//
District in Ahuachapán, El Salvador
Photo: Erickssonr, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Concepción de Ataco (usually known as Ataco) is a small town in the Apaneca-Ilamatepec mountains of Western El Salvador. It is a colonial small town where time stands still, where cobblestone streets are filled with stone buildings that might seem to have stepped out of a history book if it weren't for the vividly colorful and often fanciful murals that cover walls on almost every street in town. Central America is famous for its shade-grown organic coffees, and in Ataco you don't have to go far to get a fresh cup. The plantations are right at the town's edge and small roasters and baristas will be happy to fix you a cup of steaming gladness. The town is one of the best places to spend a night or two along El Salvadors Ruta de las Flores.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Parque Fray Rafael Fernandez
The town's main square is a peaceful place to relax under a shade tree and do some people watching. A statue of the Virgen de la Inmaculada Concepción is here and is lit at night.
Beautiful colonial era church with an art-filled interior with historic icon statues mixed among bright cheery murals, some duplicating famous paintings from the Sistine Chapel or other churches.
Mellow Mexican restaurant with street tacos, quesadillas, birria and other traditional Mexican dishes.
Casual Italian garden restaurant with thin-crust pizzas, fresh pizzas, and even cannoli and tiramisu.
Chilean cuisine in a comfortably casual historic building. Specializes in grilled meats. If you've got a group (or family), you can get a long platter of grilled meats and vegetables and make a party of dinner.
Upscale boutique hotel with immaculate, spacious, comfortable rooms in a restored colonial Spanish-style home. Public spaces are filled with antiques and art works. Covered patios surround a landscaped central courtyard. An elegant and romantic hotel.
Traditional hotel with sprawling manicured lawns. Rooms are tastefully decorated with a mix of traditional style and modern conveniences. Tranquil, clean, comfortable.
Upscale boutique hotel with comfortable, clean, spacious rooms in an historic hotel on a hill overlooking the town. Spectacular nighttime views from their observation platform from which you can see the town or the Santa Ana volcano in the distance. Breakfast is served outside and consists of fresh fruit, hot just-roasted coffee, and different breads.
Comfortable moderate hotel with spacious rooms. Rooftop patio area. Flaky WiFi.
Traditional hotel with clean, comfortable rooms. Friendly service. On-site coffee shop (La Estancia) with just-roasted hot coffee and light food.
Popular art market
Warren of small booths and vendor spaces offering pottery, wood carvings, and the region's most typical craft: woven fabrics (scarves, blouses, dresses, etc.) There are also food vendors selling traditional regional dishes.
Chicken buses are the easiest and cheapest way to get around in El Salvador. From the Terminal Occidente in San Salvador, take the Ruta 205 bus toward Sonsonate (usually painted a shade of dark aqua green).
Read in the guideThe central downtown area is compact and a joy to walk, with colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, and street vendors with a dizzying selection of things you don't really need.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
San Salvador · Regional · ILS
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Concepción de Ataco and El Salvador.
ItinerariesRuta de las Flores is an official tourist itinerary in El Salvador. The itinerary follows a route through the Apaneca-Ilamatepec mountain range visiting six towns that are emblematic of rural Salvadoran culture.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureEl Salvador has 5 national parks conserving a wide range of plant and animal species across several types of ecosystems including Pacific beaches, coastal wetlands, mountainous rainforests, and rugged volcanic peaks.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureSurfing is a sport in which people stand on boards and ride waves.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesItineraries in North America
Wikivoyage
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.