Surfing Guide to El Salvador

• Summary

• When to go

• Where to stay

• Surf Camps

• Getting there

• Safety/things to know

• Surf spots

Summary

El Salvador is a bit of a hidden gem in Central America. Most of the surfing tourism being concentrated in Costa Rica and Mexico, this leaves us with uncrowded perfect right-hand point breaks and cheap cost of living.

 

To find the best surfing destination for you, try our WaveFinder search engine!

 

Majority of the surf spots in El Salvador are located around the El Zonte/La Libertad/El Tunco region which is also where most of the tourist infrastructure will be found. With plenty of bars, restaurants and accommodation, you are certain to meet many fellow surfing travelers and have a very pleasant time.

 

Locals are extremely welcoming and they get along well with tourists. Make sure you pay a visit to the local surf shops for lessons, mentoring or board rental.

 

Further east, near Playa El Cuco is another good surfing region for a little change of scenery. Although El Salvador has a reputation for being unsafe, with a little bit of precaution, one will end up having a wonderful time away from trouble, catching amazing uncrowded waves.

 

 

 

When to go

Although conditions are great all year, the best time to surf El Salvador is from May to November when waves are more consistent. This also happens to be during the rainy season in Central America.

 

 

Also read: Our surfing guide to Popoyo, Nicaragua

 

 

Where to stay in El Salvador

La Libertad is a great place to stay on a surf trip to El Savador providing great access to many surf spots, restaurants and accommodation.

 

Browse our interactive map to find the best accommodation deals in El Salvador!

 

Best surf hotels in El Salvador

Ast Surf Hotel

Boca Olas Restort Villas

 

 

Surf Camps in El Salvador

Find a Surf Camp in El Salvador, Starting at US$797

7-day Legendary Surf Camp in La Libertad
US$797, includes:

• Surfing sessions
• Surfing tours with a surf guide
• Excursions to Mayan ruins, shopping malls, and folkloric towns
• Roundtrip airport transportation
• 6 nights’ accommodation

 

 

Surf spots in El Salvador

El Zonte

This region offers a great right-hand point by the rivermouth as well as a beach break which can be ridden by surfers of all skill levels. There are numerous rocks on the beach as well as the point which can get exposed on the low tide. Be careful.

Wave direction : Right and left
Bottom : Rocks and sand
Best tide : High
Skill level : Any
Optimal swell direction : SSW
Optimal wind direction : NNE

 

K59&61

Photo by @re_zeachild

K59 is a very nice and long right-hand point break located about 25 minutes from La Libertad. K61 is also a right point but does not line-up as good as K59. Both breaks are located in front of K59 resort.

Wave direction : Right
Bottom : Reef
Best tide : High
Skill level : Advanced
Optimal swell direction : S
Optimal wind direction : N

 

El Sunzal

The area’s most consistent break is El Sunzal. This wave is great for surfers of all skill levels and long boarders.

Wave direction : Right and left
Bottom : Rocks and sand
Best tide : High
Skill level : Any
Optimal swell direction : SW
Optimal wind direction : NE

 

Punta Roca

Works from April to October and is considered as the best wave in El Salvador. A punchy and sometimes hollow right-hand point with respectable length.

Wave direction : Right
Bottom : Rocks
Best tide : High
Skill level : Intermediate and advanced
Optimal swell direction : SSW
Optimal wind direction : NNE

 

El Cuco

Good spot for beginners and long boarders, El Cuco is located further east and offers nice soft and sloppy waves.

Wave direction : Right and left
Bottom : Rocks and sand
Best tide : High
Skill level : Any
Optimal swell direction : SW
Optimal wind direction : NE

 

 

Getting there

The international airport is in San Salvador from where you can jump on a bus to the coast.

 

 

Safety/things to know

-Avoid getting out of tourist zones at night

-El Salvador still has a reputation for being a fairly dangerous country within Central America