Santa Ana is El Salvador's second city, about 65 km west of San Salvador. It sits in a fertile valley on the lower slopes of the Santa Ana Volcano, surrounded by coffee and sugar cane plantations. The city is smaller and considerably calmer than the capital, with a well-preserved historic center that rewards an afternoon of walking.
The main square is anchored by the Cathedral of Santa Ana, a neo-Gothic structure completed in 1905 and one of the most impressive colonial churches in the country. The neoclassical Teatro Nacional nearby is also worth seeing — one of the finest theaters in Central America, restored after years of neglect. Several other colonial churches are scattered through the center, of which the Church of El Calvario is the most charming.
Santa Ana is the best base for exploring the western highlands. Cerro Verde National Park, about 20 km south, provides access to hikes up the Santa Ana Volcano (the country's highest) and the Izalco Volcano, as well as views over the beautiful Lake Coatepeque. The Tazumal Maya ruins at Chalchuapa, 15 km to the west, can be visited in a half-day.
The Ruta de las Flores — the scenic road through coffee-growing mountain towns — begins roughly in Santa Ana's orbit and is easy to explore by bus or car from here.