The Best Things to Do in Santa Ana, El Salvador and its Surroundings! (2024)

Table of Contents

Discovering Santa Ana

While there aren’t a TON of things to do in Santa Ana, using it as a home base to explore the surrounding areas is a great idea for your El Salvador itinerary. From the city, travelers have access to volcanoes, lakes, beaches, Mayan ruins, hot springs, gorgeous waterfalls, La Ruta de las Flores and more! Santa Ana is the second biggest city in El Salvador after San Salvador, but it still has that small town feel. The people here are extremely kind and helpful, so it pays to know a little Spanish to help you get around. We divide this blog post up into the best things to do in Santa Ana and the best things to do around Santa Ana, as they are very different experiences! We’ll start with the best things to do around Santa Ana, since these are our favorite!

In this post we detail how to get to various attractions using public transportation. Buses generally run from 5 am to 7 pm, so make sure you have enough time get back to Santa Ana!

Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we earn a commission if you make a purchase.

The Best Things to Do Around Santa Ana

1. Santa Ana Volcano Hike

The Santa Ana Volcano is definitely one of the more popular things to do in El Salvador—and for a good reason! This hike takes you through both jungle and volcanic climates leads you to the turquoise sulfur lake in the volcano’s crater. We were pleasantly surprised by the various shades of volcanic rock in the crater. While still active, it is harmless, unless you get too close to the edge!

This is a fairly easy hike that can take anywhere from 2-4 hours, depending on your group’s speed. This isn’t very strenuous, so hikers of all ages and abilities can enjoy this experience!

How to get from Santa Ana to the Santa Ana Volcano

To get from Santa Ana city to the Santa Ana Volcano, take the 2 hour bus that is scheduled to leave from La Vencedora at 7:30 am. This bus costs $0.70 and will drop you off right at the trailhead.

Read the complete guide for the Santa Ana Volcano Hike!

2. Take a Dip in Lake Coatepeque

Lake Coatepeque is a beautiful and peaceful crater lake located very close to the Santa Ana Volcano. The resorts and restaurants around the lake have their own unique vibe, from party, to luxury, to an emphasis on relaxation. We recommend going to Captain Morgan Hostel where you can pay $5 for a day pass to use their facilities: sun beds, stone pools, and their cliff jumping platform! The day pass comes with a drink, which if you’re on the lake, you would probably get anyways!

How to get from Santa Ana to Lake Coatepeque

To get from Santa Ana to Lake Coatepeque, bus #220 takes about an hour and 15 minutes and leaves from the Francisco Lara Pineda Station. If you want to go anywhere other than the north side of the lake, you can hitchhike or pay $0.50 for a rickshaw (pickup truck with seating) to take you to your lakefront destination. If you can’t take the #220 bus, you can also take bus #59 to El Congo and hitchhike or pay a taxi to take you to your final destination.

3. Explore the Secret Waterfall Like a Local

Saltinas Malacatiupan is often referred to as the “Secret Waterfall”, as many tourists are unaware of it. This is a local watering hole (almost literally), where families will gather for a few hours to relax, have a few drinks, and play in the hot springs. There are parts of the water that are definitely hot, but the water is cool enough that you can enjoy it on a hot day. Entrance to the waterfalls costs $1.50. There was a fair bit of trash when we went, but it was still a cool experience!

How to get from Santa Ana to the Secret Waterfall

To get from Santa Ana to the Secret Waterfall, take bus #210 heading to Ahuachapan ($0.50) and get off in Atiquizaya. Then walk ~5 minutes to here, and take bus #205 to Calcera Rio Frío for $0.50 that leaves every hour or so. You could also do the 1 hour 15 minute walk, hitchhike, or pay $5 for tuk tuk.

4. Cruise Through La Ruta de las Flores

“La Ruta de las Flores” or “The Flower Route”, is a string of cute towns that belongs on any El Salvador itinerary. These towns are known for their artwork, waterfalls, coffee, and delicious food. Many people do this in a single day, but we definitely recommend setting a couple days aside to make the most of these towns. If you only have a full day to explore, you really should rent a car to do the route. Some quick highlights include doing a coffee tour at El Carmen Estate in Apaneca, tasting the culinary delights at the Juayúa Food Festival (only on weekends), visiting the Chorros de la Calera in Juayúa, admiring the artwork in Atacó, and attending the night market in Nahuizalco. If you have kids, you’ll also love Cafe Albania in Apaneca!

How to get from Santa Ana to La Ruta de las Flores

If you only have a day, we recommend renting a car or going as part of a tour. However, you can explore the towns via public transportation, you just may not have time for everything. Take the #216 or #210 bus leaving from Francisco Lara Pineda Station going to Sonsonate or Ahuachapan. You can just get on whichever comes first, then take the #249 bus connecting Sonsonate and Ahuachapan, which will stop in all the towns on the Ruta de las Flores.

Read our full guide to La Ruta de las Flores!

Juayúa Church Ruta de las Flores — Church in Juayúa

Ataco Art Ruta de las Flores — Church in Juayúa

5. Chill Out at the Santa Teresa Hot Springs

Unlike Saltinas Malacatiupan, these springs are truly hot, and while already hot and sweaty, we opted to skip these. However, if you don’t mind the heat and want more of a resort vibe, this is the place for you! The Santa Teresa Hot Springs consists of 30 thermal pools, saunas, mud baths, and various body treatments, and you can even spend the night here! Entrance fee is $10 but you may be tempted to pay more for a massage!

How to get from Santa Ana to the Santa Teresa Hot Springs

To get from Santa Ana to the Santa Teresa Hot Springs, take bus #210 to Ahuachapan ($0.70). From here you can pay a tuk-tuk driver $5 to take you to the hot springs, walk an hour and 15 minutes, or take bus #259 half of the way, get off the bus early, and walk the other half.

6. Hit The Beach!

The coast is only a 1.5 hour drive away from Santa Ana, so if you don’t have time to go to El Tunco, this could be the perfect day trip! Playa de Acajutla, Playa las Flores, Playa Los Cobanos, Playa Los Almendros, and Mizata are all decently easy to get to from Santa Ana. You can go whale watching at Los Cobanos, relax at the Acajutla Beaches, or surf at Mizata. Mizata is a less-crowded, cheaper version of El Tunco.

How to get from Santa Ana to the beaches

To get from Santa Ana to the beaches using public transportation, take the #216 bus ($0.70) leaving from Francisco Lara Pineda Station going to Sonsonate.

From Sonsonate:

To get to the Acajutla beaches take #252 bus to Acajutla.
To get to Los Cobanos, you’ll take the #252 bus to Acajutla. We’re not aware of any buses to Los Cobanos, so the safe option is taking a taxi/tuk-tuk for $5, but there may be smaller buses that can take you here for much cheaper.
To get to Mizata, take the #281 bus from Sonsonate.

7. Check Out the Joya de Ceren Ruins

El Salvador’s only UNESCO World Heritage site – Joya de Ceren – has a rich history. This small farming community was completely buried in ash from the eruption of the Laguna Caldera Volcano. This site was extremely well-preserved, making this a great site for history buffs everywhere!

How to get from Santa Ana to the Joya de Ceren Ruins

To get from Santa Ana to the Joya de Ceren Ruins using public transportation, take bus #201 ($0.50) heading to San Salvador and get off in Sitio del Niño, and take the #108 ($0.50) bus leaving from here the rest of the way.

8. Day Trip to San Salvador

There’s a good chance a day or two in San Salvador is already allotted for your El Salvador itinerary, but if not, a day trip from Santa Ana is a perfect way to see San Salvador. San Salvador can definitely be done in a day if you aren’t exploring any of the surrounding nature. Do a walking tour, check out the Iglesia Rosario, various museums, take a tour of the palace, and shop for souvenirs at the National Craft Market!

How to get from Santa Ana to San Salvador

To get from Santa Ana to San Salvador using public transportation, simply take bus #201 from Francisco Lara Pineda Station ($0.85) to San Salvador.

The Best Things to Do in Santa Ana

1. Admire the Cathedral of Our Lady Saint Anne

This beautiful church is the only gothic-style church in all of Central America. It is absolutely the highlight of Santa Ana, and we recommend visiting it three times: once during the day, once at night, and once to climb to the top and admire both the cathedral and the city from above.

The church is free to enter but to go to the top, you need to go with a guide which cost $3. You can book this in advance at +503-2447-3303 or [email protected]. You can also book in person with the lady at the church, but I would do this as soon as you get to Santa Ana, just in case there’s no availability when you show up.

2. Do a Walking Tour

A walking tour of Santa Ana, (preferably at the start of your visit), will give you a greater appreciation for the city. Another benefit to this is that there isn’t much tourism infrastructure in Santa Ana, so your tour guide can give you pointers on the best way to visit. You will likely stay around the main square, but you may be lucky enough to learn about other areas!

Check out this $15 City Walking Tour!

3. Check Out El Salvador’s National Theatre

The National Theatre is a pretty, green building with an old-fashioned feel on the inside. Chandeliers, velvet carpet floors, winding staircases, and multi-leveled seating arrangements make this a must-do when in Santa Ana. If you can, try to catch an opera or play here, which usually run on the weekends. If not, you can get a $5 per person half-hour tour. These leave every hour, on the hour.

4. Explore the Abandoned Mariano Mendez Art School

This is an abandoned art school that has unintentionally become a piece of art itself. With its colonial style, stained glass, and other interesting architecture, exploring these ruins is probably the best activity in Santa Ana outside of the main square!

To visit the Mariano Mendez Art School, you must first go to the tourism office and sign a waiver to receive a permission slip, then show this to the security guards at the art school. The tourism office is in the green building where the library located, just to the left of the entrance. It is allegedly open from 8 am to 4 pm, but the guy who works there kind of just shows up whenever he feels like it.

Mariano Mendez Art School Santa Ana El Salvador

Best Time to Visit Santa Ana

The best time to visit Santa Ana is during El Salvador’s dry season from November to April. This ensures that weather will be fantastic for climbing the Santa Ana volcano, enjoying a dip in Lake Coatepeque, and exploring all that the city has to offer!

Where to Stay in Santa Ana

While Santa Ana is a great home base, staying at Lake Coatepeque can be a great option if you’re willing to pay more for a better ambiance. It also helps if you have a car, so you can have more freedom in terms of getting around. The luxury option listed below is on Lake Coatepeque, so keep that in mind when booking! Hotel Brunette, the mid-tier option, is a nun coventry-turned hotel, which is pretty cool!

Santa Ana Accommodations

Where to Eat in Santa Ana

Comedor El Paso: For a huge breakfast plate for $2.70 (Google maps location is wrong), it is actually here.
Cadek Cafe: For coffee and pastries
La Ceiba: For delicious pupusas
Artisant: For burgers and unique food
Simmer Down: For a good view of the cathedral. Make sure to go a few days in advance and try to reserve the tables with the best views of the cathedral!
Panes Niña Marta: For sandwiches, but be prepared to wait for a bit
Gordo’s BBQ: For some American-style BBQ

How to Get to Santa Ana

How to Get to Santa Ana from San Salvador

If Santa Ana is going to be your first stop in El Salvador, the easiest way to get there is by flying into San Salvador and taking a private shuttle, taxi or bus to Santa Ana. You can also rent a car at the airport, which makes it super easy to get around El Salvador!

If you decide to use public transportation, take bus #201 for $0.85 from San Salvador to Santa Ana. Keep in mind that this bus will likely be packed, so it may be uncomfortable to bring larger luggage.

How to Get to Santa Ana from El Tunco and Surrounding Areas

Take the #287 bus for $1.25 to Sonsonate, and then take the #216 bus for $0.70 to Santa Ana.

How to Get to Santa Ana from La Ruta de las Flores

Take the #249 bus for $0.50 to Sonsonate, and then take the #216 bus for $0.70 to Santa Ana.

How to Get to Santa Ana from Guatemala

If you’re traveling from Guatemala to El Salvador, chances are you’ll be stopping first in Santa Ana. This is what we did, and it’s easy and cheap to do with public transportation!

Check out our article about traveling from Antigua to Santa Ana by public transportation

Is Santa Ana, El Salvador Safe?

Santa Ana has parts (typically around the bus station) that aren’t very safe at night. We recommend getting to Santa Ana while it’s still light out, going out at night with a friend, and keeping an eye on your stuff. However, nothing happened to us, there were lots of police everywhere, and people here were very friendly.

Is Santa Ana worth Visiting?

We definitely think it’s worth visiting so you can see the surrounding nature. The cathedral is absolutely stunning, but most of the beauty and great travel experiences lie on the outskirts of Santa Ana.

How Many Days should I Spend in Santa Ana?

This really depends on how many day trips you decide to do – we wouldn’t recommend staying longer than a few days. This will give you time to do the nearby things as well as time to explore Santa Ana in the morning and evenings before and after your day trips.

Keep Exploring El Salvador…

Our Favorite Travel Resources

Accommodations: We use Booking.com for hotels and HostelWorld for hostels. We also use VRBO or TrustedHousesitters for longer stays.

Flights: We recommend using Skyscanner to find the cheapest and best flights.

Ground Transport: We use 12Go and Omio for buses and private transfers, and rentalcars.com and Discover Cars for rental cars.

Activities: GetYourGuide and Viator are the best websites for booking organized tours.

International Medical Insurance: We highly recommend SafetyWing for Digital Nomads and HeyMondo for those not traveling full-time, or who frequently engage in higher-risk adventure activities.

eSIM: We recommend Airalo or Holafly for getting data internationally.

Check out our Travel Resources Page for more of our favorite travel-related products and services!