Tour El Salvador: Unveil a Wonderful Mosaic of Culture, History, and Nature (Small-Group / 9 Days)

Overview

Join our multi-day tour to El Salvador to discover the culture, history, and nature of this beautiful and charming country. Often bypassed by travelers focused on other more famous Central American destinations, it would appeal particularly to those seeking off-the-beaten-path adventures. World-class surfing on deserted, dark-sand beaches; coffee plantations clinging to the slopes of mountains, charming flower-filled communities with mural-covered houses, and majestic national parks may all be found here.

Highlights

• Explore galleries and museums and dive into the teeming markets of San Salvador.
• Visit the captivating UNESCO-listed ruins of Joya de Ceren known as the "Pompeii of the Americas".
• Explore la Ruta de las Flores, a 36 km-long serene and verdant route perfect for hiking, village-hopping, and food experimentation.
• Relax your soul and body in Ahuachapan's hot springs.
• Do surfing on El Salvador's Pacific coast known for its vibrant party scene and beautiful black-sandy beaches.

Itinerary

Day 1: San Salvador

Welcome to San Salvador - a handsome Central American capital surrounded by green-tipped volcanoes, pleasant leafy suburbs, and filled with outstanding galleries and museums. Arrive at any time and take a taxi/shuttle bus to your accommodation. Once there, take your time to rest or explore the city. In the evening, meet your Tour Leader and the rest of the group for a welcome meeting followed by an optional dinner in one of the local restaurants.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in San Salvador
• Meals Included: n/a
• Activities Included: welcome meeting

Day 2: San Salvador - Suchitoto

Start your day with a walking tour of the historic center of El Salvador's capital and a guided visit to the National Anthropology Museum. Then, move to the beautiful town of Suchitoto. Architecture buffs will surely love its colonial buildings, while outdoor types can choose between numerous hikes to waterfalls, caves, and beautiful Suchitlán Lake. Suchitoto is also a bird migration zone with over 200 species. Thousands of hawks and falcons fill the skies as the seasons change and birds of all sorts nest in the relative safety of the lake islands. After arrival and seeing impressive basaltic prisms of nearby Cascada Los Tercios, visit a charming Alejandro Coto House Museum and take a walking tour of the historic center of the town. In the evening, join an optional dinner and get-together with your group in one of the local restaurants.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Suchitoto
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: walking tours in San Salvador and Suchitoto; visits to the National Anthropology Museum, Cascada Los Tercios and Alejandro Coto House Museum

Day 3: Suchitoto – Joya de Cerén Archeological Site – San Andrés Archeological Site - Lake Coatepeque

Firstly, take a boat tour of Lake Suchitlán and Market Food Experience in the morning. Thereafter, visit the impressive Mayan ruins of Joya de Ceren (UNESCO-listed) and San Andres in the afternoon. In the evening, arrive at your accommodation on the shore of Lake Coatepeque to enjoy the beautiful sunset and impressive views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Later, join an optional dinner and get-together with your group in one of the local restaurants.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B on the shore of Lake Coatepeque
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: boat tour and Market Food Experience in Suchitoto; guided visits to Joya de Ceren and San Andres Archeological Sites

Day 4: Lake Coatepeque - Tazumal Archeological Site – Ahuachapan

In the morning, continue our "Tour to El Salvador: Culture, History & Nature" and take free time to enjoy the sun, swim, or jet ski on the lake. Then, go to explore the impressive Tazumal Archeological Site before finishing in Ahuachapán. Situated at the beginning of the Ruta de las Flores, it's a prosperous, small provincial capital that supplies 15% of the country’s electrical power thanks to the wonders of geothermal energy. Finally, relax in one of Ahuachapan's thermal springs and explore its vibrant streets before an optional dinner and get-together with your group in one of the local restaurants in the evening.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Ahuachapán
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: guided visit to Tazumal Archaeological Site; access to Ahuachapán thermal springs; walking tour in Ahuachapan

Day 5: Ahuachapán - La Ruta de las Flores - Cerro Verde National Park

Spend your day exploring la Ruta de las Flores, a 36 km-long serene and verdant route perfect for hiking, village-hopping, and food experimentation. Traveling by private vehicle, visit its brightly colored colonial towns, hike to impressive waterfalls, and see one of the country's first coffee plantations. Finally, after a full day of exploration and discoveries, rest at your accommodation in Cerro Verde National Park and enjoy imposing views of the nearby Santa Ana Volcano.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Cerro Verde National Park
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: entrances to Cascadas de Don Juan and Laberinto de Café

Day 6: Cerro Verde National Park - El Zonte - El Tunco - La Libertad

First, in the morning, take a 3-hour intermediate-level hike to enjoy the sunrise from the crater of Santa Ana Volcano. Then, go to discover El Zonte and El Tunco - small villages on the Pacific whose beautiful black-sand beaches are considered one of the best in the world for surfing. Once hidden gems known only amongst Salvadorans, now they are some of the most popular surfing destinations in El Salvador and especially appeal to international visitors. Afterward, move to our final destination, La Libertad, a quieter beach town with windswept sandy beaches and a more authentic Central American experience.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guesthouse in La Libertad
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: guide hike to Santa Ana Volcano; orientation walks of El Zonte, El Tunco, and La Libertad

Day 7: La Libertad

Free program: rent a surfing board and enjoy the waves, relax on the beach sipping a refreshing cocktail, or go hiking in the nearby Walter Thilo Deininger National Park. Alternatively, walk down the malecon to enjoy delicious local seafood and awesome views of the Pacific, people watch, and visit the pier where fisherman bring in their daily catches. In the evening, opt to experience local party vibes or join locals down from El Salvador at one of the local bars. Finally, finish the day with an optional dinner and get-together with your group in one of the local restaurants in the evening.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in La Libertad
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: n/a

Day 8: La Libertad

Last day of our "Tour to El Salvador: Culture, History & Nature". Depart at any time or extend your vacations and stay longer!

• Meals Included: breakfast

Why go with us

• Small groups of up to 12 travelers: thus closer communication, easier coordination, more adventures, and fun!
• Off-the-beaten-track tours with maximum immersion in local nature, culture, and traditions.
• The easy-going atmosphere of our tours is perfect for informal travel and making new friends among co-travelers and locals.

Logistics

• ACCOMMODATIONS: All accommodations are centrally located, tourist-class, locally-owned properties with private facilities in each room. We can arrange pre- & post-tour accommodations but not earlier than 2 weeks before the departure when we send you final trip notes.
• ROOM TYPES:
  • Shared Twin Room: Single bed in a twin room shared with another co-traveler of the same gender. This option is specifically designed for solo travelers and applies just to group departures.
  • Double/Twin Room: Private room for 2 people. You can choose between 1 double bed or 2 single beds.
  • Triple Room: Private room for 3 people. It normally has 1 double bed for 2 people and 1 single bed for 1 person.
  • Quad Room: Private room for 4 people. It normally has 2 double beds for 2 people each.

  If none of the room types above fits you, please contact us and we will send you a personalized quote.

• TRANSPORT: The type of vehicle depends on the size of the group and hence may include a car, 7-seater, or minivan.
• PHYSICAL CONDITION: This tour involves a decent amount of walking & hiking. Therefore, travelers should have moderate physical fitness condition.
• ACTIVITIES: Participation in all activities is optional - just be sure to be in time for daily departures.
• WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU: Comfortable clothes and shoes; swimming suit and slippers; a smaller backpack for daily tours; hat/cap, sunglasses, and sunscreen; travel insurance; good mood and curiosity.
• PRICE: * The price of the tour/person depends on the number of travelers and the room option you choose.
• VISA: For the entry of citizens of Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua they can present their Identity Document or valid passport in good conditions. Citizens of any other country must present their valid passport in good condition. In addition, they must verify in the list of visas required for the entry of foreigners (see list here) if their country requires a visa to enter El Salvador.