▷ USULUTÁN DEPARTMENT » What to See and Do.

Just east of El Salvador, we find the most colorful department with the largest territorial extension, Usulután. A region where history, culture, and the most emblematic traditions of the country abound.

But it is not only this that makes the Usulután Department one of the favorite tourist destinations in Central America. But the number of landscapes, beaches, mountains, and volcanoes invite the traveler to live an experience full of adventures and activities for all tastes.

USULUTAN DEPARTMENT - Departments of El Salvador. Photo by Zero changes Wikimedia Commons.

If your plans include visiting and getting to know this fantastic department, here are all the places you will find.

What to see and do in Usulután Department

Are you looking for a place to rest and enjoy an incredible view? Do you prefer ecotourism, long walks, or just enjoying the beach? In Usulután Department, you will find this and much more.

Best of all, this is a destination you can visit with your family and friends. You will find spaces specially designed for the enjoyment of all ages.

Such is the case of the Santa Elena Swimming Pools, where you can enjoy a wonderful day. Here there are areas for services, games, and barbecues. If you prefer a more natural environment, you can visit the Palo Galán Lagoon, where you will find natural pools and a dreamlike landscape.

In addition to these destinations, there is also the El Molino River, where the La Peña and Julio Martinez pools are the favorites of tourists. But this is not the only thing you can see and do in Usulután Department, and we show it to you.

Monuments and sites of interest

Suppose you want to know in depth the history of Usulután Department. In that case, you can not miss visiting its most important monuments and starting with the Santa Catalina Parish Church, built in honor of its patron saint, whose festivity dates back 120 years.

It is near Raúl Francisco Munguía Park, another city monument. In addition, we find the Historic Center of Usulután, which preserves the originality of its streets.

Since its founding in 1865, each space has been maintained, taking the tourist on a journey back in time through truly colonial streets. But, if a monument references the city’s history, that is the Church of El Calvario. For it was here that many clashes took place during the war.

Attractive places to visit

As we have mentioned, Usulután is a destination where landscapes abound and, therefore, the options you can choose. So if you are looking for ecotourism and love hiking, you should visit the Chahuantique Forest.

It has a highly diverse flora and fauna you can enjoy during your tour. In addition, if you reach the highest part of the forest and it is the flowering season, you will see its trees dressed in unique and magical colors.

A very prominent place in Usulután Department is the town of Alegría, with cobblestone streets fresh and colorful atmosphere, a place that will undoubtedly make you fall in love. But that’s not all. You can also visit the Tecapa volcano, better known as Alegria Lagoon. Gabriela Mistral baptized it as the Emerald of America, a dormant volcano with a beautiful lagoon with a high concentration of sulfur that has no life in its waters but impressive views to those who visit it.

But if you visit during the winter season, we recommend a walk through the Nancuchiname Forest. You can enjoy a landscape like something out of the movies, in its best version, full of mystery and mysticism.

Now, if you prefer the tranquility of the beach and want to soak up some sun, then the best places to visit are El Espino beach and Jiquilisco Bay. Or if you prefer, you can go to the San Juan del Gozo Peninsula. All are perfect places to have an incredible vacation.

Nearby destinations in Usulután Department

Near Usulután, we also have the departments of San Miguel and San Vicente. You can find adventure and places you can not miss in them.

Therefore, if you want to know more about the archaeological attractions of El Salvador, the Quelepa de San Miguel Ruins are the best option. Here you will find 40 platforms between mounds used for ceremonies, most of which have not yet been excavated.

In the same department, we find the Olomega Lagoon, where you can perform various water activities. Now, if you want to pass through San Vicente, here awaits an imposing landscape worthy of capturing with your camera.

For example, the Chinchontepec Volcano or the Collado de Jiboa is adorned with a nature never seen before. In short, the most emblematic natural places of the Vicentino people and preferred by foreigners and nationals.

History of Usulután Department

Usulután, the name of Nahuatl origin that means “among the ocelots.” Its people date back centuries before the conquest. According to historical data, the first communities in the department were formed by Lenca tribes until the fifteenth century when they were forced to abandon their lands by the Pipil.

They lived in complete peace until the middle of 1539 because, with the arrival of the Spaniards, battles broke out over the territory. A few years later, in 1553, Diego de Holguín quenched the thirst for war.

With the independence of El Salvador, Usulután received the title of a villa in 1827. In the following years, it became a region of great importance for the country, thus gaining the city title in 1860.

But, five years later and as a mandate of the Executive Power, it receives the name Usulután Department. The territory was formally divided from San Miguel.

Geography and municipalities of Usulután Department

Usulután is located east of El Salvador and has an average area of 2,130 km2. It is bordered north and east by San Miguel, while San Vicente Department is to the northeast and west.

Towards the southern part of Usulután is the Pacific Ocean, an area where the San Juan del Gozo Peninsula and the most important tourist attraction, the Bay of Jiquilisco, are located. Given its location and extension, it has a population of more than 330 thousand inhabitants.

These are distributed in a territory divided into 23 municipalities where agricultural practice abounds. These are:

1. Usulután: with 14 cantons.
2. Alegría: with 8 cantons.
3. Berlín: with 17 cantons.
4. California: with one canton.
5. Concepción Batres: with 10 cantons.
6. El Triunfo: with 5 cantons.
7. Ereguayquín: with 4 cantons.
8. Estanzuelas: with 9 cantons.
9. Jiquilisco: with more than 40 cantons.
10. Jucuapa: with nine cantons.
11. Jucuarán: with 7 cantons.
12. Mercedes Umaña: with 9 cantons.
13. Nueva Granada: with 11 cantons.
14. Ozatlán: with 6 cantons.
15. Puerto El Triunfo: with 2 cantons.
16. San Agustín: with 20 cantons.
17. San Buenaventura: with 6 cantons.
18. San Dionisio: with three cantons.
19. San Francisco Javier: with nine cantons.
20. Santa Elena: with nine cantons.
21. Santa María: with 2 cantons.
22. Santiago de María: with seven cantons.
23. Tecapán: with 5 cantons.

Climate, flora and fauna

Usulután Department comprises an extensive plain, forests, and coasts. Therefore, the climate that characterizes the region is Tropical Hot Savannah. The average annual rainfall is estimated at 1949 mm, the most frequent during May, June, July, August, September, and October.

The average temperature in Usulután is between 26°C and 28°C. But we can find a variation that can reach 36°C in the year’s first half. At the same time, the coldest temperature occurs in December, with a minimum drop to 19°C.

In terms of flora, Usulután Department has 16 protected areas. One of these is the Nancuchiname Forest, where you can find the region’s iconic species. Here the river almond, chilacate, ojushte, and conacaste abound, in addition to the cedar and walnut trees that represent a danger to the ecosystem due to their excessive logging.

Finally, we find a fauna mainly characterized by the Central American spider monkey, the pezote, and the white-tailed deer, including endangered species causing it to be cataloged as a protected area for environmental recovery.

Culture and customs in Usulután Department

In Usulután, if anything stands out, are the indigenous traditions and customs that, over the years, were adapted to other aspects. We can find a prosperous city that has developed in favor of the work of its inhabitants.

That said, among the most ingrained customs of its people is the celebration of the Cruz de Mayo (May Cross). A moment in which the locals decorate their crosses with flowers in gratitude or to make a request.

Another custom is celebrating the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ during Holy Week, a feast also of great importance for the whole country. In the same way, we have the Independence Day of Central America in which the Dance of the Old Men with Masks is presented.

Festivities and gastronomy

Of all the festivities, the most important is that of Santa Catalina de Alejandría, the patron saint of Usulután Department. It takes place between November 19 and 25 in a truly colorful celebration.

Cultural activities, parades, fairs, and even a queen are elected during these dates. It is the perfect time to enjoy all the gastronomy of Usulután. They start with the famous pupusas and pescaditas, as well as fried beans, plantains, and pork meatballs.

In short, a delight in every sense of the word that you can not miss if you come during their patron saint festivities. But do not worry. Visit at any other time of the year. You will find restaurants throughout the city where you can enjoy the typical and traditional recipes of Usulután Department.