{"id":8374,"date":"2021-12-16T07:13:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-16T07:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/elsalvadorviajar.com\/en\/?p=8374"},"modified":"2022-11-23T00:45:08","modified_gmt":"2022-11-23T00:45:08","slug":"san-miguel-un-departamento-de-tradiciones-ancestrales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elsalvadorviajar.com\/en\/departments\/san-miguel\/","title":{"rendered":"\u25b7 SAN MIGUEL DEPARTMENT \u00bb What to See and Do"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the tourist attractions par excellence of El Salvador<\/strong> is the San Miguel Department<\/strong>, a whole amalgam of opportunities to get to know this country in the depths of its lands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It offers mountains, virgin natural spaces, beautiful views of its volcanoes<\/strong>, rivers, and spectacular beaches facing the Pacific Ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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San Miguel Data<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Country:<\/th>El Salvador<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Category:<\/th>Departments<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Elevation:<\/th>129 meters<\/td><\/tr>
Surface:<\/th>594km\u00b2<\/td><\/tr>
Population:<\/th>265,921<\/td><\/tr>
Indigenous
People:<\/th>		Lencas<\/td><\/tr>
<\/th><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Location of San Miguel<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Location<\/a>
Location of the San Miguel Department<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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What to see and do in the San Miguel Department<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

San Miguel department<\/strong> is a great tourist destination, where many activities will fill your travel schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Chaparrastique
Chaparrastique Volcano. San Miguel Volcano. Photo by Diego Brito. Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In this fascinating piece of Salvadoran land<\/strong>, you can find miles of beaches of extraordinary beauty<\/strong>, many water parks, rivers, and lagoons, as well as ruins in its archaeological sites and mountains or volcanoes with dazzling views.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Churches
Churches of San Miguel. Photo by ElSalvadorViajar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In addition, the historic center of its capital has colonial houses with a lot of tradition, churches, and the beautiful Cathedral<\/strong> that protects the country’s patron saint. Everything is complemented by great festivals and delicious recipes from their kitchens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monuments and sites of interest<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The capital of the San Miguel Department<\/strong>, which bears the same name, is also known as “the pearl of the Orient”<\/em><\/strong> it is even the third most important city in the country, located just over 150 kilometers from San Salvador.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Nuestra
Nuestra Se\u00f1ora De La Paz Cathedral in San Miguel. Photo by ElSalvadorViajar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Walking through its streets will take us to the Cathedral Basilica de Nuestra Se\u00f1ora de la Paz<\/strong>, the second largest in the country, representing the faith and pride of its inhabitants, the miguele\u00f1os.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be sure to see the fabulous facade of the Municipal Palace and the Francisco Gavidia National Theater<\/strong>, a historical jewel, in addition to the old houses that still maintain their charm.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Francisco
Francisco Gavidia National Theater in San Miguel. Photo by Josh. Flickr.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Among the religious temples is the Church of El Rosario, which is said to keep very old city documents, the Church of El Se\u00f1or del Calvario<\/strong>, and the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attractive places to visit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You will find different alternatives for enjoyment and relaxation in the various towns, so visit the Balneario Altos de la Cueva<\/strong> to have a good time with family or friends among forests and pools; it has equipped cabins that you can rent.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"The
The caves and pool of Moncagua. San Miguel department. Photo by ElSalvadorViajar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Archeology lovers should visit the ruins of Quelepa<\/strong> and see its impressive architecture. You can go to the town of Moncagua<\/a><\/strong> and enjoy the Moncagua pool<\/strong>, with its natural thermal water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the shores of the Aramuaca Lagoon<\/strong>, you can contemplate the imposing Chaparrastique Volcano in the distance. For other entertainment, go to the Montegrande Recreational Park<\/strong>, with its amazing mini zoo, next to stimulating pools with slides, football fields, restaurants, and even a store where you can look and buy some souvenirs of the place.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Aramuaca
Aramuaca Lagoon in San Miguel. Photo by Lee Siebert. Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Destinations near San Miguel that you can visit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is still a lot to know, but here are some possibilities to plan your visits.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Visit
Visit Olomega Lagoon in San Miguel Department. Photo by Diego Brito. Flickr.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Fifteen kilometers from San Miguel is the Olomega Lagoon<\/a><\/strong>, declared a “Wetland of International Importance.”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, dare to reach the Chinameca Volcano and climb its slopes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are looking for sun and sand, there is nothing better than to get to El Cuco Beach<\/a><\/strong>, located south of the San Miguel Department; you can also visit Las Flores beach<\/a><\/strong>, one of the most beautiful of the place.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"El
El Cuco Beach in San Miguel. Photo by ElSalvadorViajar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

There you will find extensive beaches to practice volleyball or just jog and walk along its sands. In these, one of the best coasts of El Salvador<\/strong>, you can swim, and even fish and extreme sports lovers can opt for surfing.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Sunset
Sunset at Playa las Flores in San Miguel department. Photo by ElSalvadorViajar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

And if that were not enough, there is a good offer of restaurants to taste the marine delights and hotels where you can stay to rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

History of the San Miguel Department<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The official history of the San Miguel Department<\/strong> began in 1525 when the Spanish captain Luis de Moscoso was commissioned to find the town of San Miguel de la Frontera<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its original occupants were the natives of the Lenca tribes who called this land Popocatepetl.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"San
San Luis de la Reina in San Miguel. Photo by Daniel chavez castro. Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

This is how it became the second most crucial nucleus<\/strong> of what would later become the Republic of El Salvador.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was not until 1586 that it moved to its present location. Before the end of the XVI Century, the town had the title of “city,” and by 1824, it became the head of the San Miguel Department during the mandate of President Mariano Prado Baca.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Geography and Municipalities of the San Miguel Department<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The San Miguel Department <\/strong>is located in the eastern part of El Salvador<\/strong>, bordering Honduras, to the east with the departments of Moraz\u00e1n<\/a> and La Uni\u00f3n<\/a><\/strong>, to the south in a small strip with the Pacific Ocean, and the west with the departments of Caba\u00f1as and Usulut\u00e1n.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its capital is San Miguel, approximately 150 kilometers from San Salvador<\/a><\/strong>, the country’s capital, occupying 2,077.1 Km2, and has a population of almost half a million people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For administrative purposes, it is into three districts and 20 municipalities, which are:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n