by Holly Jones

El Salvador is an off-the-beaten-path destination loaded with impressive mountainous, volcanic and coastal landscapes that are teeming with thousands of species of flora and fauna, more adventure sports than you can imagine, an exceptional arts and crafts scene, cultural festivals, breathtaking coffee-growing highlands, and exquisite local food bursting with flavors of the mountain and sea.  This tiny country has emerged, leaving its conflicted past behind and reinventing itself as an adventure and ecotravel destination.

Adventure Sports

Surfing the world’s best beaches at dawn, mountain biking through the narrow trails of the coffee highlands at midday and peacefully paragliding through the orange and pink sunset skies, all while taking pictures of the towering volcanoes and the Pacific Ocean right in front of you are the types of daily itineraries that make El Salvador a prime destination for thrill-seekers and outdoor lovers alike.

Over the past 10 years, the popularity of adventure sports has skyrocketed in El Salvador.  As Central America’s smallest country, measuring 21,040 sq km, or about the same size as the U.S. state of Massachusetts, it’s easy to arrange amazing multi-sport adventures every day of the year.  Other sports that have become increasingly popular include: kite surfing, hiking & trekking in the beautiful national parks, kayaking, zip lining, and rock climbing.

Not Your Typical Coastline

Scenic Coastal Drive
El Salvador’s gorgeous coastline is no secret to locals or to neighboring Guatemalans, who often make a day trip out of driving down El Salvador’s scenic coastal highway, stopping for lunch on the beach and then driving back home during the sunset. The coastal highway runs dramatically along a narrow, winding route carved out of the cliffs, high above the sparkling turquoise sea. Below are black, rocky coves and crashing waves whose white sea foam contrasts beautifully against the grey sands of the shore; inland are rugged mountains, canyons and lush vegetation.  This scenic drive has often been compared to California’s Highway 1 in miniature.

Surfer’s Paradise
Well known among the international surfing community, El Salvador is home to at least 10 world-class surfing spots that dot the entire 320 km of Pacific coastline.  If you wake up early to walk along the beach, you will be privy to the site of the silhouettes of surfers’ heads bobbing up and down in the waves as they prepare to catch the perfect wave.  Lessons and rentals are available daily and the water is warm!

Mangroves & Wildlife
For nature lovers, the beaches of Barra de Santiago are your gateway to the large, well-preserved mangrove forests that hides behind the sandy peninsula.  It is comprised of seven different mangrove species and measures approximately 2,000 hectares (4,942 acres). The inner mangrove coastline is a haven for thousands of native and migratory birds. Have your camera ready as your local guide points out iguanas, lizards, marine mammals, shellfish, sea turtles, crocodiles, blue crabs and more!  Or explore by yourself in kayak!

Nearby you will find the Santa Rita Protected Area, a semi-humid tropical forest that remains lush and green even during the dry season. This forest plays a large role in otter conservation and also serves as the refuge and breeding grounds for parrots and other tropical birds.

One of the main attractions of this protected area is Lizard Pond, located right in the middle of the forest.  Park guides can take you for a hike along the beautiful forest trail and over the wooden bridges to the lookout point.  Look down into the murky water and you’ll witness one of the biggest populations of Caiman alligators in the country, literally dozens of restless reptiles right before your eyes!

Only Volcanic Beach in Central America
One of El Salvador’s most charming beaches is Los Cóbanos, where black volcanic rocks mingle with dark coral sands and smooth, warm waves.  Geologically speaking, the beach is located in an area of approximately 160 km.2 (62 mi.2) of volcanic rock formations, a unique feature along the entire Pacific coast of Central America.

These formations are an important haven to an abundance of marine species – barracudas, manta rays, octopi, lobsters, sea urchins, moray eels and starfish—all of which you’ll be able to look for when you don your snorkel gear with local guides!  Don’t forget to look for the two shipwrecks.  These relics from the late 1800s were used to transport coffee to Europe.

From Los Cóbanos, you can set out on humpback whale watching tours, hard coral snorkeling, shipwreck diving, reef diving and coastal flora & fauna walking tours.

Coffee Highlands and Colonial Villages

The lush coffee highlands of El Salvador feature a beautiful, colorful journey through five colonial towns known as the Route of the Flowers.  This mountainous region is famous for its cool, breezy climate, natural beauty, and the slower pace of life along the narrow, winding roads. This route is home to the fertile land and shade coffee bushes that continue to produce the most award-winning coffee in the country.

Traditional colonial architecture and cobblestone streets give each village a warm, inviting feeling.  Stop to savor excellent local and international dishes in rustic, unique restaurants tucked in among the dense forests and coffee plantations.  Roadside stands sell fresh produce like strawberries and fresh cut flowers.  Gorgeous panoramic vistas of the coffee plantations, volcanoes and neighboring Guatemala’s southern mountains make El Salvador’s coffee highlands the spot you’re looking for to explore and experience the warm Salvadoran culture.

The arts & crafts scene along this route is also very impressive.  “Mom & Pop” craft stores and artisan workshops feature locally made goods such as embroidered dresses, sculptures, coffee candles and hand woven textiles.  Pedal looms are still used to this day to weave colorful bedspreads, hammocks and other garments. Wicker and reed baskets and the high quality furniture made from caña de la india (Indian shot), cedar and bay wood have earned the local artisans fame around the world.

Trips Available with EcoExperiencias El Salvador

Help these small communities and support conservation efforts with EcoExperiencias El Salvador.  Since 2007, the international and local staff has combed the countryside to create fascinating experiences that highlight the country’s unique cultural, natural and geographical qualities in the departments of Sonsonate and Ahuachapán.

EcoExperiencias El Salvador is currently featuring these exciting itineraries with international tour operators GreenSpot.travel and G.A.P Adventures.

Check out these new GreenSpot.travel itineraries:

El Salvador Volcanoes & Surf Adventure
Bet you didn’t know the little country of El Salvador had multiple volcanoes, some of the best surfing in the world, indigenous villages up in the highlands and opportunities for mountain biking and ziplining! This vacation is designed for the adventurous…read more.

Trip Length: 8 days; Activity Level: Moderate; Price: From $1,350 per person based on double occupancy. Call GreenSpot.travel anytime: 1.877.891.3539 or email:  info@greenspottravel.org

Culture & Unexplored Highlands of El Salvador
Get ready for something new all you culture junkies. This vacation is designed to let you in on some of El Salvador’s fascinating secrets. On this trip you will see a true convergence of the old and new, traditional and modern, with colonial villages, world class art museums and galleries, indigenous highland villages, mystical healing traditions and rituals…read more.

Trip Length: 9 days; Activity Level: Moderate; Price: From $1,400 per person based on double occupancy. Call GreenSpot.travel anytime 877.891.3539 or email:  info@greenspottravel.org

Coming soon at G.A.P Adventures:

Voluntourism with a Coffee Cooperative
Designed by EcoExperiencias and G.A.P Adventures, this incredible experience takes place at a picturesque coffee cooperative that extends from the high volcanic ridge to the shores of Lake Coatepeque, an ancient crater lake, nominated as one of 2008’s new Natural Wonders of the World.  Travelers will be involved in efforts to improve the coffee farmers’ quality of life, from helping to develop a new ecotourism program, building projects, assisting on the coffee farm and teaching a few simple English lessons. Throughout the stay participants will learn about the community’s efforts to improve their lives through the development of ecotourism on their property. By combining volcanic highlands tours and internationally renowned surfing beaches among other activities, this tour is an excellent opportunity to experience El Salvador’s most impressive attractions.

G.A.P. Adventures:  http://www.gapadventures.com

Explore cultural and natural wonders of El Salvador with EcoExperiencias El Salvador, while supporting local economies and biodiversity conservation in this new and exciting destination.  http://www.elsalvadorexperience.com/?lang=2

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