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Backpacking in El Salvador: Santa Ana

​Posted: February 19, 2022

​​After Suchitoto, I stayed another 5 nights in San Salvador and then headed out once again, this time to the town of Santa Ana.

Having loved my stay in San Salvador, I was totally up for exploring Santa Ana.
Backpacking Santa Ana | El Salvador


​Getting from San Salvador to Santa Ana by bus was easy:
How to get from San Salvador to Santa Ana by bus
I based myself at the Pool House Hostel:
Pool House Hostel Santa Ana El Salvador
​[Post sponsored by Pool House Hostel Santa Ana]
Pool House Hostel Santa Ana El Salvador

Here are my top things to see and do in Santa Ana:

Catedral de Nuestra Señora Santa Ana:

This beautiful neo-Gothic cathedral was built in 1575/6. As I backpacked Santa Ana on my first afternoon with my roomie, we were lucky that it was open and we could enter.
Catedral de Nuestra Señora Santa Ana
Catedral de Nuestra Señora Santa Ana

Teatro Nacional de Santa Ana:

Built between 1902 and 1910, it was declared a national monument in 1982. Restoration began in 1987.
Teatro Nacional Sanra Ana

Palacio Municipal de Santa Ana:

​Built between 1874 and 1878. Notice the clock?
Palacio Miunicipal de Santa Ana

Drink a beer at Simmer Down:

​Simmer Down is a restaurant/bar right next to the Catedral de Nuestra Señora. Make sure you head up to the 1st floor for the best views and catch the breeze.
Simmer Down Santa Ana El Salvador
Simmer Down in Santa Ana El Salvador
Simmer Down in Santa Ana El Salvador
​All the above are directly around the Parque Libertad. And here you'll find the Monumento de la Libertad and I ❤ Santa Ana sign.
Backpacking in Santa Ana El Salvador
Monumento de la Libertad, Santa Ana El Salvador

Ruinas de Escuela de las Artes:

It was used as an art school as far back as 1855 until it closed in the 1970s due to damage to the roof.

Ordinarily, I think it's closed, but they were setting it up to host a performance, so I just wandered in, said a few 'buenas tardes' and had a good look exploring what is left of it.
Ruinas de Escuela de las Artes Santa Ana
Ruinas de Escuela de las Artes Santa Ana
Ruinas de Escuela de las Artes Santa Ana
Ruinas de Escuela de las Artes Santa Ana
Santa Ana is a great base to explore the surrounding area.

In my days here, I backpacked the Sitio Arqueológico El Tazumal and the Parque Arqueológico Casa Blanca, both in nearby Chalchuapa; I explored the Ruta de Las Flores as a day trip, and later, hiked the Santa Ana Volcano.

And then a great option is to take a Santa Ana to El Tunco Shuttle which saves you going back to El Salvador.


​Previous Post: ​​Day Trip to La Libertad | El Salvador
Next Post: Backpacking the Sitio Arqueológico El Tazumal in Chalchuapa | El Salvador

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