El Tunco, El Salvador Things To Do: A Surfer’s Paradise

El Tunco is one of the most unique and fun small towns you can stumble across. With its breathtaking beaches and friendly locals, every minute of your stay will become memorable.

In this post, I want to share the top El Tunco, El Salvador things to do that will make your trip one for the books. 

Shall we proceed to the best El Tunco, El Salvador itinerary? Also, don’t forget to use these El Salvador captions for all the photos you post on Instagram.

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Ultimate El Tunco, El Salvador Things To Do

Escaping to this small hidden gem you will capture some of the most beautiful sunsets, eat the freshest seafood, and encounter the friendliest locals. This list of El Tunco, El Salvador things to do will ensure you see the best of this small town.

Eat Breakfast At Day Cafe And Salad Bar

Avocado toast at a cafe in El Tunco, El Salvador.
Avocado toast and an açaí bowl

After your spectacular morning at the beach, I recommend you stop by Day Cafe & Salad Bar to enjoy a delicious breakfast. This place is super comfy, has affordable prices, and fast Wi-Fi. 

The menu features local delicacies as well as world-known options such as scrambled eggs and avocado, and they also have both vegan and vegetarian alternatives.

I recommend getting the avocado toast and açaí bowl. However, the portions are large and perfect for sharing. 

Interested in Centeral America? You may enjoy this list of things to do in Antigua, Guatemala.

Catch A Sunset At Monkey Lala 

Monkey Lala is a luxury hotel with a wonderful terrace, perfect for catching a sunset while enjoying the music and having a drink. If you’re looking for the best activity to conclude your El Tunco, El Salvador weekend getaway then this is it!

They have an outdoor space that meets the sand, in front of the sea, which is simply breathtaking. Even if you just stop by for a few minutes, you’ll fall in love with the beauty of El Tunco.

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Watch The Surfers In The Morning

Surfboards

The proper way to begin these El Tunco, El Salvador things to do is by watching the surfers in the morning. El Salvador is known for its incredible waves and stunning beaches, so make sure you head over to El Tunco Beach to start your day with the best energy ever. 

Walk The Boardwalk

One of the best (and free!) things to do in El Salvador is walking the El Tunco boardwalk. My favorite time to do this is either super early in the morning or when the sun is setting in the afternoon, this way I can enjoy the different stages of the sun rising and setting.

Walking the boardwalk will give you plenty of photo opportunities if you love taking pictures. The boardwalk is also a great place to chat with locals and simply enjoy the vibe of El Salvador.

Related post: Things To Do In Panama City, Panama

Browse The Shops

Shops in El Tunco, El Salvador

Did anyone say shopping? It is time to talk about the go-to El Tunco, El Salvador activities that merge exercise with leisure, which is browsing the stunning shops all over town. This is the perfect opportunity to find unique souvenirs and gifts for your friends and family back home. 

El Salvador’s currency is US Dollars, so make sure you have some cash on you in case they don’t accept credit or debit card payments.

Eat A Pupusa

Pupusa is the national dish of El Salvador and Honduras and is a thick griddle cake made with cornmeal or rice flour. It is a flatbread you fill with one or two ingredients like cheese, rice, and beans.

You can eat pupusas in every restaurant and street food cart you find in El Tunco, so not trying them isn’t acceptable!

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Go For A Swim At The Beach

Beach in El Tunco, El Salvador at sunset

Your El Tunco, El Salvador weekend getaway wouldn’t be complete without going for a swim at the beach. As you may have already seen, El Salvador has stunning beaches where you can watch the sunset, swim, and relax for hours, so make sure you’re making the most out of your final hours here.

Grab A Burger At Garage Burgers

A go-to place to eat in El Tunco, El Salvador is Garage Burgers, home of the best burgers you can eat in town. They have affordable prices and generous servings, so make sure not to wear your tight jeans when going out for a bite.

Consider visiting Guatemala during your visit. Use this Antigua, Guatemala photo spots guide to capture your moments while visiting.

Have A Cocktail At La Bonita Beach Club

La Bonita is a Bali-inspired restaurant that offers a unique menu based mainly on seafood. This luxury atmosphere has incredible decor and plenty of space to relax and dance. 

Other things you can find at this beach club include a pool, comfy couches, and small tables to have a close conversation with friends and locals.

Go Shopping 

Streets in El Tunco

Going shopping is one of the best things to do in El Salvador, and El Tunco offers a wide range of shops for you to choose from. If you’re a fan of surfing, you’ll love the huge variety of apparel and accessories for your board available at affordable prices!

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Other Things To Do Outside Of El Tunco, El Salvador

Visit Cadejo Brewing Company 

Flight of beers from Cadejo Brewing Company

Cadejo Brewing Company is the biggest micro-brewing in Central America and offers exclusive tours where you can learn more about their process and the history of the business. 

Be sure to wear your swimsuit here because below the brewery are tide pools you can take a dip. 

Hike Santa Ana Volcano

Top of Santa Ana Volcano

You’ve hit the jackpot if you’re looking for fun and adventurous El Salvador activities. Hike the Santa Ana volcano accompanied by an experienced guide and enjoy the spectacular view from the top!

It is a moderate hike uphill so be prepared. Be sure to take a bottle of water with you and wear your comfiest shoes. You will want a small bite to eat after the hike. So have some cash handy because the concessions do not accept credit cards. 

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Dine At Restaurante Las Palmeras

Lake Coatepeque

Restaurante Las Palmeras is a well-known gem in El Salvador located on a ferry in Lake Coatepeque. They have a unique menu with local delicacies and international options as well. If you plan to extend your visit to El Salvador for a few extra days they also have luxury suites on the other side of the lake. 

Be sure to bring your swimsuit as you can swim in the lake or even go jet skiing. 

How To Get To El Tunco, El Salvador From The Airport

You can reach El Tunco, El Salvador by car or shuttle from the airport. The car ride lasts around 35-40 minutes (25 miles) and the shuttle is just 10 minutes more on average. The choice of which one to take will depend on your budget (a car ride is a bit more expensive), your preferences, and how much luggage you have.

Uber is available in El Salvador and the fare is pretty inexpensive. I did take an Uber from the airport to El Tunco which total cost was under $30. 

Where To Stay In El Tunco

Roca Sunzal sign

Hotel Roca Sunzal is a stunning 3-star hotel located in the center of El Tunco and surrounded by the best restaurants and the famous El Tunco Beach. It has great amenities like Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool, free breakfast, room service, an air conditioner, and a safe, among many others. Further, they have different types of rooms including ones with ocean views, suites, and family rooms.

Getting Around El Tunco

Walking is the best way to get around and explore El Tunco. It is a relatively small beach town so driving isn’t necessary during your visit. 

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