Explore El Salvador’s most famous region for tourism, Ruta de Flores (Route of Flowers). Stay for a couple days in the quiet mountain town of Juayúa. Juayúa is the most developed village and one of the highlights of the area. It’s the perfect place to delve deep into the region.
The city, as it is known today, was not founded until 1577. People populated the area with origins dating back to the pre-Colombian peoples called the Pipil. In 1550, Historians believe that the earliest population estimates were around 300 inhabitants. As of 2020, the population has boomed to more than 26,000 inhabitants.
The city of Juayúa is one of the most visited parts of El Salvador and a hotspot for both locals and tourists alike. Only 75 kilometers (47 miles) outside of the capital, San Salvador, Juayúa is in the department of Sonsonate. The two closest major cities are Santa Ana and Sonsonate. This destination is in one of the country’s best preserved and most accessible regions.
Getting Here:
Getting here is quite simple thanks to the countries organized bus system. It’s a country that understands people need to get around. They even keep the prices accessible, making it a great destination for the budget conscious traveler. During my visit, the most expensive bus in the country was $3 USD, but that was a four-hour journey. Every bus displays the fee at the front to reduce confusion for passengers. Most of the routes are direct. If not, then one transfer is generally all you need.
A visit from nearby makes seeing Juayúa simple. When coming from Santa Ana, take bus 238 to Juayúa. If coming from Ahuachapan, take bus 249 to Sonsonate and get off in Juayúa. When traveling from Sonsonate, take bus 249 and, you guessed it, get off in Juayúa.
Trying to visit from the coast? Travel from La Libertad via bus 287 and transfer in Sonsonate to bus 249. What about from the capital city of San Salvador? Take bus 205 to Sonsonate and transfer to bus 249.
Things to do:
Juayúa is in a region that is full of picturesque landscapes, dreamlike scenery, and a plethora of cultural events. It’s a region with a colorful history and many traditions. This destination should be sought by coffee, food, and nature lovers. A destination that is jam packed with things to do.
Spend a day shopping and take a break at a coffeehouse to try some of the local beans and flavors. Take a short-day trip to the nearby Salto de Malactupan, for a hot spring waterfall experience. Day trip around to visit the other villages along Ruta de Flores. Go full tourist and take a tour to visit the infamous Las Siete Cascadas (or The Seven Waterfalls). If tours are not your thing, then hike to the nearby Los Churros de la Calera waterfall and take a swim in the scenic pool underneath the falls.
Climb Seven Waterfalls:
I made sure to do the Seven Waterfalls tour when I stopped in for a few days. This tour was one of my biggest highlights from El Salvador. I was under the impression that it was the same waterfall as Los Churros. Yet, that was not the case. Both are decent hikes outside of the city and a guide is not necessary for either.
I would not recommend visiting the Seven Waterfalls without a guide. Doing so would be difficult. The route includes climbing the falls and discovering several that are tucked away, out of view. Both Siete Cascadas and Los Churros are on Google Maps, so make your choice and know it is with your own risk when going solo.
During my visit to Juayúa there was only one tour company offering the Seven Waterfalls tour. The price was $15 USD for someone who speaks Spanish and $20 to those who only speak English. This makes sure that everyone can communicate with their guide. A multilingual guide costs more to source, hence the higher price.
Hot Spring Waterfall:
A little outside of the northern most city of Ruta de Flores, Ahuachapan, is the hot spring waterfall Salto de Malactupan. It is accessible by determined tourists via a quick day trip. Take bus 249 north to Ahuachapan for $0.75. Transfer to bus 202, 210, or 218 destined for Santa Ana for another $0.50. Get off in the next city called Atiquizaya, or a little before it, by watching Google Maps.
If in Atiquizaya, hire a Tuk-Tuk driver for no more than $5 and get dropped off at the entrance. Or, if you chose to walk, it’s a 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) hike with very little shade in the heat of the sun. The last option is hitchhiking, do this at your own risk. There is an entrance fee of $1 for adults and free for kids under 12. When driving here, plan for a small parking fee of $1 to $2 depending on the size of the car.
Coffee Plantation Tour:
The nearby village of Concepción de Ataco (or simply Ataco) is the second-best village along Ruta de Flores. It is the perfect stop to spend a day exploring and visiting a coffee plantation. A visit to the city of Ataco only takes a couple of hours. Combine the tour with other villages along the route to fill the day.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to tour the coffee plantation, Villa El Carmen, for only $7. It’s the perfect place to learn about the process of coffee from farm to cup. Villa El Carmen is one of the best-known coffee plantations in the region. The tour is informational and offered in both English and Spanish.
Weekly Food Festival:
The weekly gastronomic festival is every Saturday and Sunday. According to a few locals, it has been in existence for over 25 years. People from all over the world come to experience the pinnacle of Salvadorian cuisine. It’s the perfect place to try local dishes such as, Sopa de Pollo (Chicken Soup), Yuca con Chicharron (Yucca with Pork), several different types of tamales, or my personal favorite, the national dish of El Salvador, Pupusas.
Pupusas are delicious and super cheap too. A pupusa is a corn, or wheat, tortilla pocket stuffed with a variety of foods such as beans, cheese, and chicken then fried. Four of these delectable treats cost around $2 and make for a fantastic snack or a cheap meal. Be sure to not miss out on trying this delicious cultural dish!
Where to Stay:
I spent a couple of nights at the hostel called Hostal Doña Mercedes that I found on Booking. During my stay in March 2022, it cost $15 per night and included breakfast. This was a couple of bucks more than other locations but was the only one I could find with breakfast included. I knew I’d spend more finding food elsewhere, so I decided to stay. The bed was comfy, and the hostel was quiet, a fantastic combination.
I loved my time in Juayúa and could have stayed for longer. It has a little bit of everything I could want, nature, good food, and a quiet workspace. The city was a little more expensive than I prefer. So, I kept my time limited, visited the sites I wanted to see, and enjoyed some delicious coffee while I could.
This is a destination that I look forward to returning to, and one I could move to. I would recommend it as a backpacker centric or family-oriented destination. Juayúa is a stop that should not be missed by any traveler visiting this beautiful country. 10/10 I would recommend!
Quick Notes:
- Base out of Juayúa to explore the Ruta de Flores
- Bus 249 fee: $0.75 (one-way) north to Ahuachapan or south to Sonsonate from Juayúa
- From Santa Ana take bus 238 direct to Juayúa
- From Ahuachapan take bus 249 south to Juayúa
- Take bus 249 north from Sonsonate to Juayúa
- From La Libertad take bus 287 to Sonsonate & Transfer to 249
- From San Salvador take bus 205 to Sonsonate & Transfer to 249
- Seven Waterfalls Tour fee: $15 for Spanish speakers $20 for non-Spanish speakers
- Gastronomic Food Festival: Every weekend & free entry
- Coffee Plantation Tour of Villa El Carmen: $7
- Salto de Malactupan hot spring waterfall entrance fee: $1 parking: $1-2
