Planning your trip to El Salvador

THE BEST WAY

From LAX, nonstop service to San Salvador is offered on United, Taca and LACSA, and connecting service (change of planes) is offered on Continental and American. Restricted round-trip fares begin at $350.

Car rentals from several major agencies are available at the airport. It’s about a four-hour drive from San Salvador north to El Pital.

TELEPHONES To call the numbers below from the U.S., dial 011 (the international dialing code), 503 (country code for El Salvador) and the local number.

WHERE TO STAY

El Pital Highland, San Ignacio, Chalatenango; 7894-4349, www.elpital.com.sv. The mountainside lodge, in a beautiful natural setting, offers cabins from $70 to $150 and guest rooms from $50 to $60, including breakfast.

Entre Pinos Hotel & Resort, Troncal del Norte Road, Kilometer 87 1/2 , San Ignacio, Chalatenango; 2335-9370, fax 2335-9322, www.hotelentrepinos.com. Family-style resort has guest rooms, deluxe suites and bungalows, at around $130 for a standard double room. Lots of recreational activities.

Hostal Miramundo, Canton Agua Catal, Caserío Miramundo, La Palma, Chalatenango; 2219-6251 or 6252, www.hotelmiramundo.com. Mountainside hotel, with four-person rooms for $50.

WHERE TO EAT

Sol y Luna restaurant, El Pital Highland (see above). Specializing in outdoor-grilled steaks. Lunch or dinner for a family of four is about $40.

WHAT TO SEE

La Palma, picturesque mountain village with dozens of craft and artisanal stores selling colorful wooden handicrafts, hammocks and other objects distinctive to the area.

Church of Citalá, in the municipality of the same name at the foot of El Pital. A beautiful late 17th century structure in the neoclassical and Tuscan architectural styles.

TO LEARN MORE

El Salvador Tourism Ministry, Department of Chalatenango, www.elsalvadorturismo.gob.sv /ingles/home.htm.