Santa Tecla
About Santa Tecla
Santa Tecla was founded in 1854 as Nueva San Salvador, the city meant to replace the capital devastated by the earthquake of that year. Today, it serves as the capital of the La Libertad department, located 789 meters above sea level. Its orderly grid layout, inherited from that foundational project, features a center with buildings from the late 19th century alongside residential neighborhoods that have climbed the slopes of the San Salvador volcano. The afternoons here are cooler than in the capital, just ten minutes down the road. Today, Santa Tecla functions as a residential and commercial extension of the metropolitan area, with Paseo El Carmen as its gastronomic and cultural heart from Thursday to Saturday nights. The Historic Center, smaller than that of San Salvador, can be explored in less than two hours, and from the city, routes lead to the San Salvador volcano and the archaeological ruins of San Juan Opico.
Explore Santa Tecla
Activities, restaurants and stays recommended by Experiences.
Where to eat14
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RestaurantLa Espetada Merliot
RestaurantMaurita | Mariscos y Cócteles
Maurita | Mariscos y Cócteles
a la altura del palacio tecleno, 1 a Calle Poniente 1-4, Santa Tecla
RestaurantRestaurante Mama Rosa
RestaurantBoca de Lobo
RestaurantRestaurante Pueblo Viejo
Restaurante Pueblo Viejo
Finca Santa Rosa, Centro comercial La Skina16, Avenida Norte, Santa Tecla
RestaurantLo de Guille
Lo de Guille
Restaurant in Santa Tecla with delivery service and a menu of Salvadoran food. A practical option for ordering takeout or dining in.
P.º El Carmen 2- 7, Santa Tecla
RestaurantRincón de la Abuela
RestaurantChicharrones Porky's
Chicharrones Porky's
Restaurant specialized in chicharrón in Santa Tecla. The signature dish is fried chicharrón served with curtido and warm tortillas.
Avenida Ateos 48D, Santa Tecla
RestaurantTekla House
Tekla House
Restaurant in Santa Tecla with a varied menu and a casual atmosphere. A great option for group dining or taking a break during the day.
MPH3+655, 5 Calle Pte., Santa Tecla
RestaurantLa Esquinita de Olocuilta
La Esquinita de Olocuilta
Restaurant in Santa Tecla that incorporates the name of Olocuilta in its menu. It offers locally inspired dishes in a simple setting.
MPJF+V75, Senda 3, Santa Tecla
RestaurantCadejo Brewing Company | Mansión
Pupusería HousePupusería Merliot 2
Pupusería HousePupusería Route 66 • Paseo Concepción
Pupusería HousePupusería • Suiza Santa Tecla
Cafés & Bars11
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Coffee shopDLaPalma Café
DLaPalma Café
Avenida Santa Teresa senda 7 #1 Residencial Santa Teresa Ciudad Merliot, Santa Tecla CP 1501
Coffee shopCAFE Atelier
Coffee shopLe Café • Santa Tecla
Coffee shopCheros Café
Coffee shopCafé Fulanos | Merliot
Café Fulanos | Merliot
Poligono C, N4, Calle Libertad y Blvd. Merliot, Santa Tecla Santa Tecla La Libertad CP, Cd Merliot 1501
Coffee shopCafé Palacio
BarLa Birriateca
BarEl Ancla • El Cafetalón
El Ancla • El Cafetalón
Bar in the El Cafetalón area, Santa Tecla, with an active presence on social media. Casual atmosphere for drinks and snacks in the evening.
MPG9+VCJ, Santa Tecla
Coffee shopCafé La Casona, Santa Tecla
CaféRecién Horneado Bakery • La Skina
BarChabacano Seafood & SportBar
Where to stay5
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HotelFairfield by Marriott
Fairfield by Marriott
Centro Comercial Centro de Estilo de Vida La Gran Via, Calle 2 Contiguo A, San Salvador
HotelBeverly Hills: Hotel & Business - San Salvador
Beverly Hills: Hotel & Business - San Salvador
Urbanización Madreselva, C. Llama del Bosque 7 poniente, Nuevo Cuscatlan
HotelCasa Serena - Merliot
HotelHotel Merliot
HotelHyatt Centric
Hyatt Centric
Sergio Paz Ave Corner With El Pedregal St Las Cascadas Shopping Center, C. el Pedregal, Cd Merliot
Highlights
Snapshots that tell the story of Santa Tecla.
01 / 03
Los Chorros Recreational Park
Historic Turicentro of springs near Santa Tecla (different from Los Chorros de la Calera).
02 / 03
San Andrés
The regional capital of the Zapotitán valley.
03 / 03
Joya de Cerén
The Pompeii of America: the Mayan village that ash left untouched.
Plan your visit
Everything you need to know before you arrive.
Temperature
22–28°C
72–82°F
Altitude
789 msnm
History of Santa Tecla
On April 16, 1854, an earthquake destroyed San Salvador. President José María San Martín decreed on August 8 of that year the founding of a new city in the plain of Santa Tecla, intended to replace the capital. The Legislative Assembly ratified the title on February 7, 1855, under the official name of Nueva San Salvador and as the new capital of the State. The city bore that name for nearly 150 years, although the plain where it was established and the local religious patronage always referred to it as Santa Tecla; the official name change became law in 2003 and took effect on January 1, 2004.
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