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San Rafael Cedros
ℹ️Practical info — San Rafael Cedros
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- San Rafael Cedros is a strategic pit stop on the Pan-American Highway; well-suited for a break when traveling toward the east.
- Look for restaurants with dedicated parking and security guards if you are traveling with luggage in your vehicle.
- Most roadside stalls only accept cash (US Dollars); keep small bills handy for quick snacks and drinks.
- Avoid peak hours on weekends when crowds from the capital stop here for traditional meals.
- Take the opportunity to buy traditional snacks that are locally famous in this part of the Cuscatlán department.
🍽 Food
The city's signature snack: toasted tortillas with fresh curd, sold by vendors along the highway.
Try the rice-flour version at the roadside eateries near the main highway intersection.
Boiled or fried cassava with crispy pork rinds, a favorite local staple for travelers.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Buy this fresh local curd from vendors along the CA-1 highway; it's a specialty of the region.
Pre-packaged bags of the famous local tortillas make for a first-rate travel snack.
Located a few blocks away from the noisy highway, this plaza gives a peaceful atmosphere.
Walk into the residential areas to experience quiet small-town life away from the transit traffic.
Water temperature…
San Rafael Cedros is a dynamic municipality in the Cuscatlán Department, known for its central location at one of El Salvador's most important transportation hubs. This is where the Pan-American Highway and the coastal road intersect, making the city a significant center for trade and services. The name Cedros refers to the once magnificent cedar forests that characterized the region before agricultural expansion took hold. The local economy today relies on a mixture of commercial activities along the highway, grain cultivation, and artisanal production. San Rafael Cedros is known for its lively markets and the hospitality of its residents, who traditionally cater to travelers passing through. The city celebrates its patron saint festivals in October in honor of Saint Raphael the Archangel with colorful parades and religious ceremonies. Despite modern transportation links, the town center preserves its small-town character with a traditional church and a well-maintained central park.
- Location: El Salvador
- Nearby: El Carmen (6 km)
- Population: ~39.361 (2018)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Nov, Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 23 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 23 |
| Rain mm | 9 | 8 | 9 | 32 | 152 | 186 | 151 | 189 | 218 | 174 | 43 | 18 |
Geography
Facts
- The city is situated at a strategic elevation of approximately 720 meters.
- The name Cedros commemorates the region's original cedar forests.
- San Rafael Cedros is a major junction on the Pan-American Highway.
- The municipality was officially recognized as a pueblo in 1871.
- The patron saint festivals take place annually from October 15 to 24.
- The town serves as an important service center for travelers.
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Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Frequently asked questions
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