Eco-Tours
Spice up your surf trip with one or more of our exciting eco-adventures. Add them on to your package before you leave, or once you arrive (restrictions may apply).
Eco-Tours | Description |
Apeneca | On this tour you will travel up a mountain to a tiny village. The scenery is breathe-taking and offers many perfect photo opportunities. You’ll take lunch at a beautiful rustic restaurant which offers both typical food as well as some American entrees as well. Afterward a local will walk you through trails within the coffee groves to explore artifacts and lifestyles of ancient cultures. |
Canopy Swings | Check out a birds eye view as you swing high above the land from tree-top to tree-top through lush green vegetation. Secured only by a body harness and a very long cable, you’re sure to enjoy this adrenalin-rush with a view. |
Cerro Verde | This national park is almost 40 minutes from San Salvador, and offers sensational views of two of El Salvador’s volcanoes. Here you can take lunch at a local restaurant, hike the 4-hour trail to the top of the scientifically active volcano Izalco at 6265 ft., and view the beautiful crater lake of Coatepeque. |
Chaguantique | This is a perfect place for eco-tourism! Chaguantique is a protected tropical forest that is covered with natural springs, rivers, butterflies, birds, endangered species like the spider monkey, and many other wildlife. |
Costa Del Sol | A local’s favorite, this beach is beautiful place to both relax as well as surf fun beach breaksf. A boat trip to the mangroves in Jaltepec Bay is included, where you will see interesting wildlife as well as learn of traditional customs and fishing techniques. |
El Imposible | This is a 21-mile tour of the sub tropical forest known to some as “The last Refuge”. The forest resides at 4,380 ft above sea level, and is home to over 2260 different plant species, 260 bird species, and countless other animals. The tour offers a chance to relax while learning about El Salvador’s hidden beauties and taking in some incredible views. |
El Pital | Here you will find amazing landscapes filled with vegetables and fruit plantations, birds and other wildlife, crystal clear rivers, aromic pine and cypress trees, and friendly locals. Located 8,190 ft above sea level, this is the highest site in El Salvador. |
Ilobasco | Here you will explore the town, take in a delicious traditional meal, and visit the artisan market which is known for its sorpresas, eggshells about the shape of a walnut embracing tiny detailed scenes of daily life. |
Isla Montecristo | This is a trip to an extremely remote island, and is a two-day tour. This pristine area is covered in mangroves, has amazing wildlife and natural scenery, and is located in the area where the Pacific Ocean and the Rio Lempa meet. You will not find luxurious accommodations here, friendly local families provide boat tours of the rivers and mangroves, food, and lodging in their homes. Since this serene area is so undeveloped, you should bring with you anything you may need, including food (bring a little extra to share with the locals and they’ll never forget you), mosqueto repellent, sunblock, and drinking water. |
Jiquilisco Bay | This boat tour will take you to a very significant mangrove forest where you will visit coconut plantations on the “Holy Spirit Island”, meet friendly locals, and see how coconut oil is produced. |
Lake Coatepeque | This is a breath taking volcanic lake that was formed by two separate eruptions over 50,000 years ago and is a local favorite. Here you can swim in the cool waters, scuba dive in the caves beneath the surface, boat, fish, or just explore its stunning shores. The name Coatepeque translates to “hill of the serpents”, and experts believe it is still active. Definitely a must-see area of El Salvador! |
La Puerta De Diablo | This is a local’s favorite, and is perfect for those who like to hike, but lack the commitment to hike up an entire mountain. Your guide will drive you most of the way to the top, where you will park and take in “The Devil’s Door”, an enormous door-like split with a peak on each side. You can chose to hike up either side of the peak; both have cut trails and steps along the entire route. At the top you can take in beautiful views of the landscape below, and the ocean to the west. On the bottom of the trails you’ll find an artisan market where you can purchase anything from hand-made necklaces, purses, knifes, and much more. You can watch locals grill up corn on the cob, load it with lemon juice, and add salt to make for a typical snack. One drink and corn snack are included in this tour. Repelling is available for those not interested in hiking up, but is not included in the price. |
Montecristo Cloud Forest | This is a tour where the three countries meet, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Located 7,900 ft above sea level, you’ll find the Montecristo Cloud Forest. This area averages eighty inches of precipitation yearly, has one hundred percent humidity, is covered in giant laurel and oak trees that reach almost a hundred feet tall and form a canopy top that is impenetrable to the sun. Many kinds of interesting wildlife reside there, including two-fingered anteaters, toucans, striped owls and many other bird species, rare and protected spider monkeys, agoutis, and pumas, to name a few. The forest floor is covered in moss, mushrooms, orchids, ferns, and several other rain-forest type vegetation. |
Northern El Salvador | The districts of Chalatenango and Morazán were the principal areas of warfare between the government army and the FMLN guerrillas. One of the many tactics used by the military was called tierra arrasada (scorched land), which basically involved burning crops and slaughtering cattle. The people who fled the area during the war have now returned, and a visit here provides a fascinating opportunity to witness the process of reconstruction. Buildings (and residents) bear the scars of battles, and land mines are an unpleasant feature of what is otherwise the gentlest scenery in the country.The village of La Palma, held by the FMLN during the war, is known for its wooden handicrafts, flowering plants, storming rivers and beautiful mountain scenery. It's 84km (52mi) north of San Salvador.Perquín was the FMLN headquarters and now houses the poignant Museo de la Revolucíon Salvadoreña. The museum charts the causes and progress of the war with photos, posters, weapons and the histories of those who died in action. Weapons range from hi-tech hardware to homemade bombs. This is a perfect place for all types of eco-tours; bird watching, hiking and rappelling are among a few favorites. (info from www.lonelyplanet.com) |
Rafting and Kayaking | Enjoy rafting or kayaking down the rivers Lempa, Paz, and Torola. All three offer great conditions for those who can enjoy rough river waters. |
Ruinas De Tazumal | The Mayan ruins of Tazumal, considered the most important and best preserved in El Salvador, are in the town of Chalchuapa. In the Quiché language the name Tazumal means 'pyramid where the victims were burned.' The excavated ruins on display here are only one part of a zone covering 10 sq km (4 sq mi), much of it buried under the town. Archaeologists estimate that the first settlements in the area were around 5000 BC. The excavated structures date from a period spanning over 1000 years. The artifacts found at Tazumal provide evidence of ancient and active trade between Tazumal and places as far away as Panama and Mexico. (info from www.lonelyplanet.com) |
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving | Explore underwater treasures of ship wrecks and reef… dance beneath the surface with brightly colored tropical fish… discover what lies beneath the waves you love to surf… With several unique locations to dive like volcanic lakes, reef-ridden rivers, bays, and points, you’re sure to enjoy this breath-taking underwater world. |
Volcano Tours | El Salvador offers several amazing volcano tours! You can choose to hike up over 24 volcanoes, including Ilamatepec (7,095 ft), Tehutepec (6,150 ft), Quetzaltepec (5,880 ft), and Izalco (5,730 ft). |