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Surf City is one of the most beautiful up-and-coming destinations in Central America. It's known for world-renowned waves, stunning beaches, and having (I would say for lack of better words, but honestly nothing can explain it more accurately) an extremely chill vibe. Despite being a coastal destination, it has lush forests, waterfalls, incredible wildlife, and a close proximity to multiple volcanos.

While based around the tiny city of Puerto de La Libertad, ‘Surf City’ itself isn’t a city. It consists of multiple beach towns and seaside villages along the Pacific. The main towns are El Tunco, El Sunzal and El Zonte, but there are many smaller towns, villages, and beaches throughout.

As you can probably gather from the name, it's a surfers paradise known for consistent south and southwest swells, warm waters, and ^[1]right-hand point breaks. Every hotel and hostel heavily caters to surfers with amenities like outdoor showers, board stands, board rentals, and surf lessons.

That being said, I personally am not a surfer so I can assure you there is a LOT to do other than surfing: There's so many activities available from exploring towns, beaches, and nightlife, to hiking, day trips, and trying all the delicious Salvadoran dishes. If you're also not a surfer, or if you are but seek more to do, keep on reading and let’s get into it!

Where to Stay in Surf City

If you want to stay right inside a small but lively beach town, stay in either El Tunco or El Zonte. El Tunco is the best for finding affordable hostels and hotels. While both have luxury options, Zonte has more than Tunco.

If you’re looking for a beautiful panoramic view or want to rent an entire villa, stay on the hills behind Tunco or El Sunzal—this is where the villas are, and it's much higher above sea level, giving you insanely gorgeous ocean and mountain views.

For surfers, you want to stay near a great surf break like the El Sunzal right break, or around hidden gems that surfers love like KM59. This way you can easily paddle out any time of day without having to worry about taking transportation with your board!

Here are some of the best options for places to stay:

Notes:

• I lived in Guaimea Minilofts for 3 months and it was the most perfect location-price-amenities ratio. You have access to beachfront common areas that include a pool! The place was made of noodles and the walls were super thin and there's no hot water, and yet it was my favorite budget stay in El Salvador.
• I stayed in Villas del Mar for 5 months and it was a DREAM. Stunning views and the cutest studio apartments. I highly recommend this place, but the whole Sol y Mar complex is also full of incredible villas.

Views from Villas del Mar Sunzal

How to get Around in Surf City

To get between towns and beaches, there are 3 super easy methods of transportation—take a public bus, use the ride hailing app Nostr Ride (local app where drivers keep literally 100% of the profits), or rent a car.

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While public buses are super affordable (between $0.25 and $1.50 depending on how far you’re going), they can also be a bit annoying since there is no proper schedule and rarely proper bus stops. The only buses I like taking are to San Salvador from El Tunco, and to El Tunco from El Zonte (not even the other way around. Only these ways. Haha.)

As for car rentals, there are lots of companies all around the country, including at the airport and in Surf City itself. Rentals range from $30-50 USD per day, depending on the size and type of car (e.g. 4-wheel-drive cars and big vans are more expensive than 2-wheel-drive and small cars). Some places don’t even require a deposit which is very nice. We often rent from ‘Urquilla Rent Cars’ inside a mini market on the highway near El Tunco and can reccommend it.

Top Things to do in Surf City El Salvador

The Beaches and Towns: Tunco, Zonte, San Blas, Majahual, Palmarcito, KM59

Of course you have to explore all the adorable towns and stunning beaches along the coast. My favorite beaches are Sunzal, Zonte, and San Blas, while my favorite towns are Tunco and Zonte, so prioritize those and then check out whatever else you have time for. Since there's quite a bit to go over, I'll give quick overviews and do deeper dives via individual posts in the future.

Tunco: Extremely lively, adorable beach town that has my heart. Many airy-aesthetic cafes, shops, pupuserias, and a little boardwalk following the coast lined with more hotels, restaurants, and bars. The beach is pretty lovely in dry season - wide and long - but it’s full of rocks during rainy season. Local artists sell their homemade products (like jewlery, accessories, and paintings) along the streets. Bustling with surfers and yogis. Best area for surf lessons and nightlife.

Sunzal: Next to a beautiful cliff with a cave. Quieter and small with two beach clubs. During the low tides of dry season, you can walk along the rocks to Tunco.

Zonte: Super similar vibe to Tunco but larger - the action is more spread out so it doesn't feel as busy. More luxury and unique accommodation options. I prefer this beach over Tunco because it's larger (it's actually separated into three sections via an inlet and the tide) and has beautiful up-close cliff views versus distant mountain views. The best beachfront restaurants and day clubs. Not as much nightlife. Caves at the end of the beach like Sunzal.

San Blas: Extremely quiet compared to the others, and the beach is super wide at lower tides. Very soft sand. You can find some cart vendors, rancheros, and restaurants along the coastline here, but it’s mostly beautiful beach homes and a few hotels/resorts. Perfect spot to watch the sunset. The neighborhood behind the beach is mainly houses in gated communities and some surf hostels. Very very long, connecting to Majuahal across an inlet (crossable during low tide and dry season).

Majahual: Very popular for locals - super crowded Sundays! Lined with rancheros and cart vendors selling minutas, coconuts, mango en flor, and more. Visit for a lively, down to earth vibe.

Palmarcito: Quieter beach in a nice little cove surrounded by cliffs. Atami escape resort guests have a private entrance via a staircase on the cliffs. Some rancheros line the beach and there are natural saltwater pools near the resort cliffs.

KM59: A hidden gem in a cove nestled in the cliffs about 10 minutes past Zonte. Some surf hotels right on the beach and a few further up the mountain. Two little rancheros. Getting down here is pretty annoying because the roads are pretty shit, but its worth the struggle.

Tamanique Waterfalls: Hike and Swim

If you’re looking for an adventure off the beach, this is for you! Located in the town of Tamanique - 25min inland from Tunco - is a series of waterfalls inside a huge ravine surrounded by high rocky cliffs (I am rather annoyed with how much I've been saying 'cliffs', but there are a lot of them in Surf City). There are multiple (super cold) natural pools you can swim in and rocks you can jump off.

You're required to have a guide with you - they're very nice and offer information about the local nature while keeping you safe by telling you where you can and cannot jump from.

For the easiest experience you can book a full tour either online or from many hotels in Tunco or Zonte ($30-50)—I always pass signs for waterfall tours when walking through town, and they take place every single day. Otherwise you can hire a guide right at the tourism building in Tamanique ($5.00–$7.00/person depending on group size). Tours run between 7am and 12pm, since the trail closes at 4pm.

It’s a pretty steep (not super, just pretty) roughly 30-minute dirt trail down to the falls, and around 45 minutes to get back up. You’ll probably spend around an hour down there, so expect the whole adventure to take 2-2.5 hours.

Take a Day Trip: Historic Center of San Salvador and Santa Ana Volcano

Centro Historico

Taking a day trip to the country’s historic center is a MUST when you’re based in Surf City. It's the most vibrant space in San Salvador (El Salvador's capital) full of culture, iconic architecture, and activities the whole family can enjoy. There’s a completely revitalized energy here. I highly recommend spending at least two days in the city because there's much more to do than just Centro Historico, but if a day is all you have, you can certainly make the best of it!

(L) National Palace of El Salvador (R) Catedral Metropolitana

It takes between 45min and 1hr 30min to drive to from Surf City depending on traffic (and traffic in the city can be, if I may be so blunt, a bitch). The center is anchored by Plaza Gerardo Barrios and spreads out from there to vibrant pedestrian streets with gorgeous churches, bustling markets, parks, and historic squares. For a day trip, pick a few of these top things to see and do:

• Tour the National Palace
• Explore the massive 24/7 BINAES National Library & the National Theater
• Visit El Rosario Church & Catedral Metropolitana
• Stroll through Plaza Libertad (the original heart of the colonial city) & Jardín Centroamérica
• Grab a free bike from Plaza Gerardo Barrios to ride the new downtown bike paths
• Catch the sunset from a rooftop bar like Ceache or Moris Rooftop
• Grab a coffee at the beautiful new downtown Starbucks or shop around local bazaars

Santa Ana Volcano

Hiking the Santa Ana volcano is one of the most iconic activities in the country. It's recommended to spend a night in Santa Ana town to explore and then do the volcano hike, but it's also a super popular day trip from Surf City (1.5-2 hour drive each way). A guide is required - you can join a public tour for around $9 or take a private tour for 40$ per group. You can also go via organized tour such as this one on Get Your Guide for a super hassle-free experience.

The hike itself takes between 2.5-4 hours and is moderate difficulty. The crater lake is a vibrant neon green color and has a super gross eggy sulfur smell. You get used to it after a while but be prepared! I read online it smells but didn't believe it was that bad until I was actually there experiencing it. Despite that, it's truly one of the best day trips from Surf City and cannot be skipped!

Punta Roca, Puerto de La Libertad & Sunset Park

To explore Puerto La Libertad, start at Punta Roca. It’s a beautiful grassy park with lots of palm trees, hammocks, and some of the best surf in the country. From there, follow the boardwalk towards Sunset Park. Along the way you’ll find tons of cute seafood restaurants lined up right along the edge overlooking the water.

Sunset Park is a colorful little oceanfront amusement park where you can grab some ice cream and ride the Ferris wheel (which is, of course, best ridden at sunset). When you get hungry, walk to the far end of the boardwalk to the new tourist pier and grab a meal at Legends at the Pier. It’s my favorite restaurant in the area—I always get a spicy marg and the Thai salad!

(L) Punta Roca (R) Sunset Park

Definitely take some time to wander through the actual town of La Libertad, too. The local street markets are incredible-of course they have fresh fruits and veggies, but also just stuff. It’s an incredibly chaotic (that's an understatement) area where you can buy everything from kitchen appliances and school supplies to shoes and clothing.

Try Salvadoran Cuisine

Surf City is an excellent place to get various Salvadoran dishes that you cannot leave the country without trying. The staple ingredients of the local cuisine are corn, beans, plantains, and cheese, and there's an incredible lineup of street food (or, rather, beach food) to try along the coast. Here’s a list of must-try Salvadoran eats!!

Pupusas – The national dish of El Salvador made of a thick flatbread stuffed with cheese and often another savory filling like refried beans. If you don’t eat it with your hands, you’ll be kicked out of El Salvador. I don’t make the rules!

(L) Pupusas (R) Desayuno Típico

Desayuno Típico - Typical breakfast made with fried sweet plantains, eggs, refried beans, hard salty cheese, and a bread roll. It’s truly the best breakfast combo, and while there’s lots of variations, it’s always some mix of these basic ingredients.

Minutas - Similar to snow cones, it’s made by shaving a block of ice into a mound and topping it with either sweet or savory toppings - I hate the savory version personally, but LOVE the sweet.

Minutas cart on El Sunzal beach

Mango en Flor - One of my favorite beach snacks. It’s mango sliced into the shape of a flower, placed on a stick, and topped with spice and sauce.

Quesadilla Salvadoreña - Rich and sweet pound cake made with cheese. It’s somehow dense and airy at the same time, topped with crunchy sesame seed. It’s usually paired with hot black coffee, and I also love it with ice cream (which is not traditional, but sue me!).

Fresh Coconuts - It’s a tropical country right on the pacific, so naturally there’s palm trees growing fresh coconuts everywhere! Delicious and more hydrating than regular water—perfect during a long beach day in the Surf City heat.

Experience the Nightlife

Surf City after dark can get pretty crazy - it's primarily in El Tunco as the bars stay open super late, but Zonte does have some nice ones as well. On busy weekends, pupuserias stay open way after the bars close and are flooded with lines of people waiting for the perfect late night Salvadoran snack.

Two of the most famous Surf City beach clubs are Kakos and La Bonita. La Bonita is prettier, but Kakos plays better music (that's my OPINIONNNN!!! Only like two of you will get this reference but it's worth it). Both are a must at least once when in town.

(L) House Project event at El Vikingo (R) La Bonita beach club

Right in the middle of town, Tunco Square has become a staple of Tunco nightlife. There are multiple drink vendors, restaurants, and live music events multiple times a week - sometimes almost every night during high season. Occasionally there's ‘bring your own instrument’ nights where anyone can perform on the stage!

Some places host weekly Kareoke nights (like Mopelia), and a hostel called Vibes Wellness House (which has the best gym in Tunco) has a weekly event ‘wet wednesdays’ that anyone can join. While walking through Zonte and Tunco, make sure to check out the posters on the phone poles or in the ATM rooms because they’re often advertised there which is the best way to hear about it other than word of mouth.

Join a Class or Lesson - Surfing and Yoga

Zonte and Tunco are very community-driven towns. There's yoga, surfing, pupusa making classes, co-working studios, group tours, and so much more. When you visit it's such a good idea to join an activity whether to learn something new, see a top sight, or make some friends.

Yoga: My two absolute favorite places to join a class are Balance Surf & Yoga in Tunco and Esencia Nativa in Zonte. Esencia Nativa has lessons in one of two beautiful Shalas with ocean views and it’s the absolute best way to start the day. Classes are hosted nearly every single day, and there are often beachfront sunset events, so keep an eye on their socials!

Balance Surf & Yoga studio and property

Surfing: I mean, it’s SURF City - a place famous for its waves. Do I even have to explain this one? At either San Blas or Tunco, you have to take a surf lesson and ride the waves featured in top competitions! Lessons are offered from multiple reputable companies. The waves in San Blas and Tunco are an excellent place to start as a beginner, since the waves there are much more forgiving than beaches like Zonte or Palmarcito. Who knows, you might just fall in love with it and end up riding some right break waves!

Lessons range from $35-60 - depending on the company and whether the lesson is private or with a group - and last between 60 and 90 minutes. Some notable companies in town are Wayo and El Tunco Surf School. Walking around town you’ll see plenty of signs for surf lessons or board rentals, so don’t stress about any booking in advance but you can if you want to!

Watch the Iconic Surf City Sunset

The Surf City sunsets are iconic. The giant blazing sun goes down right over the pacific, and if you’re in the right spot in Tunco, you can watch it set right over the famous rock structure that gives the town its name. 'Tunco' actually means pig, and they say the rocks look like a pig on its back with its legs in the air. I, however, can’t not see a whale on its belly with its tail in the air behind it. What do you see?

Literally anywhere on the coast, high in the mountains, on the cliffside at a restaurant like Betos, or right on the beach, is a great place to watch the sunset.

Keep in mind that the best sunsets occur during high season (November-April). As the rainy season comes and Earth spins on its axis, the sun begins to set over the surf city mountains (northwest) rather than right over the ocean (southwest).

Pack your bags and get ready to ride world-class waves, sip coconuts at sunset, and head out on incredible day trips. I hope this guide helps you plan the ultimate trip. Have the best time in El Salvador, and send me an email if you have any questions before you go. Don't forget to subscribe for early access to new posts and insider tips!