Things To Do
in Aguilares
Aguilares is a small, agriculturally rooted town in central El Salvador, surrounded by fields and rural roads that reveal everyday Salvadoran life. It hosts a friendly, close-knit community with colorful churches, bustling mercados, and a relaxed pace of life. The town serves as a gateway to nearby natural and cultural sights while still offering authentic, down-to-earth experiences.
Visitors will find warm hospitality, affordable cuisine, and opportunities to explore traditional Salvadoran culture beyond the typical tourist trail.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
You arrive in Aguilares and settle into your local guesthouse surrounded by volcanic foothills. You savor a warm pupusa breakfast at a family-run comedor while listening to rooster calls and the faint hum of distant coffee grinders. You stroll through cobblestone streets to get your first glimpse of the town’s colonial church and friendly vendors setting up stalls.
You wander into the central plaza to mingle with locals under the shade of a centuries-old ceiba tree. You sample fresh tropical fruits from a colorful market stand and chat with artisans selling handwoven hammocks. You enjoy a leisurely pace, soaking in the vibrant murals that celebrate Salvadoran heritage.
As dusk falls, you join families on the plaza benches, watching children chase fireflies across the manicured lawn. You dine on tamales de elote and fresca juice while street musicians strum guitars in the background. You end your night with a peaceful rooftop view of Aguilares’s lantern-lit rooftops and softly rumbling volcano slopes.
Your day begins at the bustling municipal market where vendors display vibrant rows of produce and spices. You weave through aisles of bright chilies, plump tomatoes, and fragrant coffee beans, greeting shopkeepers with a warm buenos días. You sip on sweet atole served in painted clay cups as you observe local commerce in full swing.
After a simple lunch of sopa de pescado at a roadside eatery, you join a market guide for an immersive shopping experience. You learn to choose the ripest avocado and negotiate friendly prices on handcrafted baskets. You leave with bags of fresh ingredients and a deeper appreciation for Mayan culinary traditions.
You return to your lodging to prepare a light meal using the day’s market finds, sharing cooking tips with fellow travelers. You relax on a shaded courtyard bench as twilight paints the sky in purple and orange hues. You end the evening with a short stroll to a neighborhood café, savoring a rich cortado before bedtime.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $6-12 |
| ☕Coffee or soft drink | $1-3 |
| 🚌Local transport (one-way) | $0.25-0.50 |
| 💊Basic clinic visit | $20-40 |
| 💧1.5L bottle of water | $0.50-1 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Genuine Salvadoran culture and cuisine
- Relaxed pace and friendly locals
- Affordable prices and easy day trips to nature
- Limited nightlife and fewer big-city amenities
- Smaller infrastructure for tourism
- Occasional transportation gaps on weekends or holidays
- "Hola" - Hello
- "Buenos días" - Good morning
- "¿Cuánto cuesta?" - How much does it cost?
- "Por favor" - Please
- "Gracias" - Thank you
- "¿Dónde está el baño?" - Where is the bathroom?
- "Quisiera pupusas, por favor" - I would like pupusas, please
- "¿Habla inglés?" - Do you speak English?
- "No entiendo" - I don’t understand
- "Ayuda, por favor" - Help, please
Places to Visit in Aguilares
Visit one of these nice places.
A photogenic church with a colorful facade and a bustling plaza, ideal for morning light and candid street photography.
Pastel-colored storefronts, market activity, and people going about daily life provide vibrant photo opportunities.
A hill overlooking farmland and distant hills; great for sweeping landscape shots on clear days.
A simple river crossing with reflective water and locals gathering in the evenings; ideal for golden-hour shots.
Food in Aguilares
Aguilares Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
Thick corn tortillas stuffed with cheese and loroco flowers, typically served with curtido and tomato salsa.
Must-Try!
Crispy fried yuca paired with seasoned pork crackling for a hearty, comforting bite.
Bean soup enriched with herbs and sometimes pork, best enjoyed with warm corn tortillas.
Sweet corn drink or porridge made with milk and sugar, a cozy treat especially in the evenings.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Central market where locals buy produce, spices, and prepare-to-eat pupusas and tamales.
Vendors offer pupusas, tamales, atol, and other quick bites around the central plaza.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Greet with a friendly 'hola' or 'buen día'; use polite language and acknowledge people when entering shops.
Dress modestly in rural areas and within churches; remove hats when indoors in sacred spaces.
Punctuality is appreciated but locals are relaxed; light conversations about family and food are common and welcomed.
Safety
Tipping in Aguilares
Ensure a smooth experience
In restaurants, a tip of 10-15% is appreciated if service is not included. Small tips for taxi drivers and hotel staff are common.
Cash and cards are accepted in many urban establishments; cash remains common in markets and smaller eateries. ATMs are available in town and nearby cities.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Dry season with plenty of sun and lower humidity; plan outdoor activities mid-morning or late afternoon to avoid peak heat.
May through October brings frequent afternoon showers; expect lush vegetation and occasional muddy trails—pack rain gear and waterproof footwear.
Aguilares at Night
Hiking in Aguilares
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
Nearby hill with scenic fields and occasional viewpoints; suitable for a half-day hike.
Rural trails offering birdwatching opportunities and local flora typical of central El Salvador.
Airports
How to reach Aguilares by plane.
Main international gateway to San Salvador, about 40-60 minutes by car from Aguilares depending on traffic; taxis and shuttles are common.
Smaller airport near San Salvador used mainly for domestic flights and general aviation; accessible by road from Aguilares.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
A mix of families and working professionals in the town center.
Agricultural workers and smallholders in surrounding countryside.
Residents with deep local roots and strong community ties.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
The most popular sport; local kids and adults play in schools and community teams.
Common in gyms and schools; pickup games happen in the afternoons.
Often played in schools and community centers, especially during holidays.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Aguilares.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Many pupusas can be made vegetarian (cheese and loroco); ask for meat-free options and fried separately to avoid cross-contamination. In markets, vegetarian-friendly beans, tamales, and salads are common; carry small snacks if you have stricter restrictions.