El Salvador Dos and Don'ts

When visiting San Jose Villanueva, it is very helpful to make contact with the Jenkins family, a couple from the United States who live in the town and work with Epilogos Charities.

Hot and sticky. Drink bottle water. Do not go into the jungle without a local.

Santa Ana prides itself of having a very large public swimming pool, actually is a large concrete basin where fresh mountain river water flows in on one end, and exits on the oter - feeding a very large facility where people can come take a shower or wash their laundry. Even in Maya times, this location seems to have had a swimmable facility. noadays, the pool also contains fish that will nibble on your toes soon as you stop swimming. very likely, you'll find yourself as the only non-local here, since is not partiularly on the beaten track. easiest to ask a local to bring you there.

If you happen upon El Salvador, you have to go to the mountains of Ahuachapan to see the immense coffee fields and visit the resorts in Apaneca and Ataco.

We have been to El Refugio, El Salvador 3times. When you go you make friends for life. Lived in homes 2 times and stayed in Santa Ana 1 time. Volcanoes, parks, small town festivels, Christian Resort-$15 day to stay, But the best part is the people. No danger, police very friendly and watch out for you. 50% of people speak some English, stores take dollars, Church's are wonderful and friendly. You can hire an interpeter to be with you 100% of the time. Country is poor but the people don't expect more. Americans are respected and special to them.