Things to do in El Salvador – Why This Tiny Country Needs to Be on Your Bucket List

Have you ever wanted to play spin the globe? Needed a vacation so badly that you picked a country at random that was just the cheapest to fly to on any given day (Thanksgiving, in our case)? We did, and I highly recommend it. There’s no greater rush than going somewhere you’ve not just never been before but know absolutely nothing about.

It was also our mini-moon. I often wondered why more couples didn’t do a pre-wedding honeymoon to make sure their travel styles were compatible. We’ve been on plenty of trips together in the US, but international just adds an extra element of stress, and you just want to make sure you jive before a longer sojourn, so to speak.  

We paused to assess when our proverbial roulette wheel landed on El Salvador. Flights were only $350 roundtrip, and it was only two hours from Houston – cheaper and easier than going home to the Midwest for the holidays. Could this be the magical unicorn destination we sought, or was it destined to be too good to be true?

I immediately Googled “Is El Salvador” safe? El Salvador is one of those countries you probably know nothing about yet has a bit of a reputation, as with Central America in general, a popular trope over the past decade. Sure, they’ve had their share of socio-political issues, but where hasn’t they in this day and age? Everything I read said the government was making massive strides to turn the crime around, and they were heavily investing in economic development and tourism infrastructure like the new Surf City boardwalk, enough that we were convinced it was no worse than anywhere else. The reality is that a safe place is largely up to your personal comfort level. I never felt unsafe there once – quite the contrary, actually.

While stereotypes might exist, El Salvador is a country rich in culture, stunning landscapes, and warm-hearted people. From its pristine beaches along the Pacific Coast to its lush greenery and captivating historical sites, it offers an authentic experience that defies preconceived notions and an experience of incredible beauty, remarkable cuisine, and a spirit that welcomes visitors with open arms.

For those looking for somewhere undiscovered and who like to be the first in the know, El Salvador is blessed with a similar habitat as neighbors like Nicaragua and has the same incredible ecotourism potential as Costa Rica did years ago – a relatively untapped landscape of wild jungle and green as far as the eye can see, crashing waves, rolling hills, verdant volcanoes.

The best way to get around El Salvador is by renting a car – roads are in good condition and easy to navigate, despite the comfortable amount of chaos you’d find in any foreign country. It’s also the best way to get to the ever-popular roadside coconut stands.

Here are the best things to do in El Salvador once you get there:

Visit the World Class Surf City Beaches

A string of beaches connecting Ahuachapán, Sonsonate, La Libertad, La Paz, San Miguel, and La Unión, you won’t find white sand here but rocky volcanic beaches with some of the best waves in the world that host many global surf competitions. Ride the amusement rides at Sunset Park (everyone needs that signature Ferris wheel photo op) and visit the Mercado del Mar, the massive fish market. You can even spot baby sea turtles during hatching season (September-November)!

Stay: Mandala Eco Villages

Want to feel like you’re in Bali for a fraction of the cost? This is it. Chic eco huts nestled in nature, it’s an uber-private resort with just seven villas and sexy outdoor showers. Enjoy the infinity pool overlooking the ocean as the sound of crashing waves rocks you to sleep as you meander the elevated boardwalks and scenic water features or relax in your private hammock.

Admire the Brilliant Blue Waters of Lake Coatepeque

Ecotourism lovers – this is for you. A natural volcanic crater-shaped wonder, the brilliant blue water changes from turquoise to rich aqua based on the light. If you can handle the dirt road, that is, it takes to get there. Circumventing the lake, there are restaurants with scenic overlooks and plenty of watersports to indulge. We enjoyed jet skiing on the calm, flat waters and a sunset speed boat ride, but there’s also kayaking, standup paddleboarding, the list goes on.

Stay: Equinoccio Hotel

Another uber-exclusive hotel that would be beau coop bucks anywhere else, Equinoccio is a modern and sleek boutique resort with an infinity pool and dock for watersports overlooking Lake Coatepeque. The food is excellent, and it feels like a private oasis.

Hike a Volcano 

Outdoor enthusiasts, this one’s for you. The largest national park in El Salvador, Cerro Verde National Park is not for the faint of heart but totally breathtaking if you’re up for the challenge of an all-day hiking endeavor. Known as the “Holy Trinity,” you can see the three neighboring volcanoes while submitting Santa Ana, that reminded me quite a bit like the one I scaled in New Zealand.

You must go with a guide, and English instructions are few and far between, but if you’re willing to go with the flow, you’ll figure it out. You’ll meet at the tourist information center in the parking lot, and groups leave for the different routes at varying times in the morning before it gets too hot (we were told conflicting information, but I’d get there by 8 or 9 am to be safe) with two options of trail difficulty. Be warned, though, the “easy” longer, flatter route is by no means a walk in the park – the supposedly 4.5-mile loop takes on average 3-5 hours with 1,600 feet of elevation gain. It ended up taking us ex-out of shape Coloradans six hours, with our step counters saying 7.2 miles… even so, it was #worthit for the views.

Tips: 

• Bring cash (at least $15 per person) – there are varying fees for parking, guides, entrances, a snack stand at the base, and popsicles for sale at the summit.  
• Wear sunscreen – there are some forested sections, but you’re exposed a lot of the time at altitude, and we got super fried.
• Bring plenty of bottled water – everything I read said it’d be cool and windy at the top and to bring layers – when we went, it was quite the opposite – caliente, caliente.
• Go at your own pace – There were tons of people in our group (like 50!), but they spread out eventually. We had one guide at the front, middle, and back of the pack, so you were never on your own (albeit not the friendliest guides I’ve ever encountered and had to seriously tell the dude to chill. I will take breaks when I need to take breaks).
• If you don’t want to hike all the way back down, you can hitch a ride on their “chicken bus” (crammed with dozens of your new friends standing on the back of a sketchy pickup), which will take you from the park entrance to the parking lot for $1.
• The pupusas in the parking lot are some of the best you’ll have in the whole country – and taste even better because you earned them.

Stay: Casa 1800 Cerro Verde

The only hotel that sits on the volcano as part of the national park complex, this is luxury with a view. Even if you don’t sleep here, the hotel has an excellent restaurant that makes it a popular lunch spot if you prefer a sit-down restaurant to the street stalls outside. Since you’ll likely want to get an early start this morning, it pays to be so close, and the shower will feel extra nice when you return dusty and disheveled.

Drive the Ruta de Flores, the “Route of Flowers”

The Ruta de Flores is one of the most well-known tourist regions in El Salvador, if not Central America. Five picturesque colonial towns connected by one scenic highway about 20 miles long, you could spend your entire trip exploring just the colorful and vibrant region west of Santa Ana Volcano. Each has its own attractions and charm, from waterfall hikes and hot springs to street eats and coffee plantations.

Don’t Miss:

• Apaneca – As adrenaline seekers, the highlight for us was undoubtedly the famous Café Albania, where you’ll find TikTok and Instagram famous attractions like the aerial bike and surf zipline labyrinth, rainbow slide, and winged photo op (which is actually a drop swing, we learned that the hard way!).
• Juayua  – Is best known for “La Feria Gastronomica,” an outdoor weekend street fair full of food stalls that takes place in Parque Central or “Central Park.” You’ll find a dizzying array of barbecue meats and seafood plates that each smell better than the next, with dozens of market vendors to choose from. It’s also home to “Seven Waterfalls,” a popular six-hour hike you also need a guide for.
• Ataco – Admire the murals and street art, which the area is famous for; embark on a coffee tour or relax at Santa Teresa Hot Springs. Casa De Graciela is centrally located in Ataco, and we enjoyed wandering the cobblestone streets, peeking into cafes, shops, and galleries.

Stay: Casa De Graciela

A boutique hotel that looks like it was plucked right out of Europe, Casa De Graciela is appointed in antiques, from rotary phones to classic cars and vintage rifles. Part gallery, part museum, you’ll want to wander around every well-manicured and landscaped corner. The bath products are five-star, and the restaurant there was the best meal we had on the trip.

Did you know? There’s actually a second rainbow slide in El Salvador that’s closer to the airport in San Salvador at a restaurant called the Picnic Steak House. We chose to visit the one at Café Albania because there were so many other attractions there.