Curator’s statement
Over the last seven years, El Salvador has undergone a remarkable transformation, emerging as one of Central America’s most exciting up-and-coming destinations. This stunning country is far more than beautiful landscapes and friendly people. It offers the rare opportunity to experience a place before it’s fully discovered. Without the crowds of more established destinations, travelers can enjoy beautiful beaches, vibrant local culture, rich Mayan history, colorful arts, and unforgettable flavors—from freshly made pupusas to world-class coffee. Most travel guides frame El Salvador as a playground for rugged adventurers, focused on long hikes and extreme terrains. Here, I show you another side of the country—a place where you can slow down, savor coastal beauty, dive into culture, indulge in incredible food, and still experience the magic of El Salvador without exhausting itineraries.
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Where to go: San Salvador
I recommend beginning your journey in the heart of the capital, San Salvador. On my first night, I joined a historical walking tour, an experience that quickly became one of the highlights of the trip. My guide brought El Salvador’s past, present, and future to life while weaving together history with cultural moments, including pupusa and horchata tastings. It set the tone beautifully for the rest of my travels, offering a deeper understanding of the country and allowing me to experience it through a richer, more meaningful lens.
San Salvador. Photo credit: Brittany Wilson
Coupling this tour with exploring Centro Histórico—one of San Salvador’s most vibrant and revitalized areas—is the perfect day to spend a full day. Highlights include the 24-hour National Library, a truly special and interactive space for all ages, with immersive themed areas devoted to the likes of Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Mario Kart. You can also take a 40-minute guided tour of the awe-inspiring National Palace, visit the National Cathedral and Rosario Church—known for its colorful rainbow lighting—and wander local markets. One of the most beautiful Starbucks locations is also here, where you can enjoy Salvadoran Pacamara coffee. The main square is also an amazing place to people-watch and catch street performers and spontaneous dancing—and don’t miss my favorite pupusas at Kuskutan.
The National Palace. Photo credit: Brittany Wilson
Rosario Church. Photo credit: Brittany Wilson
For a second day in El Salvador, I recommend spending it in the more cosmopolitan Zona Rosa neighborhood. Here you can find great shopping and a food court at Bambu Center Mall. There are a ton of restaurants, cafes (include Alquimia Coffee, ranked #14 in the world), and boutique stores woven throughout the streets. The Museum of Modern Art was one of my favorite museums I’ve been to—interesting art and not overwhelming. Check for special Monday evening hours with concert programming for $2 over the normal admission of $5. The restaurant is very good, too!
Suchitoto is an easy half-day trip from San Salvador. Here you can learn about local indigo dyeing and visit the colonial town with a great culinary scene. You can also check out the second largest lake in El Salvador—Lake Ilopango, an incredible crater lake—and enjoy the sites, have lunch, or scuba dive.
The Mayan ruins are a unique experience and a must-see while in El Salvador. There are several Mayan sites located between San Salvador and Ruta de las Flores on the way to Santa Ana. Most tours also stop in Santa Ana and Lake Coatepeque.
Mayan ruins. Photo credit: Brittany Wilson
Ruta de las Flores is a beautiful, native countryside region of El Salvador. Venture to the home of the Nawi, the indigenous people of El Salvador, and learn their history. Explore local markets, visit coffee plantations, and walk the colorful town of Ataco. Many tours often also visit Cafe Albania, home of the famous rainbow slide, for some lunch and bike zip-lining and Santa Teresa Hot Springs for relaxation.
Cat store in Ataco. Photo credit: Brittany Wilson
There are a number of easy-to-find tours running from San Salvador daily to both The Mayan Ruins and Ruta de las Flores. Most companies run tours daily (except Monday). Tours will have you back in town between 5–6 pm and cost approximately $100 per person. While geographically it looks like it would be easy to do both excursions on your own, the reality is they are hard to get to unless you rent a car or hire a driver, so I recommend basing out of San Salvador and doing day trips.
Natural springs
El Salvador has many natural springs, some hot and some cold. Santa Teresa is the popular hot spring on Ruta de las Flores and near Santa Ana. There are many day trips to the area that include this spring. Near San Salvador, you’ll find Los Chorros, which is a refreshing cold spring with a curtain of waterfalls at the bottom of volcanic cliffs. It’s about a 20-minute drive from Zona Rosa, and it's easy to get an Uber both ways.
Beach towns
El Tunco is the most talked-about beach town in El Salvador. It is well situated less than an hour directly south of San Salvador and an easy drive to the airport. El Tunco is well known as a party town and surf town. There are some fantastic resorts here as well.
Lake Coatepeque is a quieter lakeside town near Santa Ana. Here you can do water sports or hike one of the three volcanoes that surround it.
Mizata
I spent half of my trip in Mizata and the new Nawi Beach House. Antiresort is a picturesque resort with bungalows on the water overlooking the most spectacular sunsets. You can ride horses on the beach, participate in a Mayan ritual ceremony, take yoga in the chalet, and visit the sauna, cold plunge, or wellness center. The restaurant Omakasi features sushi hand-selected from the market that morning, a true luxury travel experience for a fraction of the cost. If you don't stay at Antiresort, you can always purchase a day pass to Nawi Beach House. All of the food was delicious, and you do not want to miss their piña colada!
My favorite part of Mizata was the local flair. The staff really took time to offer a personalized touch. There is a local dog sanctuary, Impawsible Village, where you can play with over 60 dogs that are available for adoption. Watching a baby sea turtle release at sunset was a bucket-list experience I didn’t expect to encounter. This town was truly magical and I loved walking around here.
Sunset at Nawi Beach House. Photo credit: Brittany Wilson
Pina colada at Nawi Beach House. Photo credit: Brittany Wilson
Food
Most El Salvadoran food is meat- or fish-centric, especially if you’re in a coastal town. However, you can find a lot of international foods in bigger cities like El Salvador.
Pupusas are the country's most well-known food, usually available after 3 pm. They come in many different varieties—corn, yucca, or cassava flour—and have an infinite variety of fillings to choose from. This is a great option for people who have dietary restrictions as they can be vegetarian and gluten-free. Quesadillas are not what you’re used to. They are a flat cheesy bread eaten for dessert.
Drinks
If you’re visiting a cafe, be sure to try a horchata. El Salvadoran horchata is heartier than in other countries. You can add coffee and specify your preferred type of milk. Please be careful if you have a nut allergy.
Coffee
El Salvador is a fantastic place for coffee lovers! Ranked the 14th-best coffee house in the world, Alquimia Coffee has something for everyone. Located in the Zona Rosa area of San Salvador, this is a great place for breakfast, lunch, or remote working, and is located a short walk from the Museum of Modern Art. In Centro Histórico, be sure to check out the most beautiful Starbucks with murals and stained-glass windows picturing coffee scenes and local El Salvadoran coffee. You can also visit coffee plantations in the hills of Ruta de las Flores, where you can sample bourbon and Pacamara, traditional El Salvadoran coffee.
Need to know
Plan your week wisely. I call Monday national cleaning day in El Salvador because all attractions are closed for cleaning. Even if they say they are open, it might only be a small area. Mondays are a great day to stay at the beach or travel.
El Salvador is great for people with little experience traveling to foreign countries. The local currency is the US dollar, power outlets are the same as in the US, and I found more people speak English than in other countries because many people have spent time in the US. Do bring sunscreen and bug repellent, only drink bottled water, and exercise normal travel safety precautions.
El Salvador delivers an unforgettable blend of culture, cuisine, and scenery—without the crowds. It’s an ideal destination for travelers seeking something meaningful, vibrant, and truly different.
For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our El Salvador page.
Travel Advisor
Brittany Wilson
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