El Salvador (‘The Saviour' in Spanish) might be the smallest country in Central America, but it is well worth exploring. Newcomers are frequently bowled over by this stunning volcanic landscape, and quickly warm to the openness of its people.

Volcanos and beaches
This tiny tropical land is bursting with natural attractions, including the Cerro Verde National Park, the volcanic lakes of Ilopango and Coatepeque, and impressive beaches; the breakers rolling in from the Pacific Ocean make the coast of Sonsonate and La Unión provinces a major draw for surfers, while the resorts of the Costa del Sol are a 90-minute drive from the capital. El Salvador also offers interesting archaeological sites from Maya civilisation, and the Ruta de Las Flores takes visitors to some of the prettiest villages and market towns. 

Recovery and tourism
While civil war and a succession of natural disasters left El Salvador physically devastated and psychologically traumatised, the country is in rapid recovery. Tourism has become a government priority: new initiatives include a golf and fishing complex in Usulutan, an adventure resort in the mountains of Chalatenango, and a marina at La Libertad. While crime remains a problem, the National Civilian Police (PNC) have a generally good reputation, and security for tourists has improved greatly with the introduction of a specially trained tourist police force, Politur, which operates at destinations throughout the country.