologico-san-andres/#:~:text=San%20Andr%C3%A9s%20es%20un%20sitio,el%20departamento%20de%20La%20Libertad.
31. National Theater of San Salvador
4.8
(1,349 reviews)
Credit: Carlosalredo55, Google Maps
Location: MRX5+CRH San Salvador
Tel: 2222-5689
Web Address: http://cultura.gob.sv/teatro-nacional-de-san-salvador/
30. Apuzunga Water Park
4.4
(1,649 reviews)
Credit: marilyn Duran, Google Maps
Location: 6G8R+Q8W La Conchagua
Tel: 2483-8952
Web Address: http://apuzunga.com/
29. Los Chorros
4.4
(1,685 reviews)
Location: Parque Los Chorros CA San Salvador
Tel: 7816-8488
Web Address: http://istu.gob.sv/
28. Dr. David J. Guzmán National Museum
4.6
(1,812 reviews)
Credit: Pedro Rodriguez Evoluciona en Positivo, Google Maps
Location: MQP6+VG2 Avenida De La Revolucion San Salvador
Tel: 2243-3750
27. Puerta del Diablo
4.5
(1,829 reviews)Location: JRF5+F4Q Panchimalco
26. Parque Acuático Amapulapa
4.3
(1,888 reviews)
Credit: Briyan Jimenes, Google Maps
Location: J6HF+CM9 San Vicente
Tel: 2277-0052
25. Catedral de Nuestra Señora Santa Ana
4.7
(2,048 reviews)Location: XCWV+2JG frente al Parque Libertad Avenida Sur Santa Ana
Tel: 2447-7215
24. Santa Teresa Hot Springs.
4.4
(2,102 reviews)
Credit: Juvini Montano, Google Maps
Location: W52J+WC7 Ahuachapan
Tel: 7293-6666
23. Museum of Art of El Salvador
4.7
(2,199 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Colonia San Benito Final Avenida la Revolucion San Salvador
Tel: 2243-6099
Web Address: http://museomarte.org/
22. Tin Marin, Children’s Museum
4.5
(2,617 reviews)
Credit: Tin Marín, Museo de los Niños, Google Maps
Location: 6deg10deg Calle Poniente Colonia Flor Blanca San Salvador Entre Gimnasio Nacional y Parque Cuscatlan San Salvador CP
Tel: 2268-6900
Web Address: https://tinmarin.org/
21. Civic Square Captain General Gerardo Barrios
4.5
(2,840 reviews)Location: MRX5+3G3 San Salvador
20. Playa El Cuco
4.6
(3,541 reviews)
Credit: Caitlin Rodgers, License, Flickr
Location: 5VCW+X6W El Cuco
19. Parque Libertad
4.3
(3,977 reviews)
Credit: Sasha India, License, Flickr
Location: XCVV+V87 Calle Pte Santa Ana
Tel: 2402-7500
18. Metropolitan Cathedral of San Salvador
4.7
(4,465 reviews)
Credit: Ocastro3, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: MRX5+7HC C Ruben Dario San Salvador
Tel: 2271-2573
Web Address: https://catedralmetropolitanadesansalvador.com/
17. Termos del Río
4.3
(4,520 reviews)
Credit: Rosa Maria Ramírez, Google Maps
Location: San Salvador
Tel: 7854-0561
Web Address: https://termosdelrio.com.sv/
16. Parque Nacional Cerro Verde
4.6
(4,654 reviews)Location: R9GG+84V
Tel: 7294-7255
15. Liberty Plaza
4.4
(5,193 reviews)
Credit: Leonora (Ellie) Enking, License, Flickr
14. Morazán Plaza, San Salvador
4.6
(5,824 reviews)
Credit: Presidencia El Salvador, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1a Calle Pte San Salvador
13. Parque del Bicentenario
4.6
(7,178 reviews)
Credit: Jeremías “All naughty” Ayala, Google Maps
Location: MPQX+W85 Avenida Jerusalen San Salvador
Tel: 2202-1515
Web Address: https://elsalvadormipais.com/parque-bicentenario
12. Plan de la Laguna Botanical Garden
4.6
(7,563 reviews)
Credit: Jardín Botánico Plan de la Laguna, Google Maps
Location: Urb Ind Plan de La Laguna Antgo Cusc
Tel: 2243-2012
Web Address: https://jardinbotanico.org.sv/
11. El Salvador del mundo
4.5
(10,360 reviews)
Credit: Jcortezchavarria, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: PQ2G+G68 Alameda Franklin Delano Roosevelt San Salvador
Web Address: http://sansalvador.gob.sv/
10. Parque Cuscatlán
4.6
(11,614 reviews)
Credit: Erick Ramos, Google Maps
Location: 25 Avenida Sur y Alameda Franklin Delano Roosevelt San Salvador
Web Address: http://parquecuscatlan.org/
9. Monument to the Divine Savior of the World
4.5
(16,151 reviews)Location: PQ2G+G6P Alameda Franklin Delano Roosevelt San Salvador
Tel: 2511-6000
Web Address: http://sansalvador.gob.sv/
Our Top picks
8. Santa Ana Volcano
4.9
(216 reviews)
Credit: European Space Agency, License, Wikimedia commons
7. Playa El Tunco
4.7
(298 reviews)
Credit: NekaPearl, License, Flickr
6. Lake Ilopango
4.5
(355 reviews)
Credit: European Space Agency, License, Wikimedia commons
5. Cerro Verde National Park
4.7
(502 reviews)
Credit: European Space Agency, License, Wikimedia commons
4. San Salvador Volcano
4.7
(566 reviews)
Credit: NASA Expedition 23, License, Wikimedia commons
3. Joya de Ceren Archaeological Site
4.4
(926 reviews)
Credit: Andrea Hernandez, Google Maps
Location: Carr San Juan Opico Agua Escondida Km
Tel: 2401-5782
2. Lago de Coatepeque
4.7
(1,340 reviews)
Credit: Historia Apostólica, License, Wikimedia commons
1. Boqueron National Park
4.6
(4,177 reviews)
Credit: House1090, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: PPMC+J62 SV Santa Tecla
Tel: 7509-1664
Web Address: http://istu.gob.sv/
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in El Salvador, Central America! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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