Santa Ana Night Walk: History Under Stars

Discover El Salvador’s transformation on a historical walking tour. Uncover personal stories of resilience and hope in Santa Ana. Connect deeply with Salvadorian culture.

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • The Cathedral of Our Lady Saint Anne - Experience the spiritual essence of Santa Ana at the awe-inspiring Catedral de Santa Ana. Explore the city’s rich religious heritage and uncover the intriguing story behind this neo-Gothic marvel. Although the cathedral will be closed, its magnificent exterior and the stories of faith and community…
What's Included
  • Guide
  • A Local Beer or a Bottle of Water
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Curious about El Salvador’s rapid transformation?
Join Marlon, a local intellectual with a profound love for history, culture, and finance, on a 2–2.5 hour evening stroll through the historic streets of Santa Ana. This tour feels like chatting with an old friend, immersing you in local life as crime has decreased by 99% since 2015, revealing a city on…

Location
Parque Libertad
Avenida Independencia Sur
Go to the center of the park, and look for a guide wearing a black shirt.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(11 Ratings)
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1 star
Brandon_c
Jul 28, 2025
Marlon is the coolest guy... - Marlon is the coolest guy around. He is very knowledgeable of Santa Ana as he’s lived here his whole life.
Review provided by Viator
Menerie_m
Jul 18, 2025
Exceptional walking of Santa Ana - I can’t recommend Marlon’s night tour enough!! Marlon made the trip to Santa Ana well worth it and his deep knowledge of the culture in Santa Ana brought the city to life. He is very engaging, connected, and answered all of our questions.
Review provided by Viator
Nadia_k
Jun 4, 2025
Local insights! - Marlon’s tour provided great insights into the history of El Salvador, Santa Ana and life for people here under the gangs. I found it all very interesting and recommend for any traveler in Santa Ana. We ended with a local beer in a very cool speakeasy.
Review provided by Viator
P5491repaulk
May 5, 2025
The Most Authentic Night Walk ever, you'll learn about how Sta Ana recovered from gang violence - Walking through Sta. Ana in El Salvador at night with Marlon feels almost unreal once you know what this place was like not long ago. Marlon’s a genuinely kind guy, easy to talk to, and he knows this city’s story inside and out. But what really hits you is how he connects the painful past with the hope that’s now growing here.... I got to hear firsthand from Marlon about growing up during the worst of the gang violence. Back then, the whole city wasn’t just dangerous-it was terrifying. Gunshots were part of everyday life, and families lived in constant fear. It’s hard to believe now, but not long ago, walking these streets at night would’ve been unthinkable. The violence left deep wounds on the community, with so many stories of loss and hardship. Today, though, the change is striking..... Crime has dropped so much that a peaceful night walk is actually possible. The streets feel calm, and Marlon’s warmth makes it easy to imagine a future where Sta. Ana isn’t defined by violence anymore! It’s like visiting Berlin right after the Wall came down-a city reclaiming itself, full of cautious optimism. If this progress keeps going, Sta. Ana will mark a turning point, a moment future generations will look back on as when everything changed. Tourism will blossom, businesses will blossom. Marlon’s kindness and openness make this walk more than just a tour-it’s a glimpse into a city healing and moving forward. There is hope and positivity after decades of violence and Marlon shows it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
178kimberlyc
May 1, 2025
good - Marlon it's very nice, friendly and knowledgable when knowing the history of the area, we enjoyed our conversations and walk as he showed us around. thanks again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alex_n
Apr 2, 2025
Great opportunity to learn more about Santa Ana and El Salvador - Great opportunity to learn more about Santa Ana and El Salvador from a local’s perspective - discussing history, recent events, overall life in the country, or any other topic you are interested in - on this private tour. I learned a lot and would highly recommend this tour with Marlon.
Review provided by Viator
Sachah628
Mar 28, 2025
A night tour worth a visit - Marlon has a great culture and knowledge of his city and country. It was a pleasure to travel the city with him and to perceive the calm of Santa Ana after dark. This is a great way to get in touch with the culture of Santa Ana and understand the history of the city. Marlon is a caring and curious guide!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ralph_p
Feb 15, 2025
Marlon was very... - Marlon was very knowledgeable on the area/history of not only Santa Ana, but also El Salvador. Thanks!
Review provided by Viator
723coline
Feb 8, 2025
Amazing and educational! - Awesome tour with Marlon. He showed me how much has changed in a short time in El Salvador. He explained everything very well and I walked away with a ton of knowledge. I highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michal_r
Jan 10, 2025
Walk at night safely with a local - I had a wonderful time walking with Marlon. As an older woman traveling alone I loved being able to walk around the city at night. I had read The Volcano Daughters be the El Salvador writer Bailbrera, Marlon filled in historical details that explained the architectural and economic experiences. As we walked the streets that gang members so recently controlled I felt the deeply appreciated relaxation as the people are finally able get out and enjoy their town. El Salvador is a new country full of hope and they are lucky to have Marlon to help it grow.
Review provided by Viator
From $15
up to 8 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).