In addition to being Bitcoin-friendly, the safest country in the western hemisphere, and conservative-leaning, El Salvador also offers many beautiful rural areas where one can "pueblear" (explore different towns).
One particularly famous spot in western El Salvador for discovering villages is called "La Ruta De Las Flores," or "Flower Route" in English. It's a collection of five separate towns, three of which I had the pleasure of visiting last week.
To get to La Ruta De Las Flores from San Salvador, you first need to get to the small city of Sonsonate, which you can do by renting a car, or by taking an Uber. The most economical choice, however, would be to take the bus.
A bus to Sonsonate costs anywhere from $1-2, depending on if you want air conditioning or not. Upon arrival, you can take a local bus to the next town. However, if you arrive late at night, your only option may be riding in the back of a pickup truck.
The local buses that take you from town to town cost $0.50 per person, and are creatively decorated with lights and stickers. Sometimes street vendors will hop on the buses to sell things like fresh fruit, sandwiches, and candies.
My trip started in the village of Juayua. It's a small town at much higher elevation than San Salvador, so it cools down quite a bit a night (to around 16 degrees Celsius). Tourists were more visible here, especially around the newly renovated park.
Next was (Concepción de) Ataco, a village with its own charming church and central park, and also famous for local foods including "Riguas," thin cakes of fresh, tender corn cooked in banana leaves.
Jocotes, a (super delicious) sweet and tangy fruit, are also in season this time of year. You can purchase these foods from the local merchants and then enjoy them while relaxing on a bench in the local park.
Next was a leisurely walk along a serene pathway of plants and flowers in the town of Apaneca. The local Catholic church, located right beside the park, was conducting a service while kids played soccer outside on the town plaza.
There are also many waterfalls in the region, including a tall one (pictured above) I visited at "Entre Montañas", a park that is located just a short distance from Apaneca.
When you're out exploring these rural areas it's crucial to know some basic Spanish, as few locals are fluent in English.
Until next time...
Now that El Salvador's security situation has improved significantly, many foreigners are taking the opportunity to discover its hidden gems, like La Ruta De Las Flores.
If you found this article interesting, be sure to check out my other posts on crypto and finance here on the Hive blockchain. You can also follow me on X or InLeo for more frequent updates.
Further Reading
- Hiking Boquerón Volcano in El Salvador
- Visiting El Zonte And El Tunco Beach In El Salvador
- Paying With Bitcoin In The Beaches And Forests Of The East Side Of El Salvador
- How El Salvador Transitioned From The Most Violent Country In The Americas To The Safest
- More Articles About El Salvador
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