Planning a getaway might be one of many stressful things to do, but it doesn’t have to be. Take advantage of this guide, if Central America is a country on your traveling bucket list. I would recommend visiting a small country in Central America: El Salvador, also called “El Pulgarcito de Centro America”.

In years past, El Salvador has had a reputation for crime, but its homicide rate – along with some other crime metrics – has dramatically decreased.  The country is also known for its beautiful, tourist places, beaches, and volcanoes. 

This country is filled with new attractions and beautiful places to eat, and you can’t forget the beautiful weather to enjoy yourself at the beach or one of its beautiful parks.

Here are some parts of El  Salvador that I would recommend you to visit based on my recent visit.   

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Paola Torres

A view of waves crashing toward the small pools at La Curva de Don Gere, in La Libertad, El Salvador, on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

With great waves for surfing and the water being perfect for a swim, the overall atmosphere of El Salvador beaches makes it the epitome of relaxation. My favorite place to go as a resort in Salvador is Bello Sol located in Playa San Blas. It is one of the most affordable places to stay at the beach, particularly since fees at other resorts are common. Bello Sol is a hotel and restaurant, with prices ranging from $15 –20 per meal. The resort features free Wi-Fi and free parking, and there are many different room options, depending on what you want to spend. For me and my family, it is the perfect place to go and relax and have fun. 

A new attraction of El Salvador is the  Biblioteca Nacional Francisco Gavidia. It is located in the country’s capital, San Salvador, and opened in November of last year. Having seven floors, an extensive genre of books, a gaming station, and much more, this is not your typical library. It makes for a great place to read and study, or to get work done for those vacationers whose bosses won’t leave them alone. It’s open 24 hours a day, making it accessible for the public to come in at any time.   

Crêpe Lovers is the place to get your sweet tooth satisfied. A fun fact – according to their social media – is that it is the first specialized creperie in El Salvador. The crêpes from this place are delicious, with many options ranging from salty and sweet, while also offering variations of cafe drinks, including boba tea. I would recommend trying the Nutella-banana-strawberry crepe, accompanied with lemonade (or even water) because it’s a bit too sweet. It’s now a chain of cafes located in many different places around the country, including in San Salvador (in the Galerías Mall), and La Gran Vía Cd Merliot El Salvador.

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Paola Torres

A double-scoop pistachio chip cone is ready to eat at La Neveria in San Salvador, El Salvador, on Friday, December 22, 2023.

If you want to have another sweet treat in El Salvador, you should visit an ice cream shop called La Neveria. This ice cream shop has been around for about 35 years and originated in El Salvador and Guatemala. La Neveria specializes in ice cream, popsicles, ice cream cakes, and regular cakes. You can choose from many different flavors, such as Napolitano and  “frutos del bosque,” which consists of strawberry sherbet and blackberry with creamy vanilla. “Chicle” is a bubblegum flavor with vanilla and small chunks of pink bubble gum. Some locations of La Neveria have helado de yogurt – a frozen yogurt.

All these amazing places have their own little adventure. Some with food and others with fun and entertainment. But what makes El  Salvador so special is the people. There is a warmth to the culture – one person can make you feel like family. Even if it feels like such a short time, Salvadorans make you feel welcome at home. Their culture and kindness feel very comforting, like a warm summer day. If you want to find a second home, El Salvador is the way to go.