What are the best beaches in El Salvador?

On El Salvador’s Pacific Ocean shores there are more than 50 incredible beaches suited to all tastes. All of them are different and each one has its own charm, whether it is in the nature that surrounds it, the fabulous waves for surfing, or the movie-like sunsets. In the villages that protect the beaches you will discover the friendliness of the Salvadorians and you can also enjoy the coastal seafood cuisine and the nightlife. So aren’t you curious about the beaches of El Salvador?

In this post we tell you everything you need to know to make the most of your trip to El Salvador and discover the best beaches for you to relax. Whether you’re planning a relaxing trip, a surfing getaway or something more adventurous, you’re sure to find the ideal beach here. Can’t decide on just one beach? Well, don’t worry, we also propose an itinerary to visit the most spectacular beaches in El Salvador. Ready? Then let’s get started.

The best beaches in El Salvador

1. Las Flores Beach

Playa de las Flores is probably one of the most famous beaches in El Salvador. It is part of the municipality of San Miguel, however, it is a bit secluded, which gives it the air of an unspoilt beach. The beach is characterised by its greyish sand, crystal clear waters and big waves, which make it ideal for surfing. Camping is allowed on the shore as its size allows for it.

However, the charm of Playa de las Flores does not stop there, we also recommend going to one of the restaurants and food stalls in the surrounding area where you can taste the highest quality, freshly caught seafood. On one side of the beach, some small traditional wooden boats are moored which you can hire to take you on a trip along the coast.

2. El Tunco beach, the most touristic beach in El Salvador

El Tunco Beach is without a doubt the beach with the most atmosphere and parties in El Salvador, which is why it is one of the most visited by tourists and offers the most services. You won’t have any trouble finding accommodation as there is a wide range on offer. In Tamanique, the municipality it is in, there is a wide range of parties and music that are sure to liven up your holidays.

This beach is also very popular with surfers in search of big waves. However, it is not the best beach for swimming as it is quite rocky. In fact we recommend wearing water shoes. From the village of Tamarique you can also book day trips to the Ruta de las Flores, the Santa Ana Volcano and the Tamanique Waterfalls. From Playa el Tunco you can also walk to the neighbouring village of El Sunzal for a very pleasant walk along the coast.

3. El Sunzal, the best beach to disconnect

El Sunzal is the perfect beach to disconnect from the world and forget about all your problems. This beach, like El Tunco beach, is in La Libertad and is also characterised by its crystalline waters, rocky relief full of coconut trees and big waves that invite you to surf. The lush nature of this beach makes it an ideal habitat for crustaceans, oysters and lobsters, which you can easily see among the rocks when snorkelling and diving at shallow depths.

The main drawback is the village’s lack of services, which apart from a few luxury hotels has hardly any shops and restaurants. Of course, if you’re looking to get away from civilisation, El Sunzal beach is one of the best beaches in El Salvador.

Organise your travel itinerary with Passporter, completely free to use, easy and practical. Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you most by adding them to your route map.

4. La Paz beach and whale watching

Located in La Libertad, La Paz is one of the most interesting beaches in the country. In addition to surfing and relaxing in the sun, you can kayak and see whales and dolphins during the migratory season from November to March. The beach is well equipped and has services such as shops, surf schools and restaurants where you can enjoy incredible fish and seafood dishes.

5. Mizata Beach

Mizata is one of the most spectacular beaches in El Salvador due to its exceptional location surrounded by lush tropical nature and cliffs. Throughout its kilometre-long stretch, divided by the mouth of the Mizata River, there is nothing but peace and tranquillity in the air. After spending some time there, you won’t want to leave. In fact, it is one of the least touristy beaches in the country and a favourite of many surfers because of the good surfing atmosphere of its uncrowded village. Mizata Beach, characterised by its black sands, is the last place in the west where you can surf. The beach is also ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving as there is plenty of marine life to see.

6. Jiquilisco Bay, Wetland of International Importance

Jiquilisco Bay is one of the most beautiful corners of the country. This group of beaches made up of Punta San Juan and Pajarito, has been declared a Wetland of International Importance for its mangrove forests and oyster beds that provide a habitat for a large number of birds and other marine animals. The biodiversity of the beaches is incredible. With a bit of luck you may even see sea turtles laying their eggs in the sand.

The Bay is located in an exceptional enclave surrounded by the mountainous scenery of the Tecapa-Chinameca volcanic mountain range, where you can go hiking. The beaches are also white and sandy, with crystal clear water and very calm, so perfect for water sports such as wind-surfing, snorkelling, kayaking… On the beach itself there are four floating restaurants serving delicious food. Definitely one of the best beaches in El Salvador.

7. El Cuco Beach

El Cuco beach is one of the most famous beaches in El Salvador and one of the best tourist destinations to unwind or party on the beach. It is located in San Miguel and has all kinds of services such as accommodation and restaurants, both luxury and more modest eateries where you can enjoy the local fish and seafood dishes.

The vast expanse of this black sand beach and the calm waters make it a perfect place for sports such as volleyball, jogging, football, swimming or even surfing for beginners. It is very pleasant to stroll along its shore and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city with the sound of the crashing waves.

8. El Zonte Beach

Playa el Zonte, located 50km from San Salvador, is one of the favourite destinations for surfers as its waves have nothing to envy to other famous beaches such as El Tunco, Las Flores and El Sunzal. The beach, like the previous ones, is characterised by its greyish sands and the coconut trees that decorate the coast. The main difference is that El Zonte is much quieter and less touristy than the previous beaches. This means that there is less choice of activities to do. The good thing is that it is very well connected by bus to other nearby beaches and tourist attractions, so when the body asks for something to do, you can always take advantage of this option.

9. Los Cóbanos Beach, the best beach for scuba diving

Playa los Cóbanos is the best place to snorkel or dive in El Salvador because of the rocky reefs which are home to a great biodiversity. The best months for diving are from October to February. Los Cóbanos is already one of the best beaches in El Salador thanks to its beautiful golden sand, but it is also great for tourists, with great accommodation, restaurants and activities such as golf.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

El Salvador Beaches Travel Itinerary

Along El Salvador’s almost 9,000km of coastline there are more than 50 incredible beaches where you can relax or surf. However, visiting them all would take too much time and would not be worth it. Therefore, if you want to include a beach in your travel route through El Salvador, we recommend you follow this route from north to south.

The first beach you should visit is Los Cóbanos, which is 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from San Salvador. From there, and less than 1 hour away, you will reach three perfect beaches for surfing: La Mizata, El Zonte and El Sunzal. As you get further south the sea has less waves and the beaches are more touristy, designed for relaxing and partying. A good example is Playa el Cuco, known for its good atmosphere and nightlife. El Salvador’s beaches are characterised by their variety of landscapes and wide range of activities, so if you are preparing a trip to the country, include a stop at one of the beaches we have mentioned in your itinerary.

Travel tips for El Salvador

• The official currency is the Salvadoran dollar.
• Mosquito repellent is recommended.
• Try to always drink bottled water and avoid ice. 
• It’s best to carry small notes, as change is hard to come by. 
• Private cars are a good way to get around, but buses are also a good option, as the whole country is very well connected. 
• Electricity and voltage has a current of 115 volts (v) and a frequency of 60 Hertz (Hz).
• As for plugs in El Salvador uses A and B plug types.
• The best time to travel to El Salvador is the dry season, which runs from November to April.
• It is best to avoid exchanging money at the airport, as prices are high.
• Spanish is spoken in San Salvador.
• You don’t need a visa to travel to El Salvador, but you do need a passport. 
• It is advisable to get a malaria vaccine.
• Cover yourself against possible medical emergencies: travel with insurance.

How to prepare your trip to San Salvador?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its useful features.

• Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
• Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
• Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of every place you’ve visited to the app and recommend to other travellers all the best beaches in El Salvador.

If you have any doubts about how to plan your itinerary, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to the beaches of El Salvador