El Salvador is an inspiring country
The names of the tourist routes may lead you to believe that El Salvador is a country or an arts center: Ruta de las Flores (The Flower Route), Ruta Paraiso Artisanal (The Artisanal Paradise Route), Ruta de la Paz (The Peace Route), or the Route of a Thousand Peaks.
The most popular is Ruta de las Flores, a 20-mile mountain winding road that begins in Ahuachapan, in the country's west, and passes through five colonial villages. The road is known as Ruta de la Flores because the flowers on each side bloom in November, transforming it into a yellow tunnel. Salcoatitán, Nahuizalco, Juaya, Apaneca, and Concepción de Ataco are five charming and colorful villages, each with its own personality and murals decorating the houses. Juaya is best known for its food festival, Ataco is known for its coffee, and Apaneca is known for its handicrafts.
The route is well-known not only for the villages but also for the beautiful nature that surrounds them, where you can always go for a hike to the waterfalls or mountain bike through the pine forests. Suchitoto, a white colonial town with cobbled streets and views of Lake Suchitlan, is another inspiring town that appears to have been plucked from a fairy tale. The church of Santa Lucia, located in the town's main square, has an original interior with beams, columns, and an altar made entirely of wood. Suchitoto is also known as El Salvador's cultural capital, with a weekly art and food festival and an entire month dedicated to local artists in February.
