EL Salvador was a place I was planning on avoiding during my backpacking trip through Central America. As a solo female traveller, I had only heard bad things and how dangerous it was before leaving Australia. But once I was deep into my travels, I found that to not be the case at all. Instead, I embraced the idea to add El Salvador to my list of countries that I wanted to visit and hopped on a bus from Guatemala to Santa Ana in El Salvador. What I discovered was completely different to what I thought, it has ended up becoming one of my favourite countries in Central America. It’s a hidden gem with volcanoes, surf towns and charming villages. This El Salvador itinerary will help you make the most of your trip, no matter how many days you have to spend in this stunning country.
El Salvador Itinerary: Why Visit El Salvador?
This was my exact thought before visiting El Salvador. I had not done any research on things to see and do in El Salvador and didn’t think it had much to offer. But I was so wrong! Here are a few reasons why you should travel to El Salvador:
- Because El Salvador is compact in size makes it easy to travel around and ideal for shorter trips
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It has only become a tourist destination within the last few years, which makes it less touristy and underrated. A lot cheaper to travel here than to its surrounding neighbours.
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Perfect for Surfing, El Salvador has a great number of beaches like El Zonte, Punta Roca and more.
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It is a super diverse, from Volcanoes, beautiful lakes, stunning towns and epic beaches all within a short drive from each other.
How Many Days Do You Need in El Salvador?
During my travels in El Salvador, I met a range of travellers, from people just spending the weekend to others who have already spent a month in the country. The ideal number of days depends on the time you have available and the things you want to see and do. I spent 9 days in El Salvador myself, and during that time, I saw quite a bit. I definitely could have spent another week at least exploring, but I enjoyed all my days that I did have in this wonderful country.
5–7 days for highlights
This number of days is great if you are looking for a quick trip to cover all the highlights that El Salvador has to offer in a short amount of time. Great if you can hire a car and drive around yourself, as it will make sure you have more time for each activity you would like to see or do.
10–14 days for a slower, more immersive trip
If you are a solo traveller on a budget and relying on public transport, then I would suggest taking the slower route and immersing yourself more in El Salvador for at least 9/10 days. This allows you to slow down and spend time in multiple places and experience more than just the highlights.
Suggested El Salvador Itinerary Options
7-Day El Salvador Itinerary
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Day 1–2: San Salvador: explore markets, museums and even take a day trip to a volcano.
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Day 3: Ruta de las Flores: known as the coffee towns, it’s a must-try and don’t forget about the local waterfalls that are definitely worth a visit.
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Day 4–5: Santa Ana & Cerro Verde National Park: must do Santa Ana volcano hike while you are visiting this area, and if it is open, definitely check out Lake Coatepeque.
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Días 6–7: La Libertad and/or El Tunco: These are the places to visit for surf, beaches and beautiful sunrises.
10-Day El Salvador Itinerary
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Add:
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Suchitoto: A charming colonial town overlooking Lake Suchitlán. It offers cobblestone streets, art galleries, and a laid-back vibe; it’s a must for anyone wanting to experience El Salvador’s cultural side.
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Joya de Cerén: a UNESCO World Heritage Site often called the “Pompeii of the Americas.” This remarkably preserved Mayan village offers a fascinating glimpse into everyday life over 1,400 years ago.
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Side Note: If you are travelling from Guatemala (I travelled from Lake Atitlan to Santa Ana), I recommend starting this Itinerary in Santa Ana, then Ruta De Las Flores and ending in San Salvador.
El Salvador Itinerary: Things to Do Along the Way
Coffee tours in Ataco, El Salvador
Join a coffee tour to learn the entire process, from picking the cherries to roasting and tasting the final cup. Many local farms open their doors to visitors, offering hands-on experiences where you can walk through the plantations, meet the farmers, and sample freshly brewed coffee with breathtaking views of the surrounding hills. It’s a must-do for coffee lovers and a great way to support small local producers while soaking in the relaxed charm of Ataco. Book Here
Hike Santa Ana Volcano, El Salvador
Hiking the Santa Ana Volcano was one of my favourite things to do in El Salvador. It offers breathtaking scenery throughout the entire hike, which you’ll want to stop regularly for photos and to catch your breath, as the route is entirely uphill on the way up. If you are starting in Santa Ana, they have a local bus that does day trips to and from the starting point of the volcano. Ask your receptionist at your accommodation, and they will lead you in the right direction. Definitely recommend going with a guide during this hike, too! If you want to book a tour for ease and convenience, you can book here.
Surf in El Tunco, El Salvador
Whether you are an experienced surfer or a beginner looking at learning how to surf, El Salvador is a wonderful destination for both, and it’s cheap! For experienced surfers, La Bocana and El Sunzal are great breaks for long waves and good performance. Beginners are best to start on Sunzalito and El Tunco beach breaks. Many hostels along El Tunco offer stay and surf packages if that’s a top reason for your travels there. I recommend staying at Sunset Surf Villa El Tunco
Explore Mayan ruins in El Salvador
There are several special Mayan Ruins sites in El Salvador; they aren’t as famous as the ones in Mexico and Guatemala, but they are worth seeing if you have time. The top ones include Joya de Cerén, San Andrés, Tazumal, and Cihuatán. If you only have a short amount of time (a day or two), focus on Joya de Cerén + San Andrés or Tazumal + Casa Blanca. For big pyramids, Tazumal is for sure the one you want to see, but if you want ruins off the beaten path, then head to Quelepa, Cara Sucia. You can book a day tour from San Salvador here.
Taste pupusas (national dish)
As soon as you arrive in El Salvador, drop your bags and head to a local little hole in the wall for pupusas. Pupusas are thick, handmade corn tortillas stuffed with various fillings, kind of like a stuffed flatbread or savoury pancake. They are delicious and so bloody cheap! I ate them for breakfast, lunch and breakfast. Common fillings include:
Revueltas: The traditional combo of beans, cheese and pork.
Queso: Just cheese (of course, my favourite).
Frijoles: Beans and cheese, perfect for vegetarians.
Chicharron: Ground pork with a few spices.
Loroco Con Queso: a local flower bub with mixed cheese, definitely try this for a unique culinary experience.
My favourite Pupusa shop was in Santa Ana, called Pupuseria Patricia.
Walking Tour in Santa Ana: If you have read a few of my blogs, you’ll know that I love a walking tour. It’s the first thing I book in any city because it gives you a way to understand the local area and more confidence to then go exploring on your own. This is a tour that I loved in Santa Ana, as I didn’t know much history of El Salvador, I found this great. You can book it here.
Travel Tips for El Salvador
Safety
Using common sense is super important in El Salvador, making sure that you don’t walk around at night by yourself or go to ATM’s outside/ at night. When arriving at your accommodation, ask which areas are good to visit and which are best avoided. Make sure you don’t walk around with valuables on show or carrying cash where people can see. Always let someone know where you are going if you are going alone, and use caution and trust your instincts if something doesn’t feel right.
Transport: buses vs. private shuttles
Now you might be thinking that I am going to reccomend private shuttles, and normally I would, but actually El Salvador doesn’t have many. I mainly used public buses for my time in El Salvador and found them to be clean, easy to use and cheap. Like $1 for a 3-hour bus trip is cheap! I definitely would suggest staying away from “chicken buses” and using more of the traditional and school-type buses. There are three different types of buses in El Salvador. Microbuses, “regular” buses and bigger air-conditioned buses are all less than $1. You do need to be careful and look after your valuables at all times, make sure you carry them with you or that you get a seat over the luggage compartment outside, so you can watch the bags going in and out.
Budget: affordable destination
The great thing about El Salvador is how affordable it is to travel here. From accommodation, transportation and food, it is the cheapest country in Central America to visit. If you are backpacking Central America, this is a wonderful stop along the way to save some money and relax for a bit without blowing out the budget.
Best time to visit El Salvador
Like most countries in Central America, the best time to visit El Salvador is during the dry season, which runs from November until April. It is ideal for hiking, seeing Mayan ruins and surfing. In saying that, this means that it’s also the busiest time of the year to travel to El Salvador. I went mid-April and found this to be a wonderful time to see the country without being super busy. If you want to avoid peak season, shoulder seasons are the months of November and May. The rainy season runs from May until October. The rainy season also offers great surfing as the waves are usually bigger during this time of year.
FAQs: El Salvador Itinerary
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Is El Salvador safe for tourists? El Salvador is still considered one of the most dangerous countries in Central America, mostly due to its history. But if you use safety tips and remain alert at all times, then it is considerably safer. I didn’t have any issues or safety concerns during my solo travels through the country. I did avoid walking alone at night and carrying around valuable items.
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Can you travel around without a car? Yes! I didn’t have a car during my time in El Salvador. I relied on public transport and tourist shuttles, and an Uber to the airport. With help from your accommodation, it is considerably easier to navigate the public transport, and it’s also very cheap!
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How many days is enough? Oooh, personally, for me, I would say at least 7 days, but anywhere from 5 – 10 days would be ideal. Depending on what you want to see and do, and also where you are coming from. Will determine the right number of days that will suit you.
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Is El Salvador good for solo travellers? 100% yes! I did this as a solo traveller and met another solo traveller along the way. It’s a wonderful country to visit for solo travellers, definitely reccomend visiting! I found it a wonderful country to connect with other travellers and make friends along the way.
Final Thoughts
Even though my original plan was to skip El Salvador, I am so glad I decided to go instead. I had no expectations of what this country could offer, and for that, it blew my mind. It has ended up being one of my favourite places I got to visit in Central America. It’s a beautiful country with plenty to offer, and it will feel like you are stepping back into time. What tourism used to be like in popular countries before mass travel. I hope you can use this El Salvador Itinerary as a starting point for your trip. Save this itinerary to help plan your adventure! Also, comment below if you have any more questions about this amazing country, and I’ll be happy to answer them. Safe Travels!