El Salvador: the Tom Thumb of the Americas

The smallest country (area: 21,00 square kilometres) in continental Cantral America, El Salvador is bordered by, Honduras in the north and east and Pacific Ocean in the south. The Presidential Republic with a population of 5 million mostly comprises Mestizo ethnic groups besides Whites and Amerindians. El Salvador had won its independence from Spain in 1821, from the First Mexocan Empire in 1823 and from the Central American federation in 1842. National capital is San Salvador, which is also the biggest city in the country while US Dollar is the national currency (till 2001 Colon was the national currency). Spanish is the national language.

Geography:

El Salvador lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire and is subject to earthquake and volcanic eruption. Lake Güija is the largest natural lake. The Gulf of Fonseca lies to the south of the country. Several rivers including Goascorán, Jiboa, Torola, Paz and Río Grande de San Miguel flow through El Salvador into the Pacific Ocean. Cerro El Pital is the highest peak (8,975 metres) in El Salvador. The country’s 300 km long coastline has innumerable named breaks.

Climate:

El Salvador has a tropical climate featuring wet and dry seasons. There is little season variation with the Pacific lowlands remaining hot throughout and the central plateau region more moderate. The monsoon season extends from May through October with the mountain slopes in the south receiving the largest precipitation. The period from November to April is dry and hot.

Best time to visit El Salvadore:

The dry season is the best time to visit this beautiful country. It is better to avoid the huge rush during holidays like Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Semana Santa.

Economy:

El Salvador is the third largest economy in Central America after Costa Rica and Panama).

El Salvador Tourist Attractions:

The fact that El Salvador has a disturbed past often pushes tourists to skip it in favour of Guatemala or Costa Rica but today it is no more a worry. War and violence here is a thing of the past and there is nothing equivalent to enjoy the charm of this country that lies in its natural beauty matched by historical relics, the war memorials and the museums and galleries.

Top attractions at El Salvadore:

• Ruta de las Flores (place for hiking, bathing in hot springs and weekend trips)
• Playa El Tunco (slinging hammock under palms at this great beach in the southwest of San Salvador)

• Perquin (former guerrilla capital, now a top tourist attraction)
• Parque Nacional El Imposible (known for the breathtaking ridge-top views and also river pool hiking)
• Alegría (the flower capital of El Salvadore)
• Punta Roca (longest coastal break in Central America and a beautiful surfing spot)
• Perquín (a former bastion of the FMLN or Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front. Enjoy the rugged territory with the help of an ex-guerrilla guide)
• San Salvador (a happening city and the cultural hub of El Salvadore. Nightlife here is a top draw)
• Suchitoto (a colonial town with a tranquil ambience)

Reaching El Salvador:

El Salvador is served by Comalapa International Airport, which is located about 50 km southeast of San Salvador. The city is well connected with North American cities like Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco in the USA.

American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Copa Airlines, Delta Air Lines, TACA, United Airlines are some of the air carriers that touch San Salvadore airport.

El Salvadore Hotels:

At San Salvador:
Courtyard by Marriott san Salvador, Sheraton Presidente San Salvador, Radisson Plaza Hotel El Salvador, InterContinental Hotels Real San Salvador, La Cocotera, Hotel Princess San Salvador

At San Miguel:
Comfort Inn Real San Miguel, Hotel de Don Julio, Hotel Mandarin, Hotel King Palace

At San Ignacio:
Entre Pinos Hotel and Resort

At Suchitoto :
Los Almendros De San Lorenzo, El Tejado, La Posada de Suchitlan

At Concepcion de Ataco:
Hotel Alicante Montana