10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN EL TUNCO, El Salvador

El Tunco is one of the most popular surf towns in all of Central America. It’s now known as Surf City, and for good reason. The waves here are consistent pretty much year-round, making it an awesome spot whether you’re a total beginner or an experienced surfer looking for a solid session.

The best waves for beginners are at Sunzalito, a sandy bottom break right near the center of town.

El Sunzal
One of the top surf spots in El Tunco! Just a short walk from town, this beach offers long, mellow right hand waves perfect for longboarding and intermediate surfers. Surf camps also bring beginners here, who usually sit on the shoulder and wait for the smaller sets

La Bocana
For something more advanced, La Bocana delivers a powerful left hand break with hollow sections that will test your skills. But it's El Tunco’s most powerful wave so you probably won't be surfing here.

La Bocanita
La Bocanita, a beach break right next to La Bocana, is also a powerful, intense wave for advanced surfers, especially at high tide. I loved watching the surfers from a front-row seat at La Bonita Beach Club, enjoying a drink and a bite to eat.

You’ll find plenty of surfboard rentals all around El Tunco. As you walk along the road to the beach, you’ll see many stores displaying boards outside.

Daily rentals usually cost around USD 15–25 / €14–23, and you’ll often get a better deal if you book for several days.

If you have never surfed before, this is a great place to start. But if you’re new to the area, I’d definitely suggest booking at least one lesson. It helps you get familiar with the local spots, understand the different breaks, and pick up some insider tips.

There are surf schools everywhere offering lessons, and the sandy-bottom breaks near the center of town are ideal for learning. I went with Wayo and can highly recommend it for your surf lesson. They really teach you the skills and confidence you need to become a good surfer. I previously did a surf course in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica and came here to refresh my skills. I absolutely loved it.

I have to say, Wayo is a bit pricier than other schools, but USD 60 / €52 for a 90-minute private session with a pro surfer is totally worth it.

If there is one thing you absolutely cannot miss in El Tunco, it is the sunset. Almost every evening, the sky transforms into a canvas of deep oranges, pinks, and reds over the Pacific Ocean, and the best spot to watch it all unfold is right at La Roca, the iconic rock formation that gave the town its name ("El Tunco" means "the pig" in Salvadoran slang, because the rock resembles a pig lying on its back).

People gather on the beach as the sun dips below the horizon, and the atmosphere is pure magic. Grab a cold drink from one of the beachfront bars, find a good spot on the sand, and just take it all in.

The colors get even more dramatic right after the sun disappears, so stick around for the afterglow.

Part of what makes El Tunco so charming is how walkable and relaxed the town itself is. The main street runs from the highway down to the beach and is lined with hostels, surf shops, restaurants, and little bars that come alive at night. During the day, it has this easygoing beach town energy where dogs roam around, locals sit outside their shops, and surfers walk by with boards under their arms.

Take your time exploring. Check out the colorful murals and street art, browse the small shops selling handmade jewelry and surf gear, and stop at a few different spots for food and drinks. There is no rush here. The whole town can be covered on foot in about 20 minutes, since El Tunco is really tiny.

About 30 minutes inland from El Tunco, the Tamanique Waterfalls are one of the best half-day adventures you can do from town. The hike to the waterfalls takes you through lush green countryside, crossing rivers and weaving through tropical vegetation. There is a steep 40-minute hike down, while the hike back up takes about one hour.

There are several waterfalls along the route, with natural swimming pools at the base that are perfect for cooling off after the trek. Some of the pools are deep enough for cliff jumping, which adds an extra dose of adrenaline to the experience.

It’s mandatory to visit Tamanique Waterfalls with a local guide. You can either use public transport (bus #187 from El Tunco to Tamanique), book a tour from El Tunco that includes transportation, or rent a car or scooter and make your way independently to the local guides’ office in Tamanique, where you can easily join a guided hike.

The guided tour and entrance fee were USD 10 per person at the time of our visit, depending on group size (expect around USD 8–25). Make sure to bring enough cash, as the fee must be paid on site in cash.

El Tunco has become a bit of a wellness hub alongside its surf culture, and there are several places offering yoga classes with ocean views. Imagine starting your morning with a flow session as the sound of waves crashes in the background and the Pacific breeze keeps you cool.

Studios like Balancé Yoga Center offer a range of classes and some retreats combine yoga with surfing for the ultimate mind body experience.

You have not truly experienced El Salvador until you have eaten pupusas, and El Tunco is a fantastic place to try them. These thick, handmade corn tortillas are stuffed with fillings like cheese, beans, pork (chicharrón), loroco (a local flower bud), or zucchini and cooked on a hot griddle until golden and slightly crispy.

You will find pupuserías all over town, from small street side stalls to proper sit down restaurants. The best ones are usually the simplest spots where a local woman is hand pressing each pupusa right in front of you. Beyond pupusas, make sure to try local smoothies made from tropical fruits.

Pupusas are usually served with curtido (a tangy pickled cabbage slaw) and a thin tomato salsa on the side. Try at least two different fillings to find your favorite.

At the far eastern end of El Tunco beach, you can explore a set of sea carved caves. These rocky formations have been shaped by the ocean over thousands of years and make it a really unique spot. 

You might have to wear water shoes because the rocks are uneven and can be slippery when wet. Also, come wearing bathers, as you will get wet walking through the caves. Be sure to check the tide times before heading out because the caves are only safely accessible during very low tide. Even then you will be walking through shallow water.

El Zonte also has incredible sea caves, so make sure to check them out as well!

I’d recommend going when the tide is going out rather than coming in, just to avoid the risk of getting stuck.

As soon as the sun sets, the vibe shifts completely. Even though I’m not a party girl, we went to La Bonita Beach Club, which had a laid-back vibe and a nice, boho aesthetic atmosphere. Restaurants turn into bars, music starts pumping, and people spill out onto the streets. Weekends are especially lively, when locals from San Salvador drive down to the coast and the energy goes up a notch.

Bars like La Bonita Beach Club and Monkey La La are popular spots with DJs, drink specials, and dancing that goes well into the early hours. Just keep in mind that if you are staying close to the main strip, the bass can carry until late, so bring earplugs if you are a light sleeper.

El Tunco has a surprisingly great café scene for a small surf town. Spend a morning drifting between coffee shops, each with its own personality and menu. It is the perfect way to ease into the day before hitting the waves or heading out on an adventure.

On the shopping side, the town has a handful of small boutiques and stalls selling locally made jewelry, surf apparel, handcrafted souvenirs, and El Salvador branded gear, along with some really cool surf brands (I got myself a surf shirt from Wayo as a reminder, and I love it!). Nothing fancy or overly touristy, just honest local goods that make great mementos or gifts.

El Zonte is a quieter, more bohemian surf village located just about 15 minutes south of El Tunco along the coast road. It has a completely different atmosphere, more relaxed, more local, and less of a party scene.

The waves here are great for all levels, the beach is beautiful, and there are some great cafés and restaurants right on the waterfront. If El Tunco starts to feel a bit too busy, El Zonte is the perfect escape for a chilled out afternoon of surfing, eating, and watching the waves roll in.