Ruta de Las Flores is composed of five villages: Apaneca, Juayua, Ataco, Nahuizalco and Salcoatitán, have been called that way because of its pleasant climate and lush beauty. The tour will take you by two departments in the West of El Salvador: Sonsonate and Ahuachapán.
Nahuizalco
The first town on the route of the flowers, which can be reached from Sonsonate is Nahuizalco, which in Nahuatl means “the four Izalcos” since its population was four times larger than its neighboring town of Izalco. Nahuizalco is one of the indigenous rooted area. This village of El Salvador is famous for its handicrafts and furniture made of wicker and tule. Another attraction is the night market where the evening shuts off the lights of the village and the sales of handicrafts are lighted only with candles.
Salcoatitan
Salcoatitán is the second destination, climbing the mountain and its name means city of the Quetzalcoatl. Located a little more than 1040 m.a.s.l. Salcoatitan was the place where were the first coffee plantations in the country in the 1860s years. Salcoatitan is also recognized by the amount of similar to the Nahuizalco crafts shops, however often visit you step and even when recently your options of restaurants and galleries have grown considerably.
Juayua
Word Juayúa Nahuatl which means River of purple orchids, is located at 1060 meters above sea level Juayúa is a charming city that is part of the Ruta de Las Flores and in which you can enjoy a good whole weekend either or visit it just for the day. There are a considerable number of small hotels at affordable prices and it is a permanent food festival host since 13 years ago.
Thus there are also several eco-tourist attractions in the area such as: hike the chorros de la Calera, the Monterrey river pond and the dry lagoon or frogs. The black Christ Church is a Catholic construction of more than 500 years old, where is the black Christ venerated. The Church has been rebuilt three times and using different styles. In front of it a park following the colonial style that marks most of the towns and cities of the country.
Apaneca
Located at 1455 meters above the sea level and 91 km from San Salvador, it is the highest city in El Salvador. Place of cultivation of some of the best and most award-winning cafes because of their height, presents a picturesque landscape which enriches the Ruta de Las Flores, with houses of tile-roofed and breathtaking views of mountains and hills. Apaneca in Nahuatl means River of winds and is such a reason which has led to the implementation of wind along its mountainous chain barriers marked and which forms part of the visual attractiveness of the area.
The volcanic crater known as nymphs lagoon and Laguna Verde are some of its nearby sites most visited. The Church of Apaneca was one of the more old parish churches in the country but was severely damaged by the earthquakes of 2001 and more recently by a seismic swarm originated precisely in the area of Apaneca, I forced its demolition and current reconstruction.
Ataco
Following the route of this tour we arrived at attacked. This town is located 5 kilometres of Apaneca, is without a doubt a small picturesque village and holder of one of the most famous artisan shops and the area “Punta Axul” pedal looms. Central park is located a few blocks from this store and opposite to the Church which exhibits modern architecture because it has recently been remodeling.
Along the entire route you will find lots of coffee have recently begun to offer the so-called “coffee tours”; due to tourist demand that seeks to know the coffee process from harvesting grain of gold to its preparation.
