Highlights And Hidden Gems In El Salvador (16 days)

El Salvador is a small Central American country known for its rich culture, beautiful landscapes, and friendly locals. El Salvador is a one of a kind travel destination as it offers a unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance. Visitors can explore lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and active volcanoes, as well as delve into the country's rich Mayan and colonial history. 

The country also offers a variety of delicious traditional foods and a vibrant local arts scene. Additionally, El Salvador's people are known for their warmth and hospitality, making it a welcoming destination for travelers. 

One of the must-see destinations in El Salvador is the Ruta de las Flores, a picturesque mountain road with charming towns and coffee plantations. The El Imposible National Park, is a must-see for nature lovers with its breathtaking waterfalls and diverse wildlife, while the El Tunco is a popular spot for surfers, with its consistent waves and laid-back atmosphere. 

History buffs will appreciate the charming colonial town of Suchitoto and the revolutionary history of Perquin, meanwhile, the Gulf of Fonseca offers a great opportunity for eco-tourism and mangrove forests exploration. El Salvador offers an off-the-beaten-path experience for those looking to discover a new and unique destination. We have put together the perfect travel itinerary for your trip in El Salvador combining many highlights and some off the beaten path destinations for this slow travel.

Our tour starts and ends in San Salvador, but our travel agency can also arrange border crossing and transport between El Salvador and Honduras or Guatemala.

Tour Summary:

Day 1: Arrival in El Salvador
Day 2: Ruta de las Flores - Concepcion de Ataco

Day 3: Concepción de Ataco And Coffee Tour
Day 4: Cerro Verde National Park: Volcano day tour
Day 5: El Imposible National Park - Barra de Santiago
Day 6: Playa El Tunco
Day 7: Suchitoto
Day 8: Suchitoto - Lago Suchitlan
Day 9: Alegria - Perquin
Day 10: Perquin - Museum of the Revolution
Day 11: Perquin - El Mozote
Day 12: Playa Las Flores
Day 13: Day tour Golfo de Fonseca
Day 14: Bahía de Jiquilisco
Day 15: San Salvador
Day 16: Departure

Tour in Depth:

Day 1: Arrival in El Salvador

Meet and greet with our team at the airport and transfer to your hotel in San Salvador.

Day 2:  Ruta de las Flores – Concepcion de Ataco

Today we’ll leave the city and go towards the green mountains, home to many coffee plantations, lagoons and deep green forests. We’ll be driving on the most famous road of El Salvador: Ruta de las Flores and will stop in charming villages such as Juayua and Nahuizalco where we’ll have short stops to finally end in Ataco, famous for its art and colorful murals. Ataco also has many coffee plantations which you can find all over and around the town. This will be our base for the coming few days from which our day tours will start. 

Day 3. Concepción de Ataco And Coffee Tour

Today we’ll go to a coffee processing facility: Finca El Carmen which has been growing and producing its own coffee for several generations. Our coffee tour starts with tasting the local coffee, which is done the traditional way with a wooden coffee machine and cloth as a filter. Afterwards you’ll be shown and explained the different stages in the production process. In the afternoon we will explore the town a little bit more and visit some nearby waterfalls as well. 

Day 4. Cerro Verde National Park: Volcano day tour

Today we’ll head to the National Park “Los Volcanes'', also called Cerro Verde National Park. The park is home to the volcanoes of Izalco, Santa Ana and Cerro Verde, a magnificent park with rich biodiversity and great hiking opportunities. You can choose to either climb the Izalco volcano or the highest volcano in El Salvador, the Santa Ana Volcano. Both are wonderful experiences with great views during your hike. It is also possible to take a more relaxing walk through the national park on flatter terrain which takes you through the woods with several viewpoints of the volcanoes. If time permits, we’ll visit the waterfalls of Calera in Juayua on our way back to Ataco, where we will stay for another night.

Day 5. El Impossible National Park - Barra de Santiago

In the morning we’ll drive to the Santa Rita Protected Area, a semi-tropical forest that remains green and lush even during the dry season. Here we will have a walk through the jungle on forest paths and wooden bridges to Poza de los Lagartos. From the observation deck we can see the largest caiman population in El Salvador. It is a beautiful sight to be able to see these imposing animals from so close.

The reserve is near the El Imposible National Park, known for its stunning natural beauty and diverse wildlife. It's a special destination for nature lovers, hikers, and adventure seekers. The park is home to a variety of ecosystems, including cloud forests, mangroves, and dry forests, as well as a wide range of plant and animal species. You can choose from several hiking trails, which offer breathtaking views of waterfalls, canyons, and lush vegetation. The park is also home to several endangered species such as the howler monkey, white-lipped peccary, and the black iguana. One of the most famous and spectacular trails is the El Imposible waterfall where you can take a refreshing dip in its natural pools. It's also a popular spot for birdwatching, with over 200 species of birds recorded in the park.

After visiting the park we’ll head to Barra de Santiago, a beautiful natural site, which is still unknown to most tourists. Barra de Santiago is a small coastal town located in the eastern part of El Salvador, known for its beautiful beaches and mangrove forests. It's a special destination for eco-tourism and adventure seekers. The town is surrounded by a network of mangrove estuaries and lagoons, which are home to a diverse array of marine life and birds. We will stay in the area tonight. 

Day 6. El Tunco

Today we’ll head to Playa El Tunco, a cozy beach village on the coast of La Libertad. El Tunco is famous among surfers because of the great waves which can be had at El Tunco and its surrounding beaches. Today you can surf or simply  relax on the soft black volcanic beach. El Tunco is a lively place at night and there are several bars and restaurants. We will have a visit to the nearby waterfalls of Tamanique, about 10 minutes from El Tunco and  see the fish market on the pier of Puerto La Libertad.

Tonight we will stay at a hotel in El Tunco. 

Day 7. Suchitoto

Today we leave the coast and are heading towards the colonial town of Suchitoto. On our way we’ll have a stop in Ilobasco, a small town known for its handmade pottery.. Suchitoto has beautiful white colonial buildings, beautiful old streets with cobblestones, a striking church and many art galleries and restaurants. Many restaurants have a panoramic view of Lake Suchitlan, a dammed river. Today we’ll take it easy and explore the city at a relaxed pace. We’ll stay here overnight. 

Day 8. Suchitoto - Lago Suchitlan

We will have a nice boat trip on Lago Suchitlan today  and will also have a visit to the house and museum of the Salvadoran painter and writer Alejandro Cotto. Later today we’ll take a walk along the river , the Zacamil suspension bridge, various viewpoints and El Cubo. Overnight in Suchitoto

Day 9. Alegria – Perquin

We are leaving Suchitoto and changing scenery for Alegria, a small picturesque village located in the mountains and famous for the many flowers which can be seen everywhere. Alegria was also home to the famous Salvadoran writer Alberto Marferrer who lived here, near the lagoon of Alegria. This crater lake has a unique green color due to the amount of sulfur in the water. The water of the lake is very warm and there are several geysers. After our visit to Alegria, we’ll continue to the northeastern part of El Salvador, where we will spend the night in the village of Perquin. 

Day 10. Perquin - Museum of the Revolution 

Perquin is located in the Cordillera Nahuacate mountain range, which was the territory of the FMNL guerillas during the civil war in the 1980s. Here we will visit the Museum of the Revolution, an exhibition of photos, posters and weapons that give a good idea of the Salvadoran Civil War from the point of view of the revolutionaries. Afterwards we will go see the clear blue waters of the Sapo River, where you can swim in the river and visit the waterfalls. Overnight in Perquin. 

Day 11. Perquin - El Mozote 

Today we will walk to the village El Mozote, which was badly affected by a massacre conducted by the army during the war. Thousands of civilians died during this tragedy. There is a large monument to the fallen people which can be seen. The route towards this village is beautiful and gives a rewarding hiking opportunity. We will stay here tonight. 

Day 12. Playa las Flores

Today we’ll head to one of the most beautiful beaches in El Salvador: Playa Las Flores, a black-sand beach located in the Eastern region of El Salvador, known for its rugged natural beauty and excellent surf conditions. The beach is located in the department of La Union, which is known for its beautiful beaches and great surf conditions. Playa Las Flores is considered one of the best surf spots in El Salvador, and it attracts surfers from all over the world. The beach also offers a variety of activities such as swimming and sunbathing. We will explore the surrounding area and discover the natural beauty of the place, such as the nearby cliffs, coconut groves and natural pools.

Overnight near the beach.

Day 13. Day tour Golfo de Fonseca

Golfo de Fonseca is located in the south-east of El Salvador and shares territory with Honduras. It is home to idyllic volcanic islands, small fishing villages and black sand beaches. During today's boat trip you will see dolphins, pelicans, various birds and sometimes even whales (November–January). You’ll explore the island of Meanguera, the largest island in the Gulf. We’ll have the rest of the day to explore the island, go to the volcano top, walk on the beach, and mingle with the very relaxed and friendly locals. Enjoy the perfect views of the various islands with their volcanic peaks. In the late afternoon we’ll go back to Las Flores, where we’ll stay for another night. 

Day 14. Bahía de Jiquilisco

Today we’ll explore the little-known, but fantastic Bahía de Jiquilisco, a mangrove forest formed by a large number of canals and home to more than 17 different bird species. You will go by kayak through the channels deep into the mangrove forest where you will see a variety of birds, crabs, turtles and fish during this trip. If there is still some time we can walk to El Nacascolo where the last spider monkeys of El Salvador live. From August to January you can release baby turtles at night on Isla Mendez. Overnight in Puerto Barillas Lodge. 

Day 15. San Salvador 

After breakfast we sail back to the mainland and then go to San Salvador, where you can enjoy a free afternoon.

Day 16. Departure 

Today we’ll bring you to the airport. We can also transport you to the border between El Salvador and Guatemala or Honduras and arrange your border crossing and transport.

Included: 

- Accommodation in midrange/upper midrange hotels/guesthouses
- All transport in private vehicles
- Professional, local English speaking guide  (or Spanish of course)

- All entrance fees and activities as describes 

Not included: 

- Visa and tourist pass 

- Flights 

- Meals and drinks 

- Tips and gratuities