Four hours, one border crossing and two busses later I arrive in Juayua, El Salvador. Juayua is a small town in the mountains in the Ruta de las Flores area, named for the profusion of wildflowers that proliferate from November to February. I have decided to stay at the Hostal Anáhuac which was highly recommended by The Travel Chica and my guidebook.
I am planning to stay here at least five nights and use it as a base to explore the surrounding area. Also, I hear there is a wildly famous international food fair on the weekends.
It is a cozy laid back hostel with two dorms and four private rooms around a beautiful little garden.
Hotel Anahuac, Juayua, El Salvador
My incredibly clean room has real hot water (a first) a very comfortable bed and is decorated by local Salvadorian artists.
Hotel Anahuac
My Room
The next morning with four new friends, a couple from Tennesee and two sisters from Sweden, we are off for the 2 km walk to the waterfalls. The hotel advises us that there have been some robberies there recently so they arrange a police escort to accompany us (seriously…now stop laughing).
Enroute to the Falls
Our Escort
Passing the First Waterfall
And then we arrive at the next set of falls where we swim while the police watch our cameras and we practice our Spanish.
Waterfalls, Juayua, El Salvador
The Falls
The Falls
Then as we head back we find a police jeep at the entrance waiting to give us a ride all the way back to our hotel, a pleasantly unexpected surprise!
Back Home After a Tough Day
What a beautiful spot to pick as your first visit. The Falls look so refreshing! Hostil looks like an excellent pick~ will you attend this int’l food fair this weekend? Sounds like something you’ll really enjoy. Interesting (and funny?) about the police escort; yet how very cool to have that protection and level of security.
Yep, just had some incredible ceviche there!
Glad you’re enjoying your time in Juayua. Your pictures bring back good memories! I’m interested to know what food you tired at the feria this weekend. I hope you didn’t get food poisoning from it like I did.
Food poisoning is no fun Stephanie, sorry to hear. I had some really good ceviche, and I had a plate with some pretty tender beef, chorizo, rice and salad. Went back for the ceviche again today. Also tried some ribs, but they were really tough. So far so good, digestion-wise. Gonna climb Vulcan Santa Ana tomorrow. Take care. (P.S. I got dysentery last year in Guatemala. I think I probably brushed my teeth with some tap water, fyi)