El Tunco
Bars, beginner surfThe backpacker village.
Town guide
Things to do in El Tunco
El Salvador's surf town: a black-sand beach, a right-hand point break, sunset from the rocks and the country's busiest beach bars, with quieter El Zonte and the big wave at Punta Roca a short ride away.
13
Hostels in the city
8.6
Average, from 1,516 reviews
30 min
From the airport
4–5
Days
The heart of Surf City
El Tunco is a small beach village on El Salvador's Pacific coast, about 45 minutes from San Salvador and half an hour from the international airport. It takes its name from the large rock offshore, said to look like a pig, or tunco, and it has grown from a fishing hamlet into the backpacker capital of the country.
The coast here is lined with right-hand point breaks, and the government now markets it as Surf City. El Tunco has beginner waves, schools and board rental; Punta Roca, at the port town of La Libertad, is the serious wave and has hosted a World Surf League Championship Tour event; and El Zonte, 15 minutes west, is a quieter village with its own point and a slower pace. This guide covers all three.
The village itself is two short streets of hostels, surf shops and bars, busy at weekends when Salvadorans come down from the capital. Give it four or five days.
Where to base yourself
El Tunco for the bars and beginner waves, El Zonte for quiet and yoga, or La Libertad for Punta Roca.
El Zonte
Quiet, surfA smaller village 15 minutes west.
La Libertad
Punta Roca, seafoodThe port town and Malecón.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 6 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in El Tunco
Take a surf lesson on El Tunco's beginner waves, or rent a board and paddle out at the point. Experienced surfers should try Punta Roca at La Libertad, one of the best right-handers in Central America, and the point at El Zonte.
Watch the sunset from the rocks by the river mouth, then walk the renovated Malecón at La Libertad, with its pier, fish market and seafood stalls.
Take day trips inland: the Santa Ana volcano hike, the waterfalls of the Ruta de las Flores and the Tamanique waterfalls in the hills behind the coast.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The beaches are free, and so is the sunset from the rocks, the best show on the coast.
Watching the surfers at the point and walking the Malecón at La Libertad cost nothing.
Surf lessons, board rental and tours are the main costs.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Pupusas, thick corn tortillas stuffed with cheese, beans or pork, are the cheap meal at €0.50 to €1 each, with curtido slaw on the side. Two or three make dinner.
The fish market at La Libertad sells ceviche, grilled fish and shrimp soup, and El Tunco has cafes and international restaurants for surfers.
Many restaurants add a 10 per cent tip to the bill, so check before adding more.
Nightlife
Going out
El Tunco has the liveliest nightlife on the coast: a handful of beach bars and clubs with DJs, busiest from Thursday to Saturday and quiet midweek.
El Zonte is much calmer, with sunset drinks and early nights.
Beer costs €1 to €2 and cocktails €4 to €7.
Getting around
Getting around
The international airport is about 30 minutes away by taxi or shuttle. From San Salvador, take a bus to La Libertad, then a local bus along the coast, or a taxi or ride-hailing app for €20 to €30.
Local buses link El Tunco, El Zonte and La Libertad. Buses stop running around dusk.
Tourist shuttles go to Santa Ana, Juayúa and Guatemala.
Costs
What El Tunco costs
Dorm beds start at around €10 to €18 a night. Pupusas cost €0.50 to €1 each.
Surf lessons cost about €20 to €35, and board rental €8 to €15 a day. Shuttles to Santa Ana cost about €15 to €30.
El Salvador uses the US dollar. Bring small notes, as many places will not take $50 or $100 notes.
Safety
Safety and scams
El Tunco is relaxed and popular with travellers. Do not leave belongings on the beach, and keep valuables in your accommodation.
Rip currents are strong along this coast and lifeguards are few, so swim near other people and never after drinking. Beginners should surf with a school.
Avoid isolated beaches and travelling at night. Do not drink the tap water; bottled and filtered water is cheap everywhere. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth the trip
Waves, waterfalls and volcanoes.
El Zonte
A quieter surf village.
San Salvador
The capital.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Surf season and holidays.
April to October
Surf season
El Tunco and Punta Roca
The biggest Pacific swell.
March or April
Semana Santa
The coast
Salvadorans flock to the beaches.
Early August
Fiestas Agostinas
San Salvador and the coast
National holiday week.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in El Tunco, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
The Salty Dogs Hostel - El Tunco
Dorms from €6 a night
See dates and book
Sunzal Surf Garden - El Tunco
Dorms from €18 a night
See dates and book
Dos Palmas
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
The Duck Dive El Tunco
Dorms from €10 a night
See dates and book
Karma Muse - El Tunco
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
Canuck’s Guest House
Dorms from €16 a night
See dates and book
When to go
November to April is the dry season, with smaller, cleaner waves. The biggest swell arrives in the wet season, from April to October, when afternoons bring storms.
Jan
Dry, small waves
Feb
Dry
Mar
Swell builds
Apr
Semana Santa, busy
May
Rains begin, good surf
Jun
Storms, good surf
Jul
Surf season
Aug
Fiestas Agostinas
Sep
Wettest, big swell
Oct
Wet
Nov
Dry season returns
Dec
Holidays
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Hot all year.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on El Tunco prices.
Treat these as a guide. Surf lessons and rental cost extra.
—
- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
El Tunco questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is El Tunco good for beginner surfers?
Yes, with schools and gentle waves on the beach. The point is for intermediates.
El Tunco or El Zonte?
El Tunco for nightlife and lessons; El Zonte for quiet.
How do I get to El Tunco?
By taxi or shuttle from the airport in about 30 minutes, or by bus from San Salvador via La Libertad.
When is the best surf?
April to October, the wet season.
Is El Tunco safe?
It is relaxed and popular with travellers. Watch your belongings and the rip currents.
Can I pay with Bitcoin?
Some businesses accept it, but cash in US dollars is what you need.
How much is a surf lesson?
About €20 to €35.
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