Suchitoto is a small town set among the Cuscatlán mountains of El Salvador. The town is adorned with cobblestone streets and vibrant colonial buildings. It truly is one of the most charming towns in all of El Salvador.
It is a sleepy laid-back town but also quite delightful. The town is often referred to as the cultural capital of the country, and is a must-visit destination for anyone travelling to El Salvador. While a one or two-night stay will be ideal, even just a day trip from Sal Salvador will do as it is only 60 km to the northeast of the capital.
The town is known for its cobblestone streets and vibrant colonial buildings
A short walk from town lies the Rio Lempa which is part of a large lake called Suchitlán Lake, home to many species of fish and migrating birds. Suchitlán Lake is the largest body of freshwater in El Salvador. The lake was created with the construction of the Cerrón Grande Hydroelectric Dam which was opened in 1976.
Suchitoto is also important historically. The village and surrounding areas was a focal point during the Salvadorian civil war of the 1980s. There are still many people in El Salvador who claim that they are afraid to go anywhere near Suchitoto. El Salvador’s civil war started in 1980 and ended in 1992 with some of the earliest fighting and worst atrocities of that war happened right here at Suchitoto and its surrounding areas. This war earned the dubious distinction of being the second-longest civil war in Central American history (Guatemala takes top “honours” – the Guatemalan Civil War was fought from 1960 to 1996).
The United States-backed Salvadorian government forces certainly succeeded at scorching and burning everyone in their path while fighting the FMLN Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (Frente Farabundo Martí para la Liberación Nacional in Spanish). Since the end of its civil war in 1992, El Salvador has been governed by the ruling leftist FMLN and its rival, conservative Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA). The country is currently ruled by a coalition government headed by the Great National Alliance (GANA) of 38-year-old former mayor of San Salvador, Nayib Bukele, who was expelled from the FMLN.
Other attractions in town include the Iglesia Santa Lucia Church and the La Villa Balanza restaurant which is decorated by left-over war memorabelia.
While in Suchitoto, check out the “Strange and Curious Plate Museum” which is a mind-boggling 1,000+ plate collection from all over the world. The plates have artwork ranging from movie themes and cartoon characters to politics and famous art prints.
One of the highlights of the town is the landscape surrounding Suchitoto and Suchitlán Lake. Walk the main road in a northeast direction out of town to La Fonda Del Mirador Restaurant. From here the views over Suchitlán Lake is beautiful.
Rio Lempa (Lago Suchitlán), Suchitoto
☛ Read more: More posts of Central America
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Blog post and photos by Peter who has been travelling almost full-time since 2005 and has been to over 122 countries. He visited several countries, such as Japan, more than 20 times. Peter is Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of GlobeRovers Magazine, an independent travel magazine focused on intrepid destinations.