El Salvador is a beautiful country surrounded by history, culture, and traditions. So for those who venture into the unexpected journey of knowledge, you can not miss the unforgettable experience that will leave the Peace Route.
This fascinating route is in the eastern part of El Salvador, specifically in the department of Morazán. The excellent climate is the most attractive and essential of its attributes. But it does not go unnoticed its natural beauty and its enigmatic culture.
EL SALVADOR PEACE ROUTE - Routes of El Salvador. Photo by Archbishop Romero Trust. Flickr.
The Peace Route of El Salvador owes its name to the climate of tranquility that today live all its inhabitants after spending almost 12 years in civil war.
This tour will take you to know the history and majesty that places like Perquin, Arambala, San Fernando, Corinto, Llano Muerto, Jocoro, Cacaopera, and Guatajiagua have to offer. Towns that will undoubtedly make you go back in time.
So, if you are one of those who love to be surrounded by incredible natural attractions and enjoy a splendid climate, history, rivers, caves, hills, memorial sites, and even camping, the Ruta de la Paz is for you.
What to see and what to do on the Peace Route?
The Peace Route is today a route rich in history, but it also invites us to enjoy a pleasant environment. Fresh air, streams, extensive pine forests, fascinating waterfalls, and beautiful springs.
If you want to know more about this route, join us to discover and enjoy the wonders these beautiful towns have for you.
Perquín
Bordering with Honduras, a scene that marked the civil strife of El Salvador, head of the Revolutionary Rebellion and considered the Capital of the Route of Peace. Perquín is a refuge of peace and equality, whose name in the Lenca language means “Road of the burning coals” or “Road of embers.”
This beautiful town, founded long before colonial times, is located at an altitude of 1230 meters above sea level, offering to all who visit it a charming and fresh climate with cozy hostels in the mountain meadow.
Even though it suffered the most brutal blows of the rebellion 27 years ago, Perquin presents itself with numerous attractions that will leave you wanting to return. Such is the case of its extensive coffee plantations and emerald-colored pine forests.
On the other hand, among the attractions that the town of Perquin has to offer in the Peace Route, we have:
- The Museum of the Revolution welcomes visitors to show what remains of that civil war.
- The Quebrada de Perquín can only reach on foot, and after a 25-minute walk, you can enjoy its refreshing waters. Here the pools of El Finado Adán or El Indio stand out. Or the species of Rest Perkín Lenca, a characteristic bird of the area.
- La Villa del Rosario is a place that owes its name in homage to our Blessed Mother, the Virgin of the Rosary, patron saint of the residents of the Villa. The typical village of El Rosario has as a source of attraction the waterfall Cascada del Rio Araute, and you can only reach it through a rugged hillside. So if you love nature and adventure, this place is ideal.
In this town, you will find beautiful mountain hotels where you can disconnect from your daily routine. You can also taste exquisite typical dishes of the area while enjoying its climate and nature.
San Fernando
Surrounded by pine forests and mountains, this border town is characterized by its cool climate and a pure breeze. In San Fernando, you can enjoy the El Pinar Camping Area, the starting point to visit the most exotic places this region offers.
The Peace Route San Fernando invites us to take a walk through places like the springs with their clean and thermal waters. It also presents us with an imposing waterfall more than 39 meters high that reveals the El Chorrerón Waterfall, which you can not miss.
In the town of San Fernando, you can take a ride on horseback or in carts pulled by oxen. These are the means of transportation par excellence and will make the Ruta de la Paz an authentic colonial souvenir.
Arambala
The village of Arambala, whose name in Lenca language means “River of the Alacranes,” is part of this Peace Route of El Salvador. It stands out above the others for its beautiful church and its exuberant Sapo River with its peculiar turquoise spring.
Arambala is a cool municipality with a memorial area called El Mozote that serves as a pilgrimage center. Here the faithful honor those who died in the armed conflict in the Ruta de la Paz emblematic areas.
Ideal for those who enjoy ecotourism, outdoor activities, or a day of camping. Arambala gives us beautiful spaces where you can do this and more, so you can not miss places like:
- El Salto El Perol has waterfalls whose depths are made for visitors of all ages.
- El Llano del Muerto, whose natural landscapes invite us to enjoy its numerous fluvial formations, slide down the slopes until they get lost in the depths of the Sapo and Guaco rivers.
- The Pilas Waterfall is one of the most visited by tourists and locals.
- El Pericón Hill is a small conglomerate of pine trees, pink apples, oak, and bushes. It allows visitors to visualize from its highest point the beautiful view of eastern El Salvador, the Cerro Cacahuatique, its two volcanoes, Chaparrastique and Conchagua Volcano, and the Pacific coast.
Corinto
Owner of the Cueva del Espíritu Santo, the beautiful municipality of Corinto stands out from the rest because of its entrance. It takes us to an encounter with the cultural and natural history of the area.
This cozy and enigmatic place is an outstanding center for commerce, closely related to the main commercial routes of the area—for example, the San Miguel Route, the Military Route, and the Santa Rosa de Lima Route.
On the other hand, Corinto has exotic and beautiful places that you cannot miss to visit and touring such as:
- Grutas del Espíritu Santo. Caves are more than 39 meters long, where you can find the main signs of rock art in El Salvador. Its hieroglyphs date back more than 10 thousand years in low relief.
- Cantón Hondable. Leaving Corinto, passing through green dirt roads and pine groves, you reach this beautiful canton. It’s Characterized by its landscape, which gives the impression of being painted in different shades of green.
In addition, what most attracts the attention of those who visit Canton Hondable, are the colorful houses and the impressive beauty you can see there.
Joateca
This small and colorful town is at the northern end of Morazán, whose name in the Potón language means “Valley of the Ocotes.” Joateca is a town that preserves its customs, culture, and ancestral traditions intact.
The main attraction of Joateca is its imposing and beautiful colonial-style church, which takes us back to the religious life of the past—giving us the incredible feeling of being in an era of yesteryear as if time had stopped in this beautiful tour of El Salvador.
Cacaopera
This town of pre-Columbian roots, whose name means “Cacao Orchard” in the Ulúa language, is a place where there were abundant crops of this highly valued fruit.
The inhabitants of Cacaopera proudly show their indigenous features, typical of those who, in ancient times, populated these lands. Among the attractions offered by this beautiful town, we have:
- Koquinca Cave. It is a spacious cave of natural formation, and it keeps an enigmatic petrograved rock in its interior, where you can see beautiful figures of violet, red and green color. The inhabitants affirm that a valuable treasure is hidden.
- Winakirika Museum. This beautiful museum, whose name in the Ulua language means “That of Our People,” is a member of the community Museums of America group. It exhibits photos and images of ethnic, religious, cultural, and traditional objects characteristic of the people of Cacaopera.
- Historic Center. You will be able to see and enjoy the colonial-style church that the town of Cacaopera has. It was built in 1660, and its walls are approximately 5 meters long.
It is essential to mention that the most impressive part of the church is its bell tower. Still preserved are three large bells, forged in bronze, whose sound was heard for the first time in 1721.
Other Attractions of the Peace Route
There are many places and spaces to enjoy on this peaceful Peace Route. For this reason, in addition to the sites we have already described, we also bring you a great variety of options that you should include in your itinerary. Such is the case of:
- Jocoaitique. It will amaze us with its beautiful Araute River, lined with dense vegetation and whose tributary water is born in this area. Here you can enjoy a wealth of flora and fauna. Also, you can enjoy the sound produced by the waterfall Salto de Amaya and refresh yourself in the Huilisca pool.
- Meanguera. This town of pre-Columbian roots, whose name in the Potonese language means “City of Jadeites.” In this place, lives el Mozote.
- Torola. This town was inhabited by the Lenca Indians, whose name in the Potonese language means “The three heads.” It is in the area of Moscarrón, a historical site where one of the worst battles during the civil war occurred.
- Delicias de Concepción. This cozy place is known for its cotton or silk thread hammocks. This peculiar cemetery calls the attention of all because its graves are sculpted in rocks of talétate.
- Guatajiagua. Its name means “Valley with Tobacco Crops,” It is known for showing its visitors its striking production of black pottery. In the same way, the indigenous people of the area keep their traditions alive with their dances. For example, the dance of “La Yegüita” and “Los Negritos”.
Visiting tips
Evidently, the Peace Route of El Salvador has a lot to offer its visitors. Places that seem unreal catch your attention and make your travel through unparalleled natural beauty.
So if you want to make a complete tour of the entire route, you must follow some tips.
The Peace Route consists of a tour of several days.
You must divide your itinerary into sections if you want to visit each of the destinations we have mentioned. You will have to make reservations in different hostels or hotels in the region.
Your visit will be better with the help of a guide
Each town has a natural spot you will undoubtedly want to know about, but you can only do it with a tour guide to get there. Some have different access trails, and the inhabitants know them perfectly.
You can get a guide at your hotel, or if you prefer, you can ask a member of the town’s security corps to accompany you. You must book the service at least one week in advance in both cases.
What should not be missing in your luggage?
Something you should always keep in mind is that the route is made up of many natural landscapes. So you may be affected by the weather and insects. Therefore, do not forget to pack comfortable clothes and shoes for walks through the villages or mountains.
You should also bring insect repellent, sunglasses, and a cap or hat, depending on your preference. Finally, taking care of your hydration and getting snacks for the tour is essential. If you follow these tips, we are sure your experience will be the best for your life.
