El Salvador's second-largest city sits at the foot of the Santa Ana volcano — the highest point in the country. The colonial centre is centred on a cathedral that took 30 years to build, and the surrounding Cerro Verde national park has some of the best day hikes in Central America.
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Santa Ana Volcano
A 4-hour round-trip hike to a turquoise crater lake at 2,381m. Start early — the trail closes at noon.
Cathedral of Santa Ana
Neo-gothic exterior, baroque interior. 30 years of construction (1906–1936). The plaza in front hosts the weekend market.
Coatepeque Lake
A caldera lake 18km south of town. Swimming, kayaking, and lakeside restaurants with fresh tilapia.
Santa Ana is the end of this El Salvador expedition — but it doesn't feel like one. The volcano hike alone is worth the trip, and the town itself has a quiet pride that the capital doesn't. Come for the crater lake, stay for the coffee.