In this article, we’ll highlight the best beaches to explore in El Salvador. These are the most beautiful beaches on the Pacific coast of El Salvador. We cover what the beach is best for, what to expect in terms of amenities and all the details you need to know to best enjoy these Salvadorian beaches.
El Salvador is a beautiful country to explore with such a unique landscape. There is just so much to explore here, from volcanoes to colonial cities like Santa Ana, to crater lakes and of course, beaches! And best of all, the country is still a hidden gem with so many amazing places to discover before the masses come.
Nestled on the Pacific coast of Central America, El Salvador has started gaining in popularity over the last few years as crime levels have started to go down. It’s quickly becoming a popular destination for beach-goers and surfers. This is why we had to put this article together, covering the best beaches in El Salvador.
Luckily, we had a few of our blogger friends help us out as even with 2 weeks on the Pacific coast, we simply didn’t have time to explore all the amazing beaches this country has to offer. With their help, we were able to compile a list of 8 amazing beaches to discover in El Salvador.
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The 8 best beaches in El Salvador
Whether you’re looking to surf, bodyboard or just chill by the water, El Salvador has some amazing beaches to discover. It’s no surprise because, with its warm tropical climate, miles and miles of coastline, and picturesque landscapes, El Salvador is home to some of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches, not only in Central America but also in the world.
In our article, we’ll cover all the best beaches on the Pacific Coast of El Salvador. You’ll find out if this beach is good for surfing or chilling if it’s part of a lively and vibrant scene or best for a quiet escape. We’ll take a look at some of the best beaches in El Salvador, each with its own unique charm and appeal so that you can find the best one for you.
Majahual, another Salvadorian beach close to La Libertad
Contributed by yours truly at WeDidItOurWay.com
Located between La Libertad and El Tunco, Majahual is a black sand beach that is a big local spot. You can easily spend all day here, between all the things you can do.
The best way to get here is either to drive to the beach or to take the bus that goes up and down the coast, the link between La Libertad and El Sunzal or La Perla. From the main road, you just have to walk down to the beach, passing through the little town with all the stores.
Majahual is the beach many surf shops use to teach their newbies (like us) how to start surfing. Early in the morning, you’ll see surf schools come in, and practice on the black sand and the whitewash waves.
What makes Majahual such a great place for surfing, is also what attracts families and locals to it. The waves are not as big or as crazy as at El Tunco and El Sunzal. This means kids can freely run around without fear of the undercurrent or big waves crashing. Also, this beach doesn’t feature the big stones and rocks we’re used to seeing on the other parts of the coast. Just be warned, because the tide does come in quite a bit, so you have to place yourself strategically.
Along the coastline, you’ll find plenty of restaurants and stalls selling everything from fresh fruits, to coconuts, food, drinks and more! There’s something for everyone. The only thing we would advise here is that you bring your own utensils, straws and containers if you’re traveling with them. The beach unfortunately gets littered with single-use plastics. And it’s just not a great look!
You also have a few places with changing rooms, bathrooms and outdoor showers. You can use these amenities for a small fee.
Between surfing, chilling on the beach, jumping in the water and the myriad of restaurants and stalls, you can easily spend a full day here. Just make sure to arrive early to nab the best spots.
For all these reasons and so many more, Majahual is one of the best beaches in El Salvador. We highly recommend you check it out!
La Paz, an off-the-beaten-path beach in El Salvador
Contributed by Jennie from JennieWanders.com
Whilst Playa La Paz might not be the first beach in El Salvador that you think of when you’re planning a trip here, it’s a great one to visit if you want to venture ‘off the beaten track’ a little.
Known as a popular place for Salvadorians to vacation, it’s a black, stoney beach just a 15-minute drive from El Tunco. La Paz often hosts surfing championships, especially as it is in close proximity to Punta Rocas (one of the best surfing beaches in El Salvador) and is known for its continuous, smaller waves which are perfect for beginners.
Whilst you can stay in accommodation near La Paz, you can also visit on a day trip from El Tunco. It’s just a 15-minute drive with a hire car or a 30-minute journey on the public bus. If you’re visiting from San Salvador, it’s around a 1-hour drive (which is why it’s so popular with locals!)
La Paz has an ‘authentic’ vibe to it, as it’s surrounded by traditional Salvadorian street food, pupuserias, local markets, and street vendors. You’ll also see Salvadorians playing music to tourists on the beach, using drums, flutes, rattles and even the xylophone to entertain!
La Paz is best visited during the dry season, from November to May, as it may not be as enjoyable in the pouring rain. During this time, you can expect it to be lively with Salvadorians enjoying their holiday.
Got some spare time whilst visiting La Paz? There’s plenty to do in the area – from being a big kid again at the Sunset Theme Park, strolling through the chaos of the local markets or walking to the end of Dock Port of La Libertad, a large pier great for ocean views.
K59, one of El Salvador’s best beaches for surfers
Contributed by Christian from PuntaCanaTravelBlog.com
K59 is a hidden pebbly beach on El Salvador’s stunning south coast, located between Perla and El Zonte. It is particularly suitable for surfing and not so much for swimming, particularly due to the large stones and rocks. But even if you’re not surfing, K59 is worth a trip as it is absolutely picturesque and home to great local restaurants.
When visiting K59, you should definitely have a walk on the beach. It is a very quiet and picturesque beach on El Salvador’s Pacific coast, where you can enjoy the peace of nature. There are two rustic and local restaurants at the beach where you can eat local and fresh fish and another one up on the main road, where you have stunning views of K59 and the surrounding coastline.
If you would like to stay at K59, there are only very few options – it is a very hidden gem at all. There are 2 or 3 surf camps and guesthouses in the small village, which you usually can find on Airbnb or by contacting them directly, such as K59 Surfhouse, Surffarm or The K-Lodge. If you’re looking for unique backpacker accommodations, you can also check out Lagarza Hostel at Shalpa Beach, approx. 2 miles west of K59.
Alternatively, you can stay at neighboring El Zonte, which is just 2 miles away (to the east) and much livelier, with several accommodation options, cool beach bars and much more infrastructure (shops, restaurants, basic needs, transport, etc.) than in K59.
To get to K59, you can either use your rental car or the public busses plying the coast. K59 can be reached by direct busses passing the town from Sonsonate, El Tunco, La Libertad and San Salvador. Once in K59, you can walk everywhere in this tiny village. Just mind the steep hills when coming down from the main road.
You can visit K59 year-round, but best during the dry season from around December to April.
El Zonte, a laid-back beach in El Salvador’s Pacific Coast
Contributed by Pubali & Indranil from ParadiseCatchers.com
El Zonte is located on the Pacific coast on the same stretch of El Salvador’s most popular surf beaches. While El Tunco is the most popular beach for surfing and nightlife, El Zonte is the laid-back cousin just 7 miles away from El Tunco. El Zonte is also known as the Bitcoin Beach as it was one of the first places to accept Bitcoin as a legal tender.
There are several options to stay in El Zonte catering to different budget options and types of accommodation – surf resorts, boutique hotels or beachfront villas. You can choose from resorts on or near the beach or budget options behind the coastal highway.
Although quieter, El Zonte is getting increasingly popular among surfers and travelers looking for tranquility. It is ideal for surfers of different levels, beginner and seasoned. The surf schools and rental shops around the town make it easier if you choose to go for a lesson or surf on your own. Apart from surfing, the beach is excellent just to relax and catch the sunset.
If you are not staying on the beach but wish to visit during the day, keep in mind that it can be a few minutes walk in the midday heat. Also, there is not much shade on the beach. However, you can get a cocktail from one of the sea-facing restaurants. The beach has a cave at the western end, another interesting place to explore in El Zonte.
If you wish to take a break from the beach, head to the Tamanique Waterfalls where you can swim or jump into the pools or enjoy the amazing views from the viewpoints of El Peñón de Comasagua.
El Palmarcito, one of the best beaches in El Salvador
Contributed by Ossama from AwesomeTraveler.blog
Puerto De La Libertad town is filled with lovely beaches. For a moment, they can make your heart skip a beat. Those beaches can compete with the best beaches in Spain in terms of activities and beauty. Tourists from all over the world flock to them to witness and experience what they have to offer. Among them is El Palmarcito Beach.
El Palmarcito is 33.7 km of straight coastline with crystal clear blue water and gray sand. The gray volcanic sand gives it a special look you won’t find on other beaches. It’s also a small cove that is nestled between two huge gorges. You can climb them and cliff jump into the tranquil waters below.
It is suitable for all kinds of travelers like pet owners, solo travelers, or those looking for a relaxing getaway. The amenities offered by the beach make it stand out from other beaches around. There are loungers and umbrellas, beach restaurants, changing rooms, showers, and toilets.
There are many activities that you can enjoy besides sunbathing and relaxing at the beach. You can also try surfing, body surfing, and boogie boarding. The waves are optimal to ride, so don’t miss the chance to give them a shot. There are surfing lessons offered, if you want to learn.
Snorkeling and scuba diving are other possible activities at this beach in El Salvador. This will give you the opportunity to discover the richness of fauna and flora in El Palmarcito Beach. If you came to this beach in a large group, you can play volleyball and soccer on the available courts.
Whatever you’re looking to do, El Palmarcito Beach has something for everyone. If you want to discover one of the best beaches in El Salvador, this one is for you! Plus, you can always get a day pass to the nearby Atami Escape Resort where you can enjoy their ocean pools.
El Tunco, a must-see beach in El Salvador
Contributed by yours truly at WeDidItOurWay.com
El Tunco is one of those beach towns that have become iconic and unmissable in El Salvador. Most people who visit the Pacific coast of the country, inevitably end up in El Tunco. Even Salvadorians love coming here for their holidays. Chill vibes, amazing accommodations and restaurants are what draw the crowds here.
El Tunco is mainly known as a surf town – every other shop on the street is a surf school or rents out surfboards. The waves here are great for beginners and pros alike. In fact, while we were there in early May 2023, there was an international surf competition going on.
The beach itself is a black sand beach. During low tide, you’ll be able to enjoy the sand, but as the tide starts to come up, you’ll be left with very little sand and big rocks instead. In fact, during high tide, you only have access to the rocky side. But when the sand is accessible, it’s soft and amazing to lounge on.
The waves at El Tunco beach can get quite aggressive. There are often lifeguards patrolling the area to make sure everyone is safe. They will often call people in if the waves are getting too big.
Once you’re done with the beach, El Tunco town is great for partying. There are many nightclubs that invite international DJs. Many restaurants also feature live bands, so there’s always something going on.
In terms of food, you can find plenty of delicious options around, from ramen to baos, pupusas to pizza and more. The variety of food in El Tunco was absolutely amazing!
Whether you’re looking to lounge around the beach, party the night away or surf the best waves in the country, El Tunco is a beach in El Salvador worth adding to your bucketlist.
El Sunzal, El Salvador’s beach for surfers
Contributed by yours truly at WeDidItOurWay.com
Located a stone’s throw away from El Tunco, you have El Sunzal – El Salvador’s premier beach for surfers. This rocky beach has some of the best waves in the country. May flock to El Sunzal to ride its iconic waves.
Sprinkled with large boulders, with very little sandy parts, El Sunzal is a surfer’s beach in El Salvador. Truth is, if you’re not a surfer or a surf photographer, you’re probably not going to love El Sunzal. The sandy parts here are very few, and they’re mainly reserved for surfers who are stretching.
In May 2023, while we were in El Sunzal, there was an international surf competition taking place. It was for longboards, but the waves are great for all sorts of riders, from Boogie boards to longboards to conventional surfboards, we saw it all here.
As you can imagine, the waves here are not made for beginners. They are mainly for better surfers who can navigate with many people around. Because these waves do tend to get crowded.
If you’re not a surfer but still want to enjoy this beach in El Salvador, we recommend staying at Casa De Mar. This beachfront hotel has an amazing view of the waves and you can admire the surfers from their restaurant, Café Sunzal.
The town of El Sunzal is pretty small, but there are a few things you can do here, like chill out at one of the many beachfront restaurants. It’s also a great place to catch sunsets. But the truth is, if you’re coming to El Sunzal, you’re probably going to be surfing!
Playa Zacatillo, a day trip to El Salvador’s beach for families
Contributed by Christian from My-TravelWorld.de
Isla Zacatillo is an island in the Gulf of Fonseca and hosts an interesting beach with the same name – Zacatillo Beach. It is one of the very few beaches in El Salvador which has very calm and shallow water without waves, as it is protected by the bay and the surrounding islands. It’s the perfect El Salvador beach for families and for those who don’t like the sometimes intimidating waves on the south coast of El Salvador.
Usually, Playa Zacatillo can be visited as part of a day trip from the mainland, particularly from La Union, the main town on El Salvadors’ short east coast. Tours are offered in town, usually in combination with visiting other islands or bays. The beach is one of the main attractions in the Gulf of Fonseca, which is shared between El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras, and hosts a few local restaurants where it is easy to relax and have a delicious lunch at the beach.
If you want to explore the surroundings on your own, there is a road leading up to a viewpoint located north of the beach (a bit west of Playa El Caguamo on the map) with an amazing view of all three countries and various islands.
It is also possible to visit Isla Zacatillo without an organized tour, but it is a bit complicated as there doesn’t seem to be an official ferry schedule. If you decide to do so, you can easily walk to Zacatillo Beach as the island is completely walkable. There is hardly any accommodation here, hence you would either have to sleep in locals’ houses or go back the same day – another reason why a day trip on an organized tour isn’t a bad idea, especially as it is usually pretty affordable (around 30 USD per person). Therefore, it’s better to stay in La Union, which is the getaway for the boat shuttle to Nicaragua in case you’d like to continue your Central America trip there.
How to get to the beaches of El Salvador
There are many different ways you can get to the beaches of El Salvador. Your choice will depend on the amount of time you have in the country, what your itinerary is, where else you plan on going and where you’re coming from. Here are the main ways you can do it:
Getting to the beaches of El Salvador by rental car
One of the easiest ways to get around the country is to rent a car. This will give you the flexibility to go where you want when you want. Prices in El Salvador are fairly reasonable and the driving here is not as crazy as it is in other countries in Central America.
If you have the budget, we highly recommend renting a car to get around the beaches of El Salvador, or to travel around the country.
Taking a shuttle to get to the beaches of El Salvador
Whether you’re arriving from San Salvador Airport (SAL) or elsewhere in the country, there are plenty of shuttle companies that can take you around the country, with door-to-door service.
You have a few options of companies that can take you around, and prices will vary from one provider to the next. You can shop around and see what best suits your needs and your budget.
While in El Salvador, we often checked with these two companies to see who offered a better price, although they were often quite comparable. Simply add them on WhatsApp and send them a text with where you want to go:
- Go Travel: +503 7683 3703
- Itamati Travel: +502 3049 5464
If not, you have other service providers here:
Getting from Santa Ana to the beaches of El Salvador
Another cheap and reliable option is to take the local buses in El Salvador. The route might be a little longer as the stops are more frequent, but they are safe, cheap and a great way to discover the local culture and people.
After a few days exploring Santa Ana, you can get to the beaches of El Salvador by taking the local bus. To get to El Tunco (or Sunzal, or La Libertad), head to the Santa Ana Metrocentre. There, hop on 201 or grab a TUDO bus to get to San Salvador, to the Estación Ceiba de Guadalupe. This is a stop on the highway where you have many other buses traveling to different parts of El Salvador. Cross the road from where you got off the bus. Wait for a 102A bus going to Sunzal. Buses come every 20 minutes, and take around one hour to reach El Tunco.
Or, you can connect through Sonsonate. From Santa Ana, take bus 216 which leaves the Terminal de buses Franciso Lara Pineda for Sonsonate via Los Naranjos. The ride takes about 1.5 hours and costs $0.70. There is also the Empresa de Buses Vencedora which has buses (#209) that leave regularly to Sonsonate.
From Sonsonate, there are two buses per day (#287) that go to La Libertad. They leave Sonsonate for La Libertad at 5:50 am and 3:30 pm. The price is $1.50. You pay on the bus, and you can ask to get off at El Tunco, El Sunzal or anywhere on the coast, which will allow you to visit some of the best beaches in Central America.
The 8 best beaches in El Salvador
As a reminder, here are the most beautiful beaches in El Salvador:
- Majahual
- La Paz
- K59
- El Zonte
- El Palmercito
- El Tunco
- El Sunzal
- Playa Zacatillo
Let us know in the comments which beaches you’re most excited to visit. Are you planning on learning how to surf in El Salvador? Or are you wanting to chill out and soak the rays?
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