A little more about the west
Southwest of Santa Ana, lies the town of Sonsonate, in the highlands of El Salvador and the principle cattle, coffee and tobacco farming region. The peaks of Cerro Verde, Volcan Izalco, and the crater lake Lago Coatepeque provide striking backdrops and good hiking opportunities. Although Sonsonate is mainly a bustling commercial town, it is on the Ruta de las Flores, a drive through pretty countryside and colonial towns famous for crafts, night markets and festivals; the most interesting being Ataco. The route was named after the abundant white coffee flowers visible during May and the wild flowers that colour the hills and valleys from October to February. This area is also home to El Imposible National Park; some 31 square kilometres of varying climatic zones and 300 species of birds.