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📍 Plan Your Trip to El Salvador: Where a Local Guide Sends Every Friend
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items I'm Jorge, a local guide with Surf Side Tours, and we run private tours in every place on this list. These are the spots I'd send any visiting friend to: the surf towns of El Zonte and El Sunzal, the Santa Ana volcano and Lake Coatepeque, and the cof...
Sections
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Where to Stay: Surf Beaches
Where to Stay: Volcanoes & Coffee Towns
Pack for El Salvador
Book Your Adventure with Surf Side Tours
Where to Stay: Surf Beaches
A jungle hotel with a pool on the hill above El Zonte, right in the middle of where we run tours: our El Tunco & El Zonte beach day and Peñón de Comasagua hike both finish in El Zonte, and the Tamanique Waterfalls are just inland.
El Xalli Hotel, El Zonte
A budget-friendly favorite in El Zonte with excellent guest reviews. From here it's a short ride to our Tamanique Waterfalls tour, a jungle hike to waterfalls and natural pools just inland from Surf City.
Hotel Michanti, El Zonte
Sleep in a glamping tent right on the beach in El Zonte. Our El Tunco & El Zonte beach tour ends the way every day here should: watching the sunset behind the rock at El Tunco.
Almare Zonte Beachfront Glamping, El Zonte
A small, highly rated hotel in El Sunzal, one of the best-known waves on the coast. New to surfing? We run private, beginner-friendly surf lessons at nearby San Blas, great for friends and families.
Mirasurf Hotel & Waves, El Sunzal
Resort villas on the La Libertad coast, great for families and groups. La Libertad is one of our pickup areas, so it's an easy base for any of our private tours, from offshore fishing to volcano hikes.
Boca Olas Resort Villas, La Libertad
Where to Stay: Volcanoes & Coffee Towns
Cozy rooms with fireplaces and volcano views up at Cerro Verde, between the Santa Ana and Izalco volcanoes. Stay here before our Santa Ana Volcano & Lake Coatepeque tour, a crater hike with huge views, then time at the lake.
Casa 1800 Cerro Verde
An upscale stay on Lake Coatepeque, the giant blue crater lake below the Santa Ana volcano. It's where our Santa Ana Volcano & Lake Coatepeque tour finishes, so you can hike the crater in the morning and stay by the water.
Cardedeu Coatepeque Residence, Lake Coatepeque
A charming boutique hotel in Juayúa, home of our Seven Waterfalls of Juayúa tour with swimming in natural pools. Want a hidden gem? Nearby are La Golondrinera and El Caracol, two secret waterfalls near Nahuizalco, one of them 65 m tall.
Los Cuatro Olivos Hotel Boutique, Juayúa
A boutique hotel in colorful Ataco on the Ruta de las Flores. Use it as a base for our highland adventures: an ATV ride through the green hills around Ataco, ziplines in Apaneca, and coffee with the Santa Teresa thermal waters.
Casa 1800 Ataco Hotel Boutique, Concepción de Ataco
Pack for El Salvador
Waterproof without a case, so you can film your waves, waterfall jumps and fishing catches in El Salvador. Bought straight from GoPro.
GoPro HERO13 Black Action Camera
A light, simple daypack for volcano hikes, waterfall trips and beach days. Big enough for water, snacks, sunscreen and a rain jacket, and it packs flat in your suitcase.
REI Co-op Flash 22 Daypack
The sun here is strong all year, even on cloudy days. A mineral SPF 50 is a smart pick for long days on the beach, the boat or the trail. Reapply after every swim or surf session.
Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion
Visiting between May and October? That's rainy season, with short, heavy afternoon showers. A packable rain shell keeps you dry on hikes and city walks without taking up space.
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket (Men's)
Book Your Adventure with Surf Side Tours
This is us! Every place on this list is somewhere we take guests. All our tours are private and include transport, entrance fees and a local guide, with pickup in San Salvador, La Libertad or Santa Ana and airport transfers too. Message us on WhatsAp...
Surf Side Tours: Private Adventures in El Salvador
Our most popular day: a private hike up to the Santa Ana crater for panoramic views, then time at Lake Coatepeque. About 6 hours, up to 4 guests, with transport and entrance fees included.
Santa Ana Volcano & Lake Coatepeque
A full day on the surf coast: El Zonte's laid-back beach and surf-town vibe, then El Tunco to watch the sunset behind the famous rock. Private, with transport included.
El Tunco & El Zonte Beaches
Follow the Juayúa waterfall route on the Ruta de las Flores and swim in the pools along the way. About 6 hours, private for up to 4 guests.
Seven Waterfalls of Juayúa
Our favorite hidden gem: two secret waterfalls near Nahuizalco that most visitors never find, including a 65 m drop. About 6 hours, private for up to 4 guests.
La Golondrinera & El Caracol
A private boat for up to 4 guests, 8 to 9 hours on the Pacific chasing mahi-mahi, tuna, wahoo and sailfish. Check our fishing gear lists if you want to bring your own setup.
Offshore Fishing Adventure
Want to mix beaches, volcanoes and waterfalls in one trip? Tell us your interests, dates and group size and we'll send you a private plan and price on WhatsApp. We also do airport pickups to your hotel or Airbnb.
Custom Tours & Airport Transfers