Backpacking in El Salvador – the capital city San Salvador.
If you have followed Don’t Stop Living the last few weeks/months especially my Facebook page you will know that I was raving about my time in El Salvador. From the Fireball Festival to Tazumal to the Mangrove River Tour to Surfing and Santa Ana, I loved my time in El Salvador. If you can do something from reading my stories it is this – escape the everyday tourists! And so to San Salvador, the capital city of this proud and intriguing nation. Don’t believe the ridiculous media hype that declares San Salvador a danger zone…take your backpack to San Salvador and prepare for a surprise. This city rocks and the only danger is skipping it!
Top sights when touring San Salvador.
1. Parque Central/Plaza Barrios
Most South American cities have a main square or Parque Central. San Salvador’s isn’t touristy at all and you’ll not see anyone else standing outside the palace or cathedral taking a photo, but it’s one of the main sights to check out! I kickstarted my walk round the city from here after getting a bus down from Ximena’s Guesthouse near Boulevard de los Heroes.
Parque Central/Plaza Barrios, San Salvador
2. Catedral Metropolitana
This stunning white Cathedral overlooks Plaza Barrios. Salvadorians are mostly Catholics and services are regular. I happened to catch a service when I was downtown.
The magnificent Catedral Metropolitana
3. Iglesia El Rosario
This old church is unusual. It’s not like the others you’ll see in Central America. Gorgeous stained glass windows and an old looking exterior make it stand out. It’s opposite Parque Libertad (Freedom Square).
Iglesia El Rosario, San Salvador.
4. Iglesia El Calvario
There are lots of churches in San Salvador, and I’m including three on this list, counting the Cathedral. This church, Iglesia El Calvario is actually in the middle of the market. It stands out immediately, as you can see.
Iglesia El Calvario.
5. Mercado Central
San Salvador’s markets sprawl all over the place but there is one concentrated area and here you can sample everyday Salvadorian life. Fruit and veg are cheap and you can pick up all sorts of clothes, household goods and nick nacks.
Mercado Central in San Salvador.
6. National Palace
The National Palace is also in Plaza Barrios and looks fairly modern because it is. The original palace actually burnt down in a fire in 1889, so the new one was finally opened in 1911.
The palace in San Salvador.
7. Estadio Cuscatlan
El Salvador have qualified for the World Cup twice you know – 1970 and 1982. However in 1982 they famously lost 10-1 to Hungary, the biggest ever defeat inflicted on any team in World Cup Finals history. Head to the national stadium (which is blue and white in the main stand and yellow and red in the others – a mix of both the National Team’s colours and the club team that plays here – Atletico Marte)
Estadio Cuscatlan in San Salvador, El Salvador.
What is most astonishing is that (without counting Mexico or Mexico City’s Azteca) this is the largest stadium in Central America having room for 53,400 people.
The Estadio Cuscatlan, largest stadium in Central America (not including Mexico, obviously).
8. Zona Rosa
OK so this area is known for drugs at night, but yet seemed safe enough to me due to the high number of police around. There are a load of bars and restaurants on the main strip and some art galleries. By day it makes for a good walk but get a taxi back to your hostel if you’re heading here at night.
Zona Rosa
9. La Gran Via
I don’t normally stick swanky shopping malls or centres on my best of lists, but seriously – La Gran Via is a sign of the modernism here in San Salvador. This place is state of the art and has some really nice bars, restaurants and a massive cinema complex. It’s also entirely safe at night.
La Gran Via – swanky shopping mall.
10. Estadio Nacional Jorge “El Magico” Gonzalez
I had to include two football stadiums on my travels in El Salvador. This was the original National Stadium and is named after the famous “El Magico” (Jorge Gonzalez). Check his videos, El Magico was a great player and even played with Maradona at Barcelona in the 1980s.
Estadio “Magico” Gonzalez in San Salvador, El Salvador.
11. Boulevard de los Heroes
It might also sound odd that I liked the Boulevard de los Heroes as it’s basically a US style boulevard full of swanky bars and restaurants! However my favourite restaurant El Sopon Tipico is on a street off it, and there are some cool bars here too.
Boulevard de los Heroes, San Salvador, El Salvador.
12. Parque Libertad / Liberty Square
Translates as Liberty Square and sits in the town centre. You can see Iglesia El Rosario at the far end of it as well.
Backpacking in El Salvador – Parque Libertad, San Salvador
I ended up basing myself in San Salvador for about 5-6 days during my 11 days in El Salvador and this gave me a good base for trips out to Puerta del Diablo (Devil’s Gate) and Joya de Ceren. I met some great local people in San Salvador too – my friends Ivan and Jorge who took me out to sample a Saturday night on the town! Thanks guys, great times!
My brilliant night out in San Salvador with Ivan and Jorge.
Overall it’s a great city and here’s a song that reminds me of my time there, plus some videos I took:
I love how cities get a bad reputation for crime, like San Salvador or Guatemala City, yet you seem to prove it to be otherwise. Guessing the dangers typically happen at night and on the outskirts of the city (i.e. where tourists wouldn’t normally go) I am guessing?
Ray recently posted…Christ the Redeemer – A Visit to One of the Seven Wonders of the World
Hi Ray – with San Salvador you’re advised to avoid the actual city centre at night and to be honest, by night there is nothing there anyway. The bar and restaurant districts are scattered in various suburbs. With Guatemala City, again you are advised to avoid the city centre at night. I went out once there at night and there were police on each corner for security so there is a tension in the air. But stay safe and don’t wander off onto dark streets on your own and you’ll be fine. I’d have to guess there is crime in San Salvador and Guatemala City in the outskirts too, but I personally didn’t see any of that. If you’re touring churches, squares, markets etc. I wouldn’t imagine they are the sort of place where people brandish a gun willy nilly. In short – be careful in both cities, but they both rock and I loved them!! Safe travels. Jonny
These look like great places to visit in San Salvador. El Salvador is on my list of countries to visit, and I can’t wait to travel there. Thanks for sharing your pictures and videos!
Hi Valerie, Thanks for your comment, yes El Salvador is a cool country to check out and the vibrant capital San Salvador is worth a few days. Safe travels. Jonny