Boulevards

San Salvador has wide avenues and boulevards, including the two widest boulevards in Central America: Boulevard de los Proceres and Boulevard de los Heroes. Other important boulevards include Alameda Roosevelt, Paseo General Escalon, Av. Jerusalem, Boulevard Constitucion and Av. Juan Pablo Segundo.

Monuments

San Salvador has many beautiful monuments, some of them dating back to the early 20th century, while others are more modern. Some of the most important monuments include the National Palace, Plaza Gerardo Barrios, Plaza Morazan, Water Clock, Monument to the Sea, Atlacatl Monument and the Proceres Monuments (it has 10 monuments). One of the most recognizable monuments in El Salvador is the Monumento a El Salvador del Mundo, or "Monument to the Saviour of The World".

Business

Feria Internacional de El Salvador is the largest convention center in Central America. El Salvador is rated third best place for investment in Latin America by Moody's. Some of the very wealthy business families in San Salvador & through out El Salvador are, Siman (owners of the largest department store chain in Central America),The Rivas (Mineros) Family which own and operate some of the largest fleets of public transportation, including water taxis and restaurants in the country, Poma (owners of Grupo Roble and Grupo Poma), Quiros (owners of Grupo Q in Central America), Kriete (owners of TACA Airlines), Dueñas (owners of La Gran Via), the family that owns Biggest, Pops, Nash and Mister Donut, and a lot of other important families. In addition, San Salvador is one of the only two cities in Central America that have a World Trade Center.

Parks

San Salvador has the large urban park, the "Parque de los Pericos". There is another park called Parque Cuscatlan (close to downtown), which is very elegant, with lights, trees and paths. Popular with locals, the beautiful botanical gardens of La Laguna (close to the the U.S. embassy) showcase much native fauna. Zoologico Nacional (The National Zoo), and Parque Saburo Hirao (with a collection of native plants) are in the SE part of the city by the old Presidential House.

If you don't get a chance to visit smaller towns & villages outside the capital, a must see destination is Los Planes De Renderos. 1000 Metres above sea level, the mountain offers a spectacular view of San Salvador, and is a popular oasis for locals from the hectic city. Check out the restaurants, walking tracks & parks ideal for picnics. Visit the nearby colonial town of Panchimalco.

Museums

San Salvador has many museums, the two most important are "Museo David J Guzman" and "Museo de Arte MARTE". David J Guzman National Museum of Anthropology contains a variety of Mayan and Pipil artifacts, while Museo de Arte MARTEdisplays an extensive collection of international art. Both are located in the Zona Rosa district. There is also a children's museum, the Tin-Marin museum, where kids can experience the world in a fun way. The old national palace is being restored to house the "National Archives," and the "National Museum." Also a new display of early mammal fossils, including a giant sloth, mastodon and more than twenty other species is being set up in the "Museo de Historia Natural," or "Natural History Museum" situated in the SE section of Saburo Hirao park by the National Zoo. Close to the zoo is the "Museo Militar," or Military Museum which is housed in the old castle-like "El Zapote" barracks built in 1895. In the military museum you can find weapons and army uniforms from the 17th, 18th, and early 20th centuries, which were historically used by the Salvadoran army.

Theatres

San Salvador has numerous theatres, including the beautiful Teatro Presidente (located near Zona Rosa), where the symphony regularly performs expensive and inexpensive concerts, and the Teatro Nacional (downtown), which was recently restored to its full splendor. Here you can step back and experience the grandeur once reserved for the city's elite in the early 1900s.

Aquarium

There are plans for an aquarium to be built in El Salvador. This Aquarium will be built in El Parque de los Pericos, next to the Multiplaza mall.

Entertainment

San Salvador has several entertainment venues. You can go to restaurants, bars, clubs, casinos, or if you are traveling with kids you can go to the cinemas, bowling, bingo, arcades etc. Cinemas in San Salvador include

• Cinemark Various locations throughout El Salvador, Ph:503 22294315, Merliot,[2].
• Multicinema Various locations throughout El Salvador, Ph:503 22439269, Multiplaza [3].
• Cinepolis, Galerías Escalón, [4].

You can also play video games at World Games and El Mundo Feliz. Families may also want to visit Central America's largest toy store:

• Jugueton San Salvador. boulevard de los proceres #2000. Ph:503 22481253 [5] this a toy store similar to toys r´ us you will find all types of variety of toys and other fun crafts.
• Also, you can go via cable car to an amusement park on top of Cerro San Jacinto mountain.

The trendiest night spot to visit is called Zona Rosa. Some of the best hotels are located there, including the Sheraton Presidente as well as one of the most luxurious hotels in Central America, the Hilton Princess. Although Zona Rosa doesn't cover a large area (around 1sq mi), it's home to many exclusive, upscale bars and nightclubs (Los Alambiques, Code), and the best restaurants in town (Paradise, 503, A lo Nuestro). If you want to visit a nightclub without the probable inconvenience of not being let in, you should visit Las Terrazas (Stanza, Envy) at Multiplaza Mall or La Gran Vía (Llenya, El Alebrije), a life style center.

Travelers arriving by air will fly into Comalapa Airport, the biggest airport in Central America, which is located 45 minutes by highway from the city.

NOTE: If driving to the city from Comalapa, please exercise extreme caution. There are many residents who walk this highway as well as cross it. With this said there are many accidents with vehicles speeding as well as people who are hit.

If driving, rental car agencies include Budget, Alamo, Hertz & Argus Rentals. Buses and taxis also provide good ways of getting around. Negogiating the cost of your taxi before as soon as you step in is common practice and expected. Distances between sights make walking an unpopular option, as does the street layout in the city; San Salvador is not a square city, but has long avenues that are straight and streets that aren't. That said, in some areas walking is a great option, such as from Zona Rosa to Las Terrazas (Sheraton hotel) which are close together and within sight of one another. The Micro Buses have the reputation to drive fast and sometimes very dangerously. Take caution in using the Micro Buses as they are places where tourists are most likely to be robbed.

Bookstores

• La Casita. Locations in both Centro comercial multiplaza, San Benito and Centro comercial Plaza San Benito.
• Bookmarks, Centro Comercial Basilea, Zona Rosa (Next to the Hilton).
• La Ceiba, Galerias, Col.Escalon Av. Paseo Gral.Escalon. There are Many other la ceiba stores in the city.

Malls

Some of the shopping malls include: Loma Linda, Multiplaza, Las Fuentes, Galerias (elegant), Metrocentro (said to be the largest in Central America), El Paseo (expensive),Plazamundo, Plaza Merliot, La Gran Via (a lifestyle center / "city walk"), Las Cascadas, Basilea (unique), Plaza San Benito, Villas Españolas and many more. These malls have luxury boutiques, the latest in international fashion, specialty stores, large foodcourts (some even have 3 food courts) and many other amenities.

Local Crafts

For local arts & crafts, visit the Ilopango markets east of the city. Test your bargaining skills & take home some unique, handmade goods.

Fuel

There are many gas stations, including Texaco, Shell, Puma, Petrotec, Esso and others all over the city. No need to step out of the car.

Department stores

San Salvador and some Mexican cities are the only cities in Latin America with Sanborns (restaurant and store chain) and Dorians (or Sears). Other department stores include Siman, Carrion, Almacenes Europa and M&H.

The restaurant scene in San Salvador is influenced by many different cultures. Food options include Italian, Korean, Japanese, Thai, French, Chilean, American, Peruvian, Mexican, Spanish, Middle Eastern, German, Chinese, Argentinian and others. Local food options include Tipicos Margot where one can purchase the famous Salvadoran Pupusas. Perhaps the biggest indictment against the quality of the San Salvador restaurant scene however is the sheer number of chain restaurants referenced in this article.

Budget

• Burger King
• McDonald's
• Wendy's
• Biggest
• Pollo Campero
• Pollo Campestre
• Pollo Tip-Top
• KFC
• Subway
• Quiznos
• Pollo Tropical
• Pizza Hut
• Domino's
• Little Caesar's
• NASH
• Típicos Margoth

When you are in El Salvador you won't have to worry about not finding a place to eat there is food everywhere you go.

Mid range

• Tony Romas, Blvd. el Hipódromo, Col. San Benito, Zona Rosa Ph: (503) 2-298-5050, Fax:(503)2-298-5964, [15]. American casual. There are 3 more Tony roma's in the city.
• La Panetière, San Benito, Zona Rosa Ph: (503) 2-263-8792, Fax: (503) 2-264-1759. There are many other La Panetière in all San Salvador.
• Punto Literario. In El Museo de Arte Marte col. San Benito. Zona Rosa.
• Sal y pimienta, Tercera calle poniente #3877 entre 73 y 75 av. Norte Col. Escalon, Ph: (503) 2-298-1766, Fax: (503) 2-245-0998.
• Restaurante Chileno Hey, 97 av Nte. calle Pte. #4509, Col. Escalon. Ph/Fax: 503-22637281
• Restaurante Basilea, Blvd. El Hipódromo 2-502, col. San Benito, Zona Rosa Ph: 503-22236818 Fax:503-22790056
• Pasquale, Paseo Gral. Escalón, Col. Escalón frente a Galerías shopping center. Ph:503-2263-1693 Fax: 503-22635445. Italian food.
• Tre fratelli, Blvd. El Hipódromo #307, Zona Rosa Ph/fax: 503-2224-2951 Italian Food.
• Al Pomodoro, Paseo Gral. Escalón #3952 Ph: (503) 2514-4455 or 2257-2545 [16] Italian food.
• Diva, Blv. El Hipódromo, centro comercial San Benito, Zona Rosa PH:503-22790814 Fax:503-2223-6026
• Dynasty, Frente a Blv. el Hipódromo y Av. Las mangolias Col. San Benito, Zona Rosa Ph: 503-22639955 Fax:503-22638615. Chinese food.
• Sushi-Itto. Zona Rosa Ph:503-22241900 Fax:503-22982676
• Chili's, Paseo Gral. Escalón #4220 col. escalon Ph: 503-2637556 Fax:503-22638352
• Café Café, calle el tanque #13099 av. Norte y 7a calle poniente Bi. Col. Escalon, Ph: (503) 226-32413, Fax: (503) 226-34024, [17]. Peruan food.
• Pueblo Viejo, Blvd. Los Heroes, MetroSur 2 nivel. Ph/Fax:503-22611256
• Tequila y Botanas Hotel Real Intercontinental , Blvd. de Los heroes Ph:503-22113333 fax:22114444 Mexican food.
• Los Balcones, km 40.5 autopista al aeropuerto Ph:503-23660000 fax:...01
• Tanoshii sushi bar, Centro Comercial El Paseo, Col. Escalón, Paseo Gral. Escalon. and Tanoshii Hotel Real Intercontinental Blvd. de los Heroes Ph: (503) 221-13333, Fax: 221-14444, [18]. Japanese food.
• Royal, Col. Escalón in front of Pops escalón. Chinese Food.
• Sanborns rastaurant and store, Multiplaza, mexican food.
• Rj, multiplaza. Peruan food
• Inka Grill, Blvd. El Hipódromo, Col. San Benito, Zona Rosa Peruan food.
• Voi-la, Av. Masferrer infront of Texaco. French food.
• Restaurante Club Campestre, Av. masferrer , Col Escalón 550 mts arriba de Redondel Masferrer. Buffet and à la carte. Ph:503-22633555.
• Diva Bistro Multiplaza.
• San Martín Multiplaza and El Paseo. Bakery.
• El Rincon de mi Tía Multiplaza. Café and restaurant.
• Olivos Multiplaza and Hilton princess Hotel at Zona Rosa. Salads and Sandwiches.
• Benihana La Gran Via - International Japanese Steak House
• Bennigans La Gran Via - International - Irish
• Señor Tenedor, Av.Olimpica #3544 plaza Jardin, Ph: 2-298-1766, Fax: (503) 2-245-0998.
• La Media Cancha, Steakhouse Restaurant and Sports Bar with TV's for watching sport - 79 Avenida Sur #48, Zona Rosa
• Basilea, Centro Comercial Basilea, Col. San Benito, Zona Rosa, Ph: (503) 2223-6818 [19]. International food.
• 168ChineseRestaurant, 89Av. Nte y 9a calle poniente #4612 Col. Escalon, Ph: (503) 2264-1168, 2264-6168, [20]. Chinese food.

Splurge

• 503, Blvd. del Hipódromo, Zona Rosa. Upscale, international cuisine and sushi lounge. Ph: (503) 2223-4770.
• A lo Nuestro, Calle la Reforma #225-A Col. San Benito, Zona Rosa Ph:503-22235116 Fax:503-22791920
• La Pampa Argentina, In Zona Rosa, in Col. Escalon 1000mts arriba del redondel masferrer, in Santa Elena Boulevard Orden de Malta, and Boulevard. Constitución Col. Escalón Ph: 2-2786057.
• Los Ranchos, Calle La Mascota #232 Interseccion Pje. A y Pje #3 Col.La Mascota, Zona Rosa.
• Angus, La Gran Vía
• Hacienda de los Miranda, Jardines de Guadalupe frente a CA1, La Libertad Ph:503-22431108, Fax: 503-22434841. Buffet and à la carte. [21]
• Finisterre, Col. La Mascota Pje. A#30 Ph/Fax: 503-22637691
• Escorial, Hotel Real intercontinental Blvd. de los Heroes Ph:503-22113333 Fax:503-21144444, [22] or [23]
• Las Orquideas, Hotel Terraza 85Av. Sur y calle Padres Aguilar Ph:503-22630044 Fax: 503-22632828
• El Mirador, Hotel Radisson Col. Escalón. Buffet and à la carte.
• Hunan, Upmarket Chinese Restaurant specialising in Szechuan, Pekin & Shanghai in elegant surroundings - Paseo General Escalón y 99 Avenida Norte. Plaza Villavicencio
• Paradise, Blvd. El Hipódromo, Zona Rosa. Ph: 503-2223-4832 fax: 503-22244201 [24]

If you need to buy something, there are a lot of supermarkets in this city. Some are international, which come from Guatemala, the USA and other countries that are interested in bringing supermarkets to San Salvador. The supermarkets contain products such as food, clothing, candies, tools, shampoos, toys, cosmetics, soaps, etc. Some of the supermarkets are:

• Super Selectos. Everywhere in the city.
• Hiperpaiz, Blvd. Los heroes and Las cascadas hipermall Antiguo cuscatlan.
• DeTodo. Everywhere in the city.
• La despensa de Don Juan. Everywhere in the city.
• Pricesmart (Costco in the U.S.A.), Blvd. De los Heroes and Santa Elena.

San Salvador is well-known for its nightlife. Clubs and bars can be found in the Zona Rosa, Basilea Mall, La Terraza (Sheraton Hotel), Las Terrazas (Multiplaza Mall), Boulevard de Los Heroes, Temptation Plaza, and the bars and restaurants area in La Gran Via (Mall and night lifestyle center). These places have many bars, discos, restaurants, DJ centers and boutiques.

Bars and Clubs

• La Luna Casa Y Arte - Art Gallery/Restaurant/Bar, popular with artists, art exhibitions, poetry, live acts, reggae nights, jazz nights etc, check out their website for extensive list of events
• Los Rinconcitos, Zona Rosa.
• Code(Mario's), Zona Rosa.
• Zanzibar, Zona Rosa. The mac daddy of places. Great live party music on Saturday afternoons and Acoustic Thursdays quality faves. Centro Comercial Basilea.
• Chill Out, Zona Rosa. Next to 503
• Tabú, Zona Rosa. Next to Code
• Stanza, Las terrazas (multiplaza).
• Bliss, Las terrazas (multiplaza).
• MaiThai, Las Terrazas (multiplaza).
• Envy, Las Terrazas (Multiplaza).
• El Alebrije, La Gran Vía.
• Llenya, La Gran Vía.
• Republik, La Gran Vía.
• Dolce Fiero, Popular with younger Salvadorans
• Malibu Santa Elena, Boulevard Orden de malta, Santa Elena.
• El Arpa, San Salvador - Popular with expats, Avenida "A" 137, Col. San José
• La Ventana, Colonia Escalon. This is not a club, more of a lounge/coffee spot with munchies available, and a little bit of liquor. Owned by a German who now resides in El Salvador.
• Scape (GAY),Centro Comercial Juan Pablo Segundo, Local 311A, Prolongacion Juan Pablo Segundo, San Salvador.
• Millenium (GAY), 50 meters South of Scape

For the latest information on gigs, raves,dance parties, international acts & concerts in San Salvador click here. Larger events & conventions are generally held in the Feria Internacional