Ruta de las Flores holidays
Ruta de las Flores holidays at a glance
The route begins in Sonsonate, a lowland area given over to cattle-raising and plantation agriculture, before climbing into the hills towards Nahuizalco – a Pipil indigenous village where some older residents still wear native costume and traditional crafts remain very much alive.
At the northern end of the route, Apaneca offers a quieter counterpoint: a peaceful town of cobbled lanes that feels a world away from the coast.
Colonial towns El Salvador are known for don’t come much more characterful than these highland communities, and the region has plenty going on beyond its architecture too – more than 30 traditional dances have been identified here, a reminder of how much cultural life this small stretch of road actually holds.
For many visitors, the appeal isn’t a single sight so much as the accumulation of atmosphere, landscape and everyday local life along the way.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Ruta de las Flores
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
The Ruta de las Flores is one of El Salvador’s most enjoyable regions, combining culture, scenery and authentic local experiences.
When to visit Ruta de las Flores
This is generally the best time to take the route, when the flowers that give it its name are in bloom and the towns are at their liveliest – especially at weekends, when Juayúa hosts its well-known gastronomic festival.
The mountainous interior has a milder climate and during the dry season in December and January temperatures can hover around 18°C and it is cool at night. However this is also when the flowers are in bloom and it is particularly scenic.
With the start of the rainy season temperatures and humidity increase and towards September there is a higher chance of tropical storms. In May the coffee plants are in bloom over the hillsides, which is a truly glorious sight.
Top Things to do in Ruta de las Flores
The route is best experienced at a relaxed pace, allowing time to wander towns, markets and the surrounding coffee-covered hillsides. Beyond the route itself, El Imposible National Park and volcano hiking in Cerro Verde National Park both make excellent detours for anyone keen to get further into the highlands.
Visit charming colonial villages on a scenic voyage through the beautiful countryside of El Salvador’s coffee-growing region.
Enter an undisturbed wilderness of tropical forest spliced by mountain gorges, home to an astonishing variety of plant and animal life.
Trek on the slopes of volcanoes and into the mouths of craters as you explore the dramatic, forested landscapes of Cerro Verde volcano in Los Volcanos National Park.
Accommodation in Ruta de las Flores
Accommodation along the route includes boutique hotels, guesthouses and locally owned properties that reflect the character of the region, among them Casa de Graciela. Many properties sit within or close to the route’s principal towns, giving easy access to local attractions and cultural experiences alike.
This colonial-era hotel has authentic decor and an upmarket rustic feel in the traditional town of Ataco.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Tailor-Made Ruta de las Flores Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Signature El Salvador: Revolutionary road trip
Places visited: San Salvador · Ruta de las Flores · Gulf of Fonseca and Eastern El Salvador · Suchitoto · Pacific Coast
11 days from £2,775
Signature Guatemala, Honduras & El Salvador: Mayan ruins, colonial cities and Pacific beaches
Places visited: Lake Atitlan and villages · Antigua and the highlands · Copan · Suchitoto · Ruta de las Flores · Pacific Coast
15 days from £3,950
Undiscovered El Salvador and Nicaragua
Places visited: San Salvador · Ruta de las Flores · Suchitoto · Gulf of Fonseca and Eastern El Salvador · Leon · Ometepe Island · Granada · Rio San Juan
19 days from £4,700
FAQs about visiting Ruta de las Flores
Ruta de las Flores is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When To Go
The best time to take this route is in the dry, season Oct-Feb when plants are in flower (preferably at the weekend when there is a gastronomic festival in the town of Juayúa and the towns are generally livelier than during the week). In May, the coffee plants are in bloom over the hillsides, a glorious sight. It is cooler in the mountains than on the coast.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- Language
Spanish
- Getting Local Currency
US dollar. The former local currency( colon) was phased out in 2003. You can obtain US dollar cash or exchange travellers cheques locally in banks and money exchanges (casas de cambio) and may be able to obtain cash advances via the few ATMs in larger towns and cities. You should authorise your bank first, and withdrawals may be limited. Stock up with dollars before setting out on the route.
- Time Difference
GMT -6 hrs.
- Combines With
A visit to the lovely colonial town of Suchitoto, now a centre for culture and the arts; surf and surf lessons on the beaches at El Tunco, El Zonte, El Zunsal and La Libertad, easily accessed from Sonsonate.
- Getting There
The towns of the Route of Flowers (Ruta de las Flores) are just a couple of hours drive from San Salvador, and under an hour from the coast.
- Key Events
Semana Santa, Easter, throughout El Salvador. Celebrated from Thursday through to Easter Sunday.
Fiesta 19-25 Jun. A religious occasion with music and dancing, including the Danza de los Historiantes exploring the conflict between heretics and Christians.
Christmas festival, Sonsonate, 24-5 Dec. Includes the Danza de los Pastores.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.