El Tunco is a delightful beach destination during your trip to El Salvador. It’s a great place to relax for a few days and enjoy the beach. This village is located on the west side of the country and can easily be combined with other destinations. This place is also known as Surf City, and for good reason. Even if you don’t feel like surfing, it’s still a wonderful addition to your travel plans; read more below!
In addition to being Surf City, it is also a popular party destination. If you’re looking for a destination that is a bit quieter, I recommend visiting El Zonte. It’s a neighboring village known for its chill and laid-back vibe by the Pacific Ocean.
El Tunco | El Salvador
→ Flights to El Salvador
→ Accommodation tip: Papaya Lodge and Hotel and Bar La Guitarra
How to Get There?
Most likely, you are visiting El Tunco from San Salvador or Juayua. If you are coming from San Salvador, you can take bus #102A from the central bus station. This minibus costs $1.50, has air conditioning, departs every half hour, and takes you straight to El Tunco in about 1 hour. It is not the final destination of this bus, so pay attention to when you need to get off. You pay a bit more for this bus because it’s not the regular ‘chicken bus’. The other option is to take bus #102, which is the standard local bus. However, it stops in La Libertad, and you would then need to transfer to reach El Tunco.
Getting to El Tunco from Juayua is a bit more complicated. In Juayua, you take bus #249 to Sonsonate, which departs approximately every quarter hour. In Sonsonate, you transfer (at the same bus station) to bus #287, which goes to La Libertad and stops in El Tunco. Bus #287 only departs twice a day, at 06:00 and 15:30, so it’s important to plan this well. The total cost for this journey is $2.50. If traffic is good, it takes about 3 hours.
What to Do in El Tunco
It’s important to know that El Tunco is relatively more expensive compared to the rest of the country. This is especially true for restaurants. While we had dinners for $3 in other destinations in El Salvador, prices here are often around $15. Of course, there are cheaper options, but those take a bit more searching. Regardless of the prices, it’s a really fun town, and chilling at the beach can be completely free.
Surfing
Whether you are experienced or not, it’s a good spot for surfing. I mainly speak from the perspective of a beginner, as it was my first time on a surfboard in El Tunco. The Bamboards Surf Academy is definitely recommended. They offer private lessons, and they are patient with you. For $35, you get a 90-minute lesson, and afterward, you can use their surf gear for the rest of the day for free. We took our lesson first, and after resting, we went back into the water for an hour to practice. Just be aware that while surfing during the lesson went well for us, without help it became a lot more challenging. So don’t be surprised if it suddenly gets much harder!
Watch the Sunset
On the beach, you can catch a beautiful sunset from anywhere. The sky colors beautifully orange-red above the beach and the sea, with people surfing — it’s a stunning sight. Sit down at one of the beach restaurants, or lay down a towel on the sand and enjoy the sunset. Many surfers also take to the water during sunset.
Relaxing at the Beach
Whether you want to surf or not, it’s delightful to relax on the beach and enjoy the sun. In the meantime, you can watch experienced surfers or have fun with beginners who tend to fall. The sea has waves, but they are not very high, so you can also swim well in the ocean.
Nightlife
In the evening hours, some restaurants on the beach turn into bars/clubs, primarily during the weekend. On weekdays, it’s much quieter. We spent Saturday night at La Bonita Beach Club. There’s a $5 cover charge, and a DJ plays music for dancing.
→ Tip: There are also plenty of places with live music where you can sit back and enjoy your drink.
Shopping
El Tunco has many cute shops with clothing and other items. Most shops focus on surfing gear, but they have cool stuff. Additionally, you’ll find plenty of swimwear and accessories. Various stands along the road also sell jewelry and other smaller items.
A Day Trip to El Zonte
If you’re staying longer in El Tunco, it’s nice to take a day trip to El Zonte or La Libertad. Many consider El Zonte to be the most relaxing destination. The village is known for its relaxed atmosphere, surfing, and caves. If you wait by the main road at El Tunco, you can catch bus #192, #192A, or #192B; when they come by, simply wave your hand and the bus will stop for you, as there are no fixed bus stops. It’s important to keep track of when to get off.
→ Tip: If you want to return to El Tunco around or after sunset, it’s wise to ask a local when the last bus back leaves.
Food
There are plenty of eateries in El Tunco. Some places give off an Ibiza vibe with their atmosphere and bohemian style. Good breakfast spots include Ohana Surf Cafe (there’s also a great ice cream shop next door) and Point Break Cafe. Both places serve good food and delicious drinks. For a solid salad or burrito after surfing, Jungle SV is a great spot. Additionally, Pupuseria El Sol is a good budget option in El Tunco; they serve tasty pupusas. If you’re in the mood for Asian food, I recommend Bao House.
Where to Stay
Since it’s the only beach destination in El Salvador, I would recommend staying here (if you have the time) for four days. This way, you can take your time and relax. If you have less time, two days is also sufficient.
I stayed just outside the gates of El Tunco. From the main road, there is a checkpoint to enter the village where all the restaurants and many accommodations are located, along with the beach. I didn’t realize this when I booked and ended up staying just outside the gates. It was fine and slightly cheaper, but meant a 20-minute walk to the beach each time.
In the village, you have many different accommodations, from luxury to hostels with dormitories. I’ve heard many good stories about Papaya Lodge. Breakfast is included, and there’s a nice pool. Additionally, Hotel and Bar La Guitarra is a bit higher class and well-reviewed.
→ Book right away: Papaya Lodge or Hotel and Bar La Guitarra
Have fun at this lovely destination in San Salvador.
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