Gateway El Salvador
Apaneca/Ataco
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At 4,757 feet, Apaneca is the second highest area in El Salvador. Apaneca and Ataco are charming small towns to stop along the way to El Imposible National Park.
Just beyond the town of Apaneca is Laguna Verde (The Green Lake), a deep crater lagoon. Look for the turnoff, 'Villas Suizas,' and continue on for about a mile. It is a 2.5 mile hike. 4WD is recommended. Caution: there are strong whirlpools in the lake.
Like many small towns, Apaneca has a thriving nursery business and you will find many rare and exceptional plants to admire (too bad we can't take them home!).
Vivero Alejandra is one of the more inviting nurseries located at the Southern end of town. After strolling through the gardens, stop in at the cafe for coffee and quesadillas (cheese bread).
Tel: 503-2433-0310
Admission $ 0.50
Hotel & Resort Santa Leticia is one of the highlights of Apaneca. There are 19 rooms with 2 queen beds, hot water, direct TV, and ceiling fans. All rooms have porches, hammocks, and outdoor tables and chairs. There are two solar-heated pools on the grounds. Breakfast included. Rates: $40-50.
Santa Leticia is right in the heart of the coffee fields. Tours of the working plantation and a small archaeological site are offered. The archeological tour takes about 50 minutes and costs $5.
The plantation tours run 4 hours ($30 per person). Remember to make advance reservations. The tour encompasses the complete process from growing, cutting, and processing. November through January is harvest time when you can watch the beans being picked, weighed, sorted, cleaned, dried, and roasted.
Restarant/coffee bar
Entertainment
Mayan artifacts
Laguna Verde
Colonial architecture
Guest room
