Parque Recreativo Atecozol

Don't come expecting slides. Atecozol is a state-run recreation park from 1956 on the edge of Izalco, where spring water fills two natural pools for adults and five shallow ones for children under a canopy of old balsam trees. Around them are picnic areas, a restaurant, cabins, a football pitch, a Maya ball court and a temazcal sweat lodge, plus sculptures by Valentín Estrada honouring local figures and legends such as La Cuyancúat.

It is a Salvadoran family day out more than a tourist attraction. Entry is cheap, with a higher rate for foreigners, and it opens daily from 8am to 4pm. Alcohol is banned, swimwear has to be lycra, nylon or spandex (no cotton shorts in the pools), and you can bring your own food as long as you clean up after yourself.