El Salvador and Honduras Tour

After landing at El Salvador’s international airport, meet your driver guide outside the customs and be escorted to the hotel at San Benito, San Salvador’s most bustling and upscale business center.

On the road, your guide will brief you about the El Salvador and Honduras tour packages and may introduce you to the history of the far-reaching Mayan civilization, the gangster stories, and how El Salvador has been transformed from a murderous country to the safest among the Latin. The Civil War that lasted twelve years until 1992 had unimaginably scarred the nation, but it didn’t stop it to become the ‘the country of smiles’ later, which you’ll experience! Take the chance to learn some Spanish phrases from your guide to greet back the friendly locals you meet. If you can’t wait to explore around after check-in, beware of pickpockets and note to not to hang out late at night. You can directly use US dollars to purchase things as it and Bitcoins are both the national currencies, but since the salary and commodity prices are lower here (average monthly salary is below USD 400), remember to prepare enough small bills in case of small expense. To your surprise, you’ll even see dollar coins, which seem to have disappeared in the US, are used everywhere in El Salvador!

► Which SIM Service Should I Choose for This Tour?
We highly recommend you using physical cards of either Tigo or Claro, with 1 GB charging USD 1 or so. The stores of the two network operators can be found everywhere in both El Salvador and Honduras. If you prefer e-SIM service, check the package of Airalo that covers the entire Central America. E-SIM is indeed convenient, but it can put a dent in your wallet, as 1G may charge up to USD 15－think it twice.

Accommodation: Barcelo San Salvador (4 stars) or similar

We’ll devote a whole morning to exploring the historical center of San Salvador. This was the base where the capital was built on, and your passionate, knowledgeable guide just can’t wait to tell you the exhilarating histories of those aged plazas and colonial architectures. The most iconic is Plaza Libertad, where the Monumento de los Heroes stands still, the witness to the centennial of El Salvador’s ‘First Cry of Independence’. Plaza Barrios marked the end of the Civil War and is reminiscent of the funeral, attended by 250,000 people, of the archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero, the murdered national hero for voicing for the people with remains still kept in the crypt of the Metropolitan Cathedral. Other buildings to see include the National Palace, National Theater, and Iglesia El Rosario, the church and brutalist artwork of the last century.

Next, we’ll drive around 1 hour and a half to Suchitoto, a charming mountain town and the former capital of El Salvador. Here, the well-preserved colonial buildings, cobbled streets, and quaint colorful houses would make you feel you’re still in the old world. We’ll walk the tropical plants-embellished central plaza, pass lively life where buskers play music and vendors sell drinks, handicrafts, and traditional ice-cream minutas (why not treat yourself to it if it’s too hot), and visit the white church Iglesia Santa Lucia. Later, you’ll also have some time to stroll around the plaza to explore for more among shops, cafes and restaurants if you want. Afterwards, we’ll visit the house of Alejandro Coto, the first old Latin film director in El Salvador and the most famous person in Suchitoto. You can see from his garden or the site of the house, which overlooks an immense lake, how Coto loves things that’re beautiful. In the late afternoon, we will drive back to your hotel in San Salvador.

► Tips for Dinner (Self-Financed):
Your hotel is conveniently located amid many well-received restaurants. We recommend you get a taste of Salvadorian culinary culture at El Xolo, ten minutes’ walk to the south. Salvadorian food is largely about corn, like the national dish and corn cake pupusa, the corn milk atol de elote, and tamales, steamed corn paste in corn husks, and you can find most of them in the restaurant. Ancient Mayas deemed corn sacred and they even had the god of corn to worship－Salvadorians’ love for the grain is just in their blood.
 
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Barcelo San Salvador (4 stars) or similar

Today we’ll mainly dive into the must-go Maya ruins of El Salvador, the less-known treasures on the Mayan tapestry! The Mayan civilization, a dazzling yet enigmatic star in the cosmos of human history, can be dated back to 2,000 BC and had once spread across regions including nowadays Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, and El Salvador. The Mayas arrived in El Salvador in the 2nd century and stayed for 700 years, and today we’ll take you to glimpse into this slice of history.

You’ll first get insights into Mayan daily life at UNESCO-marked Joya de Ceren Archaeological Park, which houses the ruins of a pre-Columbian Mayan farming village. It’s woeful to hear that the once lively village was altogether buried in the 6th century under volcanic ashes, which, however, made it survive to this day. By understanding the structures of the buildings with your guide, you’ll get to know how the public, family or shaman spaces looked like. There is also a museum for you to see the unearthed farming tools and relics, plus pictures for illustrative purposes. Then we’ll pay a visit to the San Andres Archaeological Park, once a Mayan acropolis for politics and important ceremonial center with various structures and well-preserved indigo mills. Indigo is also called Mayan blue, a pigment extracted from a namesake plant grown in the volcanic region.

Continue to the Santa Ana City and enjoy the laid-back vibes of this biggest city of west El Salvador. It’s interesting to note Santa Ana once had a great time before the Civil War for the prosperous coffee industry, and the existing cathedral, the theater and other architecture jewels built then are the very symbols. Along the way, meet street murals, locals’ smiles and occasionally a cow. You may take lunch here at your own expense. The gastronomic variety of Santa Ana will surprise you.

After lunch, dive into the Mayan world again at Tazumal archaeological site, where you can see the largest pyramid of El Salvador as well as the Stone of the Victories carved with petroglyphs of the Olmec, the mother civilization of the Mayas. Tazumal lies in the town of Chalchuapa, a region said to have human traces dating to 3,200 years ago. At last, drive and settle into the hotel in Ataco.
 
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Casa 1800 Ataco Hotel Boutique or similar

For the whole morning, we’ll take in the most famous scenic route of El Salvador, the Flower Route (Ruta de las Flores) with enthralling towns, lagoons and waterfalls along it. At Ataco, you’ve already got your first glance－there are murals everywhere, buskers on the streets and artists behind the walls, collectible hand-spun works, and traditional music instruments… El Salvador was once an important transfer station of black slaves, which is why you can spot many African influences here, like those in ‘canasta’ basket and marimba. Coffee enthusiasts will fall in love with towns known for expanses of coffee plantations and myriads of coffee houses, while foodies will love Juayue, where the food festival takes place every weekend. You’ll also get the chance to witness the indigenous Pipil culture, watch women in traditional dress and hear people speaking endangered Nawat language.

In the afternoon, experience the side of El Salvador as ‘the land of volcanoes’ in Cerro Verde National Park, whose name means ‘green hill’ and is home to three volcanos. In the remaining time of today, you’ll enjoy a short hike around the crater of the oldest Cerro Verde Volcano. Marvel at orchids in a garden and the incredible views of Lake Coatepeque and Izalco Volcano along the way. 

You’ll stay in a hotel right in the park. Designed especially for enjoying the surrounds, it offers a spectacular perspective for a sunset over the volcanos, so don’t miss it! Here we need to remind you that during dinner time, as the hotel also receives non-guest tourists, its restaurant is often crowded so you’ll have to wait for seat. Unless you’re okay with it, you’re recommended visiting a restaurant just a few minutes’ walk to the north and try their Salvadorian food, which is at your own expense and USD 5 will leave you full and satisfied.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Casa 1800 Cerro Verde (5 stars) or similar

After breakfast, hike 3 hours away on Santa Ana Volcano, the highest among its kind in El Salvador. We’ll first go through a jungle and then reach the barren, rocky volcanic area. As morning is cooler, animals in the wild are more active so while we pass through the lush vegetation, you may also have the luck to spot magical species of life with the help of your sharp-eyed experienced guide. You may come across the colorful national bird torogoz, the ‘toh’ in Mayan language, which according to local folklore is responsible for wakening other birds at dawn. The bird will bewitch you with the long feathers dangling from its tail! On the top of the volcano, enjoy ambling on the crater and behold the contrast between the dark rocky area and the green sulfurous lake in the middle. The hike is not that challenging, except on the steep slope up, but you can rest assured that we’ll do it at your pace.

In the afternoon, let’s leave El Salvador for Honduras via Guatemala. The whole driving time is around 4.5 hours and the entry procedures including fees involved will be handled by us. On the way, you may look through the car window to discover mountain views that’s Central American. Upon arrival, enjoy free time to relax. The hotel you’ll stay is located by the lively central plaza and has an intriguing history to brag about: established in 1948, it was once patronized mainly by scholars and archaeologists who came here to explore the Mayan sites.

► Tips on Free-Time Activities (Self-Financed):
At the central plaza, you may visit the commanding white church and sit somewhere to watch local life. If it interests you that Honduras produces top-notch cocoa beans and so the best chocolates, you may also want to discover the Tea and Chocolate Place near your hotel. This exceptional shop, fascinatingly decorated with plants and flowers, introduces natural products made with local plants, and chocolate to be savored over a sunset view is their success. For dinner, walk a little bit south to reach the restaurant Buena Baleada for baleada, the national dish of Honduras. Baleada is tortilla with red beans and cheese wrapped in it, and this eatery is where to find the best in all Copan. Average expense per person here is HNL 100 (USD 4). Your guide may give you advice on where to exchange for lempiras (USD 1≈HNL 25).

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Marina Copan (4 stars) or similar

Let’s get immersed in the Maya civilization for a whole day today. Copan, the center of Mayan society 400 years ago, boasts one of the most spectacular Mayan legacies, which Hondurans cherish so much that they’ve put their image on the back of 1 lempira note. Seeing far few tourists, the ruined acropolis is as tranquil and immersive as it’s enigmatic, and what particularly set them apart are intricately carved structures found hardly elsewhere. The main sites we’ll visit include the representative Hieroglyphic Stairway, the Mayan Ball Court, and the Sepulturas.

The Hieroglyphic Stairway, constructed in the 8th century on a pyramid inside which the 12th king was buried, is magnificently carved with thousands of inscriptions all over. With your demystifying guide, you’ll see into the legendary history and culture of Copan Valley of long, long ago. At the ball court, be introduced the game for the Mayas named pitz. Kind of like basketball playing, pitz has similar rules for opponent teams to pass a rubber ball and win scores by delivering it through a stone ring on the wall. However smaller, it is as well-preserved as the court of Mexico’s famous Chichen Itza and was even older. Another thing to take notice is the shapes of the goal stones－while Chichen Itza’s is a simple ring, Copan’s is in the form of a head of a macaw, Honduras’ national bird, whose image can be found everywhere around this place.

In the afternoon, explore the Sculpture Museum for the steles and stone carvings unearthed from the Mayan ruins. You’ll see the brightly red 1:1 replica of Rosalila Temple, and later the original ruins outside. Rosalila, the base of a pyramid that had been expanded for several times, is regarded as the most complete surviving temple left by the Mayas. Back in downtown, continue to Museo de Arqueologi Maya, a small yet captivating museum, where you’ll appreciate ancient artworks, relics excavated from alters, and some other ruins.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Marina Copan (4 stars) or similar

This morning, keep discovering more about Maya civilization in Las Sepulturas, ‘tombs’ in English. The name of the site was given by a local farmer who uncovered many tombs here, but in fact this was clearly a residential site of Mayan royal families with the tradition to bury themselves near their houses as they died. There are over a hundred compounds and dozens of private plazas, and explaining their typical features and history would take considerable time. You’ll also hear some stories between the Mayan group and the Lenca group, the main indigenous tribes of Honduras who might’ve also played a part in this place. Then, we’ll have a leisurely walk inside the Macaw Mountain Bird Park & Nature Reserve. Macaw is the symbol of the god of sun in Mayan culture. It’s likely you’ve seen many around the ruins yesterday, but today you’ll see them up close where they are bred, rescued and trained. After acquiring hunting skills, these macaws will be released. Interestingly, Copan honors them so much that you may find their statues and artificial nests everywhere in the city.

In the afternoon, we’ll drive around 3.5 hours to San Pedro Sula. The city was the commercial center of Honduras in the Mayan times, but since the Spanish conquest, the number of original inhabitants had dramatically dropped, leaving the city withering away. Modernization gradually took place after the independence in 1821 and for that it is now an economic center again. As we arrive, go on to do a small tour around the commercial and residential areas before we finish at the hotel site. San Pedro Sula is conveniently located near either the airport or your next destination, so we won’t rush tomorrow morning.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hyatt Place San Pedro Sula (3 stars) or similar

This morning, you’ll be escorted to the airport for a flight to Roatan Island, the world-class dive mecca that can save your money. Upon landing, the driver guide will pick you up and transfer to the hotel located on the West Bay beach, the most famous region on the island, for your following 2 nights’ stay. En route, you’ll pass through Coxen Hole, the biggest city of Roatan, and enjoy costal views. The rest of the day is on your own to explore Roatan.

► Tips to Maximize Today’s Free Time:
Rotan, slim yet as long as 64 km (40 mi), is embraced by the Caribbean Sea and studded with fascinating spots. Lying near the second largest reef in the world, it offers chances for you to see tropical marine creatures galore. And the hotel covers all the possible ways to discover Roatan. Communication here is easy because many locals are descendants of British who once colonized this island.

After refreshing a bit in the hotel amid the Caribbean air, go feel the sands and, if you still get energy to squander, dive and do some underwater photography! The hotel’s dive center has been certified by Professional Association of Diving Instructors, so it’s no-brainer to choose. They’ll take you to their diving base, where you may dance with sharks, spot lionfish and grouper hidden in coral reef, look for ship wreckage… There is also night diving to spy squid and sea slugs. If you don’t feel like getting wet and still want to see the world underwater, board the glass-bottom ship to amaze at the natural aquarium or have a fishing excursion. At the end of today, visit the popular Beachers Bar & Grill Roatan a few minutes’ walk from your hotel. Sit on their patio for the best coconut shrimp on the island and a sunset cocktail. Average expense for each person here is HNL 400-500 (USD 15-19).

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Paradise Beach Hotel (4 stars) or similar, Roatan

Today is free for your own arrangement. Take advantage of morning’s cool air and visit the northern Gumbalimba Park, where hiking trails and a suspension bridge over a pond will lead you to the home of native creatures. You’ll meet friendly macaws and white-faced monkeys who might alight on your hand or shoulder, as well as magical species of iguana and agoutis. Canopy zip-lining is also a hot activity here.

Culture vultures must visit the Garifuna Cultural Center in Punta Gorda, a region along the northeast coast. Garifuna are a people of African-Caribbean origin and one of the largest minority groups of Honduras. Their story goes back to British colonial time in the 18th century, when some of their ancestors were abandoned by slaveholders and found their way to Roatan. Their culture has brought great impact on this island, and the purpose of this center is none other than letting the world see and experience them. Things to do here include appreciating traditional Puta dance, sampling specialties like gifiti, a kind of herb-soaked alcohol, and delving into the history with the Garifuna manager. If today is April 12, the boisterous celebrations of Garifuna Settlement Day will bring lifetime memories. Just don’t forget to check in advance if the center is open today. On your way back to hotel, if you are curious about how a reef looks like when packed with purple sea fans, drop by the Half Moon Bay.

You may also head for the Oakridge fishing village on the southern coast, where a boatman can take you for an adventure on cayuco boat through nearby mangrove-studded waterways. Oakridge is itself an interesting spot, as it has stilted houses above water and was where the wood for pirate ships was sourced. Normally you’ll disembark at the town of Jonesville.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Paradise Beach Hotel (4 stars) or similar, Roatan

It’s suggested you depart at a later time today and give yourself more time to enjoy what Roatan and the hotel offer. If you are a fan of dolphins, you’ll love the hotel’s programs that allow you to snorkel and swim with these adorable animals. Adventurous souls may consult the hotel staff to have some jet boating, parasailing, paddle-boarding, or other water sports. When it’s time for your departure, we’ll transfer you on a 30-minute ride to the Juan Manuel Galvez International Airport for your flight back home. Wish you a nice trip!

If you’ve lost your heart to the Caribbean vibes, we bet you’ll also be charmed by the picturesque colonial towns sitting along the coastline of Cuba across from Roatan! Other recommended destinations include Beliez where you may fly over the spooky Great Blue Hole, Guatemala with strong Mayan indigenous culture, and Mexico for cenotes, diverse gastronomy and more unbelievable Mayan ruins. If interested, feel free anytime to let us extend your Central America tour.

Meals: Breakfast