Surfing, Volcanos and Pupusas
This backpacking El Salvador travel guide gives you tips on activities to do, route suggestions, budget and safety tips to help you plan your trip to this special country!
El Salvador, a country often overlooked because of its violent history and for not being directly on the most traditional Gringo Trail. However it has become a great option for backpackers! With world class surf along the coast, stunning hikes and rich history, there is something for everyone. Make sure you don’t miss out on the smallest country of Central America!
Routes
The most common routes in El Salvador for those backpacking Central America is to arrive from Guatemala. From Antigua it is quite easy to get to the coast or places like Santa Ana. With a stop in Santa Ana you can easily make your way to the likes of El Tunco for some surfing before continuing on to Nicaragua.
Another routes includes arriving from Honduras. Most common would be after a stop at the Copan Ruins. From there cross the border to El Salvador and make your way to the old colonial town of Suchitoto. Afterwards you can easily get to the capital San Salvador, before heading to Santa Ana or the pacific coast.
Visiting El Salvador is not always a logical choice in terms of route optimisation, but my recommendation for anyone wanting to hit all the countries in Central America would be the following: Head to Santa Ana from Antigua, before visiting El Tunco. From there head up through the capital to Suchitoto, and then cross the border to Honduras and Copan Ruins. That way you can head up to the Caribbean side of Honduras before making your way to Nicaragua.
If you don’t want to go up to Honduras (or you’re coming down from there), you can also get transportation from places like El Tunco to Nicaragua. I would suggest getting the boat if you have time and money, since you won’t have to pass through Honduras and do a double border crossing.
How much time do I need?
For El Salvador I recommend a week. It’s the smallest country in Central America and can be done in a couple of days if you’re only passing through. For example on the coast after Honduras or Guatemala to relax and surf for a few days, and then head to Nicaragua.
If you want to see more, about 7-10 days would be sufficient for visiting Santa Ana, Suchitoto and one of the beach towns on the pacific coast.
Top Activities in El Salvador
El Salvador offers activities for most people. Hiking in stunning landscapes with volcanos and cloud forests, surfing on world renowned beaches or enjoying some history with old architecture, this place is a hidden gem!
Here are some of my top activities for El Salvador!
Surfing
If you enjoy surfing then you can’t miss the surfers paradise in El Tunco! A great place to catch some waves, chill at the beach and enjoy good food and drink in this cool little town. El Tunco is also a good place to do some surfing lessons if you’re not a pro yet, with tons of schools around. There are also several small beach towns close by to check out as well!
Even if you don’t have any interest in surfing, El Tunco and the small towns close by are all perfect for backpackers with plenty of travellers, black sand beaches and plenty of parties!
Hiking
El Salvador, like its neighbours, has plenty of activities for those wanting to be active and see some stunning landscapes. Make sure you add in a stop to Santa Ana, from there you have access to several of El Salvadors most popular hikes. Cerro Verde, Izalco, and Ilamatepec are all located in the Cerro Verde National Park that is a short drive from the town of Santa Ana.
Ask your hostel or local travel agency for tour info, or catch an early local bus to the entrance and go explore for yourself! The entrance fee is only $3.
Colonial Towns
If you’re more into history and old colonial towns head to Suchitoto, a small town north of San Salvador. A town famous among Salvadorians, with a few good museums about the civil war as well as an art museum. There are also options to hike to the surrounding lake and waterfalls if you fancy spending more time in nature.
Enjoy some local food in the colourful streets of Suchitoto before checking out the central market for some shopping!
Budget
El Salvador is a great option for backpackers on a budget. By staying in dorms, eating mostly local food and using local transportation you can expect to spend about $30-40 a day. If you plan on doing some more expensive activities you should budget a little more. Also this does not include a lot of drinking, as this always increases your spending. If drinking is a big part of your travelling, make sure you account for it!
Food
Food is pretty cheap in El Salvador, and you can expect to get a big plate of local food for about $3-5. This includes rice, beans, and a choice of meat. Popusa is the national dish and can be found for about a $1. These are thick tortillas with cheese, beans and meat (optional), and a great way to stay full on a budget!
Drinking can easily eat up your budget so try and buy in supermarkets instead of at bars. If you decide to go to a bar look for one with promotions to save some money.
Accommodation
Most hostels in El Salvador are about $10-15 for a night in a dorm. These include free Wi-Fi as well as breakfast a lot of the times. For hotel rooms plan to spend at least $40-50 for a night.
Transportation
Local buses will take you anywhere in El Salvador and for no more than a few dollars. These are painted old school buses and go by the name of “chicken buses”.
Another common way of going between cities and even onward to other countries is shuttle buses. These can be booked through your hostel or with a local travel agency. It’s a comfortable way of getting to your next location with fellow travellers, although it does cost a little more than the local buses.
If you want to go to Nicaragua afterwards, there is an option for a shuttle and a boat ride to avoid having to pass through Honduras. This is a more expensive option and only runs twice a week, but if you can time it I’d say it’s worth it. Doing a double border crossing can be a pain in the ass, and makes for a LONG travel day.
When to go
The best time to visit El Salvador is during the dry season between November and April. If you don’t mind the heat and humidity, the shoulder season between April and May is great to avoid crowds and for meeting more local people, although you might get more rain pouring down as well.
Between May and October is the rainy season and offers the best time for surfing. Keep in mind if you’re a beginner and want to learn this might not be the best time to try, as the pacific coast of El Salvador turns quite professional.
Safety
Safety in El Salvador is changing by the minute. Since the new president came in, the majority of gang members and leaders have been imprisoned. As a result, El Salvador has never been safer to visit for tourist, and feels even safer than some of its neighbours. Nonetheless, certain areas especially in the capital San Salvador should be avoided, but these areas are usually not part of any backpacking route. As with all travel, some precautions are advised as described in the safety tips below. Also never travel without travel insurance!
Safety Tips:
- Always have some cash at hand in case someone wants to rob you. Better to hand over a few notes than to be caught with nothing or lose your credit card.
- Always keep your valuables safely on you on night buses and never put your backpack in the overhead compartment.
- In large crowds be careful with your belongings. Things in your pocket can easily be taken, but also smaller backpacks, bum bags etc. Make sure you secure them to avoid pickpockets in these situations.
- Do not wander around alone at night in places you are not familiar with. If you have to, stick to well lit streets as much as possible. Preferable where there are more people. If you need to use your phone for maps, do it discreetly and never wave your phone or wealth around.
- Don’t wear flashy things and leave your expensive jewellery at home.
- Bring a padlock and use the lockers in hostels for all your valuables.
- Be careful with how much you drink, accepting drinks from others or the use of drugs. There are many stories out there, so try not to overdo anything unless you have people with you to take care of you.
By taking some precautions you will be fine in El Salvador, and come back with wonderful memories of this beautiful little paradise.
Resources
So, are you ready for an adventure to El Salvador? Here are some of the resources I personally use when I travel. Great value and support, in addition to the best deals out there!
BOOKING – The best place to book accommodation. In my experience the site with the best prices, deals and selection. Perfect for a budget traveller.
HOSTELWORLD – The best place to find hostels, and also has group chats for all your bookings and places you’re going to make it easier to meet people. Perfect for solo travellers!
SKYSCANNER – When I need to find the cheapest days and ways to fly somewhere, Skyscanner is always the first place I go.
GET YOUR GUIDE – A massive marketplace for inspiration and booking of tours and activities for each place you visit.
AIRALO – What I use to stay connected on the road. A slightly more expensive option than buying local sim cards, but nothing beats having e-sim installed and ready to go as soon as you cross the border.
Some links may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn commission from products or services I recommend. For more, see disclosure.
