El Salvador surprises us with Tamanique’s Village, where the coast and the mountains come together to please those who like to relax and those who love adventure and fun.
It is an old village in the department of La Libertad, which also strives to maintain and transmit its traditions to the new generations, and then show them to the world while preserving its identity.
TAMANIQUE - Beautiful towns of El Salvador. Photo by ElSalvadorViajar.
Let’s get to know this beautiful artisan town that invites us to enjoy nature throughout its geography.
Tamanique Data
| Country: | El Salvador |
|---|---|
| Department: | La Libertad |
| Category: | Villages |
| Elevation: | 635m |
| Surface: | 101 km² |
| Population: | 15,119 |
| Indigenous People: | Pipil and Maya |
Location of Tamanique
History and Characteristics of Tamanique
The date of birth of this Central American destination takes us back to pre-Hispanic times when its first settlers were Pipil and Mayan.
Its current name in the Nahuat language has two meanings: on the one hand, some said to mean “with its earthen pool,” and others say it is “captured hill.”
By the 18th century, its inhabitants were already raising poultry and growing balsam, cocoa, and corn.
Economic activities now revolve around the production of coffee and the exploitation of balsam; it also highlights the breeding of chickens and turkeys and cattle and pigs. Not to mention the basket weavers, carpenters, and specialists in hammock weaving, who make Tamanique, a territory of artisans with their picturesque work.
Also, in the heart of its mountains, there are great forests fed by the waters of rivers, streams, and refreshing waterfalls and waterfalls, which invite you to practice hiking.
In the same way, its beautiful oceanic beaches attract, without a doubt, locals and foreigners, which has considerably increased tourism in this Pueblo Vivo of El Salvador.
What to see and visit in Tamanique
This charming town, almost 35 kilometers from the capital, San Salvador, maintains its colonial character in the one-story houses, with tile roofs and characteristic portals to protect us from the sun or the rains, giving it a pleasant aspect to the eye.
We are on Main Street when we see the Church Nuestra Señora de la Paz, a small but charming building that houses the image of the Virgin, the town’s Patron Saint.
On one side of this temple is Central Park, a place of recreation where citizens come to rest and talk with their neighbors while the children play to their hearts’ content.
Patron Saint Festivities and Gastronomy of Tamanique
Devotion to religious festivities or those associated with events of this type is the most important in the town of Tamanique. For this reason, a strictly observed activity is visiting the dead on the day of the dead, in November.
During Holy Week, the usual processions take place, especially the burial of the Holy Sepulcher, and at the beginning of May, the typical crosses decorated with colored paper are placed.
The Patron Saint festivities are celebrated during the second half of November.
It is common to find places where the traditional pupusas, filled with various products, are sold. Many fish are sold due to the proximity to the sea, including meats, fruits, and vegetables. Bean soup or cheese tamales are in great demand.
A cup of coffee is usually accompanied by sweet bread as a snack in the afternoons.
Nearby places to visit
The town of Tamanique’s location is about 20 minutes from the city’s most outstanding beaches.
One of the most popular is El Tunco Beach, with its characteristic natural sculpture, La Piedra, which rises very close to the shore in the shape of a lying pig or tunco, giving its name to the place.
Surfers enjoy the strong waves between April and August, a perfect period to practice this sport.
Next to it, El Sunzal Beach, which also invites you to ride on the crests of the waves, offering a quieter area and more moderate waves in part of its coastline, ideal for diving or snorkeling and, in this case, enjoying the rich sea breeze on the shore of its coast.
In the evenings, the lively atmosphere takes us to the different bars to have a cold beer and taste fresh fish or seafood.
El Palmarcito is another beach that has been gaining popularity among visitors, with its fine volcanic sand, ideal for walking under the sun and feeling the breeze on your face. Its various restaurants offer a variety of delicacies, ideal for all tastes.
Last but not least, this village’s wooded areas reserve a lovely and exciting surprise: the Tamanique waterfalls, very close to the village, a little more than 30 minutes.
After a hike, the effort is rewarded by coming across the fantastic waterfalls, perfect for swimming and jumping. It turns out to be a great place, incredible and magical.
Undoubtedly, Tamanique is that Salvadoran corner for those who want to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city, where calm and contact with nature are a reality. Visiting it will be an unforgettable experience, a real privilege.
