el salvador

We choose the places we travel to according to a variety of interests―relaxation, culture, food, aesthetic natural phenomenon, history, or maybe just bragging rights―but for most of us, such expeditions must always come with another concern: expense. One little Central American country, however, comes with an attractive mix of tourist-satisfying experiences as well as a modest price tag―El Salvador, the smallest but most densely populated country in Central America. For the travel-savvy tourist, El Salvador offers beautiful rural countrysides and a comparatively safe and stress-fee Central American experience. Yes, you’ve probably heard about the safety concerns, and yes, crime rates in El Salvador are high, but almost all of these dangerous altercations relate to gang activity connected to the drug trade. Tourists who practice safety precautions, such as not walking around at night, avoiding bad neighborhoods, and keeping their valuables hidden, should be fine.

Summer is a time for food, fun, and festivals. Here are some of the coolest and weirdest festivals going on this summer all over the world. Bolas de Fuego: Balls of FireSan Salvador, El Salvador It’s sundown in Nejapa, San Salvador. Two teams line the streets, their faces smeared in war paint. Suddenly, shouting and running at each other, they raise their arms and throw balls of fire! Dressed in wet clothes and wearing thick gloves, Nejapans hurl gasoline-soaked cloth balls until the flames go out. There are three stories about the origin of this fire fest, but the most popular story is that it commemorates a fireball battle between St. Jerome and the Devil. Come join the spectacle on August 31.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8233304.stm