Ruta de Las Flores.(The Flower's Route)

The flower's route is located in the Apaneca-Ilamatepec mountain, reaches a maximum height of 2,365.07 meters above sea level and possesses a fresh and pleasant climate, this route includes five interesting destinations full of cultural tradition, exquisite traditional dishes in their different gastronomic festivals and a splendid natural appeal.

Nahuizalco.

The path to the route of the flowers starts in the municipality of Nahuizalco, located 70 Kms from San Salvador.

There are two versions about the origins of this town:

The first version is contained in the brief and true, Franciscan chronic of 1586. According to this document, Nahuizalco retains this name because formerly had four times the population size of Izalco town. The second version is reflected in a report from municipal Nahuizalco in October 15th 1859, in the following terms "The Single tradition that preserves the origin of this population is that after the Spaniards conquest, four families from Izalco stood at a point immediately to Sonzacate, which is still called Nahuizalquio, and when the neighbours visiting or passing through this point was called the four Izalcos" that in Nahuatl language mean Nahuizalco. "Naui" means "four".

This town maintains its indigenous and artisanal traditions, here you will find their night market, workshops and handicraft stores in all the municipality.

The Patron Saint Day festivities are held in honour of "San Juan Bautista", from June 17th to June 24th each year, and in the third week of October is held the celebration in honour of "La Virgen del Rosario".

The main economic activity is the agriculture and in second place the handicraft production, a very recognized tourist attraction of Nahuizalco; its night market, illuminated with oil lamps, lanterns or candles is another reason to visit Nahuizalco in your tour across the route of the flowers.

Salcoatitan.

"Salcoatitán" is a Nahuatl word that means "Place between snakes and quetzales".

If you love plants, at the entry of the town you can visit the Maquilishuatl Nursery, which besides flowers accounts with a mini zoo, which has two sympathetic capuchin monkeys, a peacock and a "tigrillo". It also has spaces where you can enjoy a coffee and dessert.

If you are interested in archaeology, take a look at the ceramic pieces exposure, some dating from 400 B.C. and 300 A.C.

In Salcoatitán Park, in front of the colonial church of "San Miguel Arcángel", every weekend you can enjoy a wide variety of dishes, as seafood, Mexican food, desserts, grilled beef, pork ribs, tamales, riguas, "Sopa de pata", Indian hen, fried yucca and more!

There is no lack the typical candies nor juice cane, whether looking sausage or natural medicine then you are not going with empty hands.

Located in Sonsonate, a thousand 40 meters above the sea level, Salcoatitán offers you a fresh and pleasant climate.

Apaneca.

A town dedicated to coffee growing, possessor of two lagoons, "Laguna Verde" (Green Lagoon) and "Laguna de Las Ninfas" (Nymphs Lagoon). Apaneca is a place with gorgeous landscapes and the heritage of an ancient civilization.

Apaneca is located 16 km southwest from Ahuachapán City, in a picturesque and exuberant high plateau between the hill of Apaneca and the volcano of "Laguna Verde".

Another attraction of Apaneca is its wide variety of flowers, which can be found in nurseries and farms.

In Apaneca you will find a rich gastronomy, with a great variety of international food restaurants and places where you can taste desserts and coffee in a natural environment.

Juayua.

Juayúa is a town with an attractive coffee tradition, it has a fresh climate and cold waterfalls. "Juayúa" comes from the Nahuatl, meaning "Purple orchids river".

The 103 km² of Juayúa seem to have been perfectly placed in a path that remains adorned throughout the year by the floral diversity of the area.

Visit "La Iglesia Santa Lucía" and meet the famous image of The Black Christ of Juayúa. This is definitely a cultural center of the Catholic religion for more than 500 years.

The awesome building has real artistic treasures, starting with the miraculous image of The Black Christ, their stained glass placed in the high altar, illuminated with Italian marble lamps, its magnificent bells that can be heard miles away and an electric chime, which can interpret different melodies and Christian praise to the bells.

On weekends you can enjoy with exquisite traditional dishes in the gastronomic festival.

Sometimes, a worldwide gastronomic festival is organized, with typical dishes from other countries.

If you love nature, we invite you to visit "Los Chorros de La Calera" (La Calera Waterfalls), one of the most interesting tourist attractions of Juayúa. You'll enjoy the beautiful crystalline waterfalls and the cool weather. You must also visit "La Laguna de las Ranas" (Frogs Lagoon), during winter this lagoon is visited by a lot of frogs and it's a fine place to camp.

Another gorgeus place to visit is "Laguna Verde" (Green Lagoon), created by a volcanic eruption and located among Apaneca and Juayúa at 1,600 meters above the sea level.

Juayúa is located 80 kilometers from San Salvador, in the Department of Sonsonate, just take the CA-12N highway.

How to get to these destination.