A lustrous culture and bohemian nightlife glow brightly beneath the smog.
San Salvador is a powerhouse - the cultural and cosmopolitan heart of the country. Lying in a valley at the foot of a volcano, it abounds with museums, cultural centers, bars and cafes. Six-lane avenues and fancy malls keep the city buzzing.
What San Salvador lacks in colonial grandeur, it makes up for in class and personality. Wander through the Teatro Nacional, with its red velvet opulence and sensuous mural, or around one of the city's five markets; the interesting Mercado Ex-Cuartel has handicrafts, hand-woven textiles and ceramics.