Santa Ana, El Salvador: the second best destination in the world to travel solo

Hey my friends! So you’re thinking about traveling to Santa Ana, El Salvador? I’M SO HAPPY. I LOVE IT. CONGRATS.

I’m writing this post because I found out that, according to an international ranking, GuruWalk picked Santa Ana as the second best destination for solo travel. And I’m here to confirm it. Santa Ana was one of my favorite spots in the whole country — I ended up staying 10 days, made friends, and explored a ton.

What does the ranking say and why does it matter?

The study was put together by GuruWalk, an international free tour platform, and it measured something very concrete: the percentage of travelers who travel solo. Santa Ana got the second spot worldwide, with half of its visitors exploring the city completely on their own. In fact, out of that group of friends I made, every single one of us was traveling solo. I MEAN.

LET’S GOOO SANTA ANA, EL SALVADOR.

And it’s not the only one from the region on the ranking: Antigua (kind of chaotic but GORGEOUS, also totally recommend it), in Guatemala, also made it into the top spots, which confirms something a lot of backpackers have been saying for a while: Central America is becoming one of the most chosen regions in the world for solo travel.

Why Santa Ana is ideal for solo travel

According to the ranking: “El Salvador’s second largest city surprises those who venture to visit it: its historic centre, dominated by one of the most impressive neo-Gothic cathedrals in Central America, has an authentic and very uncrowded energy. Santa Ana is still a destination for curious travellers — the kind who prefer to step off the beaten track to discover what lies beyond. Exactly the profile of the solo traveller.“

We agree — yes, Santa Ana, El Salvador was one of the biggest cities with the fewest tourists I’ve probably ever seen. But there are other reasons to go for it too.

Architecture and a cathedral that will leave you speechless

Santa Ana has one of the most impressive cathedrals in Central America, neo-Gothic style, plus a national theater that looks like it’s straight out of another era. The whole historic center is built for walking; you can reach every part of the city without needing transportation. And I highly recommend it. Plus, you get to try street food along the way… PLEASE EAT PUPUSAS, I’M BEGGING YOU.

The perfect home base for day trips

Santa Ana is also the ideal starting point for visiting the Santa Ana Volcano and Lake Coatepeque, two of the most beautiful spots in all of El Salvador, just a short distance away. It’s also a great launch point for the Ruta de las Flores (Flower Route).

What to do in Santa Ana as a solo traveler

If you’re thinking about adding Santa Ana to your route, here’s what you can’t miss:

• Santa Ana Cathedral: the city’s icon, perfect for your best sunset photos.
• Santa Ana Theater: one of the prettiest theaters in the region, with guided tours.
• Parque Libertad: the social heart of the city, perfect for sitting down and watching local life go by.
• Free walking tour: exactly the kind of activity that made Santa Ana famous in this ranking. It’s a great way to meet people and learn local history without spending much.
• Ruta de las Flores
• Santa Ana Volcano: a half-day hike with spectacular views into the crater.
• Lake Coatepeque: perfect for a rest day, swimming, and unplugging.

Where to stay in Santa Ana as a solo traveler

I’d recommend staying near the Cathedral for ease of getting around and sightseeing, or near the Francisco Lara Pineda Bus Terminal if your plan is to cross into Guatemala overland afterward, since that’s the station you’ll need to catch your first bus from. Here you have a blog post about where to stay in El Salvador

Safety tips for traveling solo in Santa Ana

In this post I share my full experience regarding safety in El Salvador.

How to get to Santa Ana

Santa Ana is about an hour from San Salvador, with frequent and affordable buses leaving from the capital. If you’re coming from Guatemala, it’s also a convenient entry point if you cross through one of the land borders in the CA-4 area.

How much does a day in Santa Ana cost

Santa Ana, El Salvador

Santa Ana landing in second place in the global ranking for solo travel is no coincidence: it’s a safe, walkable city, full of history, great energy, and a growing community of travelers who keep choosing it. First… you have to go to El Salvador… and if you do, YOU CANNOT SKIP SANTA ANA.

Source: The 50 Cities in the World That Most Attract Solo Travellers — GuruWalk Blog, 2026 ranking of the world’s best destinations for solo travel.

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