La Libertad Department, near San Salvador, is one of the favorite destinations for domestic and foreign tourists. Its magnificent beaches, mountains, parks, and monuments make it a unique region of incredible beauty.
And what to say about its rivers, biodiversity, culture, gastronomy and the number of activities you can do! Everything in La Libertad is lovely.
LA LIBERTAD DEPARTMENT - Departments of El Salvador. Photo by Ll1324. Wikimedia Commons.
So if you are looking for a tourist destination in El Salvador where you can relax and have an unforgettable vacation experience, this is the region you should visit. Come and discover everything you can see and do in La Libertad Department.
Data from La Libertad Department
| Country: | El Salvador |
|---|---|
| Category: | Departments |
| Capital: | Santa Tecla |
| Surface: | 1.653 km² |
| Population: | 660.653 |
| Main attraction: | Coastal zone |
Location of La Libertad Department
What to see and do in La libertad Department
La Libertad Department highlights its incredible beaches, but this is not the only tourist attraction it has. Its 22 municipalities have monuments of interest for the nation and the world.
As well as towns and cities with great historical wealth, you can enjoy all the gastronomic wonders of the country. In addition, you will have the opportunity to choose whether to do ecotourism, rural tourism, or adventure.
Each of them offers you a different experience through its tourist routes. You can do the Archaeological Route, where you will see and learn about the pre-Hispanic cultures of El Salvador.
Or the Sun and Beach Route, where you can enjoy the Pacific coast and water activities of your choice. Surfing is a favorite among tourists.
So that you have a clearer idea of the most important places to visit in La Libertad, do not miss what we will present below.
Monuments and places of interest
Monuments and sites of interest abound in La Libertad Department. Such is the case of the historic centers of Colon, Ciudad Arce, and Antiguo Cuscatlan, with their cobblestone streets and colonial appearance.
Similarly, you can enjoy a unique architectural wealth: the Santa Tecla City Hall, El Carmen Church, the Adalberto Guirola Children’s Home Chapel, and the old railroad station.
You also highlighted the Joya de Cerén Cultural Asset, El Palacio Tecleño, the Plaza de la Música, and the Port of La Libertad. All these are just some examples of the most emblematic places of La Libertad Department that you can visit during a day trip.
Attractive places you should visit
Now, if we talk about the natural wealth of La Libertad Department, the most remarkable are its beaches, mountains, parks, and rivers. It starts with San Diego Beach in the Port of La Libertad. It is characterized by gentle surf, fine sand, and a variety of activities to do.
It is the most visited beach because of its location, but above all, tourists can camp for as long as they wish. Besides this, we have the beaches El Tunco, El Sunzal, El Zonte, La Paz, San Blas, El Palmarcito, and Majahual. You can find the best waves for surfing in La Paz and El Sunzal.
On the other hand, in La Libertad Department, you can go hiking at your leisure. One of the favorite routes for tourists starts in the Ecoparque El Espino to the San Salvador Volcano. You can enjoy its viewpoints, incredible biodiversity, and the best view of the region’s surroundings.
It should be noted that depending on the route you want. You can walk through the crater of Boquerón and descend to the Boqueroncito. If you prefer more straightforward ways along the Chaseñora and Amayo rivers, hike the Santa Elena, San Juan, El Refugio, and Los Izotes hills, among others.
If you are near the Sucio River and the Agua Caliente River, you should make an almost obligatory stop at the San Andres Archaeological Site. That was inhabited between the 900 B.C and 900 A.D. centuries with an extension of 3 km2 in which you can observe an elevated plaza, pyramids, and platforms.
Similarly, we have the Joya de Ceren Archaeological Site dating from 900 BC and 250 AD. This city was buried for centuries after the eruption of the volcano. The Pipil Mayas returned to inhabit these lands before the Spaniard’s arrival without knowing that underneath were the remains of the ancient city of their ancestors.
Finally, we recommend you visit the Walter Thilo Deininger National Park, a protected area of great importance for El Salvador. Here you can also hike routes ranging from 8 m to 280 meters above sea level.
In addition, it is a space where you can camp, make bonfires, and do night hikes, among many other activities the park offers. In short, an experience that will leave you wanting more.
Destinations near La Libertad that you should visit
Other places you should visit are the Peñón de Comasagua in the Central Sierra. This 900 m rock formation is characterized by offering a 360° view of the surroundings. From there, you can observe the Pacific beaches and the two peaks of the San Vicente Volcano and enjoy incredible sunsets.
You will find country restaurants along the way, so you won’t have to worry about food. Another perfect destination for extreme and adventurous activities is the Lempa River. Part of it is within the La Libertad department, so there will be no problem if you want to take a walk or a swim in its waters.
In addition to these, the favorite activity of tourists is rafting. Although if you are looking for something quieter, then sitting and contemplating the scenery and fishing is a great option.
History of La Libertad Department
La Libertad Department has been inhabited since ancient times. Proof of this is the numerous ruins and findings made in archaeological sites where its most primitive origin leans to the Lenca communities, which were displaced by territorial struggles and natural disasters.
Later it was inhabited by the Mayan-Pipil peoples until the arrival of the colonizers. The region is called “Tapegua,” which means big mountain. However, it was officially founded in 1854 with the name of Nueva San Salvador.
This distinction was given by the then-president of the republic José María de San Martín. That was because they had created a project for the city to become the new capital of El Salvador after an earthquake destroyed San Salvador.
This project was abandoned in 1858 without affecting the economic and productive development of the region. In 2003, it changed from Nueva San Salvador to Santa Tecla, establishing itself as the department’s capital city of La Libertad.
Geography and municipalities of La Libertad Department
La Libertad Department has a total area of 112 km2. It is located in the center of El Salvador, bordering Chalatenango to the north, San Salvador, and La Paz to the east. The Pacific Ocean is to the south, while Santa Ana and Sonsonate are to the west.
Unlike other departments, La Libertad is divided into three districts: Santa Tecla, San Juan Opico, and Quezaltepeque. You can find the Lempa River at 19.5 km, the Sucio River at 32.5 km, and the water mirror Chanmico lagoon at 0.78 km2.
On the other hand, its political-territorial division consists of 22 municipalities which are:
- Santa Tecla is the capital city composed of 14 cantons.
- Antiguo Cuscatlán with 6 cantons.
- Chiltiupán with 11 cantons.
- Ciudad Arce with 12 cantons.
- Colón with 12 cantons.
- Comasagua with nine cantons.
- Huizúcar with 6 cantons.
- Jayaque with 4 cantons.
- Jicalapa with three cantons.
- Nuevo Cuscatlán is a canton under the same name.
- Puerto de la Libertad with ten cantons.
- Quezaltepeque with 13 cantons.
- Sacacoyo with three cantons.
- San José Villanueva with 5 cantons.
- San Juan Opico with 27 cantons.
- San Matías with 8 cantons.
- San Pablo Tacachico with 8 cantons.
- Talnique with seven cantons.
- Tamanique with 12 cantons.
- Teotepeque with 9 cantons.
- Tepecoyo with ten cantons.
- Zaragoza with 4 cantons.
Climate, flora and fauna
Given the vast extension of La Libertad Department and its landscape, it is characterized by a climate divided into three types. In this sense, between 0 and 800 meters above sea level, it is hot for 80% of its extension.
From 800 to 1200 meters above sea level, temperate land covers 15% of the territory. Finally, it is a cold land from 1200 to 2700 meters above sea level, which constitutes the other 5%. Following this order, its average annual temperature is 22° to 28°, 20° to 22° and 14° to 19°.
As for the flora, it has an unequaled abundance of tree species. For example, ceiba, cedar, mother cacao, oaks, laurels, and crop plants. Finally, its fauna comprises white-tailed deer, tecolotito, jaguar, kestrel, ocelot, and hares.
You can also see birds and other aquatic species, skipjack, tuna, and sole, among others. Should note that its forests are the natural habitat of important species for the country in danger of extinction.
Culture and customs in La Libertad Department
In La Libertad, you can find a mixture of cultures similar to that of other departments. However, here you will discover how the people express their traditions with great originality. Among the dance manifestations are the dance of the Old Men with Masks, El Torito Pinto, and Las Carboneras.
Another festivity is the Day of the Dead and all its religiosity during Holy Week. Especially, El Nazareno and El Santo Sepulcro. On the other hand, we have the Cruz de Mayo, a day in which families decorate their crosses, expose them in the street, and perform dances and songs commemorating the date.
Festivals and gastronomy
Although each municipality in the department has its celebrations, the feast of the Child Jesus is the most important of all for La Libertad. It takes place from December 16 to 25, days in which music and joy cannot be absent.
On the other hand, whether you visit the department during its festivities or any additional time of the year, you can be sure that you will be able to enjoy a unique gastronomic feast. You can enjoy traditional Salvadoran dishes and drinks such as atol and pupusas.
You can eat delicious fish, fried yucca with pork, and, for dessert, the famous torrejas. In short, La Libertad is an ideal tourist destination at any time of the year. And best of all, there are activities to do alone, with family or friends.
