Juayúa
Food fair, waterfallsThe main town on the route.
Town guide
Things to do in Juayúa
The best base on the Ruta de las Flores: a weekend food fair that fills the main square, a guided hike to seven waterfalls, coffee farms on the hills, and the murals of Ataco and the crater lakes of Apaneca close by.
11
Hostels in the city
8.8
Average, from 976 reviews
Every weekend
Food fair
2–3
Days
The heart of the Ruta de las Flores
Juayúa is a small highland town at about 1,000 metres in the west of El Salvador, on the Ruta de las Flores, a road of around 36 kilometres that winds through coffee country between Sonsonate and Ahuachapán. The route is named for the wild flowers that bloom along it from October to February.
Every weekend, Juayúa's square fills with the Feria Gastronómica, a food fair where stalls grill everything from rabbit and frogs to seafood and steaks, and Salvadorans come from all over to eat. The town's church holds the Cristo Negro, a black Christ statue that draws pilgrims.
From Juayúa, guided walks lead to the Siete Cascadas, a chain of waterfalls in the hills, and buses run along the route to Apaneca, with its zip lines and crater lakes, and Concepción de Ataco, a colonial town covered in murals. Give the area two or three days, and time it for a weekend.
Where to base yourself
Juayúa for the food fair and waterfalls, or Ataco for murals and cafes.
Apaneca
Zip lines, lakesThe highest town on the route.
Concepción de Ataco
Murals, cafesA colonial town of murals.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 11 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Juayúa
Eat your way around the Feria Gastronómica on Saturday or Sunday. Hike to the Siete Cascadas with a local guide, wading and climbing up a chain of waterfalls, and swim at Los Chorros de la Calera.
Tour a coffee farm to see how Salvadoran coffee is grown and roasted, and visit the Cristo Negro in the town church.
Take the bus along the route to Apaneca for zip lines and the crater lakes of Laguna Verde, and to Concepción de Ataco for murals, craft shops and cafes.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Walking the food fair, the square and the church costs nothing; only the food does.
Wandering the murals of Ataco and the market streets of Apaneca is free.
The waterfall hike needs a guide, and zip lines and coffee tours charge.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
The Feria Gastronómica is the reason to come: plates of grilled meat, fish and stews cost €4 to €8. During the week, pupuserías and comedores serve pupusas for €0.50 to €1 and set lunches for €3 to €5.
The coffee is excellent, and Ataco has good cafes.
Many restaurants add a 10 per cent tip to the bill, so check before adding more.
Nightlife
Going out
The Ruta towns are quiet at night. Juayúa has a couple of bars around the square, busier on fair weekends.
Most evenings are dinner and an early night in the cool mountain air.
Beer costs €1 to €2.
Getting around
Getting around
From San Salvador, take a bus to Sonsonate, then a local bus up to Juayúa, about two and a half hours in all. Tourist shuttles connect with El Tunco, Santa Ana and Guatemala.
Local buses run along the Ruta de las Flores between Juayúa, Apaneca, Ataco and Ahuachapán every few minutes by day.
The towns are small and walkable.
Costs
What Juayúa costs
Beds start at around €9 to €15 a night. Pupusas cost €0.50 to €1, and food fair plates €4 to €8.
The waterfall hike costs about €10 to €20 with a guide, and coffee tours and zip lines are a little more.
El Salvador uses the US dollar. Bring small notes, as many places will not take $50 or $100 notes.
Safety
Safety and scams
Juayúa and the Ruta towns are calm and friendly. Do the waterfall hike with a registered local guide, not alone, as the trails are remote.
Rocks around the waterfalls are slippery, and water levels rise after rain.
Avoid travelling between towns after dark. Do not drink the tap water; bottled and filtered water is cheap everywhere. In an emergency, call 911.
Along the route
Towns, lakes and waterfalls.
Santa Ana
The volcano city.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The weekly fair and festivals.
Every weekend
Feria Gastronómica
Juayúa
Food stalls fill the square.
October to February
Flower season
Ruta de las Flores
Wild flowers along the road.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Juayúa, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
Bambu Hostel
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
Mixtepek
Dorms from €13 a night
See dates and book
Hostal Doña Mercedes
Dorms from €12 a night
See dates and book
Samay Hostel
Dorms from €11 a night
See dates and book
Que Ondas Hostal
Dorms from €12 a night
See dates and book
Neska Polita Hostel
Dorms from €14 a night
See dates and book
Alojamiento Economico, Scooter Rentals, Y Tours
Dorms from €6 a night
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Rick's Hostel Juayua
Dorms from €9 a night
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Ricks Hostel Farmstay
Dorms from €7 a night
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Hostal Los Marinero
Rooms from €6 a night
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La Villa de los Alas - Estancias
Rooms from €12 a night
See dates and book
When to go
November to April is the dry season, and the flowers bloom from October to February. May to October brings afternoon rain and fuller waterfalls.
Jan
Dry, flowers
Feb
Dry, flowers
Mar
Dry
Apr
Semana Santa
May
Rains begin
Jun
Waterfalls fill
Jul
Rain
Aug
Holidays
Sep
Wettest
Oct
Flowers begin
Nov
Dry season returns
Dec
Holidays
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Cooler than the coast.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Juayúa prices.
Treat these as a guide. Tours cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Juayúa questions
The ones we get asked most.
When is the Juayúa food fair?
Every Saturday and Sunday, on the main square.
What is the Ruta de las Flores?
A road of about 36 kilometres through coffee country, linking Juayúa, Apaneca and Ataco.
Do I need a guide for the waterfalls?
Yes, it is safer, as the trails are remote.
Juayúa or Ataco?
Juayúa for the food fair and waterfalls; Ataco for murals and cafes.
How do I get to Juayúa?
By bus via Sonsonate, or by shuttle from El Tunco or Santa Ana.
Is it cold in Juayúa?
Days are warm, but evenings are cool, so bring a layer.
When is the best time to visit?
October to February, for flowers and dry weather.
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