{"id":9368,"date":"2022-03-28T08:16:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-28T08:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/elsalvadorviajar.com\/en\/?p=9368"},"modified":"2022-11-23T01:07:36","modified_gmt":"2022-11-23T01:07:36","slug":"la-libertad-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elsalvadorviajar.com\/en\/departments\/la-libertad\/","title":{"rendered":"\u25b7 LA LIBERTAD DEPARTMENT \u00bb What to see and do"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

La Libertad Department<\/strong>, near San Salvador<\/a><\/strong>, is one of the favorite destinations for domestic and foreign tourists. Its magnificent beaches, mountains, parks, and monuments make it a unique region of incredible beauty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And what to say about its rivers, biodiversity, culture, gastronomy and the number of activities you can do! Everything in La Libertad is lovely<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you are looking for a tourist destination in El Salvador<\/strong> where you can relax and have an unforgettable vacation experience, this is the region you should visit. Come and discover everything you can see and do in La Libertad Department<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Data from La Libertad Department<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Country:<\/th>El Salvador<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Category:<\/th>Departments<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Capital:<\/th>Santa Tecla<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Surface:<\/th>1.653 km\u00b2<\/td><\/tr>
Population:<\/th>660.653<\/td><\/tr>
Main attraction:<\/th>Coastal zone<\/td><\/tr>
<\/th><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Location of La Libertad Department<\/p>\n\n\n

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

<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What to see and do in La libertad Department<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

La Libertad Department<\/strong> highlights its incredible beaches, but this is not the only tourist attraction it has. Its 22 municipalities have monuments of interest for the nation and the world<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Coasts
Coasts of La Libertad Department. Photo by Galyna_Andrushko. Envato.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

As well as towns and cities with great historical wealth<\/strong>, you can enjoy all the gastronomic wonders of the country. In addition, you will have the opportunity to choose whether to do ecotourism, rural tourism, or adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Municipal
Municipal Palace of Santa Tecla, La Libertad. Photo by Lexdjelectronic2013. Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Each of them offers you a different experience<\/strong> through its tourist routes. You can do the Archaeological Route, where you will see and learn about the pre-Hispanic cultures of El Salvador.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or the Sun and Beach Route<\/a><\/strong>, where you can enjoy the Pacific coast<\/strong> and water activities of your choice. Surfing is a favorite among tourists.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"La
La Libertad Coastal Zone. Photo by Metztli Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

So that you have a clearer idea of the most important places to visit<\/strong> in La Libertad, do not miss what we will present below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Monuments and sites of interest abound in La Libertad Department. Such is the case of the historic centers of Colon, Ciudad Arce, and Antiguo Cuscatlan<\/a><\/strong>, with their cobblestone streets and colonial appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Church
Church of El Carmen in Santa Tecla. Photo by anabelayalau on Pixabay.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Similarly, you can enjoy a unique architectural wealth: the Santa Tecla City Hall, El Carmen Church, the Adalberto Guirola Children’s Home Chapel<\/strong>, and the old railroad station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You also highlighted the Joya de Cer\u00e9n Cultural Asset, El Palacio Tecle\u00f1o, the Plaza de la M\u00fasica<\/strong>, and the Port of La Libertad. All these are just some examples of the most emblematic places of La Libertad Department that you can visit during a day trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attractive places you should visit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Now, if we talk about the natural wealth of La Libertad Department<\/strong>, the most remarkable are its beaches, mountains, parks, and rivers. It starts with San Diego Beach<\/a><\/strong> in the Port of La Libertad. It is characterized by gentle surf, fine sand, and a variety of activities to do.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Port
Port de la Libertad. Photo by Ayaita Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

It is the most visited beach because of its location, but above all, tourists can camp for as long as they wish. Besides this, we have the beaches El Tunco<\/a>, El Sunzal<\/a>, El Zonte<\/a>, La Paz, San Blas<\/a>, El Palmarcito<\/a>, and Majahual<\/a><\/strong>. You can find the best waves for surfing in La Paz and El Sunzal.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"What
What to do in Playa El Tunco. Going out at night. Photo by ElSalvadorViajar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

On the other hand, in La Libertad Department<\/strong>, you can go hiking at your leisure. One of the favorite routes for tourists starts in the Ecoparque El Espino to the San Salvador Volcano<\/strong>. You can enjoy its viewpoints, incredible biodiversity, and the best view of the region’s surroundings.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Beaches
Beaches of El Salvador El Sunzal. Photo by randreu. Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

It should be noted that depending on the route you want. You can walk through the crater of Boquer\u00f3n<\/a><\/strong> and descend to the Boqueroncito. If you prefer more straightforward ways along the Chase\u00f1ora and Amayo rivers, hike the Santa Elena, San Juan, El Refugio, and Los Izotes hills, among others.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Visit
Visit the Boquer\u00f3n. Photo by Erik Cleves Kristensen. Flickr.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If you are near the Sucio River and the Agua Caliente River<\/strong>, you should make an almost obligatory stop at the San Andres Archaeological Site<\/a><\/strong>. That was inhabited between the 900 B.C and 900 A.D. centuries with an extension of 3 km2 in which you can observe an elevated plaza, pyramids, and platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Visit
Visit San Andr\u00e9s Archaeological Site, La Libertad. Photo by ElSalvadorViajar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Similarly, we have the Joya de Ceren Archaeological Site<\/a><\/strong> dating from 900 BC and 250 AD. This city was buried for centuries after the eruption of the volcano. The Pipil Mayas returned to inhabit these lands before the Spaniard’s<\/strong> arrival without knowing that underneath were the remains of the ancient city of their ancestors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, we recommend you visit the Walter Thilo Deininger National Park, a protected area of great importance for El Salvador<\/strong>. Here you can also hike routes ranging from 8 m to 280 meters above sea level.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Enjoy
Enjoy La Libertad Department. Photo by Ll1324 Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In addition, it is a space where you can camp, make bonfires, and do night hikes, among many other activities the park offers<\/strong>. In short, an experience that will leave you wanting more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Destinations near La Libertad that you should visit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Other places you should visit are the Pe\u00f1\u00f3n de Comasagua<\/strong> in the Central Sierra. This 900 m rock formation is characterized by offering a 360\u00b0 view of the surroundings. From there, you can observe the Pacific beaches and the two peaks of the San Vicente Volcano<\/a><\/strong> and enjoy incredible sunsets.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"The
The Port of La Libertad. Photo by Ayaita. Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

You will find country restaurants along the way, so you won’t have to worry about food. Another perfect destination for extreme and adventurous activities is the Lempa River<\/a><\/strong>. Part of it is within the La Libertad department<\/strong>, so there will be no problem if you want to take a walk or a swim in its waters.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"La
La Libertad Roads. Photo by Ll1324 Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In addition to these, the favorite activity of tourists is rafting<\/strong>. Although if you are looking for something quieter, then sitting and contemplating the scenery and fishing is a great option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

History of La Libertad Department<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

La Libertad Department<\/strong> has been inhabited since ancient times. Proof of this is the numerous ruins and findings made in archaeological sites<\/strong> where its most primitive origin leans to the Lenca communities, which were displaced by territorial struggles and natural disasters.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Parish
Parish of the municipality of Col\u00f3n. Photo by Adimas22. Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Later it was inhabited by the Mayan-Pipil peoples until the arrival of the colonizers. The region is called “Tapegua,”<\/strong> which means big mountain. However, it was officially founded in 1854 with the name of Nueva San Salvador.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This distinction was given by the then-president of the republic Jos\u00e9 Mar\u00eda de San Mart\u00edn. That was because they had created a project for the city to become the new capital of El Salvador after an earthquake destroyed San Salvador<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Visit
Visit the coast of La Libertad. Photo by Daniel chavez castro. Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

This project was abandoned in 1858<\/strong> without affecting the economic and productive development of the region. In 2003, it changed from Nueva San Salvador to Santa Tecla<\/strong>, establishing itself as the department’s capital city of La Libertad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Geography and municipalities of La Libertad Department<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

La Libertad Department has a total area of 112 km2. It is located in the center of El Salvador, bordering Chalatenango<\/strong><\/a> to the north, San Salvador<\/a>, and La Paz<\/a><\/strong> to the east. The Pacific Ocean is to the south, while Santa Ana<\/a> and Sonsonate<\/a><\/strong> are to the west.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"San
San Diego Beach in La Libertad. Photo by ElSalvadorViajar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Unlike other departments, La Libertad is divided into three districts<\/strong>: Santa Tecla, San Juan Opico, and Quezaltepeque<\/strong>. You can find the Lempa River at 19.5 km, the Sucio River at 32.5 km, and the water mirror Chanmico lagoon at 0.78 km2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, its political-territorial division consists of 22 municipalities which are:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n