Top things to do in El Salvador! Despite of its small size, our country has a greatly diverse terrain – national parks, tropical beaches, colonial style towns and a fascinating gastronomy – that surely offers a little something for every traveler.
Whether you are a soft adventurer, a hardcore surfer, a nature seeker or just a curious traveler desiring to discover a little bit of our essence and culture, at El Salvador you will find what you are looking for. Its small size allows you to explore many destinations in a short period of time.
Beach lovers traveling along the Pacific Coast should head to La Libertad palm-fringed coastline for sun and surf the waves of El Tunco or El Zonte.
Nature lovers should stay at the mountain areas such as El Imposible or at along the Pacific coast should pay a visit to Jiquilisco Bay venturing inland to zip line above the coffee plantations of Ruta de las Flores and hike Santa Ana Volcano.
Whether you seek sun, nature or adventure, there is much to discover in this litlte paradise or as the Mayan said “Cuzcatlán” -Land of preseas.
From adventure activities to local artisans workshops, you can select the best experience for you! These are our selection of the Top Things to do in El Salvador:
7 top things to do in El Salvador
Therese are top experiences we recommend if you are traveling to El Salvador with family, friends or by yourself!
1. VOLCANO & MOUNTAIN HIKES
El Salvador is located in the Pacific Fire Belt; has just 20 thousand square miles and we can find along the territory several both active and dormant volcanoes and related phenomenon with this volcanic activity like hot springs and volcanic lakes.
– Santa Ana Volcano –
The most popular trip is the Santa Ana volcano hiking or also known as Ilamatepec, with 2381 meters is the higher point in El Salvador in the lake and volcano complex, the ascension is moderate and takes around 3 hours from the visitors center, enjoy stunning landscape views of Izalco volcano and from the top the beautiful Coatepeque Lake and the most famous stamp the turquoise lagoon inside the crater.
– San Vicente Volcano –
San Vicente or also called Chinchontepec volcano, less explored than Santa Ana is a great spot in the east of El Salvador. From San Vicente city is necessary to take a 4×4 vehicle for going towards the base of the mountain and from starts the hiking to the top, there you can appreciate amazing views of Jiboa valley and Ilopango lake. Difficulty is moderate but could take around 6 hours and descending you will pass through a harmless volcanic gas fume field known as Los Infiernillos (little hell) due the perceptible higher temperature.
2. NATURAL PARKS AND RESERVES
Protected areas in El Salvador still represent an important extension in the territory, despite the population growth and urban areas. It is possible enjoy this natural gem and get in touch with the nature visiting some of the most beautiful natural reserves in El Salvador.
–El Imposible-
This is the largest protected area in the country with 5 000 hectares and probably the one with major biodiversity. Close to the west coast we find this premontane forest, one of the last refugees for wild flora and fauna, mainly birds, small mammals and around 500 butterfly species. From the visitors’ center, the park offers different trail options, so you can take the most convenient according your condition and choose among interpretative trails, visit the viewpoints for magnificent landscape views or find the most hidden creeks and waterfalls.
– Cinquera-
The natural reserve in this municipality is an example of rural development through the protection of nature, free of metallic mining the local population decides to protect the local aquifer mantles and the environment. On the 80’s the town was affected by the civil war, and the lush forest around was converted in a bastion for guerrilla members, and nowadays the community offers guided walking into the natural reserve in a mixed for get stunning views of vegetation and vestiges of the past conflict narrated by survivors of it. Along the designed route, difficulty is light, and you can see water springs, creeks and the viewpoints offer sightseen of the forest and the Suchitlán lake. Very recommendable from Suchitoto.
– Jiquilisco Bay –
RAMSAR site since 2005, is the largest extension of saltwater and mangrove and the most important wetland habitat in El Salvador. Formed by numerous estuaries and canals, sand bars and beaches. It has a set of islands of different sizes, mangroves and seasonally saturated forests. The Jiquilisco bay is home of species of fauna in danger in extinction like caimans and visited by sea turtle. The landscape is framed by the volcanic chain in the east of the country. You can look for kayak or boat rides in the canals or participate in turtle conservation program and birdwatching.
3. ADVENTURE COFFEE PLANTATIONS – ZIPLINE AND BUGGIES (ATV)
The mountains of Apaneca in the west region of El Salvador are characteristic for its pleasant cool weather and perfect for coffee plantations, most of the hills are adorned with the beautiful green of thousand of these trees. Season for picking coffee beans is from October to late February when you can see the mature coffee and on beginning of winter on May it is possible appreciate for two weeks the beautiful white flowered. And always is a good moment for appreciate the coffee process and get a taste the famous salvadorean coffee cup and explore the lush plantations.
Apaneca is a small picturesque town in the famous Flower´s Route, surrounded by mountains and coffee plantations, has some colorful murals and a gorgeous local church in perfect white. From here you can explore coffee plantation by:
– Zipline–
From Apaneca take a 4×4 vehicle toward the start point , here you will walk around 05 minutes through coffee plantation to the first platform, your local guide will give you safe instruction and provide with a safety equipment (special gloves , helmet and harness) in the beginning you will practice with shorter stretches, the staff will be assisting you all time, and eventually you will take the longer ones until end the two thousand meters cable and fourteen platforms from you will have stunning views. Is recommendable bring comfortable shoes (no sandals). Feel the adrenaline rush!
– Buggies (ATV) –
More extreme! take an ATV vehicle. Go through the dirty roads outside Apaneca towards the Laguna Verde, this is a natural volcanic surface water with a stunning green color, you can appreciate the natural beauty around, and optional boat ride, swimming is not allowed. In an extended tour you can go to the Ninfas lagoon. For this tour you need to know how to drive only, receive a safety speech before the tour by the local guide and you are provided with safety equipment. The perfect extreme adventure.
4. SURF
Salvadorean Coast it is just a 300 km line laying over the Pacific Ocean, formed by volcanic processes thousand years ago is the reason because the sand has a gray and black color or have rocky fields.
Acclaimed by local and international surfers salvadorean waves are considered among the best in the world for practice this sport and El Salvador has converted in the brand-new destination for surfing. Specially La Libertad beaches have gained popularity and are the main reference for visit and practice surf, along the coast we find El Sunzal, San Blass, El Tunco and El Zonte, last two mentioned are the most popular, located just 50 minutes away from International airport, is common to find surf lovers practicing, sunbathing and enjoying the warm weather staying several days in the zone, around this places you will find board rentals, lodges, bar and restaurants and expert instructors, in case you are a beginner or want to start with surf.
If you are staying in San Salvador is easy go to the beach, since is just 50 minutes away by car, so you can arrange a one beach from the city or stay for the weekend.
More remote in the east of El Salvador, you will find also spectacular beaches with great waves. Punta Mango, Las Flores or El Cuco, less developed than La Libertad, but is possible find lodging in different categories, surf board rentals and local restaurants, located approximately 3 hours away from San Salvador and 2.5 hours from International airport.
5. KAYAK IN SUCHITLÁN
Even though Kayak was considered as sport, nowadays it has turned in a relaxing activity and practiced in many ways around the world, one of them is appreciate stunning natural sceneries through or surrounding landscapes by surface water as rivers, lakes or even the sea. In the north-center of El Salvador you will find the Suchitlán lake close from Suchitoto, this is the biggest artificial lake in the country in the pass of Lempa river between the mountainous relief of the zone.
The best time for take the kayak is during the dawn, early in the morning take the transportation to Puerto San Juan, where the experience starts, with the first signs of light begin the spectacle when the sun discover the mountains bordering the edge of the lake and you can appreciate magic islands as floating in the water, also you will see endemic and migratory birds awaking and flying and thrashing looking for food, is an amazing view.
No problem if you are a beginner or never have practiced kayak, local guides are very helpful and will assist you in every moment. At the end of the tour is possible visit a hot spring and swim for relaxing. It is great spend time in the morning and you can enjoy the rest of the day at leisure or exploring Suchitoto.
6. HOT SPRINGS & WELLNESS
Very close from Ahuachapán in the Flower’s Route area you can find an amazing place for visit and enjoy time at leisure. Ahuachapán is also known as the geothermal capital of central America due the Ausoles, this is a volcanic phenomenon where you can appreciate the heat coming from the inside of the earth in shape of craters with water boiling, steam and a strong odor of the different minerals, but inoffensive.
This resource is used for producing energy, but it is also utilized with touristic benefits; in Santa Teresa Hot Springs you can appreciate the biggest Ausol in Central America exploring the park, here you will also enjoy the forty pools of thermal waters and facilities, according the locals the water has a shock effect in the body due the temperature and allows the skin absorbs the minerals in the water with a curative effect and rejuvenating.
The complex offers also an spa, with massages or natural therapeutic treatments as the mineral mud, temazcal and mineral waters, which detoxify and firm the skin among other benefits.
7. SEA WILDLIFE INTERACTION EXPERIENCE
Nature is whimsical and unpredictable, so we can enjoy seasonally some beautiful experiences in an interaction with sea wildlife in El Salvador accompanied with local experts who will show you how to enjoy these amazing sightings. If you have the opportunity do not miss the following recommended activities:
– Baby sea turtle release-
.Four of seven known species of sea turtles in the world nest in the salvadorean coasts. From May to August but mainly in September thousands of female turtles visit the beaches for spawn and bury their eggs in the sand.
Many of NGO and national authorities have the job of watch over these natural processes and avoid the incorrect handle or the traffic of eggs for consumption, and promoting the tourism though the watching. From August to December, turtle eggs start their hatching process and we have hundreds of new baby turtles.
These babies are ready to be released to the sea to make their journey that will incredibly take from 12 to 20 years before returning to lay their eggs on the beach they were born. You can live the extraordinary experience of releasing a baby turtle to the sea, doing conservation tourism you contribute to the preservation of these beautiful animals and as support to the local communities dedicated to save the species.
– Whales and dolphins watching-
From October to February, the warm salvadorean coast are a hall for certain species of cetaceans. The most common the Humpback whales and common dolphins and it is a perfect opportunity for appreciate this incredible natural spectacle. Boarding a safe boat, it is possible to do it from some of Sonsonate department beaches, just one hour from San Salvador.
It is important follow the recommendation given by trained instructors. One of the first tips is not to throw food, do not use megaphones or other types of sound devices that alter the animal and not stand between a mother and her baby. The maximum observation of the species or group of cetaceans is 30 minutes; The animals cannot be followed if they move away from the boat nor will they be contacted by swimming, snorkeling or with an autonomous system. During this boat ride, it is also possible observe bird species and another sea fauna, and you can contribute with local families and projects.
