🇸🇻 Ultimate El Salvador Travel Guide: Top Attractions Covered!

📍 San Salvador (Capital City) All major sites are within walking distance! ⭐ Rainbow Church (Iglesia El Rosario) 🌈 Plain exterior hides a stunning surprise: sunlight through stained glass creates a magical rainbow effect inside! Tip: Entrance is a small door on the south side—easy to miss! ⭐ Metropolitan Cathedral of San Salvador ⛪ Burial site of Archbishop Romero, a key figure in Salvadoran history. ⭐ National Library (Biblioteca Nacional) 📚 Built with Chinese aid (look for the "China Aid" logo!). Modern facilities (PS5, Apple computers, manga)—good luck focusing on books! 😆 ⭐ National Palace (Palacio Nacional) 🏛️ Former government building (1911-1974), now a museum. Skip unless you love history—exhibits are very basic. 🌋 Santa Ana Volcano Hike (Must-Do!) Hours: 7:30 AM - 11:00 AM (arrive by 10:30 AM latest!). Meeting Point: "Oficina de Medio Ambiente" (Google Maps). Cost: $3 (mandatory guide included). Hike: 1.5 hours up → 30 mins at the crater (emerald-green lake views!). 🏙️ Santa Ana (2nd Largest City) Classic Latin American charm: colonial plaza, churches, and local markets. 🏛️ Mayan Ruins & Archaeology 📍 Tazumal Archaeological Park Best-preserved Mayan site in El Salvador ($5 entry). 📍 Casa Blanca Archaeological Site Smaller pyramids, less maintained ($5 entry). 📍 Joya de Cerén Archaeological Park UNESCO World Heritage Site ("Pompeii of the Americas"). A Mayan village preserved by volcanic ash—unique but tiny. 🌺 Ruta de las Flores (Flower Route) Scenic drive through towns like Juayua (best for food/shopping). Honest take: Pretty but not mind-blowing—prioritize volcanoes/ruins first! 💡 Pro Tips Safety: Stick to daytime exploring; avoid flashing valuables. Cash: USD only (coins for small purchases). Transport: Uber/taxis are cheap and reliable. Must-Eat: Pupusas (cheese-stuffed tortillas)—find them at local markets! #ElSalvadorTravel #HiddenGems #VolcanoHikes #MayanRuins #RainbowChurch