Experiences El Salvador
San Salvador
Historic City

San Salvador

San Salvador
Republicano1525
Style
22-28°C
Temperature
2.1 millones
Population

About San Salvador

San Salvador is the capital of El Salvador and the largest city in the country. Its historic center, currently undergoing revitalization, houses some of the most emblematic buildings in the nation. It serves as a natural starting point to explore the San Salvador Volcano, Lake Ilopango, and the inland destinations of the country.

San Salvador 1
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Explore San Salvador

Activities, restaurants and stays recommended by Experiences.

Where to eat13

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1893 Restaurant
Restaurant

1893 Restaurant

1893 Restaurant

Restaurant in Colonia Escalón, on 87th North Avenue. A contemporary cuisine proposal in one of the culinary areas of San Salvador.

y, 87 Avenida Norte 222, San Salvador

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Brutto El Salvador
Restaurant

Brutto El Salvador

Brutto El Salvador

Restaurant in Bambú City Center, on the boulevard of the Hipódromo in San Benito. Contemporary Italian cuisine in the gastronomic area of the capital.

Bambu, Bulevar Del Hipodromo, San Salvador

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La Espetada San Benito
Restaurant

La Espetada San Benito

La Espetada San Benito

Meat restaurant on a skewer in San Benito, located on Calle Circunvalación. The signature cut is served on a spit, accompanied by side dishes.

Calle Circunvalacion 320, San Salvador 1101

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Don Li | San Benito
Restaurant

Don Li | San Benito

Don Li | San Benito

Chinese cuisine restaurant in San Benito, on the boulevard of the Hipódromo. Asian dishes in one of the restaurant areas of the capital.

Bulevar Del Hipodromo 613, San Salvador

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La Rueda Steakhouse | Presidente Plaza
Restaurant

La Rueda Steakhouse | Presidente Plaza

La Rueda Steakhouse | Presidente Plaza

Steakhouse in Presidente Plaza, on Avenida de la Revolución. Cuts of meat and a classic atmosphere in the Zona Rosa of San Salvador.

Presidente Plaza, Av. De La Revolucion 3, San Salvador

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Monterosso Trattoria El Salvador
Restaurant

Monterosso Trattoria El Salvador

Monterosso Trattoria El Salvador

Italian trattoria in Bambú City Center, on the Hipódromo Boulevard. Pasta and Italian dishes in the gastronomic area of San Benito.

Bambú City Center, Bulevar Del Hipodromo C3, San Salvador

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Pupusería Suiza • Escalón
Pupusería House

Pupusería Suiza • Escalón

Pupusería Suiza • Escalón

Pupusería in Colonia Escalón, on 101 Avenida Norte. Freshly made pupusas in one of the residential areas of the capital.

101 Avenida Nte. #615, San Salvador

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Holy Shrimp!
Restaurant

Holy Shrimp!

Holy Shrimp!

Seafood restaurant in Colonia Escalón, on 91st North Avenue. Shrimp and seafood dishes in a casual atmosphere.

91 Avenida Nte., San Salvador 1101

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Señor Birria
Restaurant

Señor Birria

Señor Birria

Restaurant specialized in birria on Paseo General Escalón. Tacos and birria consomé in Mexican style in the high area of the capital.

P.º Gral. Escalón 4828, San Salvador

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Puerto Marisco • Escalón
Restaurant

Puerto Marisco • Escalón

Puerto Marisco • Escalón

Seafood restaurant in Colonia Escalón, on 77th Avenue North. Ceviches and seafood dishes in the gastronomic area of the capital.

77 avenida norte, 5 calle poniente #346, Colonia Escalón, San Salvador

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Pupusería Gabriela
Pupusería House

Pupusería Gabriela

Pupusería Gabriela

Pupusería with over 12 years in San Antonio Abad, San Salvador. In addition to traditional pupusas, it offers varieties of blackberry, garlic, and spinach, as well as natural smoothies.

Calle San Antonio Abad, Urbanización Las Rosas Dos, casa #14, San Salvador

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Pupusería Chely
Restaurant

Pupusería Chely

Pupusería Chely

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El Xolo
Restaurant

El Xolo

El Xolo

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Cafés & Bars8

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Republik Bar
Bar

Republik Bar

Republik Bar

Bar on La Reforma Street, near the Zona Rosa of San Salvador. Nightlife atmosphere with music and drinks in the San Benito area.

Calle La Reforma 243-247, San Salvador

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Crafters Coffee • Bambu
Coffee shop

Crafters Coffee • Bambu

Crafters Coffee • Bambu

Specialty coffee shop in Bambú City Center, in San Benito. Origin coffee and pastries in the gastronomic area of the capital.

Bambu City Center, Bulevar Del Hipodromo, San Salvador

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CARAJO Coffee Shop
Coffee shop

CARAJO Coffee Shop

CARAJO Coffee Shop

Specialty coffee shop in Colonia La Mascota, near Escalón. Origin coffee in a modern space in San Salvador.

Plaza 13-G, C. La Mascota, San Salvador

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Biscuit To Go
Coffee shop

Biscuit To Go

Biscuit To Go

Café and pastry shop on Avenida El Almendro, in San Benito. Bakery and coffee in the gastronomic area of San Salvador.

Avenida El Almendro 1, San Salvador

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Good Beans El Salvador Coffee Roasters
Coffee shop

Good Beans El Salvador Coffee Roasters

Good Beans El Salvador Coffee Roasters

Roastery and café on the Boulevard del Hipódromo, in San Benito. Salvadoran origin coffee roasted in-house.

Bulevar Del Hipodromo 537, San Salvador

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Le Bistró-Café • Millennium Plaza
Coffee shop

Le Bistró-Café • Millennium Plaza

Le Bistró-Café • Millennium Plaza

Bistro café in Millennium Plaza, on Paseo General Escalón. Coffee, breakfasts, and pastries in a commercial area of the capital.

Millenium Plaza, P.º Gral. Escalón, San Salvador

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Recién Horneado Bakery • San Benito
Coffee shop

Recién Horneado Bakery • San Benito

Recién Horneado Bakery • San Benito

Bakery and café on the Boulevard del Hipódromo, in San Benito. Freshly baked bread and coffee in the gastronomic area of the capital.

Bulevar Del Hipodromo 615, San Salvador

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Viva Espresso | Plaza La Capilla
Coffee shop

Viva Espresso | Plaza La Capilla

Viva Espresso | Plaza La Capilla

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Where to stay16

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Green life San Salvador
Hostel

Green life San Salvador

Green life San Salvador

Hostel on Avenida Vista Hermosa, in San Salvador. Affordable and simple accommodation, a great option for budget travelers.

Ave Vista Hermosa 269, San Salvador

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Casa 46 | Escalón
Hotel

Casa 46 | Escalón

Casa 46 | Escalón

Boutique hotel in Colonia Escalón, on 3rd East Street. Accommodation in a quiet and well-located residential area of San Salvador.

3ra Calle Poniente Casa 46, San Salvador

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Hotel Sueños
Hotel

Hotel Sueños

Hotel Sueños

Hotel in Colonia Escalón, on Calle del Mirador. Comfortable accommodation in one of the upscale residential areas of the capital.

Calle del mirador 4323, San Salvador

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Hotel Sheraton Presidente, El Salvador
Hotel

Hotel Sheraton Presidente, El Salvador

Hotel Sheraton Presidente, El Salvador

International chain hotel on Avenida de la Revolución, in the Zona Rosa. One of the reference hotels in San Salvador, offering extensive services.

Avenida De La Revolucion, San Salvador

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Eco Hotel Mariscal
Hotel

Eco Hotel Mariscal

Eco Hotel Mariscal

Hotel on Paseo General Escalón. Practical accommodation on one of the main commercial avenues of San Salvador.

P.º Gral. Escalón 3658, San Salvador 1101

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Las Magnolias | Hotel Boutique
Hotel

Las Magnolias | Hotel Boutique

Las Magnolias | Hotel Boutique

Boutique hotel on Avenida Las Magnolias, near the Zona Rosa. Stylish accommodation in the San Benito area.

Av. Las Magnolias #226, San Salvador

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Kaleo Hotel Boutique
Hotel

Kaleo Hotel Boutique

Kaleo Hotel Boutique

Boutique hotel on La Capilla Avenue, in the San Benito area. Peaceful accommodation near restaurants and galleries.

Av. La Capilla 353, San Salvador

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Suites Las Palmas, Hotel & Apartments
Hotel

Suites Las Palmas, Hotel & Apartments

Suites Las Palmas, Hotel & Apartments

Suite and apartment hotel on the Boulevard del Hipódromo, in San Benito. Option for short and long stays near the Zona Rosa.

Bulevar Del Hipodromo, San Salvador

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Villa Stahl
Hotel

Villa Stahl

Villa Stahl

Hotel in Pasaje Stahl, in a residential area of San Salvador. A peaceful and family-friendly accommodation in the capital.

Pasaje Stahl 158, San Salvador

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Hilton San Salvador
Hotel

Hilton San Salvador

Hilton San Salvador

International chain hotel in Colonia Escalón, on 89th Avenue North. Full-service accommodation in a central area of the capital.

89 Av Norte y 11 Calle Poniente, Colonia Escalón, San Salvador 1101

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Hotel Villa Florencia San Benito
Hotel

Hotel Villa Florencia San Benito

Hotel Villa Florencia San Benito

Hotel on Las Palmas Street, near the Zona Rosa. Comfortable accommodation in the San Benito area, close to restaurants and museums.

C. Las Palmas 262, San Salvador

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Hotel plaza
Hotel

Hotel plaza

Hotel plaza

Hotel in Colonia Escalón, on 87th Avenue North. Convenient accommodation in a commercial and residential area of San Salvador.

87 Avenida Norte & 11 Calle Pte, San Salvador

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Cinco Hotel
Hotel

Cinco Hotel

Cinco Hotel

Hotel on Avenida La Capilla, in the San Benito area. Modern accommodation near the Zona Rosa of San Salvador.

Avenida La Capilla #250, San Salvador

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Sal y Luz
Hotel

Sal y Luz

Sal y Luz

Hotel in Colonia Campestre, near Escalón. Peaceful accommodation in a residential area of San Salvador.

Col Campestre Cl A No 13-76, San Salvador

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Barceló San Salvador
Hotel

Barceló San Salvador

Barceló San Salvador

International chain hotel on the Boulevard del Hipódromo, in San Benito. Full-service accommodation in the capital's gastronomic area.

Bulevar Del Hipodromo, San Salvador

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Cardedeu Suites San Benito
Hotel

Cardedeu Suites San Benito

Cardedeu Suites San Benito

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Highlights

Snapshots that tell the story of San Salvador.

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Plan your visit

Everything you need to know before you arrive.

Temperature

22–28°C

72–82°F

Altitude

658 msnm

What to bring

Sunscreen and cap: the midday sun is strong all year round.
Light sweater for the evenings in Escalón and Los Planes de Renderos.

Travel tips

1
The Historic Center is best explored on foot: park once and walk around.
2
Use San Salvador as a base: El Boquerón, Cihuatán, and the coast are all less than an hour away.

Warnings

Avoid rush hours (7:00–8:30 and 17:00–18:30): traffic on the boulevards gets congested.
During the rainy season (May–October) storms occur in the afternoon: leave outdoor activities for the morning.

History of San Salvador

Before the arrival of the Spanish, the valley where San Salvador now stands was part of the Cuzcatlán Lordship, the main Pipil domain in the territory. The town of San Salvador was first founded in 1525 by the Alvarado brothers. After being abandoned due to indigenous resistance, it was reestablished in 1528 in Ciudad Vieja (near Suchitoto) and finally moved in 1545 to its current location in the Valley of the Hammocks. In 1546, it was granted the title of city. Over the centuries, it has been destroyed and rebuilt several times due to earthquakes. In the 20th century, it solidified as the political, economic, and cultural center of the country. Its historic center, declared in 2008, features buildings such as the National Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the National Theater, witnesses to this story of resilience.

History of San Salvador

Fun facts

1
San Salvador is the oldest capital in Central America (founded in 1525).
2
It is known as the city of the Valley of the Hammocks due to the intense seismic activity in the area.
3
It has changed location at least twice before finally settling in its current site in 1545.

Getting to San Salvador

We help you get around: bus routes, terminals and private transport.

Bus routes

How to get to San Salvador by public transport.

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