Santa Ana is a charismatic city filled with tree-lined streets and handsome colonial architecture. Browse boutique galleries, visiting historic churches and soak up the cafe culture or throw on your hiking shoes and scale El Salvador's mighty Santa Ana Volcano.
Things to do in Santa Ana
Santa Ana was once one of Central America's top coffee growing regions. Teatro de Santa Ana was built to entertain local merchants and offers a taste of the city's flourishing cultural scene. Visit the elegant Renaissance building to see its stained-glass windows, sparkling chandeliers and gleaming marble staircases.
Fronted by a grand neo-Gothic facade, the magnificent Catedral de Santa Ana is the city's signature landmark. It was built in the early-1900s and dazzles with its intricate carvings, soaring pillars and magnificent archways.
Serious hikers can discover the 2,300-metre-high Santa Ana Volcano. At the summit you can peer into the turquoise crater lake and enjoy sweeping views over the countryside. Santa Ana is also a great base for visiting some of El Salvador's best-preserved Mayan ruins, including Tazumal and Joya de Cerén.
Enjoy live music and a laid-back atmosphere at Café Expresión Cultural, a local favourite known for its artisan coffee and hearty breakfasts. On a sunny day, snag a spot in the lush courtyard. Travellers also flock to Inna Jammin, a colourful Rasta-themed restaurant serving tasty pizzas and fruity cocktails.
Getting around Santa Ana
Much of Santa Ana, including the historic downtown district and Parque Libertad, is easy to explore on foot. The city is also serviced by local buses and taxis. Santa Ana is a 65-kilometre, one-hour bus ride from San Salvador.