Stunned by streetside floral arrangements? Unsatisfied when you hear roasted frijoles and aren’t served a cup of coffee? Startled by your own bodily demands for a spa day following those volcano hikes? Swindled into chasing waterfalls against the better judgment of TLC?
Perhaps just one of these applies or maybe you would pick all of the above. Either way, no judgment. Satisfy those cravings along the Bus 249 route of flowers which goes between Sonsonate and Ahuachapan.
Visit Juayua on the Ruta de las Flores
Sitting along the center of the Ruta de las Flores makes this town the ideal base camp for your explorations. Juayua holds the title of champion of the cascadas (waterfalls) over the other coffee towns comprising this floral route. Its other claim to fame is the weekend food festival.
If coming from San Salvador, take Bus 205 from Terminal Occidente to Sonsonate for around $1.55.
Places to Eat in Juayua
Doña Goya
Don’t Go. The establishment is an overpriced bar and restaurant with zero patrons.
Food Festival
Clear your weekend plans and save the date for this gastronomical affair. The festival occurs rain or shine, ending around 1700 or whenever the food runs out. Stands line the street, advertising grilled meat and jumbo shrimp platters for under $10.
Naturally beverages are a necessity to wash the savory morsels down. Make it a rowdy meal with a bucket of beer or a cocktail. Not a lush? No worries, order up some horchata (rice based drink of Central America) or fresh squeezed juice.
Pupusas
The stands are everywhere. Make it your fairy tale ending to find the perfect pupusa and munch happily ever after.
Yuqeria La Fortaleza
Located diagonally across from the Super Selectos, this place is an absolute must for meat eaters. Yuca. The only word you need to know. This dish is cheap and should become part of your daily diet while in town. It is a mystery as to whether there is anything else on the menu.
Things to do in Juayua
7 Waterfall Hike
Supposedly a stunning $20 guided hike that sends the adrenaline surging. The tour offers an all day traipse through the surrounding nature, a showering soak amongst the waterfalls, and a thrilling adventure of rappelling down cliff sides. Realistically, the hike actually covers 6 waterfalls with an optional 7th, Chorros de la Calera, as it requires an entrance payment.
Freestyle Waterfalls
Determined to roam guideless? The locals do not lie in their sales pitch as the trail is indeed protected by locked gates.
For the bold, there is a dirt footpath to the left of the first gate. Channel your inner billygoat as this way involves scrambling up the mountainside until you reach a coffee plantation. Skirt along the edge of the plantation until the path descends back down the mountain. Huzzah! You’ve passed the first gate!
The second gate was unlocked during my travels which was probably a lucky fluke.
Following this gate, you’ll eventually notice a hole in the barbed wire fence on your right. Carefully clamber through and discover another footpath that leads to an enormous waterfall wall. Unfortunately, the pool below is quite trash strewn, so swimming would be ill advised.
The most impressive waterfall cascades shortly after the second gate along the main path. Slow your row and enjoy splashing about the upper pool. The trail passes directly below with water flooding the pathway so best to tread lightly.
Turns out timing is key as a friend went with a guide midday and found barely a trickle (straight swindled).
Suffering from a reverse pyramid scheme, the waterfalls seemed to shrivel up in size as I progressed. Miniature in size, the 3rd waterfall can still elicit some excitement with a hulking rock for the jumpers. Simply put, a kiddie pool represents the 4th waterfall. Pop a squat and splish, splash with childish squeals of delight. No swimming skills needed.
Alas, 4 waterfalls are all there is to this tour. Carry on if you please, but the obstacles have leveled up to expert mode and the 5th waterfall has yet to be uncovered. Watch your step.
Overcome the third gate with some basic parkour or if you are of the beanpole build, attempt to slide on through.
Sadly, the fourth gate ended up being the unbeatable boss. A cliff face to the left, a cliff edge to the right, and a barbed wire hat dead center. Additionally, a person’s property sprawled out behind the gate adding trespassing as a further determent. But for those fearless fellows, feel free to continue onwards.
Chorros de la Calera
If you are short on time or despise hiking, consider this waterfall. It is a 2.5 km (1.6 mile) trek from town or a swift tuktuk ride for those delicate daisies. The waterfall consists of 2 pools connected by a tunnel. Entrance costs around $6.
Places to Stay in Juayua
Hotel Anahúac
A small building stands as gatekeeper to this secret garden. Blooming with flowers and hidden hangout corners, there is no better backdrop in town. On the plus side, the showers are phenomenal and free bananas are included. On the downside, the purified water comes at a cost. Dorms consist of a mixture of bunk beds and standalone twin beds.
Oftentimes hotels come with a bar. The same holds true for Hotel Anahúac except that theirs focuses on coffee. Go wild and spend the day getting jittery.
Hotel Juayua
Feeling fancy? Service has no bounds until you attempt to break one of their countless country club rules. Keeping code with the majority of hostels, outside alcohol is banned. Tell the DJ to take a walk. In a pre-emptive, peacekeeping effort to prevent potential torment to other guests, the playing of personal music has been outlawed. This rule applies even when you are the only one outside.
But on the upside, the hotel has you covered when it comes to the most important meal of the day. Additionally, the pool-side views are spectacular.
Visit Ahuachapan on the Ruta de las Flores
Ahuachapan? More like “oh what’s your pain”. Journey out for a relaxing soak in the hot springs.
Directions are pretty straightforward as this is the last stop along the Bus 249 route.
Things to do in Ahuachapan
Malacatiupan Hot Springs
The Malacatiupan Hot Springs may not share the luxurious opulence of the local saunas, but for just $1 entry, it is well worth the class downgrade.
Upon arrival, cross the wide stream as it trickles along and suddenly strengthens into a powerful waterfall. Rock hop down to a slightly lower level that overlooks the waters churning below. Leaping into a typically chilling waterfall never really loses its charm, but a freefall into bathwater leads to an unbeatable bliss. Pack some cold ones for a refreshing contrast.
Board Bus 249 for $0.75 from Juayua and ride along until the final stop, Ahuachapan. Next, hop on to Bus 210 headed to Atiquizaya for $0.50. From Atiquizaya flag down a tuktuk for around $10-15.
On the way back to Atiquizaya be sure to stop at the food stand for a delectable fried yuca roadside snack.
Santa Teresa Park
Self care is a vital ingredient to a happy life. Spoil yourself with a splurge spa day at the Santa Teresa Park. With 30 natural thermal pools available, serenity is ensured.
General entrance costs $10 or make it $25 with the addition of a magical mud bath. To further intensify self focus, release all tension with a massage ranging in price from $15-50 depending on length of time. No need to worry about preparing a picnic as there are 3 different restaurants on site.
From Ahuachapan snag a $10 tuktuk or take Bus R7 for about $0.25. If opting for the bus, you can expect a brief walking workout as you are released prior to the entrance (all the more reason you deserve this).
Termales de Alicante
Termales de Alicante is the place for those preferring a more casual spa day. With just 11 natural thermal pools, the site offers less than half of what Santa Teresa Park does, but with a $5 entry, it also costs half the price.
Unwind with the addition of a mud bath or massage for a satisfyingly, affordable price. Find tranquility with the scenic surrounding views. Stave off hunger grumbles with the on site restaurant. Unless you prefer to air dry, remember to bring your own towel.
Residing with a closer proximity to Ahuachapan compared to the Santa Teresa Park, snag a $3 tuktuk or take Bus R7 for about $0.25. If opting for the bus, you can expect a brief walking workout as you are released prior to the entrance (all the more reason you deserve this).
Visit Apaneca on the Ruta de las Flores
The main attraction of Apaneca is the nearby Adventure Park which includes a hedge maze and zipline course as well as a restaurant. Spend a day absorbing the tiny town vibes or make it a post-Ataco pit stop.
Take Bus 249 headed towards Ahuachapan.
Things to do in Apaneca
Ziplines
Tickets for the zipline course can be purchased in town at the park office next to the Azul Cafe. The price includes transportation to the park. If thrill seeking is your only motive for visiting Apaneca, head straight for the Adventure Park and buy your tickets at the gate. Entrance costs around $35 but also includes a free drink (beer, coffee, tea, etc.).
Shorter yet less frustrating than a minigolf course, the experience consists of 13 lines. Not just your average, mundane setup, some of the lines are accentuated with bicycles and surfboards (as well as harnesses).
Maze
The Labyrinth of Albania as it is formally called, is no laughing matter.
For those with no sense of direction, ensure you bring water as there is a strong chance you will be caught in a never ending circle. The goal is to locate the center and ring the tower bell to announce a glorified victory, but a tad misguided as you still need to retrace your steps to the exit. Quite the challenge for those with a short term memory.
Purchase the $5 ticket at the Adventure Park entrance, and enjoy the bonus of a free drink (beer, coffee, tea, etc.).
Visit Ataco on the Ruta de las Flores
Obvious for any pun lover, tacos are a must. Disappointingly, the town has yet to make this connection and as a result the main highlight are the many murals that decorate the building sides. Surely a sight to behold, but one that has less of an impact on the taste buds.
Hop on Bus 249 headed towards Ahuachapan.
Things to do in Ataco
Coffee
The Ruta de las Flores travels through the coffee countryside of El Salvador. All around, forests and mountain sides are dotted with coffee plants. On closer inspection, you will observe a berry studded plant. These beans to be pass through a stop light coloring scheme, starting as a fresh green and eventually transforming to a juicy red.
Further your java education, with a tour of the farm to mug production process. Most accommodations are capable of arranging a coffee course where transportation is included. If you prefer independent study, plan your own tasting route of the neighboring farms, Finca Buena Vista, El Carmen Estate, Beneficio San Pedro, and Villa Santa Teresita (these are just a few).
If you have stubbornly left your school days behind you, forget the farms and instead post up in one of the many cafes for a sampling of the local trade.
Mirador de la Cruz
Prepare for an uphill trek to this overlook. The site is christened with a humongous cross used as a spiritual backdrop for group photos. But the true allure beckons from the edge, a volcano reaches up towards the clouds as the surrounding mountains stretch out behind an aerial view of Ataco.
