Your Guide to Surf in El Salvador!
El Salvador hosts some of the longest and most perfect waves in all of Central America and is renowned for its world-class rippable righthand pointbreaks! There is something for everyone from high-performance tubes, to flawless pointbreaks, and even longboard-friendly spots!
El Salvador has been a bit off the radar due to its tough past. With increasing safety, surfers are now traveling to score the epic waves in the country! Come to enjoy perfect waves and take advantage of the great expertise of the surf guides of our resorts!
AWAVE Travel offers a range of quality hotels in El Salvador, which will get you to the best surf in comfort and style!
Where is El Salvador?
El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America, bordered by Honduras to the northeast, and Guatemala to the northwest. The following are the best areas to surf in the country:
La Libertad – Located near the capital city of San Salvador, La Libertad is the easiest surf area to reach and offers a variety of breaks suitable for all skill levels.
El Tunco – A small beach town known for its laid-back vibe and great surf, minutes away from La Libertad.
The Wild East – Located in the eastern part of the country, the so-known “Oriente Selvaje” is famous for the perfect waves of Punta Mango and Las Flores, the lively town of El Cuco, and its beautiful scenery.
Mizata – Beach and surf destination located a 40 minutes drive from La Libertad, in the municipality of Sonsonate, Mizata offers a tranquil and scenic surf getaway.
Best time for Surfing in El Salvador
Surfing in El Salvador is very consistent all year round with over 300+ days per year of good surf. The country offers great waves for intermediate and advanced surfers, while beginners can enjoy surfing on the beach breaks.
From March to May you should expect consistent and clean waves (6- 12 ft). Be prepared to get some of the best waves in your life! From June to October see waves range from 6 to 12 ft with some epic conditions! November to February are great months for beginners looking to learn or improve surfing in perfect waves! Offshore light winds allow perfect surfing conditions all day long.
How to travel to El Salvador?
Look for flights to El Salvador’s main international airport, Comalapa International Airport (SAL), located near the capital city of San Salvador. The international airport is located only 30 minutes driving away from La Libertad. The airport has flights to and from a number of destinations within Central America and around the world. We recommend arranging a trusted taxi with your booked accommodation.
AWAVE Travel’s favourite Waves in El Salvador!
El Salvador is known for its excellent surf breaks and offers some of the best right-hander waves in Central America. The AWAVE Travel team loves surfing there and has picked a few of our favorite waves:
Punta Roca, located in La Libertad, is widely considered one of the best right-hand point breaks in Central America. It offers long, powerful waves that can reach up to 12 feet (4 meters) in height. Punta Roca is recommended for experienced surfers due to its challenging nature.
La Paz is the inside section of Punta Roca, it is the easier, softer side of the wave and it’s great for intermediate surfers and longboarders looking for a more mellow spot.
El Sunzal is another popular spot in La Libertad, and it is known for its consistent and long right-hand waves, that cater to surfers of various skill levels, making it a great spot for both beginners and more experienced surfers alike.
El Zonte is a beach break in La Libertad area that provides consistent and fun waves suitable for all levels, with both left and right-hand waves available.
K59 is another great right point with a rocky bottom and hollow rides. Best at mid-incoming tide, if the crowds get too much consider surfing K61 on the other side of the beach.
Las Flores is located in the eastern part of El Salvador and it’s a volcanic rocky point with a sandy bottom, breaking as a machine! Very consistent, with a smooth takeoff on the high tides but hollow on low tides, this wave can be ridden for up to 200 yards. Las Flores is known as one of the most rippable right-hand waves in Central America and can hold up to triple overhead waves.
Punta Mango is a powerful and hollow right-hand cobblestone point break of the Wild East, offering a fast take-off with a hollow barrel in the inside section! The wave starts working on a 3ft+ swell and all tides, but 4-7 ft SW is best!
Mizata is a right and left point break which can break very good on 3-5ft swells.
Where to stay in El Salvador
If you are looking for comfort and quality accommodation whilst surfing in El Salvador, our range of surf hotels could be perfect for you! These allow you access to some of the best waves while indulging in beautiful accommodations.
Punta Mango Surf Resort
Enjoy the wild and peaceful jungle that surrounds Punta Mango while staying in comfortable beachfront accommodations. Punta Mango is one of the most remote areas of El Salvador, offering an authentic experience for surfers and lovers of the ocean and nature. Located on the east side of El Salvador Punta Mango Surf & Beachfront Resort offers easy access to one of the best waves in the area Punta Mango and it’s a real surfer heaven!
AST Punta Roca
With beach and surf right at its doorstep, AST Adventures Punta Roca offers a prime position at one of the best surf breaks in El Salvador with 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean! Watch world-class waves from your bedroom window and fall asleep to the sound of the ocean! Punta Roca is the perfect getaway for all, from solo travelers, groups of friends, families, and couples. Be mesmerized by the surf, eat traditional Salvadorian meals and cool off with a drink in the refreshing beachside pool.
Casa Sunzal
Boutique Hotel located in the heart of La Libertad, on the hillside of El Sunzal, just a few minutes from El Tunco town, Casa Sunzal has a unique and stylish design and offers comfort and space to relax after a day at the beach! The professional surf guides know the area like the back of their hands and they will make sure you score the best known and secret waves!
Travel Insurance
World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance and safety advice to help you travel confidently. World Nomads offers travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families. It has been designed by travelers for travelers, with coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
Booking Your Trip
AWAVE Travel’s team is here to help you find the perfect resort for your trip. Once you have decided on the trip and the route that would suit you, we can set you up with an offer for booking!
All of our trips are covered by our Best Price Promise, so you will always get the best rate booking with AWAVE Travel!
