Best El Salvador Tour

Welcome to El Salvador! On arrival at El Salvador International Airport, meet your driver guide who’s been waiting with a welcome board at the exit area and will escort you to the well-selected hotel in downtown San Salvador.

Your hotel sits in the upscale business center, so it is as safe as houses. If it’s still daytime after arrival, maybe wander far to explore around by yourself. There’s nothing to be afraid if you meet armed police, who are stationed here to protect the region and are friendly to tourists, but it might be sign that you should not be here at night. You may tackle your dinner at the hotel’s restaurant at your own expense and try the national dish Pupusa, a kind of corn cake dating from the Maya times. Remember wherever you are, don’t drink tap water which is usually contaminated unless boiled.

►  Money Tips in El Salvador:
1. Both US dollars and bitcoins are official currencies in El Salvador, but only a few merchants would adopt the latter. El Salvador was the first country to designate bitcoin as a legal currency!
2. When withdrawing money from ATMs, you’ll be charged service fee between USD 3-5 per transaction. If using a VISA card, your withdrawal is free at Banco Hipotecario, one of the best banks in El Salvador.
3. It’s very necessary to prepare some small bills like $1, $5, $10, and $20 for small transactions. Credit cards are widely accepted except by small vendors and buses, and we have to remind you that cash is king here!

Accommodation: Barcelo San Salvador (4 stars) or similar

El Salvador, however a small country, is dotted with over a hundred volcanoes making it the globally-famous ‘Land of Volcanoes’. In the morning, we will firstly drive half an hour to the El Boqueron National Park, to meet the second largest volcano of El Salvador, the San Salvador Volcano. The prime sight is the lush crater 1.5 km (0.9 mi) wide. We’ll first explore a small museum at the base to get you a comprehensive knowledge about the volcano, before climbing a route you choose to the viewing platform. The hike doesn’t require too much efforts as the trails have been paved with tourist-friendly rest stops. You’ll breathe brisk air and encounter many wild animals and rare plant species like Calla Lilies and Hibiscus on the way. On the top of the crater, also discover a panoramic view of the San Salvador city.

During your lunch break in downtown, perhaps get a refreshing taste of local coffee at one of the countless coffee houses at your own expense. Coffee plants just thrive in the fertile volcanic soil, so you see why El Salvador makes the best coffee in the world!

The afternoon will see us on our city tour of San Salvador, the capital city, and the cultural and the financial center of El Salvador. With a knowledgeable guide, you’ll delve into its historical center to learn the colonial and earlier history of this city and even the whole country. Reminiscence about the ‘First Cry of Independence’ of El Salvador at Plaza Libertad, the celebration of the end of the Civil War at Plaza Barrios, and the moving story of an assassinated bishop and national hero at Metropolitan Cathedral… Visit architectural gems like National Palace, Iglesia El Rosario, and National Theater. Listen to your guide’s fascinating storytelling, while watching lively life scenes unfold. To round it off, transfer to Plaza Salvador del Mundo to take a look at the Monument to the Divine Savior of the World, the icon of Salvadoran identity.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Barcelo San Salvador (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, we will drive around 1.5 hours to Suchitoto, the symbol of El Salvador’s cultural traditions. Suchitoto had been home to the Pipil, the ancestors of most of indigenous people in this country, in the pre-Colombia era. It also played an important role during the Spanish Conquest, the Independence War, as well as the Civil War. Of all the cities, Suchitoto is the one where to experience the best-preserved colonial heritage. Upon arrival, you’ll be immediately arrested by an old-world vibe that remains for its somewhat isolated location. We’ll walk the cobbled streets and pass by low-rise houses to visit Iglesia Santa Lucia, a typical colonial building that has witnessed many hardships of Salvadorians. Set off by the forests behind, its white imposing structure is a stunner. Later, find the best position to overlook the Lake Suchitlan, artificial yet attractive, especially when numerous birds migrate here during winter. You’ll also visit the house of Alejandro Coto, the first film director in El Salvador. If you’ve watched some of his old Latin movies, this tour would be more impressive!

In the afternoon, visit an Indigo Workshop. Indigo, a deep blue, is obtained from grinding a namesake plant. The tradition of using it to dye pottery or cloth was handed down from thousands of years ago. As the seeds were extremely precious for the 17-century Europeans, who regarded blue pigment invaluable, they were also hailed as ‘blue gold’. With your guide’s help, learn from local artisans the dying process and traditional techniques of textile production. You’ll also relish some hands-on experience! The last on today’s agenda is Los Tercios Waterfall in a serene landscape. This hidden natural wonder is cascading down an expanse of basalt columns, which are a scenery of its own if it’s dry season. Stay overnight at Suchitoto.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Los Almendros de San Lorenzo (4 stars) or similar, Suchitoto

Today will be the highlight of your El Salvador best private tour. In the morning, get up early in excitement and be picked up to witness more volcanoes of El Salvador and the Mayan ruins. Drive around 1.5 hours to the rainforest of Cerro Verde National Park and start hiking before 11 am as officially required. We’ll hike up to the Santa Ana Volcano, the highest volcano of the country. During this 4 hours’ adventure, you will savor the incredible sceneries of Lake Coatepeque and the Izalco Volcano, as well as spot many magical species of creatures along the way－orchids in a garden, the hanging fuchsia flowers, and the national bird torogoz. Halfway through, choose to climb an interesting platform on a big tree canopy for sweeping views of the surrounds sometimes cloaked in clouds. The most exhilarating part would be the walk on the crater rim, which embraces a fluorescent green lake. The road up is steep with rocks, but it’ll worth it all! We have to remind you that you’ll find a private guided tour very necessary, as first of all, you need a licensed guide to be allowed in the park, and you'll be glad to avoid an on-site group tour of up to 40 tourists, which just ruins your experience.

In the afternoon, journey back to the Mayan times at Tazumal Archaeological Park in the town of Chalchuapa. Translated as ‘the pyramid where the victims were burned’, Tazumal is a series of pre-Colombian Mayan ruins. We’ll discover tombs, pyramids, palaces, a sophisticated drainage system, and even a ball court. This is where you’ll explore the highest pyramid of El Salvador, as well as a boulder with petroglyphs of the Olmec, the mother civilization of Mesoamerica. Interestingly also, the relics once unearthed from here indicate that Tazumal had done trading business back in the Mayan days, with regions as far as Mexico and Panama! Finally, transfer to and spend a night in Concepcion de Ataco.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Casa 1800 Altaco Hotel Boutique or similar, Concepcion de Ataco

Today, let’s go all the way down the Flower Route, or Ruta de Las Flores, the most scenic route in El Salvador where we’ll discover picturesque towns with strong Salvadorian vibes and natural beauties. The Concepcion de Ataco we are now in is the liveliest of all－street murals are everywhere and there are stalls selling local handicrafts and traditional instruments, which you may collect as souvenir. Apaneca enjoys invigorating expanses of lush coffee plantations. Juayua is the biggest town, and if today falls on weekends, you’ll join locals and vendors spilled from plazas to side streets celebrating the food festival, during which you must try their atoll de elote, a traditional Mesoamerican drink made with corn and milk. Nahuizalco will charm you with rich indigenous Pipil culture and we’ll explore a market here loaded with local fruits and creative handicrafts like knitted bags, baskets, and petates. We’ll also meet some lakes and waterfalls along the way. In the late afternoon, go south towards the coastal town El Tunco, the world-famous surf mecca, and check in at the beach hotel.

► Recommendation for Dinner (at your own expense):
You are encouraged to drop by Loroco Bristo behind your hotel! The creative chef and owner has managed to merge Salvadorian ingredients to international dishes. He’s passionate, speaks English, and can tell you the history of loroco, a native plant species and a popular ingredient. Specialties here are pizza and burgers made with Pupusas.
Average cost per person: USD 10-15
Address: Calle principal, Plaza Tunco Town playa, El Salvador

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Roca Sunzal (3 stars) or similar, El Tunco

After breakfast, we’ll head all the way east on the 300 km (186 mi) Salvadorian coastline towards La Libertad, a port town. The scenery en route presents the essence of local seaside life. Under the towering coconut trees, you’ll chat with your guide about everything that’s El Tunco, observe families and kids play by the sea, appreciate beautiful hotels or homestays dotting everywhere, and above all, feel the soft black sands iconic of El Salvador. Stroll the broad malecon by the long pier in La Libertad, watch native fishing life, and enjoy some eye-opening experience at a seafood market.

► Recommended Activities for Free Afternoon (Self-Financed):
There are restaurants in the seafood market of La Libertad, and if interested, try the local specialties of ceviche and minuta, a marinated cold fish dish and a kind of ice cream. You may kayak out to nearby islets or head to the east end to explore spacious sea caves. Back in El Tunco, well, go surf! No matter you are a newbie or not, you can always find a class here that suits you best. The town is teeming with surfing programs everywhere, with each around $35 and lasting 60-80 minutes, usually providing surfboard and sunscreen for free. Make sure you’ll have an English instructor. For the beginners, come during the dry season (November - April); for old hands, challenge yourself during the wet season (May - October)! The water off El Sunzal near your hotel, with only sands and no reef underwater, is one of the most popular surfing spots. We wish you luck to see turtles and whales jumping out of the water when you surf.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Roca Sunzal (3 stars) or similar, El Tunco

Seize the golden hours for surfing in the morning, and join locals or people from all over the world to feel the water! You’ll have new friends quickly who you’ll make the ‘shaka’ pose with. If you are more of an introvert, you’ll love El Palmarcito and El Zonte a little far to the west, the quieter surfing paradises with perfect waves all year around for both beginners and advanced surfers. The mango season is during February and March, so at these times you’ll encounter free ripe mangos on the ground. You may also ask your guide where to rent a scoot to explore beachfront roads and hidden beaches.

We recommend you lunching at the top-rated Esquina la Comadre in downtown, where you can enjoy Salvadoran cuisine and acclaimed seafood like shrimp soup and fish tacos with warm service, and an average USD 5 to 10 will get yourself contentedly burping. As the sun goes down, order a drink at the Monkey La La Bar and enjoy an epic sunset on their patio over live music. On weekends, linger to mingle in the nightlife at Playa El Tunco before your hotel, where parties continue until the wee hours.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Roca Sunzal (3 stars) or similar, El Tunco

You are suggested departing later today to maximize your visit to El Tunco. You may further stroll the tiny town to discover colorful corners, tick off all the street murals, browse specialty boutiques... For nature lovers, hop on a ride northwards of half an hour and hike 20 minutes in the wild to enjoy the Cascadas de Tamanique Waterfalls. We’d say that the No.4 Waterfall is the most splendid, which flows down into a big, limpid swimming hole. But if you are an energy keeper, just find a peaceful tidal pool to jump in and then go on a last-minute exploration of local food. According to your departure time, your driver guide will send you on a one-hour ride to the El Salvador International Airport in advance. We wish you a pleasant flight home!

By now you’ve probably fallen in love with this piece of Central America. If you want to enjoy more, why not prolong your time and let us add more attractions or more countries of this region? Guatemala beats all for its indigenous culture. Honduras is where to experience a mélange of Mayan heritage and Caribbean flavors. Drop by Mexico for a feast of cultural diversity and gastronomy. Moreover, these countries all boast world-famous Mayan sites, the legendary ones!

Meals: Breakfast