REGION:
CENTRAL AMERICA
ABOUT 13 HRS FLIGHT FROM THE UK, 5-6 HRS FROM THE US, 9 HRS FROM CANADA
NOV-APR SUNNY & FUN-SIZED. PEAK SWELLS MAY-OCT.
ALL ABILITIES,
EXCELLENT SURF SCHOOLS
REGION:
CENTRAL AMERICA
ABOUT 13 HRS FLIGHT FROM THE UK, 5-6 HRS FROM THE US, 9 HRS FROM CANADA
NOV-APR SUNNY & FUN-SIZED. PEAK SWELLS MAY-OCT.
ALL ABILITIES,
EXCELLENT SURF SCHOOLS
El Salvador Family Surf Travel Guide
Point Breaks, Palm Trees and Pupusas: Exotic Surfing Adventures in El Salvador
El Salvador is a hidden gem for family surf adventures, boasting a diverse coastline with world-class waves, stunning beaches, and a vibrant culture.
El Salvador Surf Holiday Highlights
- The ‘land of right-hand point breaks’, as well as beach breaks and boulder reefs. Plenty of waves for all levels.
- Excellent surf schools and surf hotels catering for families – whether you’re beginners or experienced.
- Eco-friendly family accommodation and boutique hotels right beside the waves.
- Relatively short flights from major US cities.
- The smallest, safest destination in Central America, and home to some of the most consistent waves in the world.
- Delicious and affordable local cuisine, including fresh seafood and pupusas.
El Salvador Overview
El Salvador is also dubbed the “Land of the Volcanoes,” boasting a wild, volcanic landscape that’s laced with history, Mayan culture, and now a booming surf culture. Fast becoming known as the “Land of the Rights” amongst surfers, its pacific coastline is littered with consistent righthand point breaks and blessed with consistent swells, creating a surfer’s paradise all year-round with options for all skill levels.
El Salvador Surf Trips
Our El Salvador surf guide outlines where to surf, when to go, and what to do while visiting this exciting surfing destination with your family. We’re busy researching and visiting family surf resorts and hotels in El Salvador, and will add some accommodation options shortly. Please check back soon.
Quick Facts About El Salvador as a Family Surf Destination
Getting there: From the UK it’s around 13-17 hours flight, via Miami (MIA) or Atlanta (ATL) to San Salvador International Airport (SAL). If you stop in Atlanta and have a long layover, we can recommend a cheap sleep at The Sleep Inn – there’s a free shuttle from the domestic terminal.
Getting around: Most hotels can arrange airport transfers. You can hire a driver, get taxis or rent a car for flexibility to explore different surf spots. Taking the bus is the cheapest and easiest option for short journeys (usually 50 cents), but it can be crowded and difficult with boards, so best for short, local journeys.
Surf season: Year-round, with fun-sized waves from November to April (dry season) and bigger swells May to October (wet season).
Surfing level: Beginner to expert.
Climate: Tropical climate with warm temperatures 25-28C year-round.
Wetsuit: Boardshorts and bikinis all year!
Time zone: CST (Central Standard Time)/ GMT -6
Currency: US Dollar ($). Bitcoin is also legal tender.
Family Surf Co says:
HAYLEY LAWRENCE
“El Salvador is such an easygoing destination for a family surfing holiday, and the waves are world-class and consistent. I’d say it’s better suited to intermediate surfers, but there are also beach breaks for beginners, and lots of surf hotels offer bespoke tuition, kit hire and guiding, catering for all abilities.
With balmy temperatures, buzzing beach life, a welcoming culture and plenty of attractions from volcanoes to waterfalls, it’s a real family adventure. We went at Christmas time and Santa certainly delivered with pumping waves and pure sunshine.”
Read on to discover the best locations to surf, play, eat and stay on your family surfing holiday in El Salvador.
SURF: WHERE TO GO FOR YOUR FAMILY SURF HOLIDAY IN EL SALVADOR
One of the fastest-growing surfing destinations in the world, El Salvador’s coastline is home to endless righthand point breaks. Adopting the surf culture as a beacon of change for a brighter future following years’ of civil war, the government has pledged millions of dollars to support the development of Surf City around La Libertad and the country’s most famous break – Punta Roca. A second Surf City development is now underway in the east of the country, around Las Flores.
Now one of Latin America’s safest destinations, you’ll find perfect surfing set ups and surf-focussed accommodation throughout El Salvador. Our favourite spots for a family surfing holiday include:
La Libertad – Punta Roca
La Libertad is the heart of Surf City, home to the famous Punta Roca surf break – now a stop on the WSL Championship Tour. The waves can be crowded and challenging along this section of the coast between Punta Roca and El Tunco, but there are a few easier spots for families and beginners including La Paz. There is plenty of surf-side accommodation for all budgets, although it’s got a much busier and more built-up vibe than some of the other areas nearby.
El Sunzal
Marking the start of the surf-led developments that stretch all the way to Punta Roca and La Libertad, El Sunzal is home to a classic point break with waves for all levels. One of the best, and most consistent waves in the region for progressors and longboarders, it delivers freight-train rides from outback to its cobblestone shore. Plus there are plenty of surf-side camps, hotels and kit hire where families can enjoy surfside facilities.
El Zonte
This bohemian little beach town is a family-friendly paradise with plenty of cool places to stay by the waves. There’s a peeling righthand point break and a punchy beach break, and if you’re intermediate or advanced surfers with young kids in tow, it’s perfect for beach days and tag team surfs. If you need tuition and/ or guiding, there are surf schools if you need them, yoga classes to stretch into the day and plenty of pupuserias and local foodie spots.
K59 & K61
If you’re looking for the simple life that’s all about surfing, coconuts and pupusas, head to these remote and legendary point breaks. You’ll often be joined by turtles in the line-up and there really is very little to do except up your wave count and quench your thirst with ice-cold coconuts between sessions.
Las Flores and El Cuco
Catch the true El Salvadorian holiday vibe at Playa El Cuco, where Latino fiesta music blares onto the beach, pupusas are flipped on streetfood grills and beach kiosks sell sombreros, ice shavings and inflatables. At the western tip of the beach is Las Flores, a world-class point break that beckons beginners on smaller days, and fires barrels on bigger swells. There’s a range of family surf hotels on the shoreline, and if you head west you’ll discover point breaks all the way to Punta Mango.
Featured El Salvador Surf Trips
PLAY: THINGS TO DO ON A FAMILY SURFING HOLIDAY IN EL SALVADOR
- Explore the Ruta de las Flores, a scenic route through charming towns and coffee plantations.
- Visit the Mayan ruins at Tazumal.
- Go hiking or birdwatching in the El Imposible National Park.
- Enjoy a boat tour to see dolphins and whales.
- Explore sea caves and rock pools teaming with marine critters.
- Spend simple family days at the beach – swimming, building sandcastles and cooling off with ice shavings with sweet, sticky toppings.
EAT: FOOD & DRINK FOR ALL THE FAMILY IN EL SALVADOR
- Indulge in delicious pupusas, a staple El Salvador dish of corn tortillas filled with cheese, beans, and other ingredients.
- Tuck into fresh fish, prawns and lobsters beside the waves. The seafood here is incredible.
- Breakfast on the local dish of huevos rancheros – eggs with avocado and salsa.
- Enjoy tropical fruits like mangoes, papayas, and pineapples.
- Enjoy ice-cold coconuts to rehydrate between surf sessions.
- Tuck into succulent steaks reared locally.
- Sip El Salvador’s delicious coffee, known for its rich flavour.
STAY: FAMILY-FRIENDLY SURF HOTELS AND ACCOMMODATION IN EL SALVADOR
- Choose from eco-lodges, boutique hotels and beachfront rentals.
- Look for accommodations with family-friendly amenities like pools, kids’ clubs, and babysitting services.
- Check back here for recommended places to stay for families (coming soon).
THE WRAP: ESCAPE TO EL SALVADOR FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY SURF TRIP
El Salvador is an exciting and vibrant destination for a family surf adventure. With its incredible waves, family-friendly beaches and laidback culture, it’s the perfect place to make memories and spend time together in the waves.
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