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Youâve heard of El Tunco, but have you heard of El Zonte?
The lesser-known town on El Salvadorâs Pacific Coast, El Zonte is a real gem and was our favourite place in all of El Salvador!
Smaller, less crowded and much quieter than its more popular neighbour, El Zonte has everything you could need in a laidback surf town, and nothing you donât.
With just a handful of sandy streets, a few solid restaurants, some great boutique accommodations and of course a beautiful, black sand beach with great surf and epic sunsets, whatâs not to love?
Read on for everything you need to know about visiting El Zonte, El Salvador.
Why El Zonte was our favourite place in El Salvador
El Zonte ticked all my boxes for the perfect beach town:
- đ§đźââď¸ Laidback vibes
- đ Epic sunsets
- âď¸ At least one place for a decent coffee
- đŤ Cheap local eats
- đŁ Walkable sandy streets
- đ´ Palm trees
- đ§ Rock pools
- đ Beautiful beach
- đ Not busy or party-focused
- đĄ Decent and affordable accommodation
It was my favourite Pacific Coast surf town we visited during our 6 months in Central America, and we both could have easily stayed for weeks.
We love places where we can feel like weâve seen it all, and you can do that in El Zonte in about an hour. Thereâs just a handful of streets, all sandy, and most of the action happens on the beach.
The town has the perfect balance of enough places to keep you well fed, rested and occupied, but not so much that you feel youâre constantly trying to see and do it all and tick sights off a list.
Doing ânothingâ is the essence of the place. Outside of the weekend, itâs never busy, and ânightlifeâ is a sunset beer.
We settled into a comfortable routine of morning coffee and yoga on the beach at sunrise, followed by a long beach walk exploring hidden sea caves and tidal rock pools.
Brayden would go for a surf when the tide was right, and we got in a few hours of productive work from a hammock in the heat of the day. Come late afternoon it was back to the beach again to watch the sky glow up and enjoy a beer as the sun goes down.
We absolutely loved staying at La Canasta, which again ticked all our boxes: private room and bathroom, gorgeous tropical grounds, hammocks, clean and well-equipped communal kitchen and a quiet, peaceful vibe.
The mango trees were fruiting and every morning we would gather up dozens of fallen fruits, to put in smoothies and on our breakfast. It was wholesome, friendly and relaxing.
Things move slowly in El Zonte and we fully embraced a slower pace for a few days during our busy El Salvador itinerary. We honestly could have stayed for weeks, rotating between beach, yoga, surf, work and sunsets.
El Tunco gets all the credit, and we loved it too, more than we thought we would, but El Zonte stole our hearts!
How to get to El Zonte
By bus
- đď¸ From San Salvador: there is no direct bus from San Salvador to El Zonte, and you will need to change in La Libertad.
You can take bus #102 (regular bus) or #102A (an AC minibus version, costs more and they will charge you for your luggage) from Terminal de Occidente or Estacion Ceiba de Guadalupe to La Libertad.
In La Libertad, most buses heading west should stop at El Zonte, but some terminate early at Sunzal, so be sure to check with the driver. The most common option would be #192, #192A or #192B, just wait on the highway.
- đ From Lago de Coatepeque: if youâre staying at the popular Captain Morgan Hostel on the lake, take bus #242 to El Congo.
You then need to walk down onto the highway (Carrareta Panamericana) and wait for the #201 to San Salvador. Get off at Estacion Ceiba de Guadalupe, cross the road to wait for bus #102 or #102A, and follow the instructions as above.
- âŞď¸ From Santa Ana: you need to take bus #201 to Estacion Ceiba de Guadalupe in San Salvador, and then follow the instructions above. Two companies run this route, one is express and one is a regular service. They depart from different places in Santa Ana, check out CentroCoasting for more info.
- đ¸ From Ruta de las Flores: from whichever town youâre staying at on the Ruta de las Flores (Ataco, Juayua etc.) you need to take bus #249 to Sonsonate, which departs frequently throughout the day.Â
In Sonsonate, switch to bus #287, which runs all the way to La Libertad along the coast, passing El Zonte on the way. However this bus only departs twice per day, once very early in the morning and once after lunch, and there is always a big line for it. Check with your accommodation for the current times and make sure you allow plenty of time to get to Sonsonate.Â
- đ From La Libertad: in La Libertad, most buses heading west should stop at El Zonte, but some terminate early at Sunzal, so be sure to check with the driver. The most common option would be #192, #192A or #192B, just wait on the highway in town.
- đđź From El Tunco: wait on the side of the highway outside El Tunco town for any bus heading west to pass. The majority of them should pass El Zonte, but check with the driver. The most common option would be #192, #192A or #192B
By rental car
El Salvador is a really great country to drive around. Itâs very small and the distances between destinations are short. If you want to rent a car, itâs best to do so in larger cities like San Salvador, or from the international airport when you arrive.
I donât think you need a car to get around El Zonte itself, but it makes the trip to town easy and youâve got freedom to explore other parts of the coast.
đ Browse for rental cars in San Salvador or the international airport
By Uber
Uber is popular in El Salvador, and it’s possible to use it for longer trips if you can find a driver who is happy to accept your booking.
To get to El Zonte, Uber would most likely work from San Salvador, or from the international airport. Any other destination (Ruta de las Flores, Santa Ana etc.) would probably be too far to find a ride.
You may or not be lucky to pick up an Uber driver in town to depart. They don’t usually hang around this area, so you’d only be able to find a driver if they were dropping someone else off.
By shuttle
El Zonte (and/or El Tunco) is a common place for travellers to stop en route between Guatemala and Nicaragua, or to travel onwards from Honduras.
A lot of shuttle companies run these routes, most commonly from Antigua in Guatemala or Leon in Nicaragua. There are less frequent options from Copan Ruinas and La Ceiba in Honduras. They may only list El Tunco as the destination, but most will also drop you in El Zonte if you request it.
You can find and book all these routes on Bookaway.
Orientation of El Zonte
El Zonte is a very small town, with just a few dusty streets!
Itâs bounded by the ocean to the south and the highway to the north.
The town is divided in two by a river, splitting it with a section to the east and to the west.
In the dry season, you can wade across the river. Youâll always get wet, but maybe only to your ankles or shins.
In the wet season, if the river is very full and flowing, youâll have to use the highway to cross to the other side of town.
The east side is the best spot for surfing with the point break and has the majority of accommodations and restaurants.
The west side feels bigger, and there are still lots of accommodations and restaurants here, but not quite as many.
The beach here is longer and sandier, and although there are some surfable waves, itâs not as popular for surfers, and there are more people swimming.
Getting around El Zonte
Once youâre in El Zonte, you donât need much more than your own two feet to get around the town. Itâs very small and compact, and walking is definitely the easiest way to navigate the tight streets and river crossing to get from one side of the town to the other.
If you want to explore the region further, youâve got a couple of options (if you didnât arrive via rental car).
- đ Bus: the local bus passes El Zonte on the main highway, going west (usually towards Los Cobanos) or east (usually towards La Libertad). This is handy for getting to neighbouring towns, beaches and surf spots, and most things are within walking distance from the highway. It doesnât really matter what number bus you get on, as long as itâs heading in the right direction and youâve checked with the driver it goes where you want to go. #192, #192A, #192B and #287 traverse the highway, occasionally the #102A will come as far as El Zonte before turning back towards La Libertad.
- đľ Rent a scooter: there are a few places in El Zonte where you can rent a scooter, and this is a great way to explore the area on your own terms for a day or two. Check out Zonteland or Renta Motos El Gordo. There are a lot more rental options in El Tunco too.
- đ Uber or taxi: it is possible to get an Uber in El Zonte, but itâs unreliable. Youâd have to be lucky to pick up a driver who is dropping someone off from the airport, San Salvador or La Libertad, as most drivers donât hang around this area. There are taxis too, but theyâre not abundant, youâd be best off getting your accommodation to call one if you needed it.
El Zonte hotels
BUDGET đ°
- Horizonte Surf Camp: basic hostel with dorms, a shared kitchen and two swimming pools. Fantastic location just steps from the beach and is one of the more affordable options in El Zonte. Obviously it has a surf focus, and you can rent boards and organise lessons.
- Canegue Hostel: a super laidback, informal, rough-around-the-edges kind of place. Right on the beachfront, there are dorms, private rooms and spaces for camping. It looked a bit scruffy and chaotic for my liking, but if you want cheap, it’s a solid option.
- Lote 44 Guesthouse: this is a guesthouse, not a hostel so there are no dorm beds. Their private rooms are small but clean, and the property is lovely with a pool, a communal kitchen and very welcoming owners. If you’re on a budget but still want something nice and private, this is a fantastic choice!
MID-RANGE đ°đ°
- La Canasta: this is where we stayed in El Zonte and it ticked all my boxes for the perfect beachside accomm! A comfy private room with a good bathroom (the showers were cold but it is so hot I promise you won’t care!), a hammock outside, lovely tropical gardens and a huge clean and equipped communal kitchen. It was a short walk to the beach and the best, laidback vibe for a good price. We couldn’t recommend it more highly!
- Esencia Nativa: located right in the centre of town just behind the beach this is one of the most popular options in El Zonte. The rooms are basic but private and spacious, set amongst the lush tropical grounds. Breakfast is included each day, and the hotel offers a roster of yoga classes as well as surf lessons and board rentals.
- Hotel Michanti: a lush, tropical oasis a few blocks back from the beach on the western side of town. The rooms are fresh and modern, but quite small. This is made up for by the grounds, with a big pool with loungers, an elevated hammock deck and day beds scattered around. Breakfast is included daily.
- Looking Good Beachfront Hotel: right on the sand on the western side of the beach, this surf-focused hotel has a gorgeous pool and lounge area, looking right at the waves. Their rooms are simple with a bright, coastal feel. They run events quite frequently so keep this in mind if you’re hoping for uninterrupted peace and quiet!
HIGH END đ°đ°đ°
- Palo Verde: with the most privileged location in El Zonte, right in the heart of town on the beachfront, Palo Verde is a stunning sustainable hotel. The rooms are hidden amongst lush tropical gardens, with a sleek and spacious design. Their on-site restaurant serves up fresh, healthy fare and the daily included breakfast overlooking the ocean.
- Puro Surf Hotel: perched on a hill overlooking the best surf break in town, Puro is a very high-end property. First and foremost a surf academy, there is a strong focus on health, wellness and fitness with amenities like board rentals, surf lessons, a gym, a healthy restaurant and a yoga studio. Rooms are modern and industrial style, with a huge pool, palm-thatched pavilion and communal kitchen.
- Garten: tucked down the very western end of the beach, Garten specialises in villa/apartment-style rooms with fully equipped kitchens, and some with private pools! If you want to be self-contained, this is a luxurious option. They also have a communal pool, a fantastic restaurant on-site where breakfast is included and wonderful staff.
8 Best things to do in El Zonte
1. Go surfing
The biggest drawcard to El Zonte for most visitors is surf. This entire stretch of Pacific Coast is world-famous for surfing, and El Zonte is no exception.
Not quite as busy as El Tunco and a little more advanced, it can still get pretty crowded here with locals and visitors.
SURF SEASON đď¸
Note that the surf has two seasons in El Salvador: big and bigger.
In the dry season, from around November – April, the waves are the best for beginner/intermediate surfers. This is considered the off-season and the local pros would say itâs tiny, but there are always some waves and most visitors would still consider this decent surf.
As the wet season picks up from May – October, the swell gets much bigger. The tides are high and strong, and the beach in El Zonte can often be completely swallowed by the water.
BREAKS đ
- The Point: the more popular break in El Zonte is as the name suggests, out on the point in the eastern part of the beach. Generally better for intermediate to advanced.
- Beach Break: on the western side of town on the long sandy beach, there are a few good breaks. Also near the river mouth too.
BOARD RENTALS đđź
Most accommodations have board rentals available, particularly those with a surf focus (e.g. Horizonte, Puro, Esencia Nativa etc.). Most will also rent to non-guests.
Otherwise, check out:
LESSONS đđ˝ââď¸
Outside of the surf-focused accommodations (which should also offer lessons to non-guests), there arenât that many surf schools based in El Zonte. Most are in El Tunco.
Brayden organised lessons with Los 3 Hermanos and had a good experience. He took a couple of lessons in El Zonte at The Point, and one day we got driven to neighbouring Palmarcito, which is a better break for beginners/early-intermediate.
He paid $35 USD for a 90ish minute lesson.
2. Explore the sea caves
My favourite thing about El Zonte is the amazing sea caves carved into the rocky cliffs along the coast.
There are two sets of sea caves in El Zonte, one on the western side of the beach, and some on the eastern end.
The western sea cave is the biggest and most popular. Itâs a tall arched walkway that you can walk all the way through at low tide. Itâs pinned on Google Maps as âCueva El Zonteâ.
All the way at the far eastern end of the beach, past the main surf break there is another set of hidden sea caves, that most people donât know about. I’ve pinned the exact location in our El Salvador Google Map.
You want to visit at low tide, when it is going out not in, as even at the lowest tide, youâll still be wading through water to get into the caves. You wouldnât want to get in too deep if the tide was coming in.
There is a whole network of sea caves here. Some opened out into large rooms, and there are tunnels you can crouch through that connect different caves. You can basically just keep walking as far as the water will let you until you reach the big rocky point.
If you have any belongings, youâll want to make sure theyâre in a dry bag. Come wearing bathers as you will get wet wading through.
We explored these caves first thing in the morning, and it was pure magic. We were the only ones around, and we were so in awe at what nature has created.
3. Enjoy a sunset or sunrise
El Zonte has a front-row seat to some gorgeous sunsets!
Youâll want to head to the western side of town to the long sandy beach for the best view. Buy some beers from the minimarket, or there are plenty of bars along the sand you can pop into for a drink.
You can almost see the sunrise too, but not quite. It might change throughout the year, but the big point at the eastern end of the beach blocks the actual sun. The colours are still nice and itâs worth waking up to see the beach when itâs quiet and watch the surfers get out in the first light.
4. Relax at the beach
Unlike in El Tunco, El Zonte has a very sandy beach. There are some small patches of rocky pebbles, but on both the east and the west side, youâll find big swathes of amazing black volcanic sand to relax on!
You can lay a towel down and hang out on the beach. Bring a book, do some morning yoga or meditation, or just sunbake and chill out.
There arenât many amenities on the beach. You probably wonât find any lounge or umbrella rentals, and besides a few little carts selling drinks and ice creams, this is a completely raw and natural beach which we loved.
The western beach is the best for swimming. Itâs still very wavey, but itâs not as rough as the eastern side, where most of the surfers are.
Depending on the tides and swell, you can go for a relatively safe and easy swim, or at least a splash around, if youâre a confident swimmer.
Note that the best time for hanging on the beach is outside of the peak surf season. This luckily coincides with the dry season, so from November – April, you can enjoy the beach at its calmest. Once the wet season takes off in May and the swell picks up, parts of the beach can often be completely submerged with big swell and high tides.
If you want to swim but donât love waves (me!), there are some small tidal rock pools at the eastern end of the beach, pinned in Google Maps as âPunta Deslumbranteâ.
Visit at mid-low tide and youâll see the pools exposed. Theyâre not so big that you can swim around, but itâs deep enough to sit in and relax. Just watch out for sea urchins!
5. Do yoga
If youâre not in El Zonte to surf, you might be here to do yoga! Itâs a popular spot for yoga retreats, and there are a couple of places in town that offer drop-in lessons.
Zonte Yoga runs a schedule of classes throughout the week at a couple of the hotels in town, Esencia Nativa and Garten. Check the schedule here. No need to book, just turn up and pay $10 per class.
6. Check out the skateboarding bowl
Take some time to wander around the dusty streets of El Zonte, and explore the town from one end to the other. We were surprised at how many hidden cafes, cute accommodation options and local restaurants we found that we hadnât read about anywhere online!
There arenât too many landmarks to align your wanderings, but one is the local skate bowl.
Located on the western side of town just behind the beach, âSkatepark El Zonteâ. The bowl is decorated with colourful graffiti, and is a fun place to hang out and watch the local kids shred it up!
7. Release baby sea turtles
We werenât here at the right time of the year for this, but at the western end of the beach there is a small turtle hatchery.
Local volunteers from the Mision Tortugas manage the hatchery. When mumma turtles come ashore to lay, they collect their eggs and relocate them to the hatchery, to avoid them being stepped on and squished, or stolen by poachers who sell or eat them.
The babies start hatching between September – November, and you can head down to the beach in the late afternoon and be part of the release.
Itâs an informal program, and there aren’t always turtles hatching every day, but wander past the hatchery and chat with the volunteers.
Itâs free to participate, but please consider donating to support the great work they do.
8. Go on a day trip
We combined our visit to El Zonte with a stay in El Tunco. We chose to spend our time in El Zonte relaxing, and we didnât really leave the town at all. We did most of our day trips and activities around the region from El Tunco, but given how close they are, everything is just as accessible from either town.
If El Zonte is your base for the duration of your trip, there are tons of great things you can do around the coast if you want to explore further.
đľ This is just a sample of my favourite activities in the region. Check out our complete list of 19 things to do in El Tunco and surrounds (all accessible from El Zonte)
- đš Visit El Tunco: if youâre not staying in El Tunco, itâs worth visiting for the day. Itâs a busier, more happening town than El Zonte with a lot more cafes, restaurants and bars. The beach is quite different as a big stretch of it is completely covered in rocks and the surfing is slightly better for beginners.
- đľ Rent a scooter and ride the coastal highway: we rented a scooter in El Tunco and spent the day riding all the way down the highway west to Mizata. There are a series of really cool tunnels on the highway, it winds around the coast with insane ocean views, and there is a string of small towns and oceanfront restaurants you can stop at for a drink or a meal. It was a really fun day just cruising around and exploring.
- đ Spend the day at Atami Escape Resort: if a beachfront resort is out of your budget, you can be bougie for a day at Atami Escape Resort. Just next door to El Zonte, the resort is perched up on a cliff overlooking Playa El Palmarcito. It has a set of epic ocean pools, a few swimming pools and a ton of palm-thatched huts with hammocks that you can rent for the day.
- đđź Surf a different break: if youâre a surfer, there are so many other amazing breaks to surf on this stretch of coastline. Most are outside of the main towns! Youâll probably need to carry your board on the bus with you, but you can check out K59, K61, Sunzal or El Palmarcito.
- đŚ Tamanique Waterfalls: jump on the bus or ride your scooter to the small town of Tamanique. There youâll need to hire a local guide (mandatory) and theyâll lead you on a challenging hike to a set of 4+ waterfalls and swimming holes in a rocky canyon. We did the Seven Waterfalls Hike on the Ruta de las Flores instead, but this looks beautiful.
- đ Hike the Santa Ana Volcano: I wholeheartedly recommend not doing this as a day trip, and instead staying in the Santa Ana region in the city or at Lake Coatepeque as itâs worth seeing. But if youâre short on time there are day tours that depart from El Zonte. Hiking the Santa Ana Volcano is one of the best things to do in the whole country, so if this is the only way you can fit it in, book this tour.
El Zonte restaurants
LOCAL OPTIONS đŤ
- PupuserĂa Geisy: if you want a cheap, tasty meal, you canât go past pupusas. Geisy is an El Zonte icon, and every night from 6:00 pm there are lines out the door. Be aware service can be very slow, but when youâre paying less than a dollar for a pupusa, itâs worth the wait.
- Merendero El Teco: a go-to local spot literally on the point with waves lapping at your feet, this is the best place in town for a cheap local breakfast, aka desayuno tipico.
- El Rinconcito: another good local spot serving pupusas and a couple of more substantial options for lunch right on the beach. Itâs a bit hot and sweaty in the restaurant but the owners are friendly and the prices are good.
CAFES âď¸
- Canegue Cafe: this cafe serves up just two things, a sweet and a savoury breakfast option that changes daily, but the food is excellent. Only open from Friday to Sunday (and according to their sign âsometimesâ on Thursdays) from 8:30 am – 1:00 pm, this was the best cafe meal we had for months. Their coffee and other unique drink combos (iced coco dirty horchata!) are amazing. A little pricey, but so so worth it!
- Point Break CafĂŠ: the best cafe option on the western side of town, Point Break does a decent coffee, and theyâve got a small menu of bagels and loaded toasts.
- AWILDA: literally a hole in the wall, this amazing option is located in La Canasta where we stayed. With fresh, healthy food they have a range of savoury rice bowls, smoothies and coffee, with lots of vegetarian and vegan options. Best spot for lunch.
INTERNATIONAL RESTAURANTS đ
- El Vikingo: I did not expect to eat amazing Thai and Vietnamese food in a tiny Salvadoran surf town, but El Vikingo does exactly that! This was a bit of a splurge meal for us, but it was so good we went back twice. Bahn mi, pad thai, curry – everything we tried was delicious and they made nice cocktails too. Consider making a reservation in peak season.
- Bao House: our favourite place to eat in El Tunco has just opened in El Zonte too! A big win for the town, the bao buns and dumplings were delicious, and they were such a treat after not having them for so long!
- Low Tide Eatery: another newcomer that we havenât tried, but wanted to include because it looks fabulous. Freshly made pasta, bruschetta with burrata, paninis with proper bread⌠it all sounds amazing. Let me know if you try it!
HOTEL RESTAURANTS đ˝ď¸
We didnât try any of these places, as they were a little out of our price range, but the fancy hotels in town all have very nice restaurants, that get consistently good ratings if youâre looking something a bit more upscale.
- Covana Kitchen: inside Puro Surf Hotel
- Nan Tal: inside Palo Verde
- PROA: inside Garten Hotel
đ Get all these restaurants pinned in our El Salvador Google Map
Travel tips & amenities
- đŤśđź Safety: understandably, you might be wondering if El Zonte is safe. The answer is yes. The entire country has become a lot safer in the past few years, but this region in particular has long been frequented by surfers, and is a safe place to visit. El Zonte is a small and sleepy town and we felt perfectly comfortable here.
- đ´ How long to stay: El Zonte is pretty tiny, to see the highlights but embrace the relaxing slow pace, 3 nights. If youâre really keen to slow down or surf a lot, you could stay here for weeks.
- đď¸ When to visit: if youâre not an advanced surfer, the best time to visit El Zonte is during the dry season, November – April. The waves are smaller, but better for beginner-intermediate. In the wet season, May – October, the swell really picks up and more advanced surfers will love the bigger waves.
- đ§ ATM: there has recently been an ATM installed at El Zonte, near the Rancho Looko Resort. Although I would still recommend coming stocked with cash in case it runs out of money (common!). A lot of places around here wonât accept card.
- đ Supermarket and groceries: there is no proper supermarket in town, just a couple of small minimarts with a very small selection of goods. If youâve got cooking facilities, youâd be best to stock up in La Libertad. There is a fruit and vegetable truck that drives around town most days and is handy for picking up fresh produce. If you donât hear it honking, ask your accommodation when to expect it! If you’re in town in February, March or April, keep your eye out for mangoes. There are trees everywhere, and mangoes literally fall from the sky! Eat them straight from the tree.
- đą Wifi and phone service: the wifi and phone service in El Zonte is generally fine. Iâd always recommend getting a local SIM card (Tigo or Claro is best) as itâs more reliable than wifi. There is a co-working space in town too if you need something speedier, El Zonte Co Working.
- đ Power and water: El Zonte is pretty developed, with power and water, but itâs not always reliable. The majority of accommodations donât have hot water, which isnât really a problem as itâs always so hot! Expect at least one power outage, the whole town went out for about 6 hours during our visit.
Final thoughts on El Zonte, El Salvador
If I could teleport anywhere in El Salvador right now, it would be El Zonte. It was such a beautiful, slow-paced, barefoot, good vibes kinda place and we absolutely loved it.
If you want pumping nightlife, tons of activities, and bougie bars, restaurants or cafes, you wonât find it here.
But if a nice beach, good surf and sandy streets sound like your kind of vibe, youâll love it.
El Zonte doesnât need to replace the more popular El Tunco. I would encourage you to divide your time and spend a few days in each to appreciate the different vibes.
We also spent some time staying in El Tunco, which we are glad we did, but El Zonte really stole our hearts!
MORE PACIFIC COAST POSTS
The Comments
Terrell Hil
Thanks Sandy! I stsyed in El Zonte back in Feb. and am returning in Nov. Your guide is great and accurate. Bookmarked!
Sally Rodrick
Terrell HilLucky you!! It’s such a peaceful place, I would love to go back one day. Glad it was helpful, hope you enjoy it just as much the second time and discover something new đ All the best!