Ruta de las Flores
Photo: Martin Haeusler, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ruta 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. The small towns are tranquil oases of historic traditions where the country's culture, music, and arts can be experienced first-hand. The area is rich in natural attractions with rivers, hiking trails and endless coffee plantations leading up to the volcanic peaks in two nearby national parks, El Imposible and Cerro Verde.
UnderstandThe Ruta de las Flores is a well-marked route with blue and white highway signs leading the way to landmark towns and attractions.
PrepareThis is an area that will be best experienced by the adventurous backroads travelers with good Spanish language skills.
Get inThe best way to get to the Ruta de las Flores is to either use the Chicken buses or to rent a car and drive. Chicken buses are by far the cheaper and more common way to get around.
Get aroundOnce you're in the small towns along La Ruta de las Flores it is usually easiest to get around on foot as long as you're sightseeing in the towns.
TownsSix towns form the crux of the Ruta de las Flores (which is also the name of the main highway connecting all these towns).
Eco-tourism
Stay safeAll of the usual caveats about safety in Central America in general and El Salvador in particular apply along this route. Be especially wary of traveling after nightfall.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Ruta de las Flores" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Martin Haeusler, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons