When someone says El Salvador, you probably wouldn’t associate it with a vacation. Most likely you have only heard of the not so nice aspects of the country. News FLASH! El Salvador has become a destination for the adventurers. The only question to you is, are you willing to join the adventure?
Dig a little deeper and be ready to find world class surfing, incredible volcanic hikes, delicious local food and meet the most friendly people of Central America.
In this post, we’ll take a look at 7 things you can strike off your bucket list by visiting El Salvador. Hopefully, it’ll make it easier to plan and make the most of your trip to this incredible country! Wether you are in hotel, residence or if you choose to elevate your time with diversified variety of affordable and unique vacation rentals in El Salvador, take advantage of making your trip in El Salvador one of the most unforgettable vacations in your life.
Hike on the Santa Ana Volcano
El Salvador’s location on the Pacific fire belt means it’s home to several active and dormant volcanoes. While it may sound scary at first, visiting volcanoes is a really exciting activity! The biggest of them all is the Santa Ana Volcano which stands at 2,381 metres above sea level, and a top activity for travellers to El Salvador is to scale the country’s highest peak.
Not only is it a rewarding and fun hike, but you can get incredible pictures of the turquoise lake in the centre of the crater. It may sound like a lot of work, but the climb is only 2 hours from the visitor centre, so you don’t need a lot of experience to enjoy this hike!
Release turtles on a black sand beach
If the volcano sounds a little too extreme, then why not try an activity at the other end of the scale?
This turtle experience is calm and tranquil, but every bit as rewarding! There are only 7 species of sea turtle in the world, and four roost on the Pacific coast of El Salvador. You’ll be able to help turtles get from their nests down to the sea, where you’ll be rewarded with a cool and refreshing swim as you wave off these magnificent creatures.
You can rest assured that by taking part in this activity that you’ll supporting preservation projects and local businesses. You can release sea turtles between August and January.
Visit the Pompeii of America
Few travelers know of Joya de Cerén, also known as the Pompeii of America. However, no trip to El Salvador is complete without visiting this incredible UNESCO World Heritage site – a pre-Columbian Mayan farming village that was buried in ash in about 600AD. No wonder it got that nickname!
Taking a tour in an air-conditioned vehicle is a great way to enjoy this Salvadorean marvel, as you’ll learn more about Mayan culture in the reason. You can also visit the Acropolis of San Andrés, which was an important religious and political centre before it was decimated by the Playón Volcano!
Learn how to make a favourite Salvadorean dish
Of course, with all of these exciting activities, you’ll probably be working up an appetite. And what better way to get to know a country’s culture and customs than through its food? Learn how to cook a food that’s so loved in the country that in even has its own national day on the second Sunday in November!
Make your pupusa – a thick flatbread with cornmeal or rice flour, before settling on a filling. The most popular are cheese, chicharrón(pork), refried beans, and squash. The cooking class is not something that just lasts for the day – you can then show all your friends and family back home how to create this delicious dish!
Catch some waves
Tunco means pig, and this beach gets its name for a large rock that resembles such a creature. However, that’s not why people come here (even though it is quite striking!) No, it’s a beach that offers some truly world class surfing, attracting surfers from all over the world! So, grab a board and catch some of those waves! If you’re a beginner and the sea looks a bit rough, you might still want to visit El Tunco. There are some great bars, restaurants, and cafes where you can sit back and relax – even if it’s just during a layover!
Take a unique souvenir home from a local indigo workshop
One of the key parts of El Salvador’s heritage is indigo dying, a true national icon of the country’s cultural identity! You’ll see it in all the shops, but how about going one better and learning how to make it yourself. You’ll leave with a souvenir that will be a forever reminder of your El Salvador trip! Not only will you have a great time, but you’ll be supporting local artisans and their families at such craft workshops.
If an indigo workshop doesn’t sound like your kind of thing, but you’d still like your own unique Salvadorean souvenir, then you could try a local painting workshop instead!
Rainbow Slide Adventure in El Salvador
Discover this vibrant giant rainbow slide nestled within Picnic Steak House, a mere 20-minute drive from San Salvador. Positioned at the base of the San Salvador volcano, also known as El Boqueron, follow the Monsenor Romero highway, exit on the 7th ave, ascend the volcano for approximately 10 minutes, and find the restaurant on the right side
El Salvador is safer than you think
Last but not least, it’s important to address El Salvador’s label as a dangerous country. It’s one of the main things that makes travelers think twice when choosing their Central American itineraries. While it’s important that you feel safe, you shouldn’t write El Salvador off completely.
Salvadorean Tours offer safe guided tours that have been carefully selected to safety, sustainability, and hygienic international standards. And do remember that all of the amazing activities on this list are well away from any risky situation. Instead, focus on the friendliness and hospitality of the locals, the natural beauty, and the incredible fun time you’ll have in El Salvador!
So, now that you know how to make the most of your vacation in El Salvador…
It’s time to book your trip. You won’t want to miss one of the most beautiful countries in the world, but if you’re concerned about safety or you don’t speak Spanish, don’t fear – there’s a solution! Check out Salvadorean Tours, a trusted and reliable tour operator which can help you do all the things above and more! You won’t regret visiting one of the jewels of Central America. We promise!
Gary Walker says:
We plan to arrive on March 8th, maybe the 9th, and leave on the 13th.
We prefer not to spend a lot of time driving and traveling to destinations.
We are interested in a city tour, maybe the day we leave or the day before
We are interested in Santa Ana hike or El Impossible hikes, and beach time or surf lessons. Are any of those close to San Salvador and each other?