The FMLN's headquarters during the civil war (1980–1992). The Museum of the Salvadoran Revolution displays weapons, uniforms, and a spy plane captured from the army. Tours led by ex-combatants who offer first-hand testimonies. Nearby is El Mozote, site of the 1981 massacre. "Perquín is the only place in El Salvador where you can hear the war from the people who lived it. The ex-combatants who give tours there were guerrillas. That changes the experience completely."
How do I get to Perquín?
Bus 332 from Terminal Oriente → San Francisco Gotera, then local bus to Perquín. Total ~4h. By car it's ~220 km, about 3.5 hours.
What is El Mozote?
El Mozote is a village 15 km from Perquín where the largest massacre of the civil war took place in December 1981. Today it has a memorial. A somber but important visit.
What to combine with Perquín?
Cueva del Espíritu Santo (45 min, 10,000-year-old petroglyphs) + Río Sapo + Cascada Las Pilas for a 2-day eastern El Salvador itinerary.