The Absolute Best Things to Do in El Salvador (2024)

Table of Contents

Welcome to El Salvador: Central America’s Most Underrated Travel Destination

This comprehensive travel guide will cover everything you need to know about the best things to do in El Salvador. From awe-inspiring volcanoes and lush jungles to relaxing beaches and rich colonial towns, every traveler is sure to love what El Salvador has to offer. Previously plagued by high crime rates, El Salvador has quickly turned things around. While there isn’t amazing tourist infrastructure here yet, this is sure to be a top Central American travel destination in the coming years. So what are you waiting for? Beat the crowds and grab your sub-$400 round-trip flights from the US here and enjoy one of the cheapest international vacations you’ll ever experience!

We loved El Salvador and will certainly be returning in the future! If you’re looking for an itinerary that will hit all the best spots in El Salvador, check out the link below. Now let’s get into the best things to do in El Salvador!

Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we earn a commission if you make a purchase.

Check Out our Perfect 10 Day El Salvador Itinerary Here

El Tunco best things to do in El Salvador

The 13 Best Things to do in El Salvador

1. Hike the Santa Ana Volcano

Hiking the Santa Ana Volcano is the most popular thing to do in El Salvador – and for a good reason. The hike brings you through jungle and volcanic climates and takes anywhere from 2-4 hours in total. At the top, the various shades of volcanic rock contrast with the bright turquoise sulfur lake in the volcano’s crater. The hike isn’t very strenuous, so hikers of all ages and abilities can enjoy this experience!

Read the complete guide to the Santa Ana Volcano Hike!

2. Take a Surf Lesson in El Tunco

El Tunco, or “Surf City” is an extremely small town on the beautiful El Salvadorean coast. Known for its great waves, laid-back atmosphere, and surf camps/wellness retreats, this is a great place to truly enjoy your El Salvadorean vacation. Exploring El Tunco is one of the best things to do in El Salvador, for locals and foreigners alike! The party scene does come alive at night, so if that isn’t your vibe, stay in nearby towns!

Check out how to spend the perfect day in El Tunco!

3. Tour El Salvador’s Famous Coffee Plantations

El Salvador is internationally famous for their delicious coffee. The Ruta de las Flores houses some of the plantations responsible for El Salvador’s high quality coffee. Tour a coffee plantation and you’ll learn about the entire coffee making process from bean to table and sample some of the delicious coffee. A few of the coffee plantations in along the Ruta de las Flores are El Carmen, Beneficio San Pedro, and Buena Vista Gardens.

4. Eat Your Heart Out at the Juayua Food Festival

The Juayua Food Festival was spectacular and made my entire Ruta de las Flores trip. Tons of local vendors boast their various large-portioned barbeque dishes and more. Here you’ll find everything from Mexican-themed dumplings to grilled rabbit! This only happens on weekends, so plan accordingly!

5. Take a Walking Tour of San Salvador’s Historic District

San Salvador has an interesting historic district with unique architecture and various older buildings. If the walking tour doesn’t cover these, make sure to explore the Iglesia Rosario, the inside of the royal palace, and the Gerardo Barrios and Morazan Plazas!

6. Marvel at the Santa Ana Cathedral

This beautiful church is the only gothic-style church in all of Central America. We recommend visiting it three times: once during the day, once at night, and once to climb to the top and admire both the cathedral and the city from above.

The church is free to enter but to go to the top, you need to go with a guide which cost $3. You can book this in advance at +503-2447-3303 or [email protected], or try your luck in person!

7. Cruise Through the Ruta de las Flores

The Ruta de las Flores is a string of 5-7 cute colonial towns (the number varies depending on who you ask) that are known for their traditional artwork, delicious coffee, and beautiful nature. These can be done in a day if you have a rental car or go as part of a tour, but we definitely recommend doing La Ruta de las Flores over the course of a few days.

Check out our guide to the Ruta de las Flores!

8. Chill Out on Lake Coatepeque

Lake Coatepeque is a beautiful and calm crater lake located very close to the Santa Ana Volcano. The resorts and restaurants around the lake have their own unique vibe, from party to luxury to a huge emphasis on relaxation. We recommend going to Captain Morgan Hostel, where you can pay $5 for a day pass to use their facilities, like sun beds, stone pools, and their cliff jumping platform! The day pass comes with a drink, which if you’re on the lake, you would probably get anyways! You can rent jet skis, a private boat, or even a tiki hut boat if you have a larger group.

9. Wander Alejandro Cotto’s Villa

You will absolutely love this colonial style villa complete with a gorgeous courtyard and garden that leads to view of beautiful Lake Suchitlan. Alejandro Cotto was a famous filmmaker and is largely responsible for building Suchitoto into the gem it is today. You can even take Spanish (and English) lessons in the garden, which we wish we knew about sooner!

10. Pupusas!

When you go to El Salvador, you’ll have pupusas, more pupusas, and then a million more pupusas! Pupusas are El Salvador’s national food, and you’ll see them EVERYWHERE. Make sure to try the various kinds, and ask the locals about the flavors, because many do not show up on Google Translate.

11. Trek Through the Seven Waterfalls

The Seven Waterfalls Hike is one of the most popular things to do on the Ruta de las Flores for a reason! You’ll hike through coffee plantations, jungles, climb up waterfalls, and do some light swimming. Many tour operators also combine this with a visit to Chorros de la Calera, a different and more popular waterfall in Juayúa.

Ruta de las Flores Waterfall El Salvador

12. Hike Through a Former Guerrilla Camp

Gringo Tours Suchitoto offers a tour of Cinquera from Suchitoto which includes learning about a former FMLN rebel’s story, hiking through the Cinquera Eco Forest where you’ll see remnants of a guerrilla camp, tour Cinquera and its politically-motivated murals, and generally learn about the El Salvadorean Civil War. This part of El Salvador gets hot, but don’t worry, this tour comes with a dip in a gorgeous waterfall!

13. Visit Café Albania for Family-Friendly Outdoor Activities

We’ll be honest, the first El Salvadoran tourist attraction we found on social media was this Rainbow Slide at Café Albania. Café Albania (along the Ruta de las Flores) has a bunch of activities including ziplining, a crazy pendulum swing, a labyrinth/maze, and more! It does get very crowded so make sure to go in the morning.

Best Time to Visit El Salvador

The best time to visit El Salvador depends on what you’re looking for in your trip. Here’s a quick rundown:

Dry Season & Outdoor Activities (November to April): This is the peak tourist season, offering warm weather with little to no rain. Ideal for outdoor adventures like hiking, exploring Mayan ruins, and relaxing on the beach.
Surfing (May to October): The rainy season brings bigger waves, perfect for experienced surfers (if you’re a bigger, stick to the dry season!). However, keep in mind that if you visit during the wet season, some parks and wildlife areas might be inaccessible due to weather conditions.
Shoulder Seasons & Fewer Crowds (May & September): If you prefer comfortable temperatures and don’t mind the occasional rain shower, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons. You might also find better deals on flights and accommodation.

Overall, El Salvador is a beautiful country with something to offer year-round. Consider what activities are most important to you and choose the time of year that best suits your interests.

How to Get to El Salvador

El Salvador is getting increasingly easy to visit as it gains popularity on the tourism radar. If you’re coming from an international destination, the easiest way to get to the country is by flying into San Salvador.

Get your Cheap Flights Here!

How to Get to El Salvador from Guatemala

If you’re planning on traveling to El Salvador from Guatemala, you’ll want to utilize buses rather than flying. Since this is a common route, there are lots of buses and shuttles that will connect you from places like Antigua and Lake Atitlan to Santa Ana, El Tunco, or San Salvador. When we did this route, we traveled from Antigua to Santa Ana using public transportation, which cost us a total of 13 USD per person.

Check out our post detailing how to get from Antigua, Guatemala to El Salvador

How to Get to El Salvador from Nicaragua

If you’ll be coming from Nicaragua to El Salvador, you have the option of traveling by boat or by shuttle transfer. The boat can be a really good option if your last stop in Nicaragua is either in León or north of it; from other locations the travel day will be so long that it may not be worth it. We did this trip when we went from El Salvador onwards to Nicaragua, but the same process applies if you’re heading in the opposite direction, so check out our post below for details on the trip!

Depending on where in Nicaragua you’ll be leaving from, a shuttle transfer may make more sense. However, do keep in mind that an over-land transfer will involve crossing two borders as you’ll have to pass through Honduras.

Check our post about how to get from El Salvador to Nicaragua via boat

How to Get to El Salvador from Honduras

Hopping from Honduras to El Salvador is a piece of cake! Buses or shuttle transfers are your best bet – they’re frequent, convenient, and easy on the wallet.

How to Get Around El Salvador

Getting around El Salvador is easy and extremely budget-friendly (we’re talking under one USD per bus ride – insane)! The easiest and most flexible way to get around the country is with a rental car, though that’s not always in budget! Luckily, there are a few different options for those who opt not to rent a car. The most popular option is by chicken bus – these old, colorful school buses are a fun way to travel between towns and cities, and super cheap. If you don’t feel like braving the chicken buses and are looking for something a bit faster and more comfortable, there are shuttles that run between the tourist destinations. Taxis are also plentiful, especially in cities, and good for short trips or if you have luggage.

El Salvador Packing List

Good Hiking Shoes: These will come in handy on the volcano hike! We recommend this pair of Salomons for men and this pair or Jack Wolfskins for women.
Backpacks instead of Suitcases: If you plan on taking the chicken buses, backpacks make this significantly easier. If you’re a woman, you’ll want the Osprey Fairview, and if you’re a man, you’ll want to get the Osprey Farpoint.
Day Bag: We use this day bag that folds up into the size of your palm!
Purifying Water Bottle: Our favorite purifying water bottle is the Larq Purevis, which kills the bacteria in various water sources and saves a ton of plastic!
Locking Cross-Body Bags: We didn’t have any issues in El Salvador, but better safe than sorry!
Packing Cubes: These allow us to travel light!
US Dollars: This is the primary currency used in El Salvador
La Roche Posay Face Sunscreen

Keep Exploring El Salvador…

Our Favorite Travel Resources

Accommodations: We use Booking.com for hotels and HostelWorld for hostels. We also use VRBO or TrustedHousesitters for longer stays.

Flights: We recommend using Skyscanner to find the cheapest and best flights.

Ground Transport: We use 12Go and Omio for buses and private transfers, and rentalcars.com and Discover Cars for rental cars.

Activities: GetYourGuide and Viator are the best websites for booking organized tours.

International Medical Insurance: We highly recommend SafetyWing for Digital Nomads and HeyMondo for those not traveling full-time, or who frequently engage in higher-risk adventure activities.

eSIM: We recommend Airalo or Holafly for getting data internationally.

Check out our Travel Resources Page for more of our favorite travel-related products and services!

The Absolute Best Things to Do in El Salvador