Copinol Segundo, Chinameca: Rural Tourism, Coffee and Nature in San Miguel, El Salvador
This is part of the coffee beans produced at Finca San Francisco.
The community of Copinol Segundo, located in Chinameca, San Miguel, El Salvador, is a hidden gem that combines coffee tradition, breathtaking landscapes, and the warmth of its people. At the heart of this community stands the San Francisco Coffee Farm, a project that seeks to rescue history, generate economic opportunities, and promote sustainable tourism 🌱
Where is Copinol Segundo?
Copinol Segundo sits at an altitude of 1,200 meters above sea level, with a mild and humid climate perfect for coffee production. From here, you can enjoy spectacular views of the Lempa River Valley, surrounded by forests, streams, and rich biodiversity.
The area is also home to geothermal hot springs like “La Viejona” and “Los Hervederos”, historically used for their therapeutic mineral waters
Coffee Heritage and Local Identity
The beating heart of this community is coffee culture. The Araniva family, founders of San Francisco Coffee Farm in the 19th century, pioneered high-altitude coffee cultivation, wet processing, and early sustainable practices.
Today, this heritage thrives in every shade-grown coffee plantation, where native trees, orchids, and migratory birds like toucans, hummingbirds, and tanagers coexist
Life in Copinol Segundo
Although there are no official population figures at the canton level, Copinol Segundo is a small rural community with several hundred to a few thousand inhabitants. Daily life revolves around family farming, raising animals, handicrafts, and religious traditions.
Local artisans are known for crafting hammocks, ropes, and cords made from nylon, often organized in community cooperatives
👉 Despite its cultural richness, the community faces challenges such as limited access to drinking water, poor road infrastructure, and a lack of decent jobs. For this reason, rural tourism represents a real opportunity for development, giving a new economic boost to the region.
Rural Tourism Experiences
The tourism project at San Francisco Coffee Farm offers unique and immersive experiences:
🦜 Bird and landscape observation tower: panoramic views with universal accessibility.
⛺ Accommodations: we will partner with nearby business to stay in eco-friendly place with solar energy and dry toilets.
☕ Coffee route: from bean to cup, including artisanal coffee workshops.
🌳 Eco trails: hikes through forests, natural viewpoints, and historic colonial sites like early-1900s stone washing basins
Impact on the Community
This rural tourism model is designed to:
Create jobs for women and young people in hospitality and conservation.
Promote local crafts and traditional products.
Strengthen the coffee identity of the region.
Attract both national and international visitors.
In the next few years, the project expects to welcome more than 600 rural tourists annually, generate over $25,000 in revenue, and directly benefit at least 15 local families
A Sustainable Future
The project not only focuses on tourism but also on environmental conservation:
Use of eco-friendly materials in construction.
Reforestation and preservation of shade coffee forests.
Responsible water and waste management.
Environmental education for visitors and locals
Conclusion
The community of Copinol Segundo in Chinameca is more than just a rural destination. It’s a place where coffee heritage, natural beauty, and community spirit come together to offer an authentic and sustainable experience.
Visiting this region means supporting a model of tourism that boosts the local economy, protects the environment, and preserves the cultural roots of El Salvador. 🌱☕🌄