Around Sonsonate travel guide

Route CA 8, northwest to Ahuachapán , has spectacular scenery along the Ruta de las Flores, with frequent buses from Sonsonate (bus 249 and 285, two hours) covering the 40-km paved route. The road goes just outside the indigenous village of Nahuizalco (population: 49,081). Some of the older women here still wear the refajo (a doubled length of cloth made of tie-dyed threads worn over a wrap-round skirt), and various crafts are still made, including wood and rattan furniture. Although use of the indigenous language is dying out you do still encounter people who speak Nahuat. The night market, unique in El Salvador, opens at dusk and has traditional local food on sale. There’s a religious festival 19-25 June, with music, Danza de los Historiantes and art exhibitions; also 24-25 December, with music and Danza de los Pastores. Take bus 53 D from Sonsonate.