VACATION DETAILS

The capital of El Salvador and its largest city, San Salvador is a bustling place with massive traffic jams during rush hour. The ongoing construction of expressways adds to the slowdowns.

Though it was established in 1546, most of San Salvador's colonial buildings were destroyed by various earthquakes, floods and a volcanic eruption. As a result, it has a modern appearance.

Located at the crown of an extinct volcano about 50 mi/80 km northwest of San Salvador, Cerro Verde National Park, El Salvador, has good hiking in forest-covered mountains and spectacular views of Izalco Volcano and Coatepeque Crater Lake.

Cerro Verde park harbors many plants and birds, including 17 kinds of hummingbirds. Having an experienced and knowledgeable guide will add a lot to your visit. The Cerro Verde (Green Hill) mountain itself is 6,660 ft/2,030 m high and has two craters.

Nearby Izalco Volcano (6,183 ft/1,886 m) has a perfect black lava cone, with a beautiful crater. An easy trail leads to the summit. Izalco was known as the Lighthouse of the Pacific because of spectacular but benign eruptions that took place every 15 minutes for approximately 190 years. The last eruption took place in 1966, and now only wisps of smoke emerge from the cone. You can get a good look at Izalco from the Hotel de Montana, a lovely mountain lodge on top of Cerro Verde. (It was built so guests could watch the natural fireworks display at Izalco, but the volcanic activity ceased just as the hotel was completed.) Check in advance to make sure the hotel and glassed-in restaurant are open, since they close periodically.

Coatepeque Crater Lake has very deep, blue water. It's a popular weekend recreation spot, with hotels, public beaches and fishing. Also, near the park is the small town of Izalco, where many residents still wear traditional clothing.

Situated some 25 mi/40 km southwest of San Salvador, the Pacific coast resort of La Libertad, El Salvador, offers some of the world's best surfing. Consequently, it is packed with city dwellers on weekends. A short distance west is Zunzal, where international surfing competitions are held.

But the big waves are not for novices, and beware of strong undertows when swimming—the beaches are not protected from the huge Pacific swells.

There's a pier on the black-sand beach, and good seafood is available in local restaurants.

Note: Exercise caution when visiting La Libertad and the surrounding area: There has been a high incidence of assaults and robberies. Avoid walking around town after dark. Surfers have also experienced problems with crime on the beach.