Entranced By El Salvador
I've visited El Salvador twice at the time of this writing, most recently, in July 2024.
Both times the country was--at its best--safe, welcoming, with plenty to eat, and--at its worst--terribly rainy!
Pro Tip: I highly recommend renting a car to maximize what you can see and do, and to do your sightseeing early in the day. The city of San Salvador, for example, is an hour away from the airport; relying only on organized transportation and tours could prevent you from seeing all the beauty and wonder outside of the city.
1. Where to Stay:
I've stayed a few places in El Salvador, some local and some international chains. If you're staying within the city limits, the Barcelo San Salvador hotel is a perfect refuge of comfort and style. My second choice, further west, is the Hilton San Salvador, which was the place to see and be seen when I visited. Multiple conferences, weddings, and reunions converged on the hotel the same weekend I went. Even numbered rooms and the outdoor dining terrace had a volcano view that was the focal point of conversation.
2. What to Eat:
Pupusas are the El Salvadorean sister to Colombia's arepas.
They're available everywhere and can be stuffed with vegetables, cheese,
3. What to Do:
a. Hot springs, volcanoes, and waterfalls! These three go together like the sun, moon, and stars, and its geographic location makes El Salvador a hot spot for all three. I started at Santa Teresa Hot Springs, which offered dozens of pools of varying temperatures to soak your jetlag away. There is a hotel and restaurant on site -- the former is rugged and honestly felt like camping; the latter served up pancakes that made you grateful for morning in more ways than one.
The Santa Ana Volcano is the most popular to hike. Everything you already know: proper shoes, water, layers for when the temperature changes.
Warning: I was cautioned about climbing the San Salvador volcano alone, for fear of robbers on the route up. Locals highly recommend that you do an organized tour up for the hike.
The Tamanique waterfall requires a 30-minute moderate hike in exchange for a breathtaking view of a gushing drop. Make sure to get a guide from the Official Tamanique tourist office ($7) to take you the quickest and safest route. The hike wasn't difficult but it's steep and often slippery from rainfall. The popular Tamanique waterfall is actually the bottom of a system of falls. An official guide will lead you to a total of six in the area.
3b. Beach clubs! The surf community on the Pacific coast has made El Salvador the new Tulum for sexy beach clubs. The concept is the same: bring your crew to sprawl out beachside with a live DJ and flowing libations in ethereal loft-like settings while you watch local and foreign Adonises catch waves until the sunset. NAWi Beach House is on an idyllic black beach with miles of coast to wander. La Bonita Beach Club was swank and sexy in a prime people-watching location.
3c. Of course, by now you've seen that giant rainbow slide on IG, enticing you to visit for what looks like a massive mountainside playground. First, there are actually two rainbow slides. The closest to the city is at Picnic. Beyond the slide, Picnic offers a giant animitronic troll I had to meet, the shrubbery labyrinth, and, true to its name, a picnic set up with delicious snacks and drinks. Warning: the slide at Picnic is where several riders reported being slammed into a concrete wall at the end. They're not kidding; this slide is for professionals made of teflon. The second slide is at Cafe Albania, the family-friendlier option, but more than two hours outside of the city. Beyond the slide, Cafe Albania offers ziplining, original bicycle and surfboard tightropes, the shrubbery labyrinth, angel wings swing, and a drop swing that literally left me breathless. The Cafe Albania slide is actually two different slides with a landing in between. Warning: after heavy rain, the lower slide is closed as it washes out.
#selfiestickadventures tip: When you leave Cafe Albania, visit the nearby town of Concepcion de Ataco and drop into Cafe la Casona for a hot beverage. My friends agreed this was the best tea and coffee we had on the trip. The cute shop offers honey made from cucumbers, and the margarita and pepita flowers.
4. Favorite Local Spot:
Favorite tourist spot: Cantina. Live music, fun cocktails, and amazing tacos make this a must-do eatery.
(BONUS!) Some more of my favorite to-do's in El Salvador:
[ ] The National Library of El Salvador. Take a minute to appreciate this architectural wonder.
[ ] Puerta del Diablo
[ ] Monument to the Divine Savior of the World
[ ] Metropolitan Cathedral of San Salvador
[ ] Palacio Nacional de El Salvado
[ ] Museum of Art of El Salvador
[ ] Ruta del Flores
[ ] FREE WALKING TOUR IN DOWNTOWN San Salvador
