Best beaches in El Salvador. El Salvador is a beautiful country dotted with volcanoes, rainforests, and beaches. The coastline of El Salvador stretches for nearly 400 miles (650 km) and has some of the best beaches in Central America.
The most visited beaches are located within an hour’s drive of San Salvador, but there are some hidden gems if you’re willing to explore. Here are 20 of the best beaches in El Salvador:
This travel guide will help you get to some of the best beaches in El Salvador, whether you’re buying a one- or two-week vacation or planning a surf trip for your summer vacation.
Not all beach destinations in El Salvador are created equal, so it’s important to consider the number of beach options and their proximity to San Salvador when planning your vacation.
From balmy, secluded coves to sunny, family-friendly stretches of sand, El Salvador’s beaches present a wide variety of options. The number one way to spend a bright, sunny day in El Salvador is on a beach.
The sheer number of beaches makes the country one of the biggest beach destinations in Central America. Here are some of the best beaches you can visit while traveling to El Salvador.
The best beaches in El Salvador
El Salvador is a Central American country with many natural wonders. The country is known for its beautiful beaches, but here are some of the best ones that you can visit:
Playa El Sunzal: This gorgeous beach is located in La Libertad, and it’s a great place to relax and take some time off. It’s surrounded by palm trees, and there are several restaurants nearby if you want to eat something before or after your swim.
Playa El Tunco: This beach is located on the Pacific Ocean and is one of the most popular destinations in El Salvador. It’s an ideal place for surfing and swimming, but due to its popularity, there can be some overcrowding during peak season (December–April).
Playa El Zonte: This secluded beach has calm waters, making it perfect for those who want to relax without having to deal with many people around them. There are also some restaurants nearby where you can eat lunch or dinner afterwards.
Playa Santa Lucia del Mar: This beach has clear water and soft sand, which makes it ideal for swimming or even snorkeling if you want. The water here is calm and shallow, making it a good choice for families with small children.
There are also several restaurants along the beach, including El Pescador and La Cueva del Pirata. In this article, I also list 20 El Salvador beaches you need to see.
Read more articles: How to Pack Eggs for Backpacking?
Map of El Salvador
Points to keep in mind
- El Salvador’s Top 20 Beaches
- 1. El Zonte
- 2. Playa El Cuco
- 3. Barra de Santiago
- 4. La Costa del Sol
- 5. El Tunco
- 6. Port of La Libertad
- 7. Los Cóbanos
- 8. El Sunzal
- 9. El Majahual
- 10. Las Flores Beach
- 11. Bahia de Jiquilisco
- 12. Playa Los Almendros
- 13. Playa El Tamarindo
- 14. Playa Acajutla
- 15. San Salvador
- 16. La libertad
- 17. Acajutla
- 18. La Union
- 19. Tamanique
- 20. Sonsonate
El Salvador’s Top 20 Beaches
The best beaches in El Salvador are located on the Pacific coast, where the country’s largest city, San Salvador, is situated. The beach at El Tunco is one of the most popular in the country and attracts an international crowd looking to surf and relax on the sand. Other popular beaches include El Cuco and Playa El Imposible.
El Salvador’s beaches are largely unspoiled and undeveloped, with only a few hotels and restaurants lining their shores. The best way to experience them is to rent a car or motorcycle from San Salvador and explore them independently.
1. El Zonte
El Zonte is a beach located in the municipalities of Acajutla, La Union, and Sonsonate. It is a beach with white sand and crystal-clear waters. It has good infrastructure and services.
It offers many activities for tourists, such as snorkeling or diving on the reefs around it. Also, there are bars and restaurants close to the beach where you can eat typical food (fish soup) or international dishes at a good price.
The beach has many accommodations and restaurants nearby. It is an ideal place for those who want to relax, enjoy a good meal, and spend the day at the beach.
The beach is located in a small village called Playa del Coco, 10 minutes from the center of Acajutla. You can take a taxi or public transportation (a minibus) to get there. The cost is approximately $1 USD per person.
There are many places to visit in La Union and Sonsonate. There are beautiful colonial cities like San Juan Opico, Santa Ana, Tejutla, and Acajutla.
There are also beautiful beaches such as Playa del Coco, El Sunzal, or El Majahual. Also, there are many archaeological sites, such as Tazumal and Joya de Cerén. I recommend visiting these places if you travel to La Union and Sonsonate.
2. Playa El Cuco
Playa El Cuco, which is located in the municipality of Santa Ana in El Salvador, is one of the most popular beaches on the country’s Pacific coast. It is a beautiful beach that offers all types of water activities, such as swimming, surfing, and fishing.
This beach also has calm waters, and you can enjoy an amazing view from its rock formation over the ocean. You can do snorkeling or diving here if you want to explore underwater life more closely.
Here you will find many local vendors selling fresh fish from their boats at this place, so don’t forget to taste some delicious seafood while spending time at Playa El Cuco!
3. Playa El Sunzal Playa El Sunzal is another beautiful beach on the Pacific coast of El Salvador that you can visit while traveling to this country.
This beach has calm waters and offers many activities such as swimming, surfing, and fishing. You can also do snorkeling or diving here if you want to explore underwater life more closely.
Besides these activities, you can also stroll along the beach and enjoy its beautiful view. You will find many local vendors selling fresh fish from their boats at this place, so be sure to try some delicious seafood while spending time at Playa El Sunzal! 4.
Las Flores beach Las Flores Beach is located in Santa Tecla, which is one of the most important cities in El Salvador. This beach has calm waters and offers many activities such as swimming, surfing, and fishing.
3. Barra de Santiago
The beach of Barra de Santiago is located in the department of La Libertad. The main access to this beautiful beach is by boat or car from La Libertad.
The coastal area has an extension of about two kilometers and has fine golden sand with a few rocks and pebbles, which are covered by water during high tide.
This is one of the most popular beaches for surfing in El Salvador because it offers good waves for beginners, intermediates, and advanced surfers.
Along with surfing, you can enjoy other activities such as fishing, swimming, snorkeling, or diving (in underwater caves).
There are several restaurants and hotels near the beach that offer a variety of food and drinks. The nightlife is also very popular because there are several bars where you can enjoy the beautiful sunset while listening to music or drinking an ice-cold beer.
4. La Costa del Sol
La Costa del Sol is a beach in El Salvador that sits on the Pacific Ocean. It is located in the La Libertad Department, about an hour’s drive from Santa Ana, and is well-known for its surf spots.
The white sand beach stretches for miles along a gently sloping coastline, making it one of the longest beaches in Central America. The water is usually clear and calm, with waves only coming from storms, which are infrequent here.
There are several accommodations, including hotels, hostels, and bungalows, along this stretch of coastline, offering everything from dorm rooms to private villas (pictured).
The beach is great for swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and fishing. There are also plenty of other activities nearby, including horseback riding, hiking, and water sports such as wakeboarding.
The beach is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including dolphins, sea turtles, pelicans, and many species of fish. It’s a popular spot for scuba diving as well.
5. El Tunco
El Tunco is a sleepy beach town on the Pacific coast of El Salvador. It’s not too touristy, but it still has plenty of options for food, drinks, and entertainment.
The best part about El Tunco is that you can walk from one end of town to another in less than five minutes; it’s small enough for everyone to know each other and make friends with locals if you want.
The best beach in El Tunco is Playa Grande, which stretches along a sandy peninsula called Punta Roca. There are no hotels here; you can camp or sleep at one of the hostels along the beach, so it feels like your own private paradise.
The water is calm enough for children to swim here; I saw families building sandcastles on some days and sunbathing on others while I was there! If you’re looking for a more adventurous beach experience, head over to Playa El Sunzal.
This beach has plenty of vendors selling food and drinks, as well as hammocks and lounge chairs for rent. You can also rent SUP boards or snorkeling gear here if you want to explore the surrounding waters.
6. Port of La Libertad
The Port of La Libertad is a seaport in El Salvador. It is located in the municipality of La Libertad, east of San Salvador and northwest of La Unión.
The United States Army Corps of Engineers built the port so that it could be used by commercial and military ships from all over the world. This was very important during World War II.
The Port of La Libertad has been declared an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports a population of over 5,000 birds that nest or winter there.
Birds include white-throated toucanets, great curassows, blue-crowned motmots, tanagers, and others. The port also serves as a popular tourist destination since it offers views of Lake Ilopango and nearby rural areas.
The United States Army Corps of Engineers built the port so that it could be used by commercial and military ships from all over the world. This was very important during World War II.
The Port of La Libertad has been declared an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports a population of over 5,000 birds that nest or winter there.
Birds include white-throated toucanets, great curassows, blue-crowned motmots, tanagers, and others.
7. Los Cóbanos
Los Cóbanos is a small town with a population of about 1000 people. The beach is surrounded by hills and mountains on one side and large rocks on the other. It’s also popular for surfing, so be prepared to see some strong waves!
The best part about this beach is that it has plenty of hotels, restaurants, and shops nearby if you want to spend more than just a day relaxing in El Salvador.
If you want to enjoy some more activities while visiting Los Cóbanos, then there are many tours that can be booked, such as horseback riding or snorkeling tours!
The water is warm and calm, perfect for swimming. There are also some rocks in the sea that you can walk across if you’re feeling brave!
The beaches are not very big, but there are plenty of places to sit down with friends or family and enjoy the sunshine. The town of Los Cóbanos is a small town with a population of about 1000 people.
The beach is surrounded by hills and mountains on one side and large rocks on the other. It’s also popular for surfing, so be prepared to see some strong waves!
The best part about this beach is that it has plenty of hotels, restaurants, and shops nearby if you want to spend more than just a day relaxing in El Salvador.
8. El Sunzal
Sunzal is a small town in the department of La Union in El Salvador’s southeast.It is a popular tourist destination because of its white sand beaches and proximity to Santa Ana.
The beach is not very big, and it has some rocks by one side, but there are enough places for people to sit down and enjoy themselves.
There are plenty of restaurants along this beach, as well as many hotels for you to stay in if you want to be close by when you’re not on your day out at this beautiful spot!
Sunzal is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a relaxing day out on the beach. The water is warm and crystal clear, making it perfect for swimming or snorkeling.
The town itself has plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, and hotels to keep you occupied if you fancy doing some shopping or eating out.
Sunzal is a small town in the southeast of El Salvador, located in the department of La Union. It is a popular tourist destination because of its white sand beaches and proximity to Santa Ana.
The beach is not very big, and it has some rocks by one side, but there are enough places for people to sit down and enjoy themselves.
There are plenty of restaurants along this beach, as well as many hotels for you to stay in if you want to be close by when you’re not on your day out at this beautiful spot! Sunzal is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a relaxing day out on the beach.
9. El Majahual
El Majahual is a small beach town in La Union. It is one of the most popular beaches in El Salvador, and it’s easy to see why: it’s a great place to relax, enjoy the sun, and get away from it all.
There are also many hotels and restaurants nearby that you can stay at if you want to spend some time there. The beaches in La Union are famous for their fine white sand and clear water.
Majahual Beach is no exception: the sand is soft and pure, and the water is crystal clear. If you want to enjoy yourself in this paradise, then this place is definitely for you!
The water is very shallow, which makes it safe for children and people who are not good swimmers. There are also some small reefs that you can explore if you want to see more marine life.
The beach is not too crowded, and there aren’t many people around, so you have plenty of space to relax or play in the water. Majahual Beach is a great place to get away from it all.
There are no cars or traffic, just the sound of waves and birds in the air. It’s a great place to enjoy some peace and quiet with friends or family.
10. Las Flores Beach
This beach is in the municipality of La Union, on the Pacific Ocean.It is a tourist destination with beautiful landscapes and sunsets. The sand is also beautiful, and it’s perfect for relaxing and spending time with your family.
The beach has been named after its flora, which includes many different types of trees that grow along its shoreline. There are also some hotels nearby if you decide to stay overnight at this beach as well!
The beach is perfect for swimming, surfing, and snorkeling. It’s also great for walking along the shoreline and exploring different parts of the beach.
You’ll find many trees growing along this beach, as well as beautiful birds that live in them! There are also some hotels nearby if you decide to stay overnight at this beach as well!
11. Bahia de Jiquilisco
Bahia de Jiquilisco is a bay that can be found on the Pacific coast of El Salvador, near the city of La Libertad. The bay has beautiful beaches and a rich ecosystem full of birds and other native species.
The bay’s main attraction is its coral reefs, which are surrounded by tall mountains. It’s also popular among tourists who want to spend their days swimming in the clear waters.
The bay is also famous for its beaches, which are lined with palm trees and white sand. The water has a turquoise color that makes it a popular spot for snorkeling and scuba diving.
There are also many fish species that can be found in the area, attracting divers from all over the world. The main attraction of the bay is its coral reefs, which are surrounded by tall mountains.
The bay has beautiful beaches and a rich ecosystem full of birds and other native species. It’s also popular among tourists who want to spend their days swimming in the clear waters. The water has a turquoise color that makes it a popular spot for snorkeling and scuba diving.
There are also many fish species that can be found in the area, attracting divers from all over the world. The bay is also famous for its beaches, which are lined with palm trees and white sand.
Read more articles: Can You Take Eggs Backpacking?
12. Playa Los Almendros
Playa Los Almendros is located in the eastern part of El Salvador, in the municipality of Acajutla. It is a popular destination for surfing, fishing, and scuba diving.
This beach has white sand and clear blue waters that are perfect for swimming or simply relaxing on your vacation. The seaside town of Los Almendros is also home to many restaurants that serve fresh seafood, as well as a number of bars and cafes.
There are many activities you can do while visiting this beach, including renting kayaks or jet skis. You can also enjoy the beautiful sunsets at one of the many restaurants located near the beach.
The beach at Los Almendros is open year-round and has lifeguards on duty during the summer months. The beach has many amenities, including restrooms and showers. There are also places to rent umbrellas and chairs if you want to enjoy the sun without getting burned.
The beach at Los Almendros is very popular and can get crowded during the summer months. If you want a more secluded experience, it’s best to visit during the offseason or early in the morning before all of the tourists arrive.
13. Playa El Tamarindo
El Tamarindo is located in the Santa Ana department and is one of El Salvador’s most popular beaches. The area has become a mecca for surfers from all over the world, thanks to its consistent waves and stunning sunsets.
The beach itself is lined with palm trees, making it feel like you’re in paradise when you’re not actually in paradise.
You’ll want to pack your board if you plan on surfing here! Playa El Tamarindo also offers other water sports such as kayaking and snorkeling, making it easy for anyone who loves to get out on the water.
If surfing isn’t your thing but you still want some action-packed fun while at this beach, there are plenty of places nearby where you can rent jet skis or boats to explore the area (and maybe even catch some fish!).
If you’re looking to get some sun and sand while in El Salvador, then Playa El Tamarindo is the perfect place to spend a day. It’s easy to travel here by bus or car from San Salvador, so it won’t be difficult for you to make this one of your stops on your trip.
Read more articles: Rainbow Beach in Australia
14. Playa Acajutla
Playa Acajutla is one of the most popular beaches in El Salvador. It’s located in the department of La Union and is home to a turtle sanctuary, which can be visited by tourists at night.
The beach has a long stretch of golden sand and clear blue waters. There are several hotels located around Playa Acajutla, making it easy for you to find accommodations while you’re there!
The best time to visit Playa Acajutla is during the dry season. This is because there are fewer crowds, making it easier for you to enjoy your stay. The beach has calm waters and clear skies, making it a great place for swimming.
There are also several hotels around Playa Acajutla, making it easy for you to find accommodations while you’re there! The best time to visit Playa Acajutla is during the dry season.
This is because there are fewer crowds, making it easier for you to enjoy your stay. The beach has calm waters and clear skies, making it a great place for swimming.
There are also several hotels around Playa Acajutla, making it easy for you to find accommodations while you’re there! The best time to visit Playa Acajutla is during the dry season.
15. San Salvador
The beach at El Tunco is a hit with surfers, who come to take advantage of the region’s strong waves. The sand is soft and golden, and there are plenty of hammocks for relaxing in between rides.
At night, when the winds die down, you can enjoy a bonfire on the beach or go dancing at one of El Tunco’s many bars and clubs.
To get here from San Salvador, drive south on CA-1 for about an hour (around 100 kilometers), then turn left onto CA-2 toward Ahuachapán.
After another 25 kilometers or so, turn left onto CA-191 toward Puerto de La Libertad; after about 40 kilometers, you’ll see signs for Punta Roca Larga—that’s your cue to turn right and follow that road until it ends at Playa El Tunco.
If you’re looking for a place to stay in El Tunco, we recommend the Hotel Casa del Sol. It’s an eco-friendly hotel with beautiful rooms that have air conditioning and Wi-Fi. The staff is friendly and accommodating, and there’s even a pool onsite!
Read more articles: Backpacking with Eggs
16. La libertad
La Libertad is a municipality in El Salvador. The town is located in the northwest of the country and has a population of about 84,000 people. It has become a popular tourist destination, especially for US citizens who are looking to escape their cold winters.
The town is known for its natural beauty, with lush vegetation and clear lakes. There are also many interesting attractions to visit, such as the ruins of an old colonial church and a museum dedicated to coffee production.
The town has a number of historical buildings and monuments. There are also some beautiful parks and gardens where you can relax with your family or friends.
The people of Santa Ana are very friendly, which makes it easy for visitors to feel at home in this city.
The town is also close to many other popular attractions, such as Lake Coatepeque and the crater of Volcán de Agua. Both of these places are worth visiting during your stay in Santa Ana.
If you want to explore more of El Salvador, then you can take a bus or a taxi from Santa Ana to Ciudad Colón. From there, you can catch another bus to San Miguel for some spectacular views over the valley below.
Alternatively, you can take a bus to San Salvador and explore the capital city. You can find more information about this in our recent article on San Salvador’s best attractions.
17. Acajutla
Acajutla is a beach located in the department of Acajutla, on the Pacific coast of El Salvador. It’s popular with surfers and has a lot of hotels and restaurants nearby. The beach is clean and safe; it is open all year round, and there are many activities available.
The beach has a lot of restaurants and hotels nearby. The beach is clean and safe; it is open all year round, and there are many activities available.
The main attraction at Acajutla Beach is its beautiful white sand beach, which stretches for more than 5 kilometers (3 miles) along the shoreline. The water here is generally calm and clear enough to see straight to the bottom.
There are also many palm trees lining the shore, which make for an attractive setting as well as providing shade for those who want to sit under them for a while.
There are several hotels located nearby where you can stay if you want to spend an extended period of time here, but there are also many places where you can rent rooms or houses directly from people who live in these areas instead.
Read more articles: Snakes of Spain
18. La Union
La Union is a beach town in the La Union department of El Salvador. It is located on the Pacific coast of El Salvador, approximately 45 minutes away from San Miguel.
The city is a popular tourist spot for both locals and people from other countries because it is close to many beaches and resorts.
Even though Hurricane Mitch hit the area hard in 1998, it has recovered and is still one of the most popular places for tourists to visit in El Salvador.
The city of La Union is located on the Pacific coast of El Salvador, approximately 45 minutes away from San Miguel. It is a popular tourist spot for both locals and people from other countries because it is close to many beaches and resorts.
19. Tamanique
The beach at Tamanique is located in the north of El Salvador, near Santa Ana and San Miguel. It has an excellent sea, with beautiful white sands and clear waters.
You can enjoy its nice weather, sunsets that will make you feel like you’re in heaven, and a variety of restaurants with food from all over Latin America.
The best thing about this beach is that it’s almost always windy, so it won’t be too hot for you to go for a swim or just walk by the water!
If you want to spend some time at the beach with your friends but don’t want to go somewhere too crowded or noisy (like Santa Tecla), then Tamanique might be perfect for you!
Tamanique has a very small town that surrounds it, so there aren’t too many places to visit or eat.
You can find a few restaurants with delicious seafood and typical food from El Salvador, such as pupusas or gallo pinto. However, if you want to explore more of the country, then Santa Ana is only about 30 minutes away by car.
Read more articles: Snakes in Spain
20. Sonsonate Beach
The beach at Sonsonate is a place to relax and enjoy the sun. It has beautiful views of the mountains, and there are many hotels, restaurants, and bars along the shoreline.
The beach at Sonsonate has soft white sand and clear water that is clean enough to swim in.
There are several hotels along the shoreline where guests can stay, including Hotel Farallon del Caribe and Hotel Las Colinas del Mar. There are also several restaurants in this area that serve traditional Costa Rican cuisine as well as international dishes.
The town of Sonsonate is popular with tourists because it is close to many attractions such as Parque Nacional Volcan Irazu, Parque Nacional Carara, and Ciudad Quesada (San Jose).
And is a municipality in El Salvador. The city was founded by José Antonio Márquez y Ramrez in 1786 and has grown from a village to a large town over the past two centuries.
It serves as the capital of the Sonsonate department. The city lies on the Pan-American Highway, about halfway between San Salvador and Santa Ana, at an elevation of 1,000 feet above sea level.
The city has an estimated population of about 100,000. It is the second-largest city in El Salvador after San Salvador.
The municipality has a total area of The city lies on the Pan-American Highway, about halfway between San Salvador and Santa Ana, at an elevation of 1,000 feet above sea level.
Conclusion
The best beaches in El Salvador are a great place to relax and spend some time with family or friends. You can go snorkeling and scuba diving, as well as enjoy swimming or just walking along the beachfront.
You don’t have to worry about crowds at these locations because there are plenty of them scattered all over the country. El Salvador has many different kinds of beaches, from small, quiet ones to beaches with lots of people and nightlife.
Some beaches have amenities nearby, while others are completely off the grid and require a little bit of effort to get to. The best one for you will depend on your needs and what you’re looking for in a beach vacation.
We hope you get to visit El Salvador and see for yourself why we think it’s worth visiting. Its people, its beaches, and its culture make it an excellent vacation spot year-round. If so, we would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Read more articles: Seattle to Yellowstone Road Trip
Leave a Reply