El Salvador’s name still evokes images of the brutal civil was fought throughout the 1980s in its tangle of mountains and farmlands. The was, however, is over and the volcanic landscape remains the most turbulent aspect of the country. Now El Salvador is making headlines once again, thanks to its degraded environment. The people of El Salvador are its richest resource, and the best reason to come: direct, friendly and unjaded by mass tourism.

November to April (the dry season)

Hiking in the mountains surrounding the former guerrilla stronghold of Perquin Stepping off the Ruta de las Flores to visit the string of charming little towns in the cool western highlands Visiting the weekend food fair at Juayua Checking out the laid-back vibe and happening arts scene in Suchitoto Catching the bus from Metapan to El Poy through El Salvador’s spectacular mountain scenery

Read Cuentos de Barro (Tales of Mud) by Salarrue (one of El Salvador’s most famous writers); the poetry of Manlio Argueta and Francisco Rodriguez

Listen to the underground movement of cancion popular (folk music),which draws its inspiration from current events

Watch Salvador, the story of a war correspondent directed by Oliver Stone, for Hollywood’s insights into the civil was

Eat pupusas (cornmeal dough stuffed with farmer’s cheese, refried beans or fried pork fat) or panes (French breads sliced open and stuffed with chicken, salsa, salad and pickled vegetables)

Drink licuados (refreshing blended fruit and milk) or Torito (a vodka-like spirit made from sugar cane)

Cheque (all right)

Bitter civil war; liberation theology; coffee; surfing; volcanoes; circling vultures; lush coloud forest

El Salvador enjoys the highest minimum wage in Central America; 9% of Salvadorans are considered of full European ancestry, while only 1% is indigenous

With the highest level of environmental damage in the Americas, El Salvador runs the risk of losing its beauty. Six percent of the country or woodland, only 2% of that original growth. The Rio Lempa, an important watershed, suffers from pollution as do many other rivers.Uncontrolled vehicle emissiona will test your respiratory functions in any metropolitan area.