7 must-see places in San Salvador, El Salvador

San Salvador, the capital city of El Salvador, is one of the most modern cities in Central America and home to about 2 million people. Life is fast paced like any other cosmopolitan city. Following are 7 _must see_ places that will give visitors a well rounded experience of the city.

1) Ilopango Lake: This is the largest lake in El Salvador and is located about 30 minutes east of the San Salvador. Ilopango is a crater lake that was created by a volcanic eruption several hundred years ago. Its rich eco-system is a haven for regional and migratory birds.

There are local boat operators that offer tours around the lake, great for bird watching and enjoying the scenery. This lake is also good for swimming and the more adventurous ones can also do some scuba diving. Diving companies offer day and night diving tours.

2) Puerta del Diablo (Devil_s Door): It is a lookout point on the southern side of San Salvador. Its rocky formation came from heavy rains in the 1700_s. Be sure to bring your camera, to capture some of the spectacular views; the adventurous visitors can even try rappelling down the hills. Puerta del Diablo is located on the Southeast of San Salvador, 1 km south of Balboa Park in the suburban area of Los Planes de Renderos. Great for those who love nature!

It was given its name due to its unique formation: 2 large boulders that come out from an _abyss_ that cuts right through the mountain. This makes it seem like a gigantic door with a spectacular view in the background. From Puerta del Diablo the coastline is visible as well as the Ilopango Lake, the Panchimalco village (a native_s village) and the twin-peaked Chinchontepec volcano in the department of San Vicente towards the east of the country.

3) La Gran Vía: This shopping center offers good ambiance, style and entertainment; it_s one of a kind in El Salvador. Its great open spaces and security also make it a popular spot for night life. Visitors here can enjoy outdoor shows or a nice stroll around the beautiful gardens.

There_s entertainment for all ages. From restaurants, movie theaters, live shows and music, games, bars and so much more. La Gran Vía is located on the Carretera Panamericana and Calle Chiltiup_n in Antiguo Cuscatlán.

4) Cihuatán Ruins: Now stepping back even further in the time line, a visit to the Cihuatán Ruins Archaeological Park is a great experience. Cihuatán ruins are the largest discovered in El Salvador and are located about 36 km northeast of San Salvador _ about 30 minute drive; near the town of Aguilares. It is open Tuesday to Sunday 9am _ 4pm; admission is $3.00 and $1.00 for on-site parking.

Many of the artifacts that have been found here are displayed on the on-site museum and visitors can also learn about the history of the people who lived there and how much they liked playing the ball game, which can be compared to modern day_s soccer.

5) Museum of Popular Art: This museum, with its interesting slogan, _The Greatness of Miniature_, specializes in the area of miniature pottery and it focuses on popular art and traditions of El Salvador.

The Museum of Popular Art in El Salvador also showcases other forms of art such as wood carving, weaving and jewelry making from many other Salvadorean artists. The museum is located on Ave San Jos_, unit #125 in Colonia Centroamerica, San Salvador. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 5pm. General admission is $1.00 and it includes the option of making a small clay piece.

6) Museum of Anthropology David J. Guzmán: This is a beautiful, modern museum that showcases the history of El Salvador from its early origins to our time. The museum is home to the awesome life-size statue of the native god Xipe Totec which was found in Tazumal archaeological ruins.

The museum offers guided tours that take about one and a half hours. Tours must be scheduled in advance. David J. Guzman museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9am _ 5pm and is located in Avenida La Revolución, in the suburb of San Benito, across from the International Fair Grounds.

7) El Boquerón National Park: This National Park is located on the crater of the San Salvador volcano named El Boquerón. It is composed of 3 peaks, but El Boquerón peak is 1893m above sea level. The crater is about 5km is diameter and 450 meters deep. This is a sub- tropical, humid forest that can be quite cool and even reach temperatures as low as 4C (39F).

From its 5 lookout points, people are able to see the crater and even the Ilopango Lake and the Izalco Volcano located in Sonsonate on western El Salvador. Hiking is also a great experience since it gives the opportunity to see the rich flora and admire the wild life like foxes, raccoons, wood peckers, toucans and the Torogóz, which is the national bird of El Salvador. The park is open Monday to Friday from 8am _ 5pm and is about 25 minutes from San Salvador.

There are so many more great places to visit and see in San Salvador, is so hard to choose which ones to feature in this article, but I believe these ones are some of the most interesting places, my favourites for sure!

For more ideas on what to do or where to go in San Salvador, visit http://www.explore-beautiful-el-salvador.com/San-Salvador.html

Travel writer and editor for http://www.explore-beautiful-el-salvador.com