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.
Having loved my stay in San Salvador, I was totally up for exploring Santa Ana.
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Getting from San Salvador to Santa Ana by bus was easy:
I based myself at the Pool House Hostel:
[Post sponsored by Pool House Hostel Santa Ana]
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.
Teatro Nacional de Santa Ana:
Built between 1902 and 1910, it was declared a national monument in 1982. Restoration began in 1987.
Palacio Municipal de Santa Ana:
Built between 1874 and 1878. Notice the clock?
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.
All the above are directly around the Parque Libertad. And here you'll find the Monumento de la Libertad and I ❤ Santa Ana sign.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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