Surfing in El Salvador
Home to several solid point breaks and beginner waves, El Salvador is an up and coming surf destination for travelers to Central America.
El Salvador is a tiny coutry nestled between Guatemala and Honduras. With a south-facing coastline, there are several good breaks along the stretch of beach in La Libertad and Oriente. Just an hour or so from the international airport, the surf spots here are super accessible. The cute little beach towns scattered along the coast here offer some great waves for beginners and intermediates, with K59 often pumping up to advanced surfer only levels.
Overview
Relatively quiet given the quality of waves
Beginner and intermediate waves
Tons of waves super close to one another
Definitely best during wet season (summer)
Beginner Waves
Advanced Waves
Surf Camps
Surf Season in El Salvador
Unlike a few other Central American countries that get good surf year-round, El Salvador really is significantly better in the wet/rainy season. From May to August/September, you’ll get the best south swells. All of the beaches here face almost directly south, so the consistency is slightly lower. But when it delivers in the rainy season, it delivers. The waves at K59, Punta Roca, and Punta Mango are some of the best on offer in the region. During the dry season, you may find some whitewash good for absolute newcomers to the surf scene, but not much else.
Other Things to Do in El Salvador
Although its a small country, there’s plenty to do in El Salvador. One of our favorite things we’ve done is hiking. Make sure you hire a guide, and you can visit some incredible volcanoes, lookout points, and small traditional villages. The hiking and views from elevation are really a standout here. You may also visit some of the towns and cities to get a bit of history, architecture, and art during your trip. There are also a handful of waterfalls, lakes and National Parks worth visiting. We recommend checking out National Park el Imposible.
Surf Spots in El Salvador
La Libertad
Oriente
Things to Know About El Salvador
El Salvador certainly isn’t the safest country in Central America, but crime has fallen significantly in the last decade. Although you should be smart with your belongings and person, the truth is we’ve never had any problem visiting this country. People are generally super friendly and stoked to have you there visiting to surf. They also use the USD, which makes currency a non-issue. Prices really peak during Christmas, Easter, and New Year, so try to avoid these times if you’re on a budget.