San Miguel

San Miguel is second most important and populous city in El Salvador and an important center for the coffee, textile, and chemical industry of El Salvador. Known as the “Capitol of the East” of El Savador at the foot of San Miguel and Chinameca volcanoes, San Miguel is a road, rail, and trade center on the Pan-American Highway.  San Miguel serves the surrounding agricultural region, where coffee, livestock, sisal, grain, sugarcane, and cotton are produced. The city, formerly the center of an indigo trade, includes among its industries cotton milling, vegetable-oil and sisal processing, tanning, and the manufacture of musical instruments, handicrafts, and pharmaceuticals. The many Spanish colonial buildings located here include a cathedral (18th century), Santo Domingo and Chinameca churches, and several monasteries. The city, founded in 1530, was badly damaged by an earthquake in 1917. It was rebuilt and has become one of the largest cities of El Salvador. 

The San Miguel Carnival in El Salvador takes place every year on the night of the last Saturday in November; it begins at 10 pm and runs until the morning of the following day. During the carnival, the main streets of San Miguel are packed with visitors enjoying the different types of musical events and other attractions. 

The carnival of San Miguel is part of the month-long celebrations in honor of the Virgin of Peace (La Virgen de la Paz), patron saint of the municipality of San Miguel. 

Top Attractions: 

• Cathedral Basilica Nuestra Senora de la Paz 
• Old Downtown 
• Playa Las Flores – Beaches 
• Laguna Olomega 

• Inglesia Colonial del Barrio de Roma 
• Carnaval de San Miguel