El Salvador Express: Crater Lakes and Surf Town Sunsets




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Itinerary
Five days in the smallest country in Central America and the one everybody is suddenly talking about: a turquoise crater lake, coffee in the mountains, pupusas made with our own hands and a first wave in Surf City.
El Salvador has gone from best kept secret to the most talked about comeback in Central America, and we are going to see why before everybody else does. We will start on the Ruta de las Flores, a string of mountain villages painted in murals and wrapped in coffee plantations, where mornings smell of roasted beans and afternoons end with a plate of hot pupusas. From here we will hike to the rim of the Santa Ana volcano, the highest in the country, and look straight down into an acid green crater lake, with Lake Coatepeque shining in its own caldera just below.
Then we will swap hiking boots for flip flops. El Tunco is the heart of Surf City, a coast of black sand beaches, point breaks and sunsets that the whole town stops to watch. We will take a surf lesson with local instructors (no experience needed, just the will to fall a few times!), walk the beach to the famous rock arch of El Tunco and spend our last nights between beach bars and fresh ceviche. Five days, two volcanoes worth of views, plenty of Salvadoran coffee and a country that will surprise you at every corner.

Welcome to El Salvador: up to the Ruta de las Flores
1 night: 1st night: Ataco
Arrival and transfer to the highlands
Arrival and transfer to the highlands
Welcome to El Salvador! Flights are not included, so you can choose where and when to fly from. We will meet our Group Leader at 5pm and drive together into the western highlands, a winding road through coffee farms and volcanoes. We will get to know each other over a late first round of pupusas in the plaza of Concepción de Ataco.

Santa Ana volcano and Lake Coatepeque
1 night: 2nd night: Ataco
Hike to the crater of Santa Ana
Hike to the crater of Santa Ana
Early start for the most iconic hike in the country. With a local park guide we will climb the Santa Ana volcano (about 2.5 to 3 hours round trip, steady but doable) until the crater rim, where an emerald lake steams quietly below us. On clear days we can see the Pacific on one side and the Izalco cone right in front of us.
Afternoon at Lake Coatepeque
We will come down and head to Lake Coatepeque, a deep blue lake inside an ancient caldera. Time for a swim from a lakeside deck, a late lunch with a view or, for the brave, a boat ride to the hot water springs along the shore.

Coffee, murals and the road to the Pacific
1 night: 3rd night: El Tunco
Coffee farm tour
Coffee farm tour
Morning on a family coffee farm of the Ruta de las Flores: we will walk among the plants, see how the beans are picked, washed and roasted, and taste the result straight from the source.
Juayúa and the drive to Surf City
Quick stop in Juayúa, the village of the weekend food fair (if it is the weekend, bring an appetite), then down to the coast. In the evening a pupusa-making class: we will learn to stuff and flatten them like a Salvadoran grandmother and eat the results.

Surf lesson and sunset at El Tunco
1 night: 4th night: El Tunco
First wave in Surf City
First wave in Surf City
Board under the arm and a local instructor next to us: today is the day of our first surf lesson on the gentle waves of El Sunzal. Everyone stands up eventually, and the ones who do not still win the best wipeout award.
Free afternoon and the rock arch
Afternoon to rest, rent a board again or explore the coast towards El Zonte. At sunset we will gather on the beach in front of the famous rock arch of El Tunco, the moment the whole town stops for.
Goodbye El Salvador
1 night: Departure
Last swim and transfer to the airport
Last swim and transfer to the airport
Time for a last swim or a coffee on the beach before our private transfer to the airport, about 40 minutes away. End of WeRoad services. N.B. The program may be subject to changes due to weather, local conditions or operational needs.
What's included
4 nights in twin rooms with private bathroom in boutique and 3-star hotels
Daily breakfast
Santa Ana volcano hike with entrance and local park guide
Coffee farm tour and tasting on the Ruta de las Flores
Pupusa-making dinner
Surf lesson with board and certified instructorPrivate air-conditioned van with driver for the whole trip, airport transfers included
Group Leader services
Medical and baggage insurance - (coverage limits by destination country/region - €10,000 Italy, €20,000 Europe, €30,000 World, €50,000 USA/Canada)
What's not included
- Food and beverages when not specified
- Local tourist taxes and resort fees where applicable
- All the extras you'll be able to fit in your backpack
- Anything not mentioned in the "What's included" section
Optional activities
Please note, some extra optional activities will be available for this trip. Your Group Leader will be happy to assist with organizing these activities for the group once the trip starts. Availability may vary depending on location and group preferences.
Please note these activities are provided by third party suppliers and liability rests exclusively with these third party suppliers.
- Boat ride on Lake Coatepeque - approx. USD25
- Surfboard rental for extra sessions - approx. USD15
- Transport to El Zonte for the afternoon - approx. USD10
- All extra activities that each member of the group agree on doing
Additional info
Accommodation: Boutique hotels and 3-star hotels with private bathroom: a colonial style hotel in the highlands and a hotel steps from the beach in El Tunco. Twin rooms; single room with supplement.
Transport: Private air-conditioned van with driver for all transfers. Drives are short: never more than 2 hours.
Documents: US citizens need a passport valid for at least 6 months; a tourist card is purchased on arrival. No mandatory vaccinations.
Physical effort: The Santa Ana hike is about 2.5 to 3 hours round trip with some steep gravel sections: a basic level of fitness is enough. The surf lesson is suitable for complete beginners.
Meeting and goodbyes: We will meet at the international airport of San Salvador on day 1 at 5pm. We say goodbye at the same airport on day 5 in the late morning.
Good to know: Around Easter (Semana Santa) beaches and roads get very busy.
- Info on private roomsShow all details
Why WeRoad
Small groups, on average 11 people
Move or change your trip for free up to 31 days before departure
Book with $ 0. Pay the $ 100 deposit only once the trip is confirmed
The Group Leaders
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