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District in El Salvador
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Guanaco152003 at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Santa Ana is the second largest city of El Salvador and a very important one in terms of agriculture and coffee production (coffee plantations - called fincas - cover much of the land outside town and up the hills). Its historic center offers some of the best preserved architecture in El Salvador, including the Cathedral of Santa Ana, a marvel of neo-gothic architecture, the Teatro de Santa Ana, a beautifully decorated theatre of the early 1900s; and the Palacio Municipal in front of the main plaza with giant palm trees shooting out from its courtyard.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
A masterpiece of colonial architecture, built between 1902 and 1910. Regularly holds performances (sometimes free entrance), check in advance. Guided tours available; after the tour has finished, don't forget to have a look in the restrooms!
Often overlooked, this once impressive building was saved in the very last moment from demolition by the city government. No plan for restoration exists so far. As of Dec 2024, there is no access due to maintenance work.
Located in the former building of Banco Central de Reserva. Dedicated to the history of El Salvadorian money, exhibition of coins and bills in the former strong room downstairs. Don't miss the art exhibition upstairs.
Segunda Brigada de Infantería. The ruined building nearby (at the corner of 3a Ave Sur y 13a Calle Oriente) is the Casino Militar Centroamericano, which was destroyed by fire during the war in 1981.
Small privately-owned museum.
Built in gothic style in 1906 and with its splendid facade now completely restored (almost, the lower parts are still crumbling), this is one of the most impressive cathedrals in Central America. Don't miss it!
This church was badly damaged during the 2001 earthquake but is now completely restored.
Built in 2011, dedicated to Santa Ana's small Islamic community.
A small zoological garden which is a bit disappointing but maybe to only chance to see local primates such as Mono Araña (Spider Monkeys). Also has attached picnic area with ponds and swimming pools (not too clean). Popular at weekends but deserted during the week.
Parque Arqueológico fundar.org.sv/e_tazumal.html
One of the most important and most impressive pre-Columbian sites in El Salvador. Excavated ruins cover an area of 10 km² and are the largest Mayan temple in El Salvador.
Archaeological Park fundar.org.sv/e_casablanca.html
Archaeological Park fundar.org.sv/e_sanandre.html
Archaeological Park fundar.org.sv/e_joyadeceren.html
The park can be easily visited in concunction with San Andrés.
A beautiful lake that was once an active volcano caldera. Access to the lake shore is difficult due to many private properties, try at one of the hotels or restaurants.
Los Volcanes National Park
A must for eco-tourists, and the starting point for climbing Santa Ana and Izalco volcano. Inside the park, a small comedor serves breakfast for $1.50 and lunch for $3. Cabins can be rented for $36 per night (up to 3 people per cabin).
Is noteworthy for the turquoise lake in its crater. A guided and police escorted tour (they don't let you do the hike without a guide) leaves Cerro Verde at 11am to the vulcano. The hike up takes 2 hr and 1.5 hr down, and is moderately difficult. Trekking boots recommended. The weather is chilly at the high altitude (2381m, 7812ft) so long pants, a jacket, and a windbreaker are also recommended. Bring at least 1 liter of drinking water with you! Best time for climbing is during dry season (between Nov and April) when perfect sky is the rule, but even in rain season (between May and October) good weather is not uncommon. For volcanic activity check web, last eruption was in 2005.
A guided and police escorted tour (they don't let you do the hike without a guide) also leaves from Cerro Verde at 11:00 to the vulcano. The hike is way harder than the Santa Ana volcano. Both volcanoes can be done in the same day if you start with Santa Ana volcano around 07:00-08:00 then go to Izalco and start the hike from there at 11am.
A beautiful route across the mountains south of Santa Ana, with several lakes and waterfalls along the road. To get there, take bus 210 (very frequently) from terminal to Ahuachapan, $0.50 1h. Get off at its final stop and transfer to bus 249 departing from the intersection across mainstreet (goes via Concepción de Ataco, Apaneca, Juayua, to Sonsonate), or bus R-20 (via Concepción de Ataco as far as Apaneca), $0.40 to Concepción de Ataco resp $0.55 to Apaneca. From Juayua bus 238 brings you back to Santa Ana 4 times a day (last bus M-Sa at 16:00, Su at 14:00), $0.80, or continue to Sonsonate and take bus 216 (last one at 6:40pm) from main terminal to Santa Ana, $0.90. All towns offer plenty of accommodation.
The Rutas de las Flores can be done as a day trip (although you might miss a lot of its beauty), but it's best to travel the opposite way around: Take bus 238 from terminal to Juayua at 06:40, 09:40, 12:30, and 17:00, $0.80. In Juayua change to bus 249 (ask driver to make sure you're on the right bus!) towards Apaneca, Concepción de Ataco, and finally Ahuachapan. In Ahuachapan you can transfer to the 210 bus back to Santa Ana. As always, times are approximate. It is better to arrive 15min early and safe your seat.
While not part of the Ruta de las Flores per se, this tiny village located 23 km southeast of town at an altitude of 1450m (4754ft) is the closest place if you seek relief from Santa Ana's heat. Several hostels, hotels, and fincas in the area offer accommodation (eg Paso Alaska Resort, from $75, pasodelalaska.com, or Hostal Casa Blanca, $22-$40). As everywhere in the region, ask locals for security advise (and guide, or even police escort) before setting out in the surrounding countryside. You cannot climb Santa Ana vulcano from here!
do not mistake with Cantina Santaneco which is only a few doors away
Nice setting & good food, be early (before 12:00) as it is very popular.
Offers delicious pupusas which are not as greasy then usual.
French fries joint. You will spot it easily, as it always has a queue of patrons waiting for their food. Offers Papa Tradicional at $1.50, a hugely popular dish with french fries, cheese, ketchup, mayonnaise and butter. They also have other dishes such as Papa Mix, with meat pieces spread on top of the fries.
This is the only place in the city with Mediterranean food. Entrees, salads, sandwiches, pasta, chicken, beef, desserts and one of the best coffees in town. Wines, drinks & teas.
Large portions on huge plates, open from 07:00 for breakfast, free WiFi.
Nice location around a patio. Excellent meat, but side dishes are not worth mentioning.
Argentinian steak house, maybe Santa Ana's best meat place.
A Santa Ana institution, serves delicious pastries and good coffee, all have AirCon, and most have free WiFi. Several branches throughout town:
Another Santa Ana institution, serves delicious sherbet ice cream. Several branches throughout down:
Good for drinks, coffee & pastries, but lunch meals are not exceptional. Superfriendly, nice shady patio, sometimes live music in the evening, free WiFi.
(formerly Star Mon's) Inexpensive but good coffee & homemade cakes served in a peaceful patio, free WiFi.
Small but cozy, free WiFi. Another Panizzimo branch is located at 4a Ave Sur y 9a Calle Poniente, no WiFi.
Good coffee & pastries, Aircon, free WiFi, same owner as Lover's.
Bar & restaurant, open until late.
This supermarket has a reasonable selection of spirits and Argentinian, Chilean and European wines. Also sells German Köstritzer, Belgium Leffe, and original Czech Pilsener beer.
Has an even larger selection, including Chinese Tsing Tao and German Erdinger beer.
Hostal
Casa Verde is safe and secure and offers modern, spotless, comfortable rooms and bathrooms, 2 incredibly well-stocked kitchens, free coffee, water, and WiFi (and a computer), a laundry area, parking, and pick up/drop-off service, beautiful patios, hammocks, TV/movie room, a swimming pool, and rooftop deck. Centrally located, a short walk to the main square, bus terminal, and a large grocery store. Carlos, the owner, lives on site and is an excellent source of information for the Santa Ana area and travelling in El Salvador.
Popular and safe, a good option although not central, limited car parking.
formerly Hotel Libertad
Friendly and very central but basic.
A simple but good place if you're on a budget, WiFi, secure car park.
Basic hostel with kitchen and swimming pool. Wifi. Tours available through host.
single/double room. free wifi. can speak English.
formerly Hotel Sahara
The rooms are great and comfortable. WiFi, guarded car park.
The best place to stay in Santa Ana, but a long way out of town (get a taxi to downtown). Bus 201 (TUDO company) coming from San Salvador can drop you right in front of the hotel, ask driver. Bus 59 from/to El Congo also passes here.
Covers a few blocks mainly to the south and west of Parque Libertad.
Stretching from Parque Menendez south to Parque Colon.
A large mall (greatly expanded in 2017) with expensive shops and cafes, a department store (Siman), a food court, plus a Cinepolis cinema cinepolis.com.sv/cartelera/santa-ana-el-salvador/cinepolis-metrocentro-santa-ana. In the same area you'll find fast food restaurants such as Burger King, McDonalds with McCafe, Starbucks, Pizza Hut, plus the Salvadorian chains Mr Donut and Pollo Campero.
Central Market offering the usual things, fruits, vegetables, meat, and cloths. Very busy in daytime. On March 11, 2021, a huge fire destroyed the Mercado completely. As of Dec 2024, everything is still in ruins, and vendors are using the Parque Menendez and Parque Colon instead.
Santa Ana's largest market. The market hall opposite Parque Colon is dedicated to hardware & electronic goods (mostly mobile phones), also bicycle parts can be found here. Can be very crowded, so keep an eye on your belongings as pocket thieves are active in this market.
Mostly used mobile phones and used hardware stuff are sold at this small fleamarket.
Has several braches in town.
downtown
Santa Ana's biggest and best stocked supermarket (owned by Walmart de Mexico y Centroamerica), but fairly expensive by Salvadorian standarts.
offers delicious locally produced cheeses. Other outlets in town: 31a Calle y Ave Independencia, and at 2a Calle Poniente y 2a Ave Norte (1 block west of the Theater).
Has the usual tourist schnick-schnack.
Also in Metrocentro.
Electronic parts, tools, and equipment, plus some computer parts. Also has a large selection of music instruments and PA. Best selection can be found in San Salvador main shop.
Electronic parts, tools, and equipment.
The bookstore has a small selection of English books.
By bus
Due to road construction work in the Los Chorros valley (after Santa Tecla) expect severe traffic jams and travel time up to 3 hr on this route.
By plane
Transportation from the international airport at Comalapa SAL www4.infraero.gov.br/aeroportos/aeroporto-internacional-de-salvador-dep-luis-eduardo-magalhaes El_Salvador_International_Airport costs at…
By train
All train services were suspended in 1990, but parts of the station (a wooden shack) still exist 17a Ave Sur at the end of 7a Calle Oriente.
By bus
Local buses (called Urbanos) serve almost every part of Santa Ana and its colonias and operate roughly between 05:00 and 21:00. They can be very crowded especially during rush hour.
By taxi
Unmetered yellow taxis charge $3 for short distances, but $4 (bargain hard) should bring you pretty much everywhere in town.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
San Salvador · Regional · ILS
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