{"id":9227,"date":"2022-03-04T16:35:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-04T16:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/elsalvadorviajar.com\/en\/?p=9227"},"modified":"2022-11-23T01:03:14","modified_gmt":"2022-11-23T01:03:14","slug":"la-union","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elsalvadorviajar.com\/en\/departments\/la-union\/","title":{"rendered":"\u25b7 LA UNI\u00d3N DEPARTMENT \u00bb What to See and Do"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

La Uni\u00f3n Department<\/strong> an excellent locality that offers<\/strong> multiple alternatives to enjoy our stay when visiting El Salvador entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It keeps the most beautiful beach<\/strong> corners of the small but captivating Central American country without leaving<\/strong> aside other extraordinary attractions, such as the archipelago Gulf of Fonseca and its group of islands of volcanic origin or the Conchagua Volcano<\/strong>, offering unique experiences for visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Data from La Uni\u00f3n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Country:<\/th>El Salvador<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Category:<\/th>Departments<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Fundation:<\/th>1865<\/td><\/tr>
Surface:<\/th>2.074 km\u00b2<\/td><\/tr>
Capital:<\/th>La Uni\u00f3n<\/td><\/tr>
Most populated city:<\/th>Conchagua<\/td><\/tr>
<\/th><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Location of La Uni\u00f3n<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Location<\/a>
Location of La Uni\u00f3n Department<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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What to see and do in La Uni\u00f3n Departmetn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The different municipalities that make up La Uni\u00f3n Departmen<\/strong>t show beautiful locations for all tastes, starting with the Gulf of Fonseca<\/strong>, one of the most attractive tourist destinations in El Salvador, where sunsets are painted in multiple colors.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Nature
Nature of the Gulf of Fonseca in La Uni\u00f3n. Photo by ElSalvadorViajar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Also, in the head and port of its capital, we can contemplate fantastic seascapes on the bay’s shores while tasting fresh fish and seafood from local fisheries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, the department’s towns represent its most incredible charm in the city of Conchagua<\/strong>, ideal for nature lovers who will not yield to the temptation to visit its volcano, the colossus Conchagua<\/a><\/strong>, one of the most impressive volcanoes of El Salvador<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Camping
Camping in Conchagua Volcano. Photo by ElSalvadorViajar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Along the way, you will also find small merchants<\/strong>, who, as guides, will lead you to unimaginable destinations, where you can also take the opportunity to buy some typical handicrafts<\/strong> as a souvenir of your visit.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Las
Las Tunas Beaches in La Uni\u00f3n. Photo by Rene Mayorga. Flickr.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Not to mention its beaches, El Tamarindo, La Flor, and Las Tunas<\/a><\/strong>, all magical and fascinating, to fully enjoy the sun and the breeze of the quoted Salvadoran coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

In La Uni\u00f3n, the department’s capital<\/strong>, you will enjoy the pleasant marine atmosphere the municipality offers you as you walk through its streets and promenades along the seashore.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Martin
Martin Perez Island in the Gulf of Fonseca. Photo by ElSalvadorViajar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Visit the Bay<\/strong> Pier and the Family Park<\/strong>, an ideal place to relax and rest or perhaps enjoy the typical dishes of the site, including fabulous views of the sea from the lighthouse located in this town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Las Playitas beach is located 9 kilometers from the head of La Uni\u00f3n Department<\/strong>, a beach of dark sands and rocky formations, creating the ideal environment to enjoy a swim in its calm waters without leaving aside the unbeatable gastronomic offer that is offered in the place<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"El
El Espiritu de la Monta\u00f1a viewpoint. Photo by ElSalvadorViajar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Leaving San Salvador<\/strong>, just 190 kilometers away, we arrive at the Mirador Esp\u00edritu de la Monta\u00f1a<\/strong>. In this magical place, you will feel the energy of nature while observing the Conchagua Volcano<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And from the same starting point, a 4.5-hour drive away is the Gulf of Fonseca<\/strong>, a true paradise of relaxation full of exotic beaches of national and international tourist interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Destinations near La Union that you can visit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The magic that awakens La Uni\u00f3n Department<\/strong> is experienced in each municipality you visit, where you will even see the cultivated lands and the practice of cattle raising.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Torola
Torola River. Rivers of El Salvador. Photo by Marden Nolasco. Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

We suggest you visit Lislique, a land of waters where the Torola River<\/a><\/strong> flows through the area. Walk through its colonial-style streets, and see the handmade mills to taste the sweetness of atados.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, take the opportunity to visit the Bolivar municipality<\/strong>, where the most visited natural areas are the Cuevitas and the Piedra del Diablo, where petroglyphs were found.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"San
San Alejo Parish Church. Photo by ClauH0288. Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

But if you want to walk around Yucuaiqu\u00edn, visit the Church of San Francisco de As\u00ed<\/strong>s with its beautiful architecture; visit the archaeological site El Chag\u00fcite or the Las Mar\u00edas dam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, in San Alejo<\/strong>, we recommend visiting El Oasis and La Monta\u00f1ita, tourist centers, to spend the day with the family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

History of La Uni\u00f3n Department<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before the arrival of the Spaniards to colonize these new lands, they knew that the Lenca tribe lived here.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Visit
Visit to Port of la Uni\u00f3n. Photo by ElSalvadorViajar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

After centuries of struggles between the natives and the conquerors, it was designated with the name of Puerto de San Carlos<\/strong> at the end of the XVIII century. In the Bay of Fonseca and in honor of King Carlos III of Spain, but within the limits of the district of San Alejo<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1824 and 1850, there were a series of attacks against the Port due to its strategic location, until in 1854, through a decree signed by the then President Jos\u00e9 Mar\u00eda San Mart\u00edn, the Port of San Carlos of La Uni\u00f3n<\/strong> was granted the title of “City.”<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Port
Port of la Uni\u00f3n Lighthouse. Photo by ElSalvadorViajar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In June 1865, the former San Miguel department<\/a><\/strong> was officially divided into three large areas, thus creating La Uni\u00f3n Department, with the capital city initially called San Carlos de La Uni\u00f3n<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Geography and Municipalities of La Uni\u00f3n Department<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

La Uni\u00f3n Department is located in the southeastern part of El Salvador<\/strong>, bordering to the north and east with Honduras, its neighboring country. In contrast, to the west, it connects the departments of San Miguel and Moraz\u00e1n<\/strong>, and to the south, it opens towards the Pacific Ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Nueva
Nueva Esparta Park. Photo by Teo Romero. Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Towards the southeastern part, the Gulf of Fonseca<\/strong> is shared similarly with Nicaragua and Honduras.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Fauna
Fauna of the Gulf of Fonseca. Photo by ElSalvadorViajar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

It has a territorial area that occupies 2,074.34 Km2<\/strong> of Salvadoran territory, making it one of the departments with the largest surface area, with a population of close to 380 thousand people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under its jurisdiction is the insular zone with islands such as Meanguera, Zacatillo<\/a>, and Perico<\/strong>, which make it the tourist destination par excellence of the entire Republic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The orography shows us, besides the coastal zone<\/strong>, a varied terrain that can go from plains to mountains, the Cerro Ocotal<\/strong>, the highest peak with 1225 meters of height.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Visit
Visit La Uni\u00f3n. Photo by Svs220. Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Other peaks include the Conchagua Volcano<\/a><\/strong> and the San Crist\u00f3bal or La Ventana hills, located in the Nahuaterique mountain range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The capital of La Uni\u00f3n Department<\/strong> bears the same name and is located 10 meters above sea level, holding the title of City since 1854<\/strong>. It is located 184 kilometers from the country’s capital, San Salvador<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

La Uni\u00f3n Department is divided into two districts and 18 municipalities:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n