TOURISM IN EL

SALVADOR

Collaborators

Muñoz Arévalo, Ingris Magdalena

Urbina, María Jose

Fernández Quintanilla, Berta Alicia

Hernández Cruz, Lorena Ivonne

Martínez Martínez, Carlos Alexis

I.Muñoz

Born in 1993 in a small village in Usulután, El Salvador. Muñoz is the first of four youngsters, since she was a child, she loved to read children stories, with the time she eventually realized that she love read and she wanted to write an article like for a magazine.

She graduated from high school on 2009 with a specialization in accounting. Spanish is her native language. In 2010 Muñoz decided to study English and read has helped a lot in the develop of language skills.

U.Maria

Maria José Urbina was born in the Hospital Santa

Teresa in Zacatecoluca, on September 16th in 1988

at 12:40 am. Currently she is twenty five years old.

She is Mario Reynaldo Urbina`s daughter and

Maria Luisa Miranda both are teachers. Her infant

was very special because she is oldest of three

children, and for that reason she always has been taken all that she wants.

Her hobbies are watching TV, listen music, do exercise, but her favorite

hobby is staying home with her family. She decided to study a major in

English Language, because when she traveled to United States she was

excited for the new language that she had learned. She wants to prepare for

give her son and her family the best, a house, a clothing, a food, and son, she

only wants to be a great person.

B. Fernández

B. Fernandez was born in the city of San Rafael Obrajuelo. She

comes from a family of ten member, her mother is a teacher and his

father is a school B. Fernandez or tita as she always refer to

graduated from Institute National Jose Simeon Cañas high school in

Zacatecoluca, La Paz .

H. Lorena

Was born in the city of San Salvador El Salvador, she study English

at university Tecnologica of El Salvador, enjoyed to read and spend

the enough time as possible with her family. Something that really

like to her is help to other specially children or old people.

Carlos Martínez Biography.

At 00:26 a.m on june 25th in 1991, in

San Rafael Hospital located in Santa Tecla.

A four hours of labour, Carlos Martinez

was born; that night it was raining because

Carlos was born in the rainy season in El

Salvador. Moreover, Carlos parents were

so excited to have him in their arms

because he was their first son. The doctor

told his parents that Carlos was a normal baby, larger that the

other babies.

Carlos grew up in a good and humble family. His house is

located in Corinto 2 main highway to La Libertad. Carols’ parents

named Carlos and Elsy Martinez; they were the first teachers that

he had during his life; they taught him how to walk, speak, say

please and thank you and the values that will help him to grow up

as a good citizen and when he has his own family. His parents were

so blessed to have him in their lives.

Carlos started his studies at kindergarden at age of 3 years

old; his first day in the kindergarden wasn´t good to him because

Carlos cried the whole morning because he hadn’t been so far from

his parents. Moreover, during Carlos´ time in the kindergarden he

learnt important things for his life such as respect others, share

with others, help other people. The school became his second

house.

At the age of 5 years old, Carlos had a new experience because his

parents had a new baby girl. Her name was Raquel, Carlos becomes

the oldest brother and Carlos was so happy because he had a new

member in his family. Carlos worked hard to get good grades in his

kindergarden and then he graduated from kindergarden with good

grades.

At the age of eight, Carlos' mother started to work because she

wanted to give a better life to her children. For three years she

worked so hard, but during the year while she worked, Carlos

started to get bad grades and he was close to fail his fifth grade, so

his mom decided to quit her job because she knew that Carlos was

going so bad in his school and he had some bad friends who Carlos

was spending a lot of time with them in the Street and they were

always telling Carlos that school is so boring and that was better to

stay in the street playing soccer or riding his bike and those friends

smoke cigarettes and Carlos tried to smoke, but he couldn't

because he didn't know how to smoke . And until now his mom

knew that was the best decision that she took to quit her job and

spent more time with Carlos.

At the age of ten Carlos received the last member on his family

it was a little baby his name was David; he was so lovely. Carlos´

family was so happy. Carlos, Raquel and David have been growing

up, in a good family because they are Christians and they are

serving in different ministries at church.

When Carlos turned fifteen not everything was good at his

family. Carlos´ father moved to the United States illegally and his

father had an accident and was so close to die. Moreover, at the

same time Carlos used to play as a goalkeeper (the once who can

take the ball with his or her hands in the match) in his school

soccer team, someone hit his mouth with his knee and Carlos

received a surgery in his mouth. After that badness time he

graduated from ninth grade.

The year 2006 was done and 2007 was already and Carlos started

to study in high school. The time in the high school was the best

time to him because he met new friends and new teachers, he

played in the basketball team during the three years that he

studied there he graduates from high school in 2009. In 2010

Carlos started to study B.A in English Teaching at Universidad

Tecnologica. Over the past five years he has been studying in the

university and he used to work in a non-profit organization that is

called Children development program “Nuevo Amanecer” this

program belongs to international compassion. Her, in El Salvador

are more than two hundred programs and every program has no

less than two hundred children. During Carlos was working in the

program he was the tutor of sixty children. He used to teach in four

areas: spiritual, cognitive, socio-emotional and health to children

who live in poor live conditions, those children learnt most of the

things on the Bible and how they need to act as a person and how

to face economical and physical situation in their lives.

AUDIENCE

Gender: Male and female

Age: young adventure people

Nationality: Regional and international people

Religious view: none

PURPOSE: To persuade regional and international people to

know about Salvadoran culture and come to visit the different

tourist places El Salvador has.

Traditions

Beaches

Lakes

Routes

KNOWING EL

SALVADOR

Find the hidden treasures El Salvador has. El Salvador is one of the main Central America tourist destinations

and its popularity is still rising. Tourists love to know the culture and love to visit museums, mountains, volcanoes, archeological places, parks, nightlife, and clean beaches, and the most important is the attention they receive from the people whose play an important role to offer their services

and products.

El Salvador has a lot of places that offer traditions, culture, and history like colonial

churches, gastronomic festivals, craft shops and more. It offers to its visitors a variety of natural places where the tourist can disconnect from the noise of the city, and enjoy the natural beauty of pure water rivers waterfalls, and camping sites.

All visitors can appreciate the natural beauty of pine, coffee plantations, cypresses and flowers of different colors and most importantly they are constantly monitored by the rangers. For example on the Cerro Verde you can see the

complex of volcanoes like Izalco volcano, Ilamatepec, and San Marcelino. The main attractions of these parks are hiking, climbing, camping and most of all, lots of adventure and nature.

It is very important to mention that El Salvador is rich in tourist destinations, is known and recommended by the experts to

make dives in the open sea, it is the start of an ocean adventure where you can

discover and watch fish of all colors, and a coral reef of diverse forms and tonalities for this reason offers a lot of adventure for people who like extreme sports including surfing, rafting, canopy and diving.

Admire the archaeological routes comprehended by archaeological sites like Joya de Ceren, Tazumal, The White House, San Andrés, Cihuatan, all of them contemplate a Mayan legacy that brings a cultural and historical magnificence.

El Salvador is famous for its typical food, the dish per excellence is the pupusa, which it has a national day that is celebrated every second Sunday of November, pupusas are elaborated from corn, at the same time the corn is one of the main ingredients of the typical Salvadoran cuisine. Other popular foods, making of corn is: tortillas, very important in the daily diet of Salvadorans, as tamales, atoles and snacks like riguas and totopostes, and Chicha de maiz as a drink.

Other popular foods making of corn are: tortillas, very important in the daily diet of Salvadorans, as tamales, atoles varieties like, piñuela, shuco or chilate; and snacks like riguas and totopostes, and Chicha de maiz as a drink.

Other traditional dishes are: chicken soup, soup legs, nuégados de yuca, cassava with pork cracklings, squash in honey, and fritters with honey, among others. Popular cold drinks, called frescos are:

horchata, tamarindo, barley, chan, to name a few.

In El Salvador there are intense tourist destinations to discover, El Puerto de la libertad, Santa Ana, Sonsonate, san vicente, San Miguel, San Salvador our beloved Capital.

CARNAVAL DE SAN

MIGUEL

The Carnaval de San Miguel is one of

the most popular and important

festivals of El Salvador, which takes

place every November, during the

festivities of San Miguel. This carnival

is popular among all Salvadorans since

it is a well-recognized internationally

for its carnival joy, colorism, etc. It takes place in the main streets of the city of San

Miguel, and in some places like the stadium, park, etc. Besides, there is live music,

with national and international artists; brings together about 30 or 40 bands

playing live for all visitors to this great carnival. Today with the arrival of Mayor

Will Salgado has gained even more popularity as the distinguished mayor has put

his stamp on the call "de choto."

History

Initially, this carnival was held on May 8 founding

date of the city. In such celebrations dominated

commercial transactions of merchants from

various parts of Central America. In 1939 the City

Council decided to move the celebration to

November 21 in honor of Our Lady of Peace, the patron saint of the population.

During that time local festivals were held in the neighborhoods of the city. As the

years passed, in the resort casinos dancing festivals were taking place, and where

income had a small group of people. Such places include the Casino migueleño .

While this was happening, outside the precincts, the bulk of the population was

content to listen to the music of the bands that gave life to the celebration. Among

the most important sets of those years included the Polio Orchestra, Paquito

Palaviccini and Lito Barrientos with Jiboa orchestra.

In 1959 the celebrations took a different turn. That year he was appointed as

Governor Miguel Felix Charlaix, who, noticing the isolation of the majority during

the celebrations, decided that orchestras have their presentations on the streets of

the city.

Two years after its inception, the carnival had an international character with the

visit of Guatemalan President and the five Central American beauty queens. Over

the years the Carnival popularity

spread throughout El Salvador and

neighboring countries, to the point of

self-proclaimed, in recent times, as the

most important holiday in Central

America. A significant portion of the

audience is made Salvadorans living

abroad, especially the United States.

But it's not just dance, because on

November 21 before starting the carnival, the Virgin

of La Paz, the patron saint of San Miguel, through

the main streets followed by all the faithful. It is

noteworthy

that the

festivities are

held from 4 to

30 November

and every

night there is a carnival in every

neighborhood and colony also for each

district a representative is elected to

participate then occupy the crown of the holidays.

The Cobano beach

peaking of the Cobanos beach is

the highlight its golden or

whitish sand, the rocks, which

make it different to other beaches,

calm and warm waters,

transparent to time as well as the

abundant vegetation that usually

surrounds them, perfect beach for

underwater activities, due to the high

number of coral reefs that possesses, beach Los Cobanos well equipped with

sunbeds, umbrellas, ranches, restaurants, bars, campgrounds and resorts.

Spectacular for water sports or just to sit in the sand and admiring the tides, be

it for whatever, the beach is really special. Swimmers and sunbathers will enjoy

the sea, on the other hand for surfers offers appropriate sport waves for it.

It is actually a nice

beach where tourists

can go for a walk, relax,

have a good time it is

totally different, as can

be seen in the images.El

Salvador, a small

country, but there is a

S

lot for to enjoy. Rich in tourist destinations is known and recommended for open

water dives and enjoy its beautiful beaches.

The Cóbanos comprising 264.6 km ² of marine ecosystem, find one of the reef

areas best known in El Salvador , with a coral reef 157 miles long being the North

Pacific the largest , which contains a great variety of species marinas, including

fish, turtles , mollusks , worms , crustaceans , echinoderms , sponges, providing

shelter and food. Where you can discover and observe fish of all colors, such as

orange, black, yellowness, blue etc. Some of these have two shades because of

their species; a coral reef also structured in various rock formations with green

hues, brown, purple and even black in some cases.

The Cobanos a beach of white sand, only along the Salvadoran coast, is the

beginning of an ocean adventure.

Two wonderful lakes in El Salvador

Ilopango lake Coatepeque

El Salvador has wonderful places for visit it. You would enjoy the

reach natural resources such as: lakes and, rivers, volcanoes, and

beaches, archeological parks and more. Something really amazing is

Salvadoran culture with different kind of celebration which you

would know while you visit the majestic Salvador’s lakes.

One of the most important and visiting lakes is: Ilopango, 9 miles from

San Salvador. Ilopango the access to this lake is very accessible especially

for the people who are living in the capital or near to this. Other

wonderful lake is Coatepeque, you will found beachfront hotels

accommodating visitors-Hotel Torremolinos offers lodging, a restaurant

and they rent water sports equipment. Hotel Amacuilco has an art center

worth checking out and it is a popular spot for younger travelers.

Ilopango Lake. You have to come to El Salvador and visit Ilopango lake.

Because is one of the few lakes around the world which has

an active subacuatic volcanoes. His water with a

temperature of 26°c is excellent if you want to practice to

dive in wherever time of the year. You have to discover the

history of this amazing lake and learn more about

Salvadoran culture. The glorious luster

of the water call the attention of all people who know this

magnificent lake. The lake is surrounded of small hills

whose makes a nice fresh weather around the lake. You

must to visit Ilopango Lake and join to the wonderful

paradise in El Salvador.

Coatepeque Lake.

Coatepeque is a volcanic lake situated about an hour from San

Salvador. It is much older than Ilopango, though created by a

similar catastrophic eruption some five to six thousand years ago.

You can come in to El Salvador and visit this wonderful lake

surrounded of

wonderful green high

and other small hill that

help to the lake look

more natural and

excellent place for

enjoy and feel free

while the fresh wind

touch our skin,

Coatepeque lake is

Consider among the 10

most beautiful lakes in

the world. You can climb one of the hill near to the lake and be

witness of the most wonderful and amazing view of the

Coatepeque Lake. Clouds look like if are touching the water lake,

blue and green are the color reflect on the clearly water of

Coatepeque lake. Has amazing small hill which is in the lake and

look really nice!

The Flowers Route

by Carlos Martinez.

In El Salvador there are many

places where people can go to practice tourism, those places are so pretty

and have a lot of cultural belief that show the Salvadorian costume through

the time. El Salvador offers many tourism destinations and one of the them;

it is called the Flower Route.

The Flower´s Route is located between the Apaneca-Ilamatepec mountain, it

has 2,365.07 meters above sea level and this Route possesses a fresh and

pleasant climate, this route includes five interesting destinations full of

cultural tradition, exquisite traditional dishes in their different gastronomic

festivals and a splendid natural appeal. These counties are Nahuizalco,

Salcoatitlan, Juayúa, Apaneca and Concepcion de Ataco.

Nahuizalco

The way to the Flower´s Route starts in the county of Nahuizalco and it is

located 70 Kms from San Salvador. There are two versions about the origins

of this town:

The first version is contained in a brief and true history, a Franciscan chronic

of 1586. According to this document, Nahuizalco retains this name because

formerly had four times the population size of Izalco town. The second

version is reflected in a report from the main hall in Nahuizalco in October

15th 1859, in the following terms "The Single tradition that preserves the

origin of this population is that after the Spaniards conquest, four families

from Izalco stood at a point immediately to Sonzacate, which is still called

Nahuizalquio, and when the neighbors visiting or passing through this point

was called the four Izalco’s" that in Nahuatl language mean Nahuizalco.

"Naui" means "four".

This town maintains its indigenous and artisanal costumes. Here you will find

their night market, workshops and handicraft stores in the entire county. The

Patron Saint Day festivities are held in honor of "San Juan Bautista", from

June 17th to June 24th each year, and in the third week of October is held

the celebration in honor of "La Virgen del Rosario". The main economic

activity is the agriculture and in second places the handicraft production, a

very recognized tourist attraction of Nahuizalco; its night market, illuminated

with oil lamps, lanterns or candles is another reason to visit Nahuizalco in

your tour across the route of the flowers.

Salcoatitlan

"Salcoatitán" is a Nahuatl word that means "Place between snakes and

quetzals". If you love plants, at the main entrance of the town you can visit

the Maquilishuatl Nursery, which besides flowers accounts with a mini zoo,

which has two sympathetic capuchin monkeys, a peacock and a "tigrillo". It

also has spaces where you can enjoy a coffee and dessert. If you are

interested in archaeology, you have the opportunity to look at the ceramic

pieces exposure that the county has, some of them are from 400 B.C. and

300 A.C.

In Salcoatitán Park, in front of the colonial church of "San Miguel Arcángel",

every weekend you can enjoy a wide variety of dishes, as seafood, Mexican

food, desserts, grilled beef, pork ribs, tamales, riguas, "Sopa de pata", Indian

hen, fried yucca and more!

There is no lack the neither typical candies nor juice cane, whether looking

sausage or natural medicine then you are not going with empty hands.

Located in Sonsonate, a thousand 40 meters above the sea level, Salcoatitán

offers you a fresh and pleasant climate.

Juayúa

Juayúa is a town with an attractive

coffee tradition; it has a fresh

climate and cold waterfalls.

"Juayúa" comes from the Nahuatl,

which means “Purple Orchids River

The 103 km² of Juayúa seem to have been perfectly placed in a path that

remains adorned throughout the year by the floral diversity in the area. One

place that you need to visit is “La Iglesia Santa Lucía" and you will find the

famous image of the Juayúa Black Christ. This place has been definitely a

cultural center among Catholic religion for more than 500 years. The

awesome building has real artistic treasures, starting with the miraculous

image of The Black Christ, their stained glass placed in the high altar,

illuminated with Italian marble lamps, its magnificent bells that can be heard

miles away and an electric chime, which can interpret different melodies and

Christian praise to the bells.

On weekends you can enjoy with exquisite traditional dishes in the

gastronomic festival. Once year , a worldwide gastronomic festival is

organized, with typical dishes from other countries. If you love nature, Juayúa

invites you to visit "Los Chorros de La Calera" (La Calera Waterfalls), one of

the most interesting tourist attractions of Juayúa. You will enjoy the beautiful

crystalline waterfalls and the cool weather. You must also visit "La Laguna de

las Ranas" (Frogs Lagoon), during winter this lagoon is visited by a lot of frogs

and it is a fine place to camp.

Another gorgeous place to visit is "Laguna Verde" (Green Lagoon), created by

a volcanic eruption and located among Apaneca and Juayúa at 1,600 meters

above the sea level. Juayúa is located 80 kilometers from San Salvador, in the

Department of Sonsonate; just take the CA-12N highway.

Apaneca

This town it has been dedicated to coffee growing, it has two lagoons,

"Laguna Verde" (Green Lagoon) and "Laguna de Las Ninfas" (Nymphs

Lagoon). Apaneca is a place in which you will find gorgeous landscapes and

the heritage of an ancient civilization.

Apaneca is located 16 km southwest from Ahuachapán City, in a picturesque

and exuberant high plateau between the hill of Apaneca and the volcano of

"Laguna Verde". Another attraction of Apaneca is its wide variety of flowers,

which can be found in nurseries and farms.

In Apaneca you will find a rich gastronomy, with a great variety of

international food restaurants and places where you can taste desserts and

coffee in a natural environment. And this is a good place for the ones that are

coffee lovers, and it is a good place to go camping.

Concepción de Ataco.

Concepción de Ataco is 5 km from Apaneca, 1275 meter above sea level.

Concepción de Ataco is a precolumbian town, founded by Pipil tribes in the

heart of the hill; their main product it has been the cultivation of coffee,

there is also the textile industry with rustic methods, as well as artisans of

religious pictures in wood. Among the tourist attractions of Concepción de

Ataco it is one pool that is called Atzumpa and it is located at 1.5 kms. From

Concepcion de Ataco; other places to visit are La Cruz de Cielito Lindo is a

view point from where you can observe all the town and its surroundings. La

Cruz Del Shico is another lookout located 30 minutes from Ataco. Another

tourist attractions are "La Ceiba del Parque Central", "La Poza del Perol",

"Cascadas de Tiapán" and "Cerro de las Flores".

The feasts in Ataco are very pleasant, which are held from December 10th to

December 15th in honor of "La Inmaculada Concepción de María", there are

historical representations and dances.