The “New San Salvador,” better known as Santa Tecla, is the destination we recommend you visit today. This city has some of the most important tourist attractions in the La Libertad department.
Places where you can spend a different weekend with your loved ones, no matter if you decide to enjoy a dip in their spas or enjoy the city on a tour of its most emblematic streets, are just some examples of what Santa Tecla offers its visitors.
SANTA TECLA - Villages of El Salvador. Photo by ElSalvadorViajar.
Santa Tecla Data
| Country: | El Salvador |
|---|---|
| Category: | Villages |
| Department: | La Libertad |
| Elevation: | 931 meters |
| Surface: | 12,2 km² |
| Population: | 138.695 |
Location of Santa Tecla
What to see and visit in Santa Tecla
Santa Tecla is a city that has managed to rise after several natural disasters but was founded to become the capital of El Salvador. In its streets, you can see a vast historical and architectural richness.
Many of its buildings are of colonial type with neo-gothic, neo-baroque and even eclectic touches. Un ejemplo de ello es la Our Thedy of Mount Carmel Church que tras el terremoto del 2001 quedó en ruinas y que desde 2012 se encuentra en reconstrucción.
Continuing the tour through the center of Santa Tecla, we find the Palacio Tecleño de la Cultura y las Artes. A building that for decades became the main headquarters of the mayor’s office and today is where the city’s most important artistic events take place.
On the other hand, this city has several monuments that commemorate illustrious people and their history. Such is the case of Daniel Hernández Park, where the Monument to Mother María Clara Quiroz, and the Monument to Santa Tecla, among others, have been placed.
Likewise, we find San Martin Park, Araucarias Park, Family Park, San Jose Ecological Park, Extreme Park, and El Cafetalon Recreational Center. All of them are ideal places for recreation and enjoyment.
Of course, we can not fail to mention one of the most critical places for Santa Tecla and El Salvador is the El Boqueron National Park. It is located in the crater of the San Salvador Volcano and is a favorite destination for hiking and adrenaline lovers.
History and characteristics
In August 1854, the current president of the republic, José María de San Martín, decreed the foundation of Santa Tecla. By then, it received the name of Nueva San Salvador to give place to the country’s new capital after an earthquake almost totally destroyed San Salvador.
This plan lasted only a short time because, in 1858, it was discarded to give way to a region that focused on the cultivation of coffee. It has become the primary producer of this crop up to the present day.
Because of its economic development, it became the most developed city in El Salvador, a title it still retains. Between 2002 and 2003, a new decree was issued in which the city will now be called Santa Tecla, which became official in January 2004.
Patron saint festivities and gastronomy
Religion is an essential aspect for the people of Tecla because they highlight their countless cultural manifestations through it. Its patronal feast in honor of the Child Jesus is a reason for celebration and rejoicing.
This festivity takes place every year between December 16 and 25. The mayor’s office, together with the inhabitants, organizes the election of the queen and various activities. Among those that stand out are the artistic manifestations of the region, and concerts, among others.
For its part, the best time to enjoy all the gastronomy and varied tecleños dishes takes place throughout the year in the Paseo El Carmen, declared a National Tourist Interest Center. Every weekend, starting at 3:00 p.m., the Festival Puertas Abiertas de Santa Tecla (Open Doors Festival of Santa Tecla) takes place..
Here you can enjoy traditional dishes such as pupusas, fried yucca with pork, and pescaditas. You will also find affordable international dishes if you prefer something more gourmet..
Nearby places to visit
Since we are in Santa Tecla, we cannot mention some nearby places you can visit during your stay. If you love surfing, snorkeling, or windsurfing, just half an hour’s drive from Santa Tecla, you can visit beaches like El Sunzal and El Tunco is the perfect beaches to practice these sports are part of the Sun and Beach Route of El Salvador.
Another nearby destination is the San Andres Ruins, one of the most essential and largest Mayan settlements found in the country. This site is part of the Mayan Route, including the Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site, Tazumal, and Cihuatán, among others.
We finish with the Parque Recreativo Los Chorros and the Ecoparque El Espino, where nature is the protagonist. Its rivers, mountains, and trails will take you to know the most beautiful landscapes of El Salvador.
