Exploring El Salvador
Traveling is always at the top of the list. If you ask me to go on a trip with you, the chances of me saying no are slim to none. I mean really, who is turning down galavanting around the globe? Count me in for saying fuck rent and booking a trip instead. Besides, America is ghetto.
I have a desire to visit every single country before I leave this world. So, naturally, when I saw that Avianca had pretty low priced tickets available (less than $200 round trip from NYC), booking was a no brainer. People always ask me how I get airfare for such a steal. Truth be told, I don’t pay much because I leave myself open to any an all possibilities. Unlike most, I don’t set my travel destination based on where I want to go, but rather solely when I would like to travel. If I have an itch to go somewhere MLK weekend, for example, I set my travel dates to accommodate that on Google Flights and then “Explore Everywhere.” I then cross check the flights I see on Hopper since they give you predictive prices. If Hopper tells me to buy now, then I buy it.
This trip to El Salvador was no different. I picked a weekend I wanted to head out and up popped El Salvador for a price that I couldn’t argue with. The tickets were booked, my bag was packed, and I headed to JFK to embark on a weekend filled with fun, relaxation, and unforgettable memories!
Accommodations
We stayed in San Salvador at the Sheraton Presidente San Salvador Hotel. We quickly learned why it was called “presidente” as pictures of leaders of various countries adorned the walls including President Barack Obama and Mayor Muriel Bowser. While the room felt a bit dated because of the carpeting and choice of bedding, the bathroom was outfitted with a lighted vanity similar to many updated hotels in the US. We also had a balcony that overlooked the lush green property and we caught sight of a beautiful peacock walking around the premises. The setting made it hard to believe we weren’t on a resort.
For our first meal, we ate at Tacos El Taurino, now called Mateo’s Grillhouse, which took us about ten minutes to walk to. The walk there was very enjoyable since it was downhill most of the way. The walk back to the hotel … now, that’s another story. The restaurant itself it both indoors and outdoors with the interior providing a restaurant feel and the exterior reminiscent of having a picnic in the park. The two are connected via a beautiful rope bridge.
Vegan eats in El Salvador
When traveling with NiLa, we have to make sure that there are always vegan options available. Luckily, finding vegan options tends to be easier when abroad, especially in Black and Brown countries. Walking distance from the hotel, close to where we had our first meal, we found Sōya Nutribar and ordered for delivery since we had no desire to make that hill ridden trek again.
Things to do
While in El Salvador, we decided to check out the viral rainbow slide at Picnic Steakhouse. While the ride is the main attraction, they also sell food and have animatronic characters throughout the property. While going down the slide was an experience in itself, it’s not necessarily a must do while in El Salvador. The walk to the slide is 15x longer than the actual experience and we were able to find activities that were far more cost effective than Picnic Steakhouse.
While we were en route to Picnic Steakhouse, we saw signs for a theme park just up the road. Since we went to El Salvador on a whim, we didn’t have an itinerary so decided to check out the theme park. Volcatenango was less than 5 min up the hill and we were met with a castle-like entryway followed by hidden doorways and lush greenery. The theme park is nestled in the volcano region and the overlook due to location is unparalleled. For about $2 USD, you gain entry to the grounds. While we were traveling alone as two women, this pitstop would make a great itinerary addition for families visiting the San Salvador region of El Salvador. For an additional $1.5 USD, we visited Selfieland which is located near Candy Factory on the premises. Though small, the rooms are cute and thoughtfully crafted with some areas being interactive. For the low cost, breathtaking views, and amount of things to do, a trip to Volcatenango is a must if visiting the San Salvador region.
Our weekend in El Salvador was amazing. I would love to return and check out their beautiful cathedrals and the Church of the Rosary (Iglesia El Rosario) aka the Rainbow church. They also have beautiful national parks and areas that hold historical significance for the Mayan Pipil people like La Puerta del Diablo (Devil’s Door) that I would like to explore.
If nothing else, let this be a reminder that trips don’t need to be a week long, expensive, or even well planned. Tomorrow’s not promised, so get on the plane and go.
