On the road #1

After the Route of the Flowers, I am heading toward the city of Santa Ana, visiting a few interesting sites on the way.

Salto de Malacatiupan

This scenic site has some surprises in store. When I get there, I see this rather dry river, and I think that I won't see any waterfall in the area. Not so fast, after exploring a bit, I notice that I am above the cascade. I follow the river, and I discover a superb waterfall and a nice pool at its foot.

Seeing this young man jump from the top of the cascade, I think I will do the same. A 5-6 metre jump, easy isn't? Not for me, I am too afraid of heights to imitate the guy. I jumped from the rock located on the right below.

I was in for a second surprise. While jumping, I was expecting cold or even icy water since it originates from the mountain. Far from it, the whole river is hot to the point that after a while, it becomes too much since it feels like a sauna.

This river goes through a geothermal plant upstream, and all the water has been heated up in the station to produce electricity. The water is heated up using very hot steam coming from several places in the region (see Los Ausoles in the previous post).

Ruins of Tazumal

Unlike its neighbour, El Salvador is not filled with many ancient pre-Columbian ruins. The site of Tazumal is the most important and impressive site of the country.

This Mayan site has been occupied for 3,000 years, and it was a major trading centre (cacao, obsidian, and ceramics). The most active period of construction was AD 400 to 680, during which the influence of Teotihuacán (in Mexico) is apparent in the architecture.

Laguna Cuzcachapa

Small laguna near the town of Chalchuapa.