Howdy all. Today a bit of a summary  of the things I saw in the capital of El Salvador, San Salvador. If you read that last sentence back aloud, you may find it rhymes by the way.

Yes I’ve been going through all the places I visited travelling earlier this year, and next up we have San Salvador. Going to the capital and biggest city in El Salvador, I wondered just how safe it was and for the most part, it was fine. We stayed a little out of the very centre, where the squares and sights were, but Uber got us around okay and we walked around the local area sans issue a number of times at night. Not that I am saying ‘hey, San Salvador is super safe’, because I’m not, but I did not feel in any danger when I was there.

Every city has its dodgy areas though, and if headed there please do your due diligence and research. As I’ve previously mentioned El Salvador has become a LOT safer under the current President in Bukele, who has imprisoned a LOT of people since taking the reigns there, but that is not to say you will be fine wherever you go or whatever you do, because that is not true in any country you might visit. Well, maybe Vatican City?

We spent a few days in San Salvador and checked out a couple of churches, a museum, a few buildings, Wendys (because, why not?) and the central market, and also went up the Volcan San Salvador, which if you want to say you made it to the top of a volcano is a much easier choice than the Volcan Santa Ana! Also, from San Salvador Graham, whom I was travelling with, was able to day trip to the Ruta de las Flores, and I did a day trip to Sochitoto. So basing yourself for a bit in San Salvador isn’t a bad idea and it’s a nice enough capital, 2.4 million (greater area I think) so it’s a city, but it’s not HUGE.

Anyways, a summary of the places for you :

Mercado Central

The central market (bet you’re glad I translated that one for you) was the first place we stopped and it’s a good market actually, with a mix of things to buy and view. Souvenirs, food, vegetables, fish etc, and it’s actually pretty big as well, wasn’t busy when we were there but I imagine on the right day it’s seriously a bustling!

Biblioteca Nacional & Plaza Gerardo Barrios

The National Library, if you will. Didn’t go inside it but it’s central and an impressive modern building standing over the Plaza Gerarado Barrios, one of the main squares in San Salvador. There is a statue of Captain Barrios, who was a military leader and became President of El Salvador in the mid-1800s, a fountain and views on each side.

Library on one end, cathedral on the other and to one side is the National Palace of El Salvador. On the fourth side you will find all manner of restaurants and eateries. We thought, what the hell! Let’s have Wendys! First time I think I’ve seen Wendys outside of the USA. It was okay.

Catedral Metropolitana de San Salvador

This impressive cathedral is also on the Plaza, and is pretty big and has a large dome too which you see better from behind the cathedral, from Plaza Morazan. The current cathedral was built in 1999 but there were three others on the site that were destroyed previously. These date back to the 19^th century. We also visited the crypt which has its entrance from the side. There was a service going on in the main cathedral so we did really venture in there much, the crypt wasn’t really anything exciting too, but worth a look.

Speaking of Plaza Morazan, the Teatro Nacional is an impressive building there and I think there are tours or you can get in and look, but unfortunately not on the day we were there.

Iglesia Del Rosario

This modern church is located a little way away at the Plaza Libertad. Although modern in design it pre-dates the current Catedral Metropolitana being built between 1964 and 1971. The light comes through the stained glass windows and is quite beautiful and it’s definitely worth a stop.

Museo de la Palabra y la Imagen

The Museum of the Word and Image is in its own part of town and is full of information about the struggles of the people of El Salvador as they endured a civil war to claim their freedom. The civil war was fought between 1979 and 1992, and the stories are told through images and words and more here. It’s free – I think all these places so far were – and an excellent and worthwhile museum, coming from someone who doesn’t really like museums all that much. But yes, I do visit a few!

Volcan San Salvador

Going up to the top of a volcano is unquestionably cool. There is a bus up San Salvador volcano if you can find it. We went with Uber, visiting at the end of the day hoping for a nice sunset. You go to the entrance I think it was of the El Boqueron National Park – well that’s the area surround its peak.

The Uber got lost thanks to the app taking our driver a way that didn’t get through to the top, but it’s about 30 minutes if you don’t get lost from downtown in the right traffic. Eventually we got there though and it’s great views. You pay an entrance fee and it’s a walk of 10 minutes maybe to the viewing platform, peak is at 1,893 metres. It last erupted in 1917 and I believe is still active. You can walk a little way around the huge crater and inside it you will see a smaller one inside. It’s pretty easy to be honest, best reached with a car.

To get down was an issue, couldn’t get reception for an Uber, wasn’t sure about the busses but we did work out where the stop was I think. In the end though there was a university group from Honduras there and they were kind enough to take us down to the bottom!

Anyways, it’s a short list and there are more museums of course and more churches if you are into either of those things, but from feeling a bit trepidatious before coming to San Salvador I can honestly say I ended up liking the place! Next time I continue the story of the journey I will be writing about my day trip to Suchitoto. Thanks for reading today! Take care wherever you are in the world and… May the Journey Never End!