El Salvador

Rejuvenated and forward-looking, this stunningly beautiful Central American country has momentum building that landed it a spot in our Learn category.

We wanted to take a short getaway to somewhere Spanish-speaking, relatively close, warm (but not too warm!), and under the radar. Why not El Salvador? thought my husband Dan and I.

With 200 miles of coastline, more than 170 volcanoes, multiple archeological sites with Maya ruins and a rich coffee- and cacao-farming tradition, El Salvador is a wonderland for surfing, adventuring and relaxing.