There are several tours you can experience while travelling in El Salvador:
DAY TOURS
We can offer you the transportation to a location without a guide, just our driver and you can visit the city or landmark at your own pace or we can hire in English speaking guide that will explain you more on El Salvador’s history and diversity landmarks (3 days advance notice, subject to availability) or our customers can take a tour with our country’s top tour operators.
Some of our tours that include our transportation and overnight might require that the customer pays for driver/lodging (we can look up at budget places)
We highly recommend reserving the tours at least 2 days prior to tour as we need a quote base on number of people unless we can provide transportation and no guide is needed:
Our Transportation:
Nissan Urvan 2012- 8 passenger
Nissan Pick Up 2014- 3-4 passenger
SURF TOURS
PLAYA LAS FLORES
The East Coast of El Salvador, also known as the Wild East, it is a surfers piece of Heaven on Earth , totally different from La Libertad. It is located in an impressive jungle were you will find the most beautiful beach breaks and a lot of right point breaks, two of them qualified as World Class Waves, only accessed by boat.
In Las Flores you’ll enjoy one of the best waves of El Salvador. Las Flores right point break it is a long, consistent, fun wave with a sand bottom and tubular sections. being in Las Flores the main activity is surfing, and one of the activities is to take a boat and surf Punta Mango point break the most tubular wave in the country.
Punta Mango is 15 min. West of Las Flores. Access: boat only. Powerful right cobblestone point break w/200m rides when on, machine-like. It is has a hollow take off with a serious barrel at size AND a hollow inside section. It works on a 3ft+ swell and all tides, but 4-7 ft SW is best. Closes out over 8 feet. Reef booties are recommended but not mandatory.
The hollowest wave in the region, but also the most wind sensitive. Experienced surfers only even when small, due to currents and shallow inside rocks. The wave has become popular and is sometimes semi-crowded w/3-4 boats and 15-20 surfers at peak hours.
LA LIBERTAD
The Puerto de La Libertad was founded in 1927 and it is the first port of El Salvador, back in the 50’s it was an international tourist destination; its major attractive was Punta Roca’s wave, back in the days was know as the Latin American J Bay, it was visited mostly by nomad surfers that adventure themselves looking for perfect waves here in the south.
One of these surfers was Bob Rotherham, who has established now in the town of La Libertad, he is a North American nationalized as a Salvadorian. Joined by his son, the Quiksilver pro surfer Jimmy Rotherham they administrate the surf camp and restaurant Punta Roca, which has decades of history and it’s a must be visited.
The port and its infrastructure was damaged back in the civil war last decade; and now, with the help of the government, the municipal table and different people interested in the tourist development of this part of La Libertad it forms part of an ambitious project which is now a few steps of being totally reconstruct.
The dock is a proudly icon of the habitants. The craft fishing it is the mainly use that is given to the port because of history and tradition. By walking on the dock you could enjoy of fresh seafood being sold in the dock market. Near by you could also find restaurants and bars at the beach shore where you could enjoy of the local gastronomy and exquisite preparation based on different seafood of the zone.
In La Libertad you can surf different spots, the main break is Punta Roca and its last section Playa La Paz, but you will find dfferent areas around like Conchalio pointbreak, beach break as Playa El Obispo.
Punta Roca is very popular spot for travelers and for locals if know as the Latin JBay, one of the best right pointbreak in America, is a strong wave, long and powerfull, very impresive when is big and is the spot that all the best surfers will surf with the best and bigger swells
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
LAS FLORES RESORT (LUXURY SURF) www.lasfloresresort.com
Transfer from Puerto Barillas to Las Flores Resort. Local lunch. Surf tour at Punta Mango (transfer
by boat from Las Flores Resort. Transfer to Hotel. Return to Puerto Barillas hotel. (L)
Las Flores Day Package:
Includes:
Advance Surfer: (2) boat rides per day
Intermediate/Advance:(1) boat ride per day
Surf Coaching for Beginners: 90 minute of instructions per day
All of the tour packages include: surf board * (Except Firewire and Stewart* Additional cost at a special price *Security Deposit Required)
*A (1) 90 minute session or a (2) 45 minute session
Includes Lunch: Soup + Entree + soda or natural juice + coffee or tea
Usage of luxury facilities
Prices are per person/ day: $123.00
A 10% tip is not included in beverage and surf packages to be paid at the resort
Does not include transportion
Transportation 1-8 people: $200.000 (LFR)
For overnight package stays at Las Flores Resort, please contact our Service Manager: Emerita Sanchez cesanchez@puertobarillas.com
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Other recommendations
PLAYA LOS MANGOS (Hotel Los Mangos) www.puntamangohotel.com
Transferto Hotel Los Mangos
Lunch at the hotel- Chicken or fish and a non-alcoholic drink
* Surf Board rental: $20.00 Full day
$12.00 Half day (EST)
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PLAYA EL COCAL, Mandala Eco Villas (LA LIBERTAD)
Transportation to La Libertad
Tour includes entrance to Eco Villas property
Usage of facilities
Tour to any of the surf spots depending on surfing level and waves during the day.
Playa Punta Roca, Playa El Cocal, Playa El Zonte o Playa El Sunzal
*Surf Board Rentals approximately: $15.00 per board (Mandala)
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LA LIBERTAD
CAFE SUNZAL
FULL DAY TOUR – SURF
Round Trip transportation with limited lunch
*Surf board rentals $15.Full Day
$10.00 half day (EST2)
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OTHER DAY TOURS
Indigo Blue and Suchitoto colonial town (Our Reccomendation)
8 Hours
Departure: 8.30 am
Service: Private
Operates: Daily (subject to availabilty)
Difficulty: Easy
Price includes: Private vehicle and driver, private guide, lunch, indigo workshop, sales tax.
CODE: ODT04-A
RECOMMENDATIONS
• Walking shoes.
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat.
• Fresh clothes.
DESCRIPTION
In this tour we will visit Suchitoto, one of El Salvador’s colonial towns. Its name means the place of the Flower Bird. Walk along the charming cobblestone streets surrounded by lovely old colonial homes. Suchitoto is home to Santa Lucia Church, built in 1853, majestically situated in the town’s central square. We will have lunch at charming Hotel Los Almendros de San Lorenzo.
After lunch, we will enjoy an Indigo Workshop. Indigo is a natural colorant extracted from the Xiquilite plant. It was a very important element for the Mayans since they used it for magic/religious rituals, as a medical plant, for pottery, and for painting. When the Spanish “Conquistadores” arrived to El Salvador in 1524, Indigo became the new source of wealth in the region.
Pedro de Alvarado noticed how the Indians used several shades of blue in their clothes. In 1558, the Habsburg King Charles I ordered the territories of Guatemala and Cuscatlán (El Salvador), to produce indigo for Spain.
The commercial route was through Granada, then to Cartagena de Indias from where it travelled to Spain. In the XVII century, the ounce of indigo was as valuable as gold. El Salvador’s indigo, has always been recognized as top quality worldwide. We will learn the process of indigo as well as art techniques used on clothing as we experiment in designing our own scarf. (GBR)
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Hiking the «Lighthouse of the Pacific»
9 Hours
Departure: 8.00 am
Operates: Daily
Difficulty: Medium to medium- High
Price Includes: Private vehicle and driver, private guide, lunch, entrance fee, sales tax.
CODE: ODT02-A
RECOMMENDATIONS
Hiking clothes (hiking shoes, pants, long sleeves).
Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat.
Take enough drinking water.
DESCRIPTION
Volcanoes National Park (description in tour #1) provides the wonderful opportunity to hike to the crater of 2 amazing volcanoes. Izalco Volcano is a cone shaped volcano made up of sand and lava rock creating a challenging but rewarding hike. Once at the summit, you will be able to walk around the crater experiencing the warm fumaroles and the amazing views. With a personal and experienced guide, the total hike takes about 5 hours.
The other option is Santa Ana Volcano. This volcano provides a different hike since it is a more solid and massive body. Once at the top, this volcano offers the view of Coatepeque Lake as well as the sulfur green lagoon inside the crater. Total hike takes about 4 hours. On a clear day, even the ships on the Pacific Ocean can be seen. (GBR)
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Coffee and Flower Route
9 Hours
Departure: Private
Operates: Daily (Subject to
Difficulty: Easy
Price Includes: Private vehicle and driver, private guide, lunch, coffee tour, sales tax.
CODE: ODT03-A
RECOMMENDATIONS
No specific recommendations.
DESCRIPTION
The Flower Route is a coffee plantation area in the Western side of El Salvador. It is composed of 4 main towns and it has a nice welcoming weather due to the altitude. The towns are Nahuizalco, Juayua, Apaneca, and Ataco. The region offers amazing views of mountains and volcanoes, crafts, coffee tours, charming towns, markets, and adventure options.
We will visit a coffee plantation and if the tour takes place within coffee season (DEC-MAR), travelers will be able to collect coffee themselves along with the locals.
After this experience, a guided tour will explain each step of the coffee process. Travelers will be able to buy coffee products and crafts as souvenirs. We will enjoy lunch in a charming restaurant of the area.
Optional: travelers may be able to enjoy adventure options such as horseback riding, mountain bike, ATV tour, or a zip line tour. (GBR)
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Volcanoes Tour
8 Hours
Departure: 8:30 am
Service: Private
Operates: Daily
Difficulty: Easy
Price Includes: Private vehicle and driver, private guide, lunch, entrance fee, sales tax.
CODE : ODT01-A
RECOMMENDATIONS
Walking shoes.
Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat.
We will reach an altitude of 2300 mts. above sea level.
DESCRIPTION
El Salvador is the country with more volcanoes per square kilometers in the world. This is because there are many volcanoes in a very small country, (20,000 square kilometers). From San Salvador we have easy access to visit some of these beautiful volcanoes.
On this trip, we will visit El Boquerón and Volcanoes National Park which is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. El Boqueron is the name of the crater of San Salvador’s Volcano. Locals say that it has this name given that the crater resembles a big mouth (boqueron = Big Mouth).
At approximately 1,700 meters above sea level, it provides a cool climate in between 15 – 23 ºC. We will be able to walk to the edge of the crater and admire its beauty.
Then we will continue to Volcanoes National Park, where three amazing volcanoes (Izalco Volcano, Santa Ana Volcano and Cerro Verde) embrace beautiful Coatepeque Lake which fills a crater of another volcano.
Izalco Volcano is one of the youngest volcanoes in America because it was born in the 1700’s, whereas Santa Ana Volcano is thousands of years old. Izalco Volcano was known as the “Lighthouse of the Pacific” since its lava guided the ships on the Pacific Ocean Coast. No lava is currently flowing, but both volcanoes are still active since constant fumaroles are present. In Cerro Verde, located in the middle of the other two volcanoes, we will walk around its extinct crater providing breathtaking views of Izalco and Santa Ana and Coatepeque Lake. A typical world – famous pupusas lunch will wait for us at Cerro Verde. (GBR)
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Mayan History Tour
9 Hours
Departure: 8.00 am
Service: Private
Operates: Daily except Monday
Difficulty: easy
Prices includes: Private vehicle and driver, private guide, lunch, entrance fee, sales tax.
CODE: ODT05-A
RECOMMENDATIONS
• Walking shoes.
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat.
• Fresh clothes and repellent.
DESCRIPTION
El Salvador is part of the Mayan World, and in this tour we will visit its main archaeological sites. Joya de Cerén was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993, and it is known as the “Pompeii of the Americas”. This agricultural community was buried by the ashes of Caldera Volcano back in 600 AD. Thanks to the excellent preservation, this site allows us to witness the everyday lives of the Mesoamerican agricultures of such time period. There is also a comprehensive museum on site.
We will also visit Tazumal, a ceremonial site which has the highest known pyramid in El Salvador (24 meters). There is an interesting archaeological museum with many jewels and 4-sided stone sculptures with embossed found in 1942 and dating 800 BC approx. We will also visit Casablanca (white house) Archaeological Park with a number of pyramids, a museum, and an exciting interactive dying workshop (Indigo) a natural blue colorant extracted from the xiquilite plant and used by the Mayans. (GBR)
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San Salvador City Tour
Duration of Tour: 4 hours in San Salvador
Departure: 8.30am
Service: Private
Operates: Daily
Difficulty: Easy
Price Includes: Private vehicle and driver, private guide, lunch, entrance fee, sales tax.
CODE: ODT07-A
Recommendations
• No specific recommendations.
DESCRIPTION
San Salvador is the second largest city of Central America with a population of about 1.8 million people. We will visit the main landmarks of the city including downtown where we will see the National Palace, a neoclassic building built in 1905. It has a beautiful central patio as well as more than 100 rooms. Its files include important documents from the colonial period.
We will also visit the Metropolitan Cathedral which substitutes the previous edifications destroyed by earthquakes or fires. The Cathedral is surprisingly wide and large (Neo-Romanesque and Byzantine) and celestial drawings are
Painted on its cupola. Inside stand a wooden figure of the Divine Savior of the World and the tomb of Archbishop Romero, a martyr and an important figure for El Salvador. Rosario church is also an interesting stop. With its bizarre building, it holds the grave of Father José Matías Delgado, a very important figure of the Central America independence. Then we will also drive by the main avenues and streets until we arrive to a local crafts market where you will be able to buy some souvenirs. For lunch, we will enjoy the world famous Pupusas which are tortillas stuffed with cheese or cheese and beans or pork. (GBR)
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Tour Suchitoto From Puerto Barillas
Full Day Suchitoto y Suchitlán Lake
Suchitoto comes from pre-Columbian times where the Spanish concurs had a big influence. This has been much conserved as you can see during a city tour by foot. Suchitoto has great colonial church Santa Lucia, art galleries and antique houses. The town is located at the food of Lake Suchitlan, a former river that was dammed and has an ecosystem that offers much ornithological interest for abundance as well as for the variety of species, pelicans, herons and storks. Included a boat trip on the lake and visit to the island Los Pájaros. (EST)
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Full Day hike Santa Ana Volcano CerroVerde
We will start our trip towards Volcanoes National Park, where three volcanoes come together: Izalco Volcano, Santa Ana Volcano (both of which active – but not erupting) and Cerro Verde, an extinct volcano. The volcanoes are located within beautiful scenery and have a wide biodiversity. There are many species of animals living inside the park; among them are many types of hummingbirds and the black birds known as «chara» which feed other birds such as toucans, during their mating season At a 11 am you will hike up Volcano Ilamatepec (Santa Ana) 2,381 meters above sea level, the tallest volcano in El Salvador. The volcano has four craters and one of them held a sulfur lagoon. It’s most recent eruption was on the morning of October 1st. 2005. The volcano is located within the hills of Apaneca, surrounded by cloud forests, in region full of coffee plantations. You will have a great view to Lake Coatepeque, a beautiful, clean, and sparkling blue crater-shaped lake. (EST)
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Full Day The Flowers and Coffee Route
Today you will enjoy a full day tour beginning with the colorful town of Ataco. Here you will visit a local coffee factory to learn the production progress from growing and harvesting to the delicious final product.
This afternoon you will have at your leisure to explore the beautiful city of Ataco before continuing to Nahuizalco. A small town with strong indigenous roots, Nahuizaclo is known for its wicker and famous for its evening market dating from ancient times. (EST)
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ONE NIGHT STAY HOTELS – RECCOMENDED- (We have agreements with the following hotels so we can make your reservation directly
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EL CUCO/ PLAYA LAS FLORES
LAS FLORES RESORT & SURF CLUB FULL BOARD
SUCHITOTO (COLONIAL TOWN)
LOS ALMENDROS DE SAN LORENZO (HOTEL BOUTIQUE)
SAN SALVADOR
INTERCONTENTAL HOTEL
HILTON PRINCESS
MULTI DAY PACKAGES
MIX AND MATCH… Either you can go for one day, stay the night o continue travelling the next day
Travel for 1 day, 1 night up to 3 nights and learn more about El Salvador.
DAY 1: Transfer from Puerto Barillas to La Libertad. Surf tour. Local lunch. Transfer to Hotel at La Libertad.
Lodging in Casa de Mar hotel. (L)
Price included:
• 1 night in Casa de Mar hotel with breakfast, based on standard double room.
• All Price based on all PAX traveling together. Extra cost for extra transfers applies.
• Private vehicle for all trip: Coaster (22 seats): For all PAX.
• English speaking guides from Puerto Barillas hotel.
• Local guide in La Libertad for surf tour.
• 1 lunch per person.
• All entrance fees and activities are included: Surf tour with local guide.
• Bottled water in the vehicle.
• All local taxes and fees are included.
Price does not include:
• Surfboard. Extra cost per person $20
• Dinner.
• Travel insurance.
• Tips for guide and drivers.
• Personal expenses.
• Services not specifically mentioned
DAY 2: Transfer from La Libertad Hotel. Panoramic City tour San Salvador. Joya de Ceren Archaeological site.
Local lunch. Transfer to Suchitoto and Indigo Workshop. Transfer to hotel. Lodging in Los
Almendros de San Lorenzo hotel (B, L)
Morning we will have a panoramic city tour for San Salvador city. San Salvador is the second largest city of Central America with a population of about 1.8 million people. Then we will continue to the archaeological site of Joya de Cerén, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993. This agricultural community was buried by the ashes of Volcano Caldera back in 600 AD for which it is also known as the “Pompeii of the Americas”. And although no bodies were found, there are signs that its inhabitants received prompt warning of the eruption. Thanks to the excellent preservation, this site allows us to witness the everyday lives of the Mesoamerican agricultures of such time period; we can witness their homes, beds, crop fields and even saunas. This makes it a unique place within the Mayan World. There is also a comprehensive museum on site where you can see the oldest cacao seeds known in the world. Local Lunch.
After lunch, transfer to Suchitoto. Suchitoto town is one of El Salvador oldest colonial towns. Its name means the place of the Flower Bird. We will walk along the charming cobblestone streets surrounded by lovely old colonial homes. Suchitoto is home to Santa Lucia Church, built in 1853, majestically situated in the town’s central square.
We will experience an Indigo Workshop. Indigo is a natural colorant extracted from the Xiquilite plant. It was a very important element for the Mayans since they used it for magical/religious rituals, as a medical plant, for pottery, and for painting. When the Spanish “Conquistadores” arrived to El Salvador in 1524, Indigo became the new source of wealth in the region. Pedro de Alvarado noticed how the Indians used several shades of blue in their clothes, and in 1558, the Habsburg King Charles I ordered the territories of Guatemala and Cuscatlán (El Salvador), to produce indigo for Spain. The commercial route was through Granada, then to Cartagena de Indias from where it travelled to Spain. In the XVII century, the ounce of indigo was as valuable as gold. El Salvador indigo, has always been recognized as top quality worldwide. We will learn the process of indigo as well as art techniques used on clothing as we experiment in designing our own scarf.
Price included:
• 1 night in Los Almendros de San Lorenzo hotel with breakfast, based on standard double room.
• All Price based on all PAX traveling together. Extra cost for extra transfers applies.
• Private vehicle for all trip: Coaster (22 seats): For all PAX.
• English speaking guides from La Libertad hotel.
• 1 lunch per person.
• All entrance fees and activities are included: Panoramic city tour, Joya de Ceren archaeological site, indigo workshop.
• Bottled water in the vehicle.
• All local taxes and fees are included.
Price does not include:
• Dinner.
• Travel insurance.
• Tips for guide and drivers.
• Personal expenses.
• Services not specifically mentioned
DAY 3: Transfer from Suchitoto to Volcanoes National Park. Climb the Santa Ana volcano. Local lunch in
Coatepeque Lake. Transfer to Flower Route. Lodging in Misión de Angeles hotel (B, L).
In the morning we will head to Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO BIOSPHERE RESERVE where three amazing volcanoes (Izalco Volcano, Santa Ana Volcano and Cerro Verde) embrace beautiful Coatepeque Lake which fills a crater of another volcano. Izalco Volcano is one of the youngest volcanoes in America since it was born in the 1700’s, whereas Santa Ana Volcano is thousands of years old. Izalco Volcano was known as the “Lighthouse of the Pacific” since its lava guided the ships on the Pacific Ocean Coast. No lava is currently flowing, but both volcanoes are still active since constant fumaroles are present. Volcanoes National Park offers amazing hiking and trekking, in this trip we will climb the Santa Ana volcano. Local Lunch in Coatepeque Lake.
Afternoon continue to Flower Route for lodging.
Price included:
• 1 night in Misión de Angeles hotel with breakfast, based on standard double room.
• All Price based on all PAX traveling together. Extra cost for extra transfers applies.
• Private vehicle for all trip: Coaster (22 seats): For all PAX.
• English speaking guides from Suchitoto hotel.
• 1 lunch per person.
• All entrance fees and activities are included: Volcanoes National Park, Climb the Santa Ana volcano.
• Bottled water in the vehicle.
• All local taxes and fees are included.
Price does not include:
• Dinner.
• Travel insurance.
• Tips for guide and drivers.
• Personal expenses.
• Services not specifically mentioned
DAY 4: Coffee tour. Zipline. Local lunch. Return to Puerto Barillas hotel. (B, L)
The Flower Route, a coffee plantation area in Western El Salvador, is consists of 4 main towns and has comfortable weather due to the altitude. The towns are Nahuizalco, Juayua, Apaneca, and Ataco. The region offers amazing views of mountains and volcanoes and offers crafts, coffee tours, charming towns, markets, and adventure options.
We will visit a coffee plantation and if the tour takes place within coffee season (DEC-MAR), travelers will be able to collect coffee themselves along with the locals. After this experience, a local guide will explain each step of the coffee process at the mill, finishing by tasting a delicious cup of coffee.
Then we will enjoy a zipline tour and then we have a local lunch. Afternoon transfer to Puerto Barillas hotel.
END OF SERVICES
Price included:
• All Price based on all PAX traveling together. Extra cost for extra transfers applies.
• Private vehicle for all trip: Coaster (22 seats): For all PAX.
• English speaking guides from Flower Route hotel.
• 1 lunch per person.
• All entrance fees and activities are included: Coffee tour and zipline.
• Bottled water in the vehicle.
• All local taxes and fees are included.
Price does not include:
• Dinner.
• Travel insurance.
• Tips for guide and drivers.
• Personal expenses.
• Services not specifically mentioned
NOTES:
• Hotels are not confirmed.
• We reserve the right to make changes in the itinerary due to situations beyond our control.
• Indigo process is seasonal: June to November. But Indigo workshop (dye) can be done all year.
• Coffee Mill tour may be done all year: From December to May you will be able to see it operating. (GBR)