Situated in Central America El Salvador borders Guatemala and Honduras and looks out onto the Pacific Ocean. The capital is San Salvador, and although it is the smallest country in Central America it offers breathtaking volcanic landscapes and a welcoming population. The official language is Spanish; English is also widespread.

Most of the country is composed of volcanic uplands, rendering the soil very fertile and ideal for coffee plantations and tropical flora. The Cerro Verde National Park is of extreme natural beauty, boasting volcanic lakes and magnificent beaches, a paradise for surfers.

Barra de Santiago is probably El Salvador’s most pristine beach; an immense expanse of sand immersed in a nature reserve, here one can spot rare butterflies and bird species. The Zapote estuary can be explored by kayak or canoe where amongst the mangroves fishing can also be enjoyed.

There are many interesting archaeological sites with examples of the Maya civilization, while if one follows the Ruta de Las Flores this route leads past very picturesque villages and market towns. The more renowned Mayan sites can be found in San Andres, Tazumal and Joya de Cerén, a town that was buried by volcano ash more than 1000 years ago and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The climate is hot and subtropical and temperatures vary according to the altitude. The rainy season goes from May to October, with the coastal areas being the hottest.