48 hours in San Salvador – Weekend Edition
San Salvador In Less Than 48 Words
The capital of Central America’s El Salvador, San Salvador, is truly a city teeming with energy. It is certainly one of the most-populous metropolises in the region, with a bustling downtown area, thriving commerce, a thrilling nightlife, and streets packed with vendors and vehicles.
Volcán San Salvador (Photo by Francisco)
First 24 Hours
You can arrive at the bustling city of San Salvador via the El Salvador International Airport, which is located 50 kilometers away from the city center. From there, you can catch a public bus near the terminal to take you to the heart of the city for $1.75, and it is the cheapest way to get there. Alternatively, you can opt to hire a taxi, although you may have to negotiate a fixed rate (around $25) with the driver.
San Salvador is the country’s largest city, and is known for its complex web of streets filled with vendors and vehicles. Thus, it might be a little difficult to navigate the metropolis, especially for first-timers. Don’t forget to get valuable tourist information at the city’s tourist information center (Alameda Dr. Manuel Enrique Araujo, Pasaje and Building Carbonel No. 2, Colonia Roma, 503/2339-9454, website). It is open during Mondays to Fridays from 8 am to 5 pm.
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at San Salvador’s hotels
Sheraton Presidente San Salvador (Photo from Google images)
You can arrange for a nice place to stay in during your 48 hour visit in San Salvador at one of its excellent hotels. One of the best in the city is the InterContinental Hotels Real San Salvador (Blvd. De Los Heroes and Avenue Sisimiles, San Salvador AP 05 44, +503-22113333, website). It is an award-winning hotel at a convenient location near shopping malls, with comfortable rooms, and excellent service.
A nice alternative is Courtyard by Marriott San Salvador (Esquina Calle 2 y calle 3, Centro de Estilo de Vida La Gran Via, San Salvador, 503 2 2493000, website), which offers spacious rooms, modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, plus a delicious breakfast. You can also try out Sheraton Presidente San Salvador (Av. La Revolucion, Col. Sn. Benito, San Salvador, 2283-4000, website). It is also at a convenient location near the city’s financial district, and hash comfortable rooms, a pool, and an attentive staff.
SAN SALVADOR VOLCANO: Let’s take a view
Perhaps one of the most popular and recognizable attractions in San Salvador is the Volcán San Salvador. It is a complex volcano located a few kilometers northwest of the city, and stands at a height of 1,960 meters. The volcano is said to have been formed 70,000 years ago in an explosion from a smaller peak. You can head to its most-visited spot, Boquerón, which is actually the volcano’s crater. It measures almost a kilometer in width, with a depth of 500 meters. You can hire a guide near the bottom of the peak to help you trek to the summit, where you are sure to get sweeping views of the city.
ANTHROPOLOGY MUSEUM: Experience El Salvador’s history
You can learn more about the history of the city and the country by visiting the Museo Nacional de Antropología Dr. David J. Guzman (Av. La Revolucíon, Colonia San Benito, 503/2243-3927). It is a popular tourist draw in San Salvador, and gives visitors a glimpse of the country’s indigenous community, its agriculture, and early trade. Inside, you’ll find artifacts such as ancient weaponry, tools, pottery, and ceramics. However, it is necessary to hire a guide there, as most of the signs are in Spanish. The site is open during Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 am to 5 pm, and admission will cost you $3.
PARQUE ZOOLOGICO NACIONAL: See wildlife
Alo Nuestro (Photo by shugyou)
Animal lovers will definitely enjoy the Parque Zoológico Nacional (Final Calle Modelo, San Salvador, 503/2270-0828), which is one of the country’s premier wildlife reserves. It is a popular weekend destination, especially among the locals, and covers an area measuring roughly 17 acres. Inside the zoo, you’ll find over 400 animals of 125 different species, such as elephants, lions, alligators, and a wide variety of birds. You’ll also see numerous tree-lined paths and small lagoons there. The site is open during Wednesdays to Sundays from 9 am to 4 pm, and admission will cost you around 60 cents.
DINNER TIME: Discover San Salvador’s restaurants
You are guaranteed a delicious dinner at the restaurants available all over the city. One of the best in the city is Alo Nuestro (Calle La Reforma, San Salvador, El Salvador, 2223-5116). It offers a fusion of Central American and Asian cuisines, and is recommended for an intimate dining experience. A nice alternative is Kamakura (93 Av. Norte, 617, Colonia Escalon, San Salvador, El Salvador, 2632401), which serves a delicious Japanese cuisine, and is especially noted for its sushi.
Have a taste of Italy in San Salvador at Il Buon Gustaio (Calle Loma linda #327, Colonia San Benito, San Salvador, El Salvador, (503) 2245-1731/2138). It offers an authentic Italian cuisine in a 1960’s house filled with art pieces. You can also try out La Valentina (3a Calle Pte. #5328 | Col. Lomas Verdes, San Salvador, El Salvador, 22641808), which serves traditional Mexican delicacies in an upscale setting.
Next 24 Hours
You can discover San Salvador’s other tourist attractions during your next 24 hours in the city. The first among them could be the Museo de Arte (Final Av. La Revolución, Colonia San Benito, San Salvador, 503/2243-6099, website). It is a museum covering an area of 2,267 square meters, and features six rooms of exhibits showing the country’s art. Inside, you’ll find a large collection of art pieces made during the El Salvador civil war from 1980 to 1992, a stone mosaic monument, as well as “The Revolution,” which is a unique sculpture of a naked man believed to represent liberty. The site is open during Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm, and admission will cost you $1.50.
Museo de Arte (Photo by Carlos Rodriguez Mata)
JOYA DE CEREN: See some Mayan ruins
If you’re interested in Mayan ruins, a visit to Joya de Ceren (Km 35 on the Carretera a San Juan Opica, 503/2401-5782) will be a worthwhile experience. It is an archaeological park containing the remnants of a former Mayan community, which had been buried by ash from a volcanic eruption nearly 1,400 years ago. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you’re likely to see village buildings, a shaman’s house, sleeping platforms, and community saunas there. It is open during Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 am to 4 pm, and admission will cost you $3. You can reach the site by riding Bus 108, and you have to schedule a guided tour in advance.
Joya de Ceren (Photo by Serena Morgenstern)
JARDIN BOTANICO LA LAGUNA: Have a flowery experience
Flower lovers will definitely enjoy a visit to the Jardín Botánico La Laguna (Universidad Centroamericano José Siméon Cañas, Antigua Custcatlán, 503/2243-2012). It is a popular destination for relaxation and recreation, covering an area of around three hectares inside an extinct volcano crater. The park is home to a wide variety of flowers and plants from all over the globe, which you can admire while taking a leisurely stroll along its walking trails and small ponds. The site is open during Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 am to 5:30 pm, and admission will cost you $1.
CATEDRAL METROPOLITANA: Let’s go to church
Catedral Metropolitana (Photo by Stan Gee)
You can go to church at El Salvador’s national cathedral, the Catedral Metropolitana (Av. Cuscatlán and 2a Calle Oriente at Plaza Barrios). Its architecture is based on the famous European cathedrals, with a touch of traditional El Salvador influences. The site also has historical significance, having borne witness to countless massacres before the country’s civil war era, as well as the jubilation that followed when peace was finally attained. Inside, the highlight is the massive mural painted by Fernando Llort, the country’s most recognized living artist. The church is open daily from 8 am to 4 pm, and admission is free.
NIGHTLIFE: Enjoy San Salvador’s vibrant nightlife scene
At night you may proceed to San Salvador’s bars and clubs to have a taste of the city’s exciting nightlife. One of the most popular is the La Luna Casa de Arte (Calle Berlín, Urbinazacíon Buenos Aires off the Boulevard de los Héreos, 503/2260-2921). It is a night club known for its live music ranging from 1980s metal rock to meringue, and is a hotspot for foreign visitors.
A nice alternative is La Cueva (Multiplaza mall, Calle El Pedregal and Carretera Panamericana, 503/2243-7155), which is a high-end lunge and dance club with outdoor seating and a partying vibe. You can also try out Envy (Multiplaza mall, Calle El Pedregal and Carretera Panamericana a Santa Ana, 503/2243-2576). It is a dance club filled with flat-screen TVs and an international line-up of DJs.
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