Visit El Salvador

General Tips

El Salvador uses mostly US Dollar as currency, Bitcoin is also accepted in a majority of places.

The best ways to get around in El Salvador is either using Uber, InDrive, Chicken Buses or Collectivos

-Uber: Use your traditional uber app to get around, as a solo traveler I loved using the moto uber option as it is quick to travel in traffic and very affordable.

-InDrive: InDrive is also an app that many people use to find the best possible rate for a car like uber.  When booking a car through InDrive you can set a price you would like to pay for a trip and post it to a forum in the app, where drivers can then bid on your ride.

-Chicken Buses: This is the main form of public transportation that you will hear about and see on the roads in El Salvador.  Chicken buses are old, decked out US school buses that run many routes along main roads in the country.  You can wait along the side of the road for a bus and flag it down, I suggest telling the driver where you would like to get dropped off ahead of time or paying close attention to where you are driving and being sure to ask the driver to stop as you approach.  Just as you were picked up on the side of the road, that is also where you will get dropped off.  Costs are typically $1-$5.

-Collectivo:  Collectivos are essentially the nicer version of a chicken bus, they run the same routes in vans and typically have A/C.  You would also catch this transportation on the side of the road and flag down the driver as they approach.  These vans usually have the location of the start and end of their routes printed on them.  This is how I got from El Tunco to San Salvador.

Beach Towns

El Tunco/La Libertad/Bitcoin Beach

Accomodation

-Guaimea Minilofts: You can find this on airbnb, instagram or google maps.  Great location and staff.

Restaurants

-Capt Cook: Best ceviche in the town, with a wonderful family owned vibe.

-Mopelia: Delicious food with open mic/live music every Tuesday.

-Pupusas: The heart of El Salvadorian food you can find all over any town.  My favorite in El Tunco is attached to the Mr.Coffee on Google Maps.

-Restaurante La Bocana: The best seafood soup in town with cheap beers and a great view of the famous El Tunco rock, surfers and sunsets.

-Garage Burgers: Very good burgers.

-Bao House: Good asian food, delicious buns.

Surfing

-Playa Majahual: Good for beginners, sand beach.

-Playa El Tunco: Good for advanced, rock beach.

Activities

-Tamanique waterfalls: Take a collectivo from the main road up to the city, then find the tourism office and hire a guide to take you to the waterfalls.

-Yoga at Breathe Surf & Yoga: Enjoy a lovely yoga class at Breathe Hotel run by a very sweet family.

Going Out

-Kokos: Most popular place to go out in El Tunco.

-La Guitarra: Live rock music.

-Loroco Bistro: Occasional live music.

San Salvador

-Walking tour of the historic city center with Erick via GuruWalk: Either book through the GuruWalk app or book with Erick directly Whatsapp +50375653933.  Erick has an abundance of knowledge on the history of El Salvador and can answer any of your questions.

-Hula Hula Mercado: This was one of my favorite stops on the walking tour and I made an additional stop to take in the view on the top floor food court.

-Cuscatlan Park: A big park located in the center of the city.  This is a good place to take a midday stroll or spend sunset.

-Maquilishuat Park: Another park in the city with Rainbow Eucalyptus trees and views of the city from above.

-Cerro Verde Park: Take a day trip to Cerro Verde park to see Santa Ana Volcano.

-Lago de Coatepeque: Visit this beautiful lake after hiking the Santa Ana Volcano, enjoy a good meal and take a dip to cool off.

-Brutto El Salvador: Rooftop drink in a more boujee part of town

-Rooftop bar: Rooftop drink in a more local area

-Going out: Anchor Bar & Restaurant

If you have any questions about visiting El Salvador or want a more detailed itinerary, set up a consultation call with me and we can discuss!  Happy travels!