Last Updated on: 3rd April 2023, 09:39 pm
The Ruta de las Flores, or the Route of the Flowers, is a beautiful district in western El Salvador comprised of sevens towns.
The route stretches from Sonsonate in the southeast, passing through Salcoatitan, Nahuizalco, Juayua, Apaneca, and Ataco, on its way to ending in Ahuachupan.
I want to share these pictures of the Ruta de las Flores in a quick photo essay so that you will see how charming this little corner of El Salvador is, and it just might get you dreaming of your own trip on the Flower Route!
If you’re planning a trip to the area, make sure to read my guide on the best things to do on the Ruta de las Flores, which covers the best of each of the route’s towns.
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My Favorite Travel Booking Sites for 2023
These are my favorite companies that I use on my own travels.
Protect Your Trip via Safety Wing
Find the best city tours, day tours, bus tours, & skip-the-line tickets on GetYourGuide and Viator.
Find the best deals on hotels & vacation rentals on Booking.com.
For English-speaking private airport transfers, book through Welcome Pickups.
For road trips and independent travel, rent a car through Discover Cars.
Find information and cruise reviews on Cruise Critic.
For packing and travel essentials order via Amazon.
Book an affordable family or romantic photography session on your trip through Flytographer (Use the code HISTORYFANGIRL for 10% off your first photoshoot).
For travel guidebooks to have with you during your trip, I always pick one or two from Rick Steves and Lonely Planet.
5 Most Popular Guided Ruta de las Flores Tours
Before you dig into all the Ruta de las Flores has to offer, here are the most popular guided tours for those who want to experience the route in one day.
Ruta de Las Flores People Volcanoes Colonial Towns
Ruta de las Flores: Nahuizalco + Juayua + Coffee Tour + Ataco + Hotsprings
Full-Day Ruta de Las Flores visit four Colonial Towns and Coffee Farm
El Salvador Ruta de las Flores and Volcanoes Cerro Verde Park
Flowers Route Tour of El Salvador + Coffee Farm visit
Good to Know: Most tours have pick-up locations in San Salvador or other parts of El Salvador. Reach out to tour companies if you want a pick-up closer to the route.
Pictures of the Ruta de las Flores, Seeing the Flower Route in Pictures
Here are the photos of the Ruta de las Flores from my trip.
It was a minor triumph to have finished editing them within a week of getting back home, and I’m so excited to share them here with you!
View of coffee farms in Apaneca
The Labrynth at the Albanian Cafe in Apaneca
View from the Back Terrace at the Hoyel Juayúa
You can see more about the beautiful Hotel Juayua and check availability here.
Walking towards the Iglesia San Andrés Apóstol in Apaneca
The Largest Hot Spring in Central America (Ausoles más grande de Centroamérica)
A Colorful Mural on the Road Outside of Apaneca
The Iglesia San Andrés Apóstol in Apaneca
An Artisans Shop for Souvenirs and Leather Goods in Apaneca
Taking Photos of Friendly Kitties in Juayua
The Tamales de Santa Teresa in Ahuachupan
Rainbow Umbrellas at the Tamales de Santa Teresa in Ahuachupan
The Fountain across from the Iglesia Santa Lucia in Juayua
Three Men and a Mural in Ataco
The Magnificent Iglesia Santa Lucia in Juayua
View from the Mirador Turístico Apaneca (The Apaneca Tourist Viewpoint)
The Colorful Entrance to Doña Goya Restaurante in Juayua
A Detailed Mural about Life on the Ruta de las Flores in Juayua
A Brown Terrace in Juayua
Sunset over the Apaneca, Santa Ana, and Itzalco Volcanoes from Juayua
A Funeral Procession in front of the Iglesia Santa Lucia in Juayua
A Bike and A Bus in front of the Iglesia Santa Lucia in Juayua
A Sign for the Toilets at the Juayua Food Festival in Juayua
Sunset on the Road to Nahuizalco
Saturdays in Juayua
A Beautiful Mural in Front of the Tourism Office in Juayua
Nuns Walking in Juayua
Farmacia Divino Jesus (the Divine Jesus Pharmacy) in Juayua
A Colorful Yellow Restaurant in Juayua
The Beautiful Ave Maria Cathedral in Ataco
The Alter of the Ave Maria Cathedral in Ataco
Sunrise on My Last Morning in Juayua
The Night Market in Nahuizalco
Sunset in Nahuizalco
A Street Dog Relaxing in the Middle of the Night Market in Nahuizalco
The Main Plaza in Nahuizalco
Flowers in Nahuizalco on the Route of the Flowers
A Mural in front of the House of Culture in Nahuizalco
A Mural of Life in Salcoatitan
A Fountain in Nahuizalco at Dusk
A Local Museum in Salcoatitan
Central Salcoatitan at Sunset
Double Churches in Salcoatitan
A Mosaic at a Church in Salcoatitan
A Yellow and White Fountain in the Main Plaza of Salcoatitan
View of the Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Ahuachapan
Clocktower in the Main Plaza of Ahuachapan
Selfie in Front of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Ahuachapan
A Beautiful Cat Mural in Ataco
Relaxing in the Main Plaza in Ahuachapan
Mirror Selfie in Front of the Church in Apaneca
5 Best Photo Spots in the Ruta de las Flores (Places to Take Pictures & Most Instagrammable Locations)
Here are my favorite places to take pictures on the Ruta de las Flores:
The Labrynth at the Albanian Cafe in Apaneca
Mirador Turístico Apaneca
Night Market in Nahuizalco
Iglesia Santa Lucia in Juayua
The Church and Main Plaza in Ataco
If you’ve been, what are your favorite places to take pictures on the Ruta de las Flores?
5 Things to Pack for Your Trip to El Salvador
Lonely Planet Central America is available as a paper copy or in a Kindle edition. You typically won’t find major guidebooks once you land, so get yours ahead of time.
I used this to plan my last trip to El Salvador, and I held onto it so I can use it for my next trip to Central America!
Mosquito Repellant is the single most important thing you’ll want on you as soon as dusk hits. Have enough to at least get through the first night if you’re packing light.
Full-Sized Travel Towel Unless your accommodations provide them, you will want to bring your own. I always bring my towel to Central America.
This is the best travel towel in the world. It’s pretty enough for the beach, large enough that you forget it’s a microfibre towel, and quick-drying, which is crucial in super humid parts of Central America.
A Go Pro for underwater and action photography. Why go all the way to El Salvador and not be able to capture some of the most exciting parts of your trip?
This is perfect for those spending time at the beach or waterfalls!
A Dry Bag for your stuff when you go on a boat or to the beach. You can get a larger one to use for a group or if you plan on taking a larger camera.
Otherwise, I use small ones with lanyards to hold my cell phone, money, and credit cards so I could take them with me swimming when traveling solo.
I used these when at the hot springs in El Salvador so I could get great cell phone pictures without risking having my cell phone out by the thermal pools.
You might also want a separate waterproof holder for your passport. I’ve seen people who weren’t allowed to board their flights home because their passports got water damaged at the beach.
A Portable Charging Bank in case your phone dies. Having a portable charger for your phone is crucial.
This is a safety issue since you will want to be able to contact someone in case you end up in an unsafe situation.
A Lightweight but Durable Backpack – My Venture Pal 40L Lightweight Packable Daypack was a steal for the price. It’s survived 17 US national parks as well as my time in Mexico and El Salvador!
It won’t last forever, but it has more than proved its worth so far.
See the Venture Pal 40L Lightweight Packable Daypack on Amazon
Other items to consider: a small first aid kit and a water bottle with a filter.
More El Salvador Travel Resources
27 Magical Things to Do on the Ruta de las Flores, El Salvador
Before Your Trip – Don’t Forget About Travel Insurance!
Whenever I go on a trip, I always make sure to get travel insurance!
This is especially true for trips where I’m visiting big cities or spending time in the great outdoors!
The company Safety Wing is the travel insurance company I always look to first, and I happily recommend them!
I always make sure to get travel insurance whenever I’m going to be over one hundred miles from home, in large cities where tourists can be the target of pickpockets, and anytime I’ll be doing outdoor activities.
It makes my life easier knowing if something should happen, I’ll be able to take care of it!
Get a travel insurance quote for your trip here.
Pin this Collection of Photos of the Ruta de las Flores for Your Trip to El Salvador!
