Alegría (El Salvador)

Alegría is a small city in the mountains of Eastern El Salvador.

Get in

You can take bus #249 from Sonsonate towards Berlin and Alegria. It will take you about half an hour to arrive at the Parque Central.

Get around

Alegria is small enough to cover on foot. Most places in town are either on or adjecent to the Parque Central or a few blocks down.

See

• Laguna de Alegría (also known as the Emerald of Central America). The laguna is inside the crater of the now dormant volcano Tecapa. The laguna grows a brilliant green especially in bright sunlight, which is caused by the sulfur and other minerals found in the craters volcanic clay. It is a favorite spot among El Salvadorans and its common to see locals trekking out hunks of the clay which they use for medicinal purposes. There are several picnic tables and large rocks to congregate around. The laguna itself is only deep in the very center although most El Salvadorans will not swim in the laguna. There is a myth that a mermaid lives in the laguna which drowns handsome young men. The cobblestone path is roughly 1.5 miles long and is a moderate hike through coffee plantations. The road will end at the entrance to the laguna and a small tienda is just to the left of the entrance. Admission is 25 cents for the day. 

Eat

• Restaurante Mi Pueblito (close to northwest corner of Parque Central), ☎ +503 2628 1038. 8AM-4PM. Nice terrace. 
• Cartagena, Final Barrio El Calvario, ☎ +503 2628-1131. Good fish and ceviche. Nice terrace with panoramic view. Plant nursery. Main dish from $5. 
• Cafe Entre Piedras. See hostel below. 

Sleep

• Casa Alegre, Avenida Camilo Campos (northeast corner of Parque Central), ☎ +503 7201 8641, e-mail: lacasaalegre@gmail.com. Friendly hostel which also houses an art gallery and provides art classes for murals and paintings. From $10. 

• Casa de Huéspedes La Palma, 1a avenida Norte (near calle Alberto Masferrer, in front of the Parque Central), ☎ +503 2628 1012. Big rooms, cool atmosphere and tranquillity. From $10. 

• Cabañas La Estancia de Daniel. Family atmosphere. From $10. 

• Hostal & Café Entre Piedras (northeast corner of Parque Central), ☎ +503 2313-2812, e-mail: www.entrepiedras.alegria@hotmail.com. Opened in 2009. Hot water, cable TV, Wi-Fi. Good restaurant. Very nice patio to sit, relax and have meal. From $10. 

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