Travelling in El Salvador is full of surprises. Being about the same size as the state of Massachusetts, this small country is immensely filled with history, culture and biodiversity. The Civil War from the 80’s seems light years away with tourist destinations that are safe and fascinating. Join me on my 4-day adventure to learn about El Salvador travel highlights. In this article, I share travel tips on the mountainous area of Suchito and a Pacific beachfront stay.
Is El Salvador Safe?
I traveled through El Salvador with the travel group, Intrepid Travel. This reputable company offers safe, sustainable travel with educational itineraries. I felt 100% safe the entire time of 4 days in Suchito and Intipuca Beach areas.
The recent government is really cracking down on gangs and that is less of a problem these days. However, if you are in a city like San Salvador, you would need to be more vigilant. From my experience Suchito and the Pacific coastal beaches are safe for tourism. Plus, the locals are so friendly and hospitable.
About the Salvadoran Civil War
It’s important to have some background on the Salvadoran Civil War because this resilient country was deeply embroiled in it for 12 years from 1979 to 1992. At least 80,000 Salvadoran were killed during these years. Like many of the civil wars in Central America at this time, this was another proxy war between the Soviet Union and the U.S.
The U. S. backed the Salvadoran government sending it a million dollars a day. Meanwhile, the Left-wing Rebel Guerillas became backed by Soviet Union and Fidel Castro’s regime from Cuba. There were many human right violations toward sympathizers of the guerillas. It all started during a coup in 1979 and ended when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1992.
About Suchito “Colonial Cradle of El Salvador”
Suchito is a charming colonial village with cobblestone roads and colorful buildings. Its name, meaning “Flower Bird” in Nahuantl language, sums up its natural beauty. However, it wasn’t like this during the civil war of the 80’s. Suchito was deeply affected by the war because it lies close to the Guazapa Volcano, a stronghold of the FMLN guerillas during the conflict.
However, now, Suchito is very safe and these difficult times seem light years away. In fact, I recommend doing a Salvadorian Civil War Walking Tour to learn about what really happened here in the 80’s. Besides culture, this is plenty of beautiful nature near Suchito, surrounded by lush jungle, a lake and volcanoes.
I recommend SuchitoEcoTours for sustainable travel in Suchito. Being with Intrepid Travel, they arranged our local tours with this company. Our group did the Salvadoran Civil War Walking Tour and I can’t recommend it enough.
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Suchito Top Things to Do
El Salvador Travel Highlights
The Suchito setting is a wonderful place for a walking tour with its colonial architecture and cobblestone roads. Many of these sites are accessible for a comfortable walking tour.
Central Square
Central Square is a wonderful place to start exploring. In the heart of Suchito, this grassy area with gardens provides benches to relax. Colonial architecture surrounds the square, including the picturesquely white Santa Lucia Church, standing there since 1853. Don’t miss the overflowing, vibrant fuchsia and white bougainvillea alongside the church. Also, next to the church is the charming yellow Casa Dela Abuela (Grandma’s House). This is a great place to stop for coffee and pastries. It’s also a hotel, art gallery and even souvenir shop.
Learn and Shop for Indigo Dyed Clothing!
For those of you proclaiming blue as your favorite color, do not miss out on the ultimate indigo experience in Suchito. The plant-based dye, indigo, was El Salvador’s biggest industry until a German chemist invented a synthetic version. The Mayans considered indigo sacred and called it “blue gold.” Today El Salvador still provides some of the highest quality indigo in the world. (India is the largest indigo producer and where its name comes from.) Interestingly, the natural and traditional indigo is making a comeback for our sustainable future.
In November is Suchito’s Indigo Fair!
The most famed store for natural indigo products and workshops is on the main Central Square, called Arte Anil (indigo ink). I stopped inside and bought myself an upbeat tie-dyed indigo dress. Besides clothing, the shop also offers purses, hats, blankets, scarves and jewelry.
Our travel group experienced an indigo tied dye workshop, learning about this famed technique. By doing the workshop, we supported a local women’s group and even got to experience how these products are made. And, of course, we shopped!
Mercado Municipal de Suchito
Just down the street from the Central Square is the indoor market. You can easily spend a couple hours here shopping for fresh produce, handicrafts and souvenirs. It also provides a local food court with stalls and coffee shops on the second floor. The food court opens by 6:30 am and is a great place to get an early breakfast to start off the day.
Centro Arte para la Paz or Art Center for Peace
The Art Center for Peace is a community space focusing on the restoration of peace and healing from the civil war years in the 80’s. Education is the driving force of this center, especially teaching the children and younger generations about alternative ways to cultivate well-being. Numerous workshops provide education and outlets in the visual arts, music, martial arts and dance. Other programs provide community wellness alternatives to gang violence and other traumas.
The site also includes a museum to hold the historical memory to learn from the past. The café onsite offers delicious options for breakfast and lunch. Additionally, a hostel is here for visitors to stay in either bunk beds in a dorm style or in more private rooms. All proceeds from hostel and café go to the organization.
Pupusa Making Workshop
My travel group participated in a pupusa cooking class at a local restaurant. Each of us got a chance to make our own pupusas. This cornmeal flatbread, filled with meat, cheese & veggies, is the most popular food item in El Salvador. So, it’s one of the best ways to cook or eat like a local in El Salvador. Alongside the local cook, I picked my own ingredients and rolled them in my cornmeal dough. Then, presto, I placed it on the hot grill to cook for just about 5 – 10 minutes. Lastly, I added the final touches with condiments like hot sauce or fermented coleslaw.
Birdwatch or Kayak on Cerron Grande Reservoir or Lake Suchitlan
Just outside of Suchito is the Cerron Grande Reservoir or Lake Suchitlan. This artificial lake is the largest in El Salvador, created by the Lempa River. It benefits the country greatly from its hydroelectricity and recreational uses. People enjoy birdwatching and kayaking on the lake.
Catch a Drink or Meal with a View
Suchito is nestled in the jungle with volcanoes nearby and Lake Suchitlan. Most restaurants and cafes on the north side of Suchitoto offer great views with the lake below. Casa 1800 (restaurant and hotel) is known for having one of the best panoramic views from its platform, especially of Lake Suchitlan.
Our group enjoyed dinner at La Posada Suchitlan Restaurant and Hotel! This al fresco restaurant spreads out with seating and balconies offering stunning views of Lake Suchitlan, the mountains and jungle. It provides meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner with many fresh El Salvadoran options.
Salvadorian Civil War Walking Tour
If you really want to learn about the recent past of El Salvador, this tour is a must. I did it with SuchitoEcotours and give 2 big thumbs up. Although, this walk is moderately difficult because it goes through mountainous trails. First, we took a shuttle to the nearby Cinquera, known as “Little Vietnam.” This unique walking tour teaches you many things that books or history classes will never tell you. Here, lies the truth that you can experience firsthand and hear about it from the locals.
Their central square memorial is jaw-dropping with half a plane taken down by the rebels along with the rifles that did the job. Also, interestingly, leftover bombshells stand here, that priests now use as bells to call mass. How’s that for upcycling! Here, we learned about some of the heroes that sacrificed their lives for humanity, such as, the Archbishop, Oscar Romero.
Next, we arrived at “Guerilla Trail” in the Cinquera Ecological Park. First, we listened to stories from one of the guerilla rebels, Don Rafael. This is such a gift to hear what really happened from this amazing relic of the past. Then, our guide from Suchito Ecotours walked us through the mountainous forest seeing a ruin of indigo processing pool along with guerilla trenches, campsite and relics from a makeshift hospital. This forest served as a secret haven for the guerillas to hide out and live during the civil war. After the unique walking tour, we swam in “El Salto” with the waterfall and enjoyed a hammock along with barbeque.
Los Tercios Waterfall
Just 1 km from Suchito is the Los Terciois Waterfall. From Las Animas stream, the 10-meter waterfall comes down over basalt columns. Volcanic activity sculpted the basalt rocks centuries ago. During the dry season, you won’t see much water. However, the rainy season runs from late April to October creating more dramatic waterfalls.
Accommodations in Suchito
I loved our stay at the Jardin de las Marias just a 10-minute walk from the Central Square. It offers amazing outdoor area with gardens, hammocks, swimming pool and a scenic veranda with a restaurant. If you want to support a cause, I suggest looking into the hostel at Art Center for Peace near the Central Square. For a splurge with one of the best views in town consider the Casa 1800 Hotel and Restaurant.
Our Drive from Suchito to Intipuca Beach
From Suchito, we drove through San Salvador and along the Pan-American Highway to the southern Pacific Coast for our resort. We took a comfortable 5-hour journey going on the outskirts of the capital city, San Salvador. Also, we made a stop for a scenic view of San Salvador Volcano.
A Beachfront Hotel Stay on Intipuca Beach
We stayed at La Tortuga Verde, a beachfront hotel on the southern tip of El Salvador. It is a destination all on its own with a restaurant, bar, spa, turtle sanctuary and pelican retreat. The hotel also provides surfing lessons. It is located near the popular surf Las Flores and El Cuco Beach. This resort lies on the dark sands of volcanic origin with shady coconut palms on Intipuca Beach. El Salvador is becoming known as a world-class surfing destination with numerous resorts along the Pacific coast.
Because this stop was part of my month-long adventure traveling through 5 countries in Central America, I took a rest here. So, I leisurely enjoyed beachcombing, swimming and hammocks. The highlight for me here was the vibrant sunset beach walks. It was one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever experienced.
Enjoy El Salvador!
El Salvador is an incredible country with lots of historic sites and natural beauty. If you are short on time, Suchito and the Pacific coast offer safe and interesting destinations. If your travels bring you to El Salvador, please share any tips below in the comments.
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