Day 1: San Salvador Arrival, Airport Pick-up
Upon your arrival at El Salvador airport, your driver guide will meet you and transfer to the hotel in San Salvador. If your flight arrives early in the day, take advantage of your time to explore the city by yourself.
El Salvador, the ‘Land of Volcanoes’ and ‘the Savior’ in Spanish, welcomes you. Before the tour, you are advised to prepare some small USD bills, which would come in handy for future small transactions and tipping. It should be noted that Salvadoran colon has been abolished in 2001 and now the national currencies are USD dollars and bitcoins, cash still dominates though. As El Salvador is still a less-visited destination, English is less-spoken even in San Salvador, the capital. To enhance your cultural experience, on the ride to your hotel, you are encouraged to learn some Spanish greetings from your bilingual guide. Imagine the unexpected smiles from local people! We’ve handpicked a hotel for you in the upscale San Benito business center, where you may poke around after a break. Besides, don’t buy into the popular belief how dangerous El Salvador is. The new government has made unyielding efforts to make the country one of the safest among all the Latin. Ask your driver guide for whatever doubts or advice, be careful not to be pickpocketed, and better not venture out at night.
► Best Time to Visit:
El Salvador has two seasons generally - the dry season from December to March and the rainy season from April to November. The dry season is arguably the best time to visit, with enough sunshine and milder temperature, making experiences to national parks and beaches most comfortable. However, if you want to avoid crowds and price hikes, your visit should not be planned on Christmas and Easter or their run-ups. Of course, if rain doesn’t prevent you, come between May to September to see turtles nesting and hatching, and in August to join in August Feasts with religious parades, art performances, and street fairs. Seasoned surfers may also challenge themselves against the bigger waves these times. Rain starts to trail off and becomes more transient from October to November, so the weather would have little impact on your travel spirit during this time.
Accommodation: Barcelo San Salvador (4 stars) or similar
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Day 2: San Salvador - Suchitoto - San Salvador
We’ll spend a half day exploring the historical center of the capital San Salvador. The old plazas with rich colonial heritage are a miniature to the culture and history of the entire city, which was expanded from the Plaza Libertad during Spanish colonization in the 16th century. We’ll walk the main plazas and visit many historical monuments such as Metropolitan Cathedral, National Palace, Iglesia El Rosario, and National Theater, whose stories will be engagingly told by your guide. The most stunning would be Iglesia El Rosario, an old church with artistic architecture despite it was designed five decades ago. The rainbow colors that come through the stained glass windows are otherworldly marvelous. Out on the streets, watch lively local life happening, while gaining insight into local culture. At last, head for Plaza Salvador del Mundo to check out the Monument to the Divine Savior of the World, the giant landmark statue of Jesus. And don’t forget that El Salvador with fecund volcanic lands is where to find the best coffee in the world, so perhaps try a cup at one of many coffee houses here before our 1.5-hour ride towards Suchitoto!
Suchitoto was the first key settlement of the Spanish Empire and today is also known as a charming and tranquil mountain town. The cobbled streets, indigenous Mayan culture and Spanish legacy combine to make this small town stand out. The Civil War that lasted 12 years from the late 20th century has traumatized people here to an extreme degree, but these memories have long buried in ashes of time. Up arrival, visit the central plaza and the church that overlooks it named Iglesia Santa Lucia, the colonial architectural gem of Suchitoto as well as the local religious center. Your guide will recommend the best spot to snap pictures of it－the white structure, against the blue sky and the greenness around, is spectacular. Afterwards, enjoy some time strolling around the plaza where there are varied colorful handicrafts shops and cafes sitting on the edge. Later, pay a visit to the House of Alejandro Coto, who pioneered the film industry of El Salvador and is still resting in his garden. The immense Lake Suchitlan lies nearby, and you can imagine what beautiful feelings had filled Coto as he commanded the view of it from here. In the late afternoon, we will drive back to your hotel in San Salvador.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Barcelo San Salvador (4 stars) or similar
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Day 3: Discover Mayan Sites: Joya de Ceren, San Andres & Tazumal; Transfer to Santa Ana
As the world’s one and only civilization born from rainforest, the Maya had a mastery of astronomy, architecture, math and more astoundingly far transcending their times. Speaking of Maya, the first things that come to your mind might be the Chichen Itza in Mexico, Tikal in Guatemala, or Copan in Honduras. Indeed, these glorious pyramid ruins built to bridge chief priests and the gods are the strongest evidence to their unearthly wisdom. However, this civilization keeps being a mystery to be explored. Today, we’re taking you off the beaten path to less-explored yet monumental Mayan ruins, where you’ll look into Mayan daily life, politics, commerce, and religious culture from a more secretive perspective.
The first Mayan site for today is Joya de Ceren Archaeological Park, based on a pre-Columbian Mayan farming village. Well-preserved under a five-meter-thick layer of volcanic ash for over 1,300 years, the village happened to be uncovered by a bulldozer three decades ago. Your guide will take you to explore all the rooms, including those dedicated to sauna, shaman, and important figures. It’s interesting that you can still count layers of ashes on some ruined structures.
If Joya de Ceren is the living quarters, San Andres Archaeological Park which we’ll visit next is a place mainly for religious rituals. San Andres is the acropolis-like center of regional politics and ceremonies. We’ll see pyramids, ceremonial sites, squares, as well as some indigo mills. There’s also a small museum with drawings to show how the original structures really looked like.
Continue to Tazumal, another important religious Mayan site. Tazumal means ‘the pyramid where the victims were burned’, so it’s possible that this place had seen human sacrifice. This is also where to find the largest pyramid of El Salvador as well as the famous Stone of the Victories, on which we’ll appreciate the carved petroglyphs of the Olmec, the first key civilization on Mesoamerica. Then, transfer to Santa Ana for an overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Remfort Hotel Santa Ana (3 stars) or similar
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Day 4: Cerro Verde National Park: Santa Ana Volcano Hiking Tour; Return to San Salvador
After breakfast, drive around 1 hour and a half to Cerro Verde National Park, where we’ll enjoy 4 hours’ hiking on Santa Ana Volcano. We’ll start the hike before 11 am or it won’t be officially allowed after that time. This park is a rainforest so you can picture the biological diversity! On the way, let your guide assist you to spot many magical species of life. There are bizarre insects with indigenous cultural motif on the back, the fuchsia flowers hanging down from twigs, the national bird torogoz, which symbolizes beauty of nature and freedom in the native eye... You’ll also visit an orchid garden, find the spectacular views of turquoise Lake Coatepeque and the young Izalco Volcano in the distance, and get some history and geological formation about the volcano from your knowledgeable guide. While atop, amble on the carter rim to revel in the unfathomable sulfur lagoon in the middle whose green color contrasts the dark volcanic rocks around. It should be noted that a guide is required for any hiking here, which is understandable because in the wilderness one can easily get lost. If you have limited fitness level, we can also reduce the hike to give you more comfort. If interested, we’ll also give you enough time to enjoy some self-financed boating or swimming on Lake Coatepeque. In the late afternoon, we will drive back to San Salvador.
► Insider Tips on Self-Paid Lunch:
There are plenty of dining options on the edge of Lake Coatepeque and you are suggested lunching here while enjoying the amazing vista of the lake. Don’t hesitate to visit La Pampa Restaurant, the best-rated among all, which specializes in traditional Salvadorian dishes. Steaks are one of their must-tries and you’ll be professionally taken good care of. The average cost per person here is USD 20-25.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Barcelo San Salvador (4 stars) or similar
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Day 5: Leave San Salvador for Playa El Tunco
After breakfast, we’ll drive 40 minutes on a pilgrimage to the surf mecca Playa El Tunco, in La Libertad department. With world-renown consistent mellow or strong swells, this surf town boasts different beaches and various surfing spots. We’ll leave a free day for you to explore around on your own.
El Tunco is tiny, roughly comprised of two streets and a beachfront. The majority of people here are either surfers or locals. Even if you are not a surfer yourself, the vibes here are so contagious that you’ll definitely want to try it soon. You can find lots of surf shops and classes everywhere, and if you’re up for it, a surfboard can be rented USD 15 per day and each class charges only USD 35, lasting 60-80 minutes. As for surf spots, go for neighboring El Palmarcito and El Zonte with waves for both beginners and semi-pros. The sands here, similar to Iceland’s formed when lava met sea water, are a specialty of El Salvador which you may pay special attention to. If you can ride scooter, maybe rent one to explore the beach roads and hidden beaches like Mizata. To watch the sunset, the patio of Monkey La La Bar is a wonderful venue.
In the lunch time, you could enjoy some local food like the national dish Pupusa, a kind of stuffed corn cake with a history traced back to the Mayan times. You are recommended to drop by a restaurant named La Guanaquita, which is located just behind your hotel. There are various kinds of authentic Pupusas made with assorted ingredients, each sold at only USD 1!
If today falls on weekends, don’t miss the locals-held lively nightlife and discounted drinks on Playa El Tunco. The lights, laughs, and DJ music in beach clubs will last from sunset to the wee hours.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Roca Sunzal (3 stars) or similar, El Tunco
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Day 6: Departure from San Salvador, Airport See-off
Today will be the last day of your 6 days El Salvador tour package. The driver guide will escort you to the El Salvador International Airport according to your flight time.
It’s recommended you leave yourself more time in El Tunco and depart later today. You may continue to explore the coastal line by yourself. Walk east to the port town La Libertad to experience the local market culture, or catch a ride north and hike to Tamanique Waterfalls for natural spectacles. Challenge yourself on a rugged landscape to the No.4 waterfall, the most spectacular one, which cascades down a soaring cliff to a big crystalline pool－a heavenly swimming hole.
If it’s your first time being in Central America, we suggest you stay longer to see some adjoining countries in passing. If you favor rich indigenous culture, Guatemala should be your next destination. If it’s natural beauties and peculiar flora and fauna, add Costa Rica, the ‘Switzerland of Latin America’. The unmissable country is Mexico for historical sites, cultural diversity, and above all, gastronomic delights! If you want to extend your trip, feel free to contact your travel consultant. We’ll work diligently until we formulate an itinerary you think perfect!
Meals: Breakfast
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