In the heart of Central America between Guatemala and Honduras lies El Salvador on the Pacific Coast, a country that might be small in size but is immense in its natural wonders. What makes El Salvador truly special? The fact that you can kick off your morning hiking a volcano, then switch gears to jet skiing on the lake with a lakeside lunch, and make it In time for a sunset seafood dinner on the beach. This El Salvador itinerary will help you experience the best of the best of the country. From thrilling activities to mouthwatering meals and luxury accommodations, it’s all here, in this comprehensive El Salvador travel guide.
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Best Places to Say in El Salvador
Because the country is so small, just over 8,000 square miles (the size of Massachusetts), it’s easy to stay in one location for the duration of your trip and take day trips to the top sites. If you follow my itinerary, most places are within 1 – 2 hours away from one another.
I recommend staying somewhere on the beach for most, or all of your stay, but will also recommend hotels on the lake or in the mountains if you’d like to switch it up for a change of scenery.
The most popular area to stay in El Salvador is a stretch of beach around the La Libertad department known as “Surf City” – a collection of small beach towns popular for its great surf. The most famous town here is El Tunco, which is most notably favored amongst surfers, backpackers, and young travelers. Next to El Tunco is another popular area called El Zonte, which is like the more relaxed and refined older sister to El Tunco.
Best Hotels in El Salvador for Luxury
If there’s one thing about me as a luxury travel blogger, it is that where there is luxury I will go; and where there is not – I will find it. While luxury does not come to mind for most when thinking about El Salvador, you may be pleased to find that there are several options for 5-star hotels scattered throughout the country. The 5-star standards may not be as up to par as more popular and developed Central American countries like Mexico and Costa Rica where options are plenty, El Salvador has come a long way in offering great accommodations that appeal to luxury travelers – and it’s only going to get better.
In this section I cover the best luxury hotels in El Salvador.
Mizata by Antiresort
Mizata, in my opinion is the top luxury beach hotel in all of El Salvador. Though it is located in a more secluded area about 45 minutes up the coast from the tourist area of El Tunco and Surf City, this eco-luxury property is a destination within itself. The small boutique hotel is situated on the black sand beach of Mizata, and offers both beach-front and jungle-facing treehouses and bungalows.
On the property, Nawi Beach House is a popular destination for hotel guests, visiting tourists, and locals alike, as they offer day passes to non-hotel guests to their beachfront infinity pool, beach bar, and complimentary horseback rides on the sand.
The hotel also offers surf retreats, yoga, and complimentary horseback rides on the beach. The rooms have a contemporary boho and eco-luxury decor with outdoor showers and bathrooms. I will say that the sound of the crashing waves can be loud at night which doesn’t not bother me, but may be troublesome for very light sleepers.
Click here to check rates and availability for Mizata by Antiresort
Best Hotels in El Tunco / El Zonte / La Libertad / Surf City
Because of its central beach location, Surf City El Salvador is a great jumping point to many day trips you can take in El Salvador. There are quite a few options for luxury and 5-star beach resorts in this area
Las Farallones
Las Farallones is one of the top hotels in the area. It is located on a quiet beach in La Libertad just outside of El Tunco. Despite it being a fairly small hotel, it has 4 swimming pools, including being one of the few properties with an ocean water pool, suspended on its cliffs. Many of the rooms come with balconies, some with hot tubs on them. Las Farallones also has a spa, which not all properties in the area provide. There is one restaurant on the property that focuses on seafood, but many restaurants nearby.
Best for: Couples, families
Click here to check rates and availability for Las Farallones.
Garten Hotel
Garten Hotel is another one of the popular top hotel. It is located on the quieter El Zonte Beach. It is a boutique resort with an infinity pool, spa, and a particularly beautiful penthouse suite. There is one restaurant and one cafe on the property.
Best for: Couples
Click here to check rates and availability for Garten Hotel.
Bocas Olas Resort Villas
If you want to stay in El Tunco to be in the center of the action, Boca Olas is the top luxury option. The property is located on the river that connects to the ocean, a short walk from the beach. The rooms are a little more traditional rustic here, and many come with outdoor balconies/patios with a hammock. There is no spa, but they are able to arrange a masseuse for in-room massages. What I especially like about Boca Olas is that there are two swimming pools — one with a swim-up bar and livelier atmosphere, and another more tranquil and quiet pool for relaxing. There is one restaurant on property and two bars. The location is where El Tunco begins, and connects to its main drag but is still very quiet.
Best for: Solo travelers, young travelers
Click here to check rates and availability for Boca Olas.
Palo Verde Sustainable Hotel
Palo Verde is an eco-luxury property in El Zonte with a high commitment to sustainability. They have various room types including suites with balconies, ocean views, and a loft for bigger groups. The hotel has a swimming pool and is within walking distance to many great restaurants in El Zonte, including one on-site that is popular but not affiliated with the hotel called Olor de Mar. They also have an on-site Spanish School which is particularly interesting.
Best for: Solo travelers, young travelers, surfers
Click here to check rates and availability for Palo Verde.
One Week in El Salvador Itinerary, 7 Days – Top Tourist Attractions in El Salvador
Save this interactive map I created to help guide you on your trip. Click the square in the upper righthand corner to expand.
Day 1 – Arrive at the beach
On the first day of your trip, you’ll arrive and settle in to your beach hotel. I really recommend kicking off your trip by staying at Mizata, and ending it around El Tunco, but if you plan to not change hotels during your entire week in El Salvador, then heading straight to Surf City is good, too.
The drive from El Salvador International Airport (SAL) will be anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on where you’re staying on the coast. It is advisable to rent a car as driving in El Salvador is quite straight forward.
Click here to book your rental car from the airport.
Spend your day settling in, enjoying your beachfront hotel, and relaxing, because the rest of the trip will be active and action-packed.
If you arrive on the morning between Thursday and Sunday, I recommend stopping for breakfast at Cafe Canegue.
Fun Fact: El Salvador is the only country in Central America with only a Pacific Coast and no Caribbean coastline. Due to the volcanic activity, the beaches have black sand and the water is warm and clear, making it very enjoyable to swim in! Just be aware of rocky areas and strong currents.
Day 2 – Ruta de las Flores
Driving time to Ruta de las Flores from Mizata: 1.5 hours
From El Tunco: 2.5 Hours
The Ruta de las Flores, or the “Route of the Flowers,” is a picturesque journey through the mountains of El Salvador, inviting travelers to immerse themselves in the natural beauty, cultural richness, and charming colonial towns that adorn this scenic route. Stretching approximately 36 kilometers through the country’s western highlands, the route is best known for its flowers, produce, coffee plantations, and traditional towns.
The journey typically begins in the town of Sonsonate and meanders through the villages of Juayúa, Apaneca, Ataco, and Ahuachapán. Each town along the Ruta de las Flores has its own unique character, offering visitors a blend of local crafts, street markets, and colorful murals.
What to do on the Ruta de Las Flores:
Concepcion de Ataco: Known more casually as just “Ataco,” this is the most popular and loved town on Ruta de las Flores, so if you plan to visit only one, Ataco should be it. Admire the colorful murals as you wander around the local markets and central park before making your way to Casa 1800 Hotel Ataco for lunch in their lush and picturesque garden restaurant.
Santa Teresa Hot Springs / Termales de Santa Teresa: Near the town of Ataco, immerse in the natural thermal pools of the Santa Teresa geyser. Here you will find natural hot springs pools of various temperatures, mud baths, and spa services.
Cafe Albania: For something more adventurous, visit the Cafe Albania adventure park in the town of Apaneca. The park’s most popular attractions are the bicycle zip line, giant hedge maze, and a very tall rainbow slide, all to the backdrop of the lush mountainside. (There is another famous rainbow slide 20 minutes outside of the capital city San Salvador, at a restaurant called Picnic Steakhouse.)
This highly-rated tour takes you through the best of Ruta de las Flores!
Day 3 – Cerro Verde National Park, Santa Ana Volcano, Lake Coatepeque
Driving time to Cerro Verde from Mizata: 1.5 hours
From El Tunco: 2 Hours
Cerro Verde National Park & Santa Ana Volcano Hike
On day 3 of your El Salvador Trip, you’ll wake up early to hike the active Santa Ana Volcano in Cerro Verde National Park. The park is situated between the Santa Ana, Izalco, and Cerro Verde volcanoes. Each of these volcanoes contributes to the unique volcanic landscape of the area. The Park opens at 8:00, and the tour groups usually hike around 11:00am, so time it wisely.
Fun Fact: El Salvador is known as the "Land of Volcanoes" due to its remarkable concentration of volcanoes within its relatively small territory. There are around 20 active volcanoes.
The Santa Ana Volcano hike is about 2 hours to the top, where you will be rewarded with views of the fluorescent green crater lake. The hike is easy-to-moderate difficulty, and most people in average physical condition can complete it.
Cerro Verde is mostly known for the volcano hike, but if you’re looking for other activities, the area is also known for its coffee farms. I did a coffee tasting and tour at Finca Campo Bello, which is a great property if you want to spend the night glamping in one of their igloos.
For lunch in Cerro Verde, I recommend Casa 1800 Hotel, with the option to stay over night. Otherwise, continue on to Lago Coatepeque.
Lago de Coatepeque
This pristine volcanic lake is located about 30 minutes outside of Cerro Verde National Park. It is dotted with hotels and villas Here, you can spend the afternoon swimming, on boat tours, or my personal recommendation – jet skiing, which you can rent from your hotel if you plan on spending the night, or from Captain Morgan Hostel. You can jet ski the whole perimeter of the lake in about an hour.
If you would like to go on a guided hike and trip to Lake Coatepeque, I recommend this highly-rated tour.
Tip: I had the best pupusas in the entire country at the night-time-only pupusa stand called Pupuseria Santa Lucia in Santa Ana, about 30 minutes outside of the lake.
(Optional) Tazumal Ruins
Archeology fans will appreciate a visit to the Tazumal Archeological Park. Located about 30 minutes from Coatepeque (or an hour from Cerro Verde), the site features well-preserved Mayan ruins, including pyramids, platforms, and residential structures. Tazumal was once part of the ancient Mesoamerican city of Chalchuapa and is believed to have been a vital center for trade and cultural exchange.
Optional overnight accommodations in Cerro Verde or Lake Coatepeque
You may wish to spend the night in either Cerro Verde or Lake Coatepeque in order to split up days/activities (or both if you’d like to add a day to your itinerary.) If you are looking for solitude in nature, stay in Cerro Verde. If you are looking for more things to do, stay on the lake.
Top luxury hotel Cerro Verde: Casa 1800 Cerro Verde
Casa 1800 Cerro Verde offers visitors a quiet escape in the mountains. There is no pool or spa, but offers the best volcano views, and their restaurant is very popular.
Top luxury hotel Coatepeque: Cardedeu / Cardedeu Residence
Cardedeu and Cardedeu Residence are two separate luxury properties on the lake. The accommodations are modern with beautiful lake views, an infinity pool, and restaurant.
Day 4 – San Salvador & Surroundings
Driving time to San Salvador from Lake Coatepeque: 1 hour
From Cerro Verde: 1.5 hours
From Mizata: 1 hour 40 minutes
From El Tunco: 1 hour
Day 4 of your trip will consist of exploring the capital city of San Salvador, which is the country’s biggest city. Here are the top things to do in and around San Salvador – choose your own adventure!
El Centro Historico
The Downtown historic center of “old San Salvador” is a reflection of its Spanish colonial past. You may want to take a tour of the area, or visit the Art Museum in nearby Panchimalco. If you are there in the evening, take a quick drive over to Planes de Rendero for pupusas, the best ones served by Pupuseria Abby.
Recommended tour: City Tour San Salvador
Zona Rosa / San Benito
This is the most trendy area of San Salvador, particularly the neighborhood of San Benito where you will find some of the city’s best gastronomic restaurants and emerging bar scene. Two of the top restaurants include El Xolo and Brutto.
Los Chorros
About 30 minutes from San Salvador are the natural pools surrounded by tranquil vegetation of Los Chorros, where you can take a refreshing dip in the park’s natural setting.
El Jardin Botanico Plan de la Laguna
About 20 minutes outside of the city is the botanical garden that sits at the bottom of a volcanic crater. The lush gardens and pond make for a peaceful escape from the busy city.
El Boqueron
About 30 minutes outside of San Salvador is where you can find the short but beautiful hike up the crater of San Salvador volcano.
Lago de Ilapongo
About 20 minutes from San Salvador is El Salvador’s biggest volcanic caldera lake. The permitter of lake Ilapongo is not as developed as Lake Coatepeque, but it is an absolutely beautiful place to have lunch and enjoy the views at Las Tres Piedras, which is also one of the most beautiful hotels if you’d like to spend a night.
At this point, if you have not already been staying around El Tunco, it’s time to switch hotels to spend the rest of your trip in Surf City. After your day in San Salvador, make the ~ 1 hour drive to the El Tunco or El Zonte beach hotel of your choice.
Day 5 – 7 – Surf City El Salvador – El Tunco, Sunzal, & El Zonte
The rest of your trip will be spent on the beach in surf city. Here are the top things to do in El Tunco and the surroundings:
Hang out in El Tunco
El Tunco is a tiny laidback beach town, with one main alley-like road that meets the boardwalk. By day, people are out surfing, spending time on the beach, and dining or shopping at the various restaurants and boutiques. By night, El Tunco becomes the go-to area for nightlife, with the several options for bars and clubs that are enjoyed by both tourists and locals alike. El Tunco strikes me as unique for being one of the few places where the main tourist hub is also the area where locals enjoy going out.
Go surfing or take lessons
As a world famous surf destination, El Tunco is as good of a place as ever to learn how to surf. You can’t walk more than a block without stumbling on a place where you can find a surf instructor. You may even wish to join one of the many surf and/or yoga retreats.
Spend time at the beach
While many of the beaches around El Tunco are quite rocky, two of the most beautiful beaches that are great for both swimming and surfing or just relaxing are Playa San Blas and the less populated Playa de Shalpa. Sunsets on the beach in El Salvador are especially magical.
Taminique Waterfalls
About 25 minutes from El Tunco is a popular day trip to Taminique, where you can hike, swim, and cliff jump off beautiful waterfalls.
Recommended tour: Taminique Waterfalls from El Tunco.
Fun Fact: Bitcoin is an official currency of El Salvador, after the US dollar. Bitcoin is widely accepted in the country, especially around Surf City. While locals typically do not use Bitcoin, there a growing community of expats who live in El Salvador because of the cryptocurrency.
Best Restaurants in El Tunco & El Zonte, Surf City
I will admit that El Salvador is not quite ready to be considered a hot spot for foodies, as the cuisine is very simple and limited in most parts of the country; but the ingredients are fresh and the pupusas are amazing all throughout the country. In San Salvador and around El Tunco is where you’ll find the most variety of options for restaurants, with fresh seafood being the star.
Tip: Prevent food-related traveler's sickness by taking this natural supplement.
Like in all my travel guides, I like to recommend local cuisine as much as possible. You’ll always find at least one very popular Asian restaurant or Mediterranean restaurant in nearly every tourist hub, but I believe to make the most out of your trip you’ll want to eat the local cuisine as much as possible.
Betos – One of the most popular seafood restaurants in the area with great ocean views. In between El Tunco and El Zonte. Go for sunset!
Malecon Fish Market – The local fish market with over 20 vendors and restaurants selling fresh seafood and ceviche at the pier of La Libertad. Arrive in the morning!
Pupusa Geisy (or Jeisy) – The best pupusas in the whole area, found in El Zonte.
Olor Del Mar – A refined seafood restaurant on the property of Palo Verde but independently operated.
Pargos the Ocean Grill – A more casual seafood restaurant in El Tunco located at Pargos hotel. Sit on the second floor for views of the ocean.
La Bonita Beach Club – A spacious and trendy-looking beach club restaurant on the boardwalk of El Tunco that is lively particularly at night.
Restaurante Erika – A typical El Salvadoran and seafood restaurant loved by locals (and tourists!) in El Tunco.
Capt. Cook – A small ceviche and seafood joint in the heart of El Tunco.
Canegue Cafe – A cafe in El Zonte that serves an amazing brunch Thursday – Sunday focusing on a changing menu of fresh, local ingredients.
Pupuseria La Guanaquita – The best pupusas in El Tunco.
Dale Dale Cafe – A good casual place to grab breakfast in El Tunco.
Mr. Coffee – The best place to grab a quick coffee when you need a pick-me-up in El Tunco.
Tip: Remember that Pupuserias in El Salvador are typically open at night only and are cash only.
El Salvador Travel Tips & FAQ
How to get to El Salvador / How to get around El Salvador
El Salvador is a great destination to visit from the US because there are direct flights offered from many cities including Los Angeles, New York, and Miami to El Salvador International Airport (SAL), with major airlines like United, Delta, and Avianca. The flight time is between 3 – 5 hours depending on departure city, making it a great alternative to Mexico or Costa Rica.
Once in El Salvador, most points of interest are within 1 to 2 hours away from one another. The best way to get around El Salvador is by renting a car, although there is Uber in the major tourist areas as well as a good public transportation system, as well as the infamous Latin-America chicken bus.
Best time to visit El Salvador / Weather in El Salvador
El Salvador has a year-round tropical climate with a wet and dry season.
High Season/Dry Season – November to April:
Weather: This period is characterized by dry and warm weather, making it a popular time for travel. Daytime temperatures are generally comfortable, ranging from the mid-70s to mid-90s Fahrenheit (24-35°C).
Low Season/Wet Season – May to October:
Wet Season (May to October):
Weather: The wet season brings increased rainfall and higher humidity. While rain showers are common, they often occur in the late afternoon or evening, leaving mornings for outdoor activities. Daytime temperatures range from the mid-80s to mid-90s Fahrenheit (around 29-35°C).
The Wet Season is a popular time for surfers as as the Pacific coast experiences consistent swells.
In both the wet and dry seasons, the weather in the mountainous regions such as Santa Ana, Cerro Verde, and Suchitoto can be 10 degrees or more cooler.
Is El Salvador safe for tourists?
What once was considered one of the most dangerous countries in Central America is now one of the safest, thanks to President Bukele who has majorly reformed the country. Of course, you should always exercise basic precautions most anywhere you travel, including being mindful of your valuables and not walking around off the beaten path late at night.
How much does it cost to travel to El Salvador?
5-star hotels in El Salvador typically begin around $150 but can be double the price during peak/high season, particularly around Christmas and New Years. Hotels will be your greatest expense.
You can rent a car in El Salvador for around $25 a day.
Meals are very affordable, typically no more than $10 – $15 a person, while pupusas usually cost no more than $1 – $1.50. Domestic beers are usually around $2.00.
Entrance to national parks and other tourist sites are usually not more than a few dollars.
Have anymore questions about traveling to El Salvador? Leave me a comment or contact me directly. Happy travels!
El Salvador
The land of volcanoes and bitcoin, the size of Massachusetts, and damn good pupusas.