There’s never been a better moment to discover El Salvador—a country once shadowed by conflict, now roaring back to life with world‑class surf, dramatic volcanoes, and a vibrant coastal culture. Under bold national investment in tourism and security, it was named the safest travel destination in U.S. rankings in early 2025, with crime at historic lows and coastal zones designated as visitor‑friendly and well policed. With nearly 4 million visitors in 2024—a surge that fueled 14 % of GDP—this compact nation is no longer overlooked.
🌊 Surf City Calling
El Salvador’s Pacific coast has been rebranded as Surf City, a stretch of beaches built around legendary breaks like El Tunco, El Sunzal, La Bocana, and Punta Roca. Punta Roca often ranks among the top ten right‑hand point breaks in the world, with hollow, long rides that attract seasoned surfers from across the globe. El Tunco—barely a 20‑minute ride south of La Libertad port—is surf‑town central: a bohemian beach village named after its iconic pig‑shaped boulder, buzzing with sunset drinkers, surf shops, and pupusa joints.
El Zonte, just a little further, is known as Bitcoin Beach and remains delightfully low-key despite boutique growth—it’s the ideal spot for laid‑back right‑hand rollers and sunset camp‑fire stories. Across Surf City, waves cater to all levels, from gentle beach breaks for beginners to fast barrels for pros—without the crowds of Costa Rica or Mexico.
🐒 Wilderness & Volcano Escapes
Beyond surf, El Salvador offers rich ecotourism. Cerro Verde National Park, home to the Santa Ana and Izalco volcanoes and Lake Coatepeque, is among the country’s top natural attractions. It’s also a prime spot for birdwatching and spotting spider monkeys in the canopy. Deeper inland, Montecristo National Park preserves cloud forests and howler monkeys—rare habitat high above the coast.
Hiking the Santa Ana Volcano is a highlight: a steep 1.5–2 hour ascent rewarded by sweeping views over a crater lake tinged emerald by mineral-rich water—truly surreal. For panoramic Gulf views, the summit of Conchagua Volcano and nearby Fonseca Bay are breathtaking additions to any multi-day adventure.
🏡 Coco Surf Tropical Village: Your ideal home base
Tucked right on Playa El Conchalío in La Libertad, Coco Surf Tropical Village sits smack in the middle of Surf City—quiet, oceanfront, but minutes from El Tunco and top breaks. Twelve inviting villas with kitchens, breezy patios, and private or shared pools make it a sanctuary where the surf and sunsets set your pace. The staff arrange airport transfers, surf lessons, volcano hikes, waterfall treks, and monkey‑sanctuary tours, so your itinerary builds itself.
Morning beach‑break surf at Coco Surf, followed by breakfast on the ocean, gives way to afternoons exploring El Tunco’s shops and sushi bowls—or paddle clinics at Sunzal, a renowned learner’s wave nearby. When jungle calls, hikes to waterfalls or national parks are easily arranged through the villa’s tour service. Evenings return to friendly villas, salt-tired and stargazing over the Pacific.
✅ Safety & Culture You Can Feel
Beyond the waves and wilderness, what makes El Salvador compelling is its transformation. Since 2019, homicide rates have plummeted—down nearly 98 % between 2015 and 2023—thanks to tough security programs. The U.S. even raised El Salvador’s travel status to Safest Travel Destination among Western Hemisphere nations, with 94 % of visitors reporting feeling safe during their stay.
Reddit travelers echo this: “I never, for not even one second felt unsafe… people are extremely kind,” wrote one visitor, later noting the country was recently named safest in the hemisphere. Another solo traveler shared, “neighborhoods that used to be off‑limits are now accessible… I never ever felt in danger.”
🗺 Sample 5-Day Route from Coco Surf
- Day 1: Dawn surf at El Conchalío, El Tunco stroll with pupusas, sunset at Monkey Lala.
- Day 2: Morning trip to Santa Ana volcano, then swim in Lake Coatepeque.
- Day 3: Monkey sanctuary hike in Jiquilisco bay, birding + boat tour—wrap by sunset beers at El Zonte.
- Day 4: Surf lessons or session at La Bocana or Punta Roca, evening hang-out in El Tunco bars.
- Day 5: Waterfall swim at Tamanique, massage at the villa, final sunset with friends by the ocean.
🎒 In Summary
El Salvador offers incredible variety: world-class surf, awe-inspiring volcanoes, wildlife in lush parks, friendly food towns and a transformed sense of security. Coco Surf Tropical Village is the perfect anchor for it all—calm, picturesque, and organized, yet steps away from the heart of Surf City.
If you’re chasing waves, culture, Monkeys, volcanoes, and a real surf‑town community—stamp your passport now. El Salvador is no longer only an idea—it’s a surf‑fuelled, sun-kissed, and surprisingly safe reality waiting for you.
