Hang 10 at El Zonte, a surfer's paradise in El Salvador
Catch some waves and a great cup of coffee


El Salvador may have less than 200 miles of coastline, but it "features dozens of world-class waves crammed within its shores," Surfer said. El Zonte is one of the laidback beach towns attracting visitors seeking great surfing conditions, sunshine and a respite from the grind.
Surf's up in El Zonte
Beginners can find their groove in El Zonte alongside skilled surfers
El Zonte is an emerging surfing hotspot within an hour's drive of the capital, San Salvador. Expect small waves between November and early April, and medium and big wave conditions from April to November (which coincides with the rainy season of May to October). When the waves are small, it is "beautiful," Marcelo Castellanos, owner of Puro Surf in El Zonte, told Surfer. "The water is clear, the skies are blue and we get some offshore winds and cold fronts."
Playa El Zonte offers "beginner-friendly breaks," TripSavvy said, and first-time surfers or those who are not quite comfortable on a board can sign up for lessons. The beach is "more secluded" than others nearby, so visitors are "treated to much less crowded waves." Depending on when you arrive, there might also be an international surf competition.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Another way to connect with the waves is by participating in a baby sea turtle release, through Misión Tortugas El Zonte. This is "not a turtle sanctuary in the typical sense" but "more of a hatchery," Everything El Salvador said, with eggs found in the wild brought here so they can be protected from predators. After the eggs begin to hatch (usually between September and November), the baby turtles are "gathered in a large tub and brought to the edge of the surf as the tide goes out."
Make time for pupusas and horchata
Pupusas are the national dish of El Salvador
When in El Salvador, eat as many pupusas — thick, stuffed corn cakes — as possible. Pupuseria Jeisi is an El Zonte staple, with fans saying it is the best pupusería in the country. Family-owned and operated, prices are affordable, with dinner for four coming in at under $20.
The easygoing Cafe Canegue offers sweet and savory dishes, including vegan options, along with delicious horchata. Nan Tal has a similar feel and shines when it comes to seafood, serving ceviches, poke, shrimp and fish tacos and a grilled octopus special.
Surfing is part of the culture in El Zonte, but so is coffee. Since the 1800s, it has been a "top agricultural export" of the country, Lonely Planet said, and when sitting at a cafe, drinking a cup "can't be missed." Explore the region's small coffee farms and plantations with the El Zonte School Tour Company. Its founder, Luis Rivas, knows his stuff — he also owns his own coffee bean company.
Beachfront bliss
The Al Suave House stands out for its sleek design and attention to detail
For an unforgettable — and totally private — experience, book a stay at the stunning new Al Suave House, built almost entirely from locally sourced, sustainable materials by Salvadoran designers, architects and contractors. The five-bedroom villa right on the beach is "split into two halves," Wallpaper said, in order to "allow a swimming pool to run through the center of the property toward the ocean, like a flowing river." Classic hospitality offerings are provided alongside thoughtful amenities perfect for the property, like an indoor treehouse and oceanfront mezzanine.
Wave House's roomy accommodations offer ocean or mountain views
Open since December 2024, Wave House's 19 condo-like accommodations have all the comforts of home: kitchens, living rooms and comfortable furniture crafted by local designers. The accommodations also have killer views of the surrounding mountains and ocean. Communal amenities include an infinity pool, rooftop deck and wellness area with cold plunge and a gym, plus a vibrant lobby gallery where guests can see works by local artists.
'A new era' of tourism
The unspoiled beauty of El Zonte brings international visitors to its beaches
A civil war ravaged El Salvador from 1979 to 1992, and "decades of instability and violence chipped away at the country's reputation abroad," Lonely Planet said. Under President Nayib Bukele, there has been a drop in gang-related activity and crime numbers, and these recent strides have "set the stage for a new era of tourism." In its most recent El Salvador travel advisory, the U.S. State Department noted the decrease and set the advisory at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.
The lower crime rates come "with a cost" though, CNN said, as some constitutional rights, including due process, have been "suspended under emergency measures," leading to a rise in incarceration and an "outcry from human rights groups."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
What are your retirement savings account options?
The explainer The two main types of accounts are 401(k) plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs)
By Becca Stanek, The Week US
-
7 tranquil hotels worth the trek
The Week Recommends Find serenity off the beaten path
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
'From his election as pope in 2013, Francis sought to reform'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
7 tranquil hotels worth the (sometimes extreme) trek
The Week Recommends Find serenity off the beaten path
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
6 trackers to help you find everything from your keys to your kids
The Week Recommends These devices offer accuracy and ease
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
6 stellar noctourism adventures
The Week Recommends After the sun sets, the fun begins
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
7 nightlife destinations that are positively electric
The Week Recommends Accra, Seoul, Berlin: These are a few of the cities that come alive after dark
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
The perfect picnic is a grass patch away with this collection of 8 essential portables
The Week Recommends Celebrate warmer weather by dining alfresco
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
Unlocking the wonders of Bhutan
The Week Recommends Exploring this Himalayan nation has never been easier
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
6 hotels with amenities that blow the usual gifts out of the water
The Week Recommends You can have a butler walk your dog and a guitar sent to your room. But you cannot have your guitar walked.
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
TV to watch in April, including 'The Last of Us' and 'The Rehearsal'
the week recommends The zombie virus persists, Nathan Fielder investigates plane crashes and a cancer patient craves sexual discovery
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US