The smallest country in Central America is also one of its most mysterious and enigmatic—just like the misty cloud forests, smoky volcanoes, and black-sand surf beaches that it has become known for. If you’re looking for slow-paced things to do in El Salvador, dig into the country’s colorful cultural heritage by exploring its historical cities, mural-covered towns, and ash-preserved Mayan ruins. Don’t leave without trying the coffee, which is some of the best in the world.
Spring is undoubtedly the best time to visit El Salvador—especially if you are heading to the Ruta de las Flores (Route of Flowers) region and want to see it in all its floral glory. The most popular time of year to visit is the summer, while the warm and dry winter season tends to be better suited to enjoying El Salvador’s abundance of outdoor activities, including surfing and hiking volcanoes.
There are a few different ways to explore El Salvador, most of which depend on your budget and how much time you have. Private drivers are the best way to get around, but taxis, ride-sharing services, and tourist shuttles are also great options. Local buses tend to be slower than traveling by private car or shuttle, but they can be worth it for the fun factor alone.
Most visitors to El Salvador skip the capital, San Salvador, and head straight to El Tunco on the western coastline or up to Santa Ana and spend their time around the northwest. If time allows, the city of Suchitoto is well worth a visit, as is the southeastern coastline, where you’ll find wide, empty beaches along the Pacific Ocean. Nature lovers also won’t want to miss Montecristo National Park, where the monkeys and wildlife give Costa Rica a run for its money.
Attractions 29 | Tours 177 | Reviews 1,960 |
Yes, it may be less visited than other Central American countries, but there are still lots of things to do in El Salvador. While El Tunco has long been one of the region’s best-kept secrets, the rest of the country is opening up to tourism. Highlights include volcano hikes, Mayan ruins, great food, and warm, welcoming residents.
...MoreEl Salvador is best known for its pupusas, coffee, world-class surf, and volcanoes. It’s also one of the most affordable countries in Central America for tourists, plus there’s an array of things to do in El Salvador, including seeing spectacular coastline and visiting the Ruta de las Flores region.
...MoreEl Tunco is one of the most visited places in El Salvador and has long been a popular stopover spot for visitors making their way overland from Guatemala to Nicaragua. Just across the Guatemala-Honduras border, Santa Ana is another great tourist hub, offering historic architecture, steamy volcanoes, and Mayan ruins.
...MoreThe ideal length of time spent in El Salvador is between seven to 10 days, with your time split between El Tunco, Santa Ana, and the Ruta de las Flores region. If time allows, though, there’s plenty more to see, from Suchitoto to Alegría and Montecristo National Park.
...MoreEl Salvador has a reputation for being unsafe to travel to, but things have changed a lot over the last decade. Still, parts of the country and the capital are best to avoid—especially without a local guide and after dark. However, many destinations are tourist-friendly.
...MoreYes, but it’s rather limited. Most of El Salvador’s nightlife scene is in San Salvador and El Tunco, where many Salvadorans party on weekend trips. In many other parts of the country, including Santa Ana, you’d be hard-pressed to find evening entertainment past 9pm.
...More
