West
More tranquil than in the north, the rich landscapes of western
El Salvador in many ways offer a perfect introduction to the
country. Soft mountain chains edge back from the valleys, dominated
by the vibrant green expanses of coffee plantations from which the
area gains its wealth. Spared from the most violent hardships of
the conflict of the 1980s, the friendly towns and cities here are
more amenable to visitors than in many places, and a relatively
well developed tourist infrastructure makes travelling easier than
in other regions.
The joy of this part of the country consists largely of soaking
up the atmosphere. The mountain towns of Apaneca and
Juayúa , in the south of the region, and the nearby city of
Ahuachapán are perfect for a few days' relaxation, and are
conveniently situated near the border with Guatemala - Ahuachapán
in particular is a great little place to acclimatize yourself to El
Salvador. The larger city of Santa Ana is a mellow contrast
to the capital, while the peaks of Cerro Verde, Volcán Santa
Ana and Volcán Izalco , the sublime crater lake of
Lago de Coatepeque , and the pre-Columbian site of
Tazumal are all close by. In the north of the region, near
the Guatemalan border, the accommodating little town of
Metapán gives access to the Bosque Montecristo ,
where hiking trails weave through unspoilt cloudforest amid some of
the most remote and perfectly preserved mountain scenery in this
part of the world.
Copyright Rough Guides Ltd as trustee for its authors. Published by Rough Guides. All rights reserved.
The Rough Guides name is a trademark of Rough Guides Ltd.