San Sebastian (El Salvador)
San Sebastian is a small town in Eastern El Salvador. San Sebastian is a traditional colonial era town known for its handcrafts, particularly textiles. You can see everything interesting in San Sebastian within a few hours, so you could plan a visit together with another nearby town or plan some time exploring the natural beauty of the countryside. Nearby towns that could be explored on the same trip are San Vicente and Ilobasco.
Get in
By car
San Sebastian lies 50 km east of San Salvador via highway CA 1. The trip will take about 1 hour.
Get around
This is a very small town and everything is within easy walking distance.
See
- 🌍 Parroquia de San Sebastian, 6a Ave Sur. A 300-year-old church with an Italian sculpture of the Nazarene.
Do
- San Vicente Volcano - also known locally as Chichontepec, the active stratovolcano has two cones each with its own crater. The volcano last erupted about 1,700 years ago though geysers and fumaroles bear witness to the volcano's continuing activity. The volcano is also the site of El Salvador's deadliest air crash. In August 1995, a Boeing 737 operating as Aviateca flight 901 crashed into the volcano on its approach to San Salvador. All aboard were killed. There are few good trails here and most people who hike go up the eastern volcano (where there is an abandoned military post).
Buy
San Sebastian is known for its handcrafts with workshops and artesania shops selling a variety of woven products based on traditions passed down from generation to generation. Look for hammocks in different sizes, colors, and designs.
- 🌍 Mercado Municipal, 4a Avenida Norte. Daily 07:00 - 17:00. Traditional marketplace with fresh produce and other food staples. Good selection of regional prepared foods including several vendors selling homemade pupusas with various fillings.