Central America’s smallest country is still quite unknown, like a buried treasure waiting to be dug out. Volcanoes, rivers, beaches on the Pacific coast, rich culture and lavish nature are the groundwork of the efforts local tourism authorities are making in a bid to raise the number of arrivals in that destination.

For those in search of a place where traveling through time is possible, where they can discover and explore across seductively beautiful scenery, El Salvador is no doubt a good option. With a total surface of barely 20,742 square kilometers and a population in the neighborhood of half a dozen million inhabitants, this nation cherishes a fascinating and turbulent history, as well as a geography you can only find in your wildest dreams. Its capital, San Salvador, can be reached easily by air or down the Pan American road that runs through the nation from north to south from the Guatemalan and Honduran borders. This condition makes it a mandatory stopover for travelers and goods between North America and South America. When it comes to historic and cultural landmarks, the Monument to the Divine Savior of the World in the Americas Square stands tall, let alone the belfry of the Church of Mercy, the graves of Alberto Masferrer and Captain General Gerardo Barrios, the Church of Our Lady of Candlemas, the national palace and theater -the latter featuring high-octane cultural programming- and the Shrine of the Church of Rosary. When it comes to routes for trekkers, a good case in point is the Route of Flowers. It’s just a pleasant tour that runs through the nation’s flower fields, coffee plantations on high grounds where mild weather conditions prevails and there are historic sites galore, home to numerous cultural events with deep-rooted traditions and teeming with magnificent opportunities for those who love ecotourism. The tour includes such places as Salcoatitan, the city of artists; Juayua, that means River of Purple Orchids, and Apaneca, rising some 1,477 meters above sea level and home to some of the finest coffee plantations all over Central America. And there’s also the Archeological Route, an excellent way to come closer to the outstanding Mayan culture. There you’ll learn about the Jewel of Ceren. The Salvadoran people’s cultural and artistic tradition can be reached thanks to the Artisanal Route. Just another option to unravel the grandeur of this small country is the Route of the One Thousand Peaks. With over 300 kilometers of coastline, El Salvador boasts amazing beaches of golden and black sands, calm waters all year round, great waves to make any surfer’s day, rocky coral reefs for scuba divers and snorkelers and the practice of other watersports. And last but not least, Los Cobanos, Arena Dorada –a scuba diving paradise- Puerto de Acajutla and Metalio are also astounding beaches no visitor should pass up.