Mural in Ataco

Concepción de Ataco (usually known as Ataco) is a small town in the Apaneca-Ilamatepec mountains of Western El Salvador. It is a colonial small town where time stands still, where cobblestone streets are filled with stone buildings that might seem to have stepped out of a history book if it weren't for the vividly colorful and often fanciful murals that cover walls on almost every street in town. Central America is famous for its shade-grown organic coffees, and in Ataco you don't have to go far to get a fresh cup. The plantations are right at the town's edge and small roasters and baristas will be happy to fix you a cup of steaming gladness. The town is one of the best places to spend a night or two along El Salvadors Ruta de las Flores.

Understand

Prior to the Spanish conquest of the Americas, the town of Ataco was settled by the Pipil people (a Mesoamerican culture that historically spoke Nahuatl and is related to the Aztecs and Mexica peoples of Central Mexico). In El Salvador, indigenous groups were repressed until well into the 20th century and few indigenous people flaunt their heritage or speak their native tongues.

Ataco has a cool subtropical highland climate. Its elevation in the mountain highlands means that daytime temperatures never go above 25 °C and cool nights make for easy sleeping without the need for air conditioning (the coldest nights are in November when temperatures can drop as low as 10 °C, perfect blanket weather!) Ataco gets quite a bit of rain throughout the year, but the highest rainfalls are usually in the month of July.

Get in

Chicken buses are the easiest and cheapest way to get around in El Salvador. From the Terminal Occidente in San Salvador, take the Ruta 205 bus toward Sonsonate (usually painted a shade of dark aqua green). The trip will take over 2 hours and costs about US$2. In Sonsonate, take a Ruta 249 bus toward Ahuchapan (it passes through Ataco). From Sonsonate to Ataco is about 1½ hour and will cost about US$1-2.

Get around

The central downtown area is compact and a joy to walk, with colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, and street vendors with a dizzying selection of things you don't really need. Moto taxis are common, especially for short trips, though regular taxis (most small Nissan sedans) can be found at sitios near downtown parks and can also be called to your hotel. Assuming you are comfortable with Spanish, you can negotiate a daily rate if you'd like a driver to take you around on a custom sightseeing tour (usually very cheap). If you don't know where something is, take one of the moto taxis (tuc-tuc).

See

Fountain in Parque Central

• 1 Parque Central (Parque Fray Rafael Fernandez), 1a Calle Pte.. The town's main square is a a peaceful place to relax under a shade tree and do some people watching. A statue of the Virgen de la Inmaculada Concepción is here and is lit at night. 

• 2 Santuario Inmaculada Concepción de María, 3a Calle Pte.. Beautiful colonial era church with an art-filled interior with historic icon statues mixed among bright cheery murals, some duplicating famous paintings from the Sistine Chapel or other churches. 

Do

• Climb La Mirador de la Cruz to get a nice view of the whole town (there are several other miradors if you want to climb them all)

Buy

• 1 Mercado de Artesanias (Popular art market), 3a Calle Ote.. Tu-Su 08:00-20:00, closed M. Warren of small booths and vendor spaces offering pottery, wood carvings, and the region's most typical craft: woven fabrics (scarves, blouses, dresses, etc.) There are also food vendors selling traditional regional dishes. 

Eat

Good place to get a taco in Atacó

• 1 El Habanero, ☏ +503 2451 3192. Mellow Mexican restaurant with street tacos, quesadillas, birria and other traditional Mexican dishes. US$10. (updated Mar 2024)
• 2 Piccolo Giardino, 5 av norte, ☏ +503 2450 5928. Th-Su 12:00-20:00, closed M-W. Casual Italian garden restaurant with thin-crust pizzas, fresh pizzas, and even cannoli and tiramisu. (updated Mar 2024)
• 3 El Brasero, ☏ +503 7852 5919. 11:00-20:30. Chilean cuisine in a comfortably casual historic building. Specializes in grilled meats. If you've got a group (or family), you can get a long platter of grilled meats and vegetables and make a party of dinner. (updated Mar 2024)

Sleep

• 1 Casa Degraciela, 1a Calle Ote. y Segunda Av. Nte. No.2, ☏ +503 2543 2828. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Upscale boutique hotel with immaculate, spacious, comfortable rooms in a restored colonial Spanish-style home. Public spaces are filled with antiques and art works. Covered patios surround a landscaped central courtyard. An elegant and romantic hotel. US$80. (updated Mar 2024)
• 2 El Pueblito de Don Luis, 1a Calle Oriente y 10 Ave. Norte, ☏ +503 2450 5904. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Traditional hotel with sprawling manicured lawns. Rooms are tastefully decorated with a mix of traditional style and modern conveniences. Tranquil, clean, comfortable. US$50. (updated Mar 2024)
• 3 Casa 1800 Ataco, Final, 4a Avenida Nte, ☏ +503 7670 0329. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Upscale boutique hotel with comfortable, clean, spacious rooms in an historic hotel on a hill overlooking the town. Spectacular nighttime views from their observation platform from which you can see the town or the Santa Ana volcano in the distance. Breakfast is served outside and consists of fresh fruit, hot just-roasted coffee, and different breads. US$100. (updated Mar 2024)
• 4 Hotel Santa Elena Segen, 3a Calle Pte, ☏ +503 2450 5832. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Comfortable moderate hotel with spacious rooms. Rooftop patio area. Flaky WiFi. US$55. (updated Mar 2024)
• 5 Los Portones de Ataco, 2 Ave. sur # 3, ☏ +503 6114 8030. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Traditional hotel with clean, comfortable rooms. Friendly service. On-site coffee shop (La Estancia) with just-roasted hot coffee and light food. US$60. (updated Mar 2024)

Go next

• Ahuachapan
• Juyayua
• Apaneca