Chalatenango is in Western El Salvador.

Understand

Chalatenango is a town located a few kilometers at the North of Suchitlan Lake, in El Salvador. Its name comes from Nahuatl: chal, shal (sand); at, (water); tenango (valley). "Valley of waters and sand".

It was created at pre-Columbian period by Lenca tribes, then later occupied by Pipils, before the Spanish conquered the area at the XVIth century. During the colonial period, it was an important center for the production of indigo. It was heavily impacted during the El Salvador Civil War (1979-92). Many people had to move away, then many returned at the end of the war.

Today, it has become a nice and safe town in an agricultural plain.

See

The center of the town is nice to wander.

Sleep

• 1 Hotel La Ceiba (western Primera calle). Worth 12$/dbl... Well located in the center. Provides free parking. 12$. (updated Feb 2015)
• 2 La Posada del Jefe. Worth 17$/dbl. Provides free parking and noisy AC. 17$. (updated Feb 2015)

Go next

• El Pital : the highest moutain in El Salvador. (~2 hours away with a car)
• Suchitoto : Colonial town and artisanal center, on the other side of the lake. (There's a "ferry" leaving from San Franscisco de Lempa, 15Km SW from Chalatenango. Does it cross to Suchitoto ?)