You’re looking out at the Pacific. There’s an endless right point out front and a punchy a-frame peak to your left. You’ve just finished your second surf of the day and it’s only midday. You head in for a cold beer, and a Papusa or three, then hit the shade, resting and getting ready for round three. Well, this is just another day in Surf City El Salvador.
With tropical temps year-round, consistent swell, and dozens of spots, accommodation fior all budgets and you have a fantastic recipe for your next surf trip. Here’s everything you need to know for surfing in El Tunco.
Overview
- Consistent sell
- Tropical climate
- Low cost of living
- Good food
- High volume of spots
- Crowds
- Not always world-class
Table of Contents
El Tunco Surf Season
El Salvador is a super consistent stretch of coast and has waves all year round. However, the country experiences its largest and most consistent swells during the wet season, from April through October. In the dry season, between November & April, you can still expect to surf, but swells will be smaller and conditions mushier.
Head here at any time of year and you’ll get waves, the place rarely goes flat. If you want to see the surf forecast for El Salvador, check out Surfline El Salvador.
Best Surf Spots in El Tunco
El Tunco has a high density of surf spots, some are in walking distance from town, while others can be accessed via a short bus or taxi ride.
El Sunzal
Arguably El Tunco’s most enjoyable wave. Sunzal is a dreamy right-hand point for all crafts and abilities. While this means crowds, you can surf it on all tides and conditions and as it’s such a large playing field, you’ll always get a couple of waves out here. If you’re ok getting scorched by the sun and surfing with the afternoon onshores, you can score sessions with little to no one out!
The wave starts with an easy take-off and passes through a variety of steeper/fatter sections as it peels down the reef. It’s a super forgiving wave that allows you to practice anything, from high-performance turns to familiarising yourself with point breaks on a log. If you do get a super long one, just kick out before the cobblestone shore break. Yep, they hurt.
- Crowds: Thick
- Best Swell: 4-ft West
- Best Wind: Offshore (East)
- Wave Type: Cobble Stone Right Point
- Consistency: 80%
- Hazards: People, Reef, shorebreak
La Bocana
Just across the iconic El Tunco rock, La Bocana is a punchy, super consistent A-frame with walls for turns and ramps for airs, breaking on all tides. A cobble-bottomed high-performance peak at the heart of El Tunco that always has waves to surf. Because of it’s proximity to town, and reliability, it’s always crowded here.
- Crowds: Thick
- Best Swell: 4ft West
- Best Wind: Offshore (East)
- Wave Type: Cobble Stone A-frame
- Consistency: 80%
- Hazards: People, Reef
KM-59
North of El Tunco, you’ll find KM59, another right-hand point break, with long walls and fewer crowds than the spots in town. You’ll need a taxi or a moped to get there, but you’ll be rewarded.
- Crowds: Moderate
- Best Swell: 3-4ft West
- Best Wind: Offshore (East)
- Wave Type: Cobble Stone Right Point
- Consistency: 80%
- Hazards: People, Reef
El Zonte
Another one of the area’s super fun right-hand points. Again, there are always people surfing, but the wave itself is a fun, forgiving right-hand wall mostly for turns. While it’s predominantly a right-hand point, there is also a beachie section on the inside. I stayed in El Zonte during my last trip to El Salvador and found it a wicked little zone to score consistent waves on tap.
- Crowds: Moderate
- Best Swell: 3-4ft West
- Best Wind: Offshore (East)
- Wave Type: Cobble Stone Right Point
- Consistency: 80%
- Hazards: People, Reef
Punta Roca
The area’s main attraction and a world-class wave on its day. And there are many days when 4ft plus, Punta Roca is plucked straight from a dream, reeling rights marching down the cobbles. High performance with racy walls and tube sections. However, it gets crowded, is super fast, and watch yourself getting in and out over the cobbles; they’re fricking slippery!
- Crowds: Heavy
- Best Swell: 4-6ft West
- Best Wind: Offshore (East)
- Wave Type: Cobble Stone Right Point
- Consistency: 80%
- Hazards: People, Reef, Cobbles
Enjoying this post? You might like my complete guide to surfing in South America or other Latin American surf destinations such as everything you need to know about surfing in Costa Rica, the ultimate guide to surfing in Florianopolis or the complete guide to surfing in southern Chile.
Where is El Tunco?
Getting There
By Plane
The best way to get to El Tunco is by flying. You can fly directly to San Salvador and the airport is around 45 minutes from El Tunco.
You can fly to San Salvador from any major city in Latin America and directly from LA. I found a stupidly cheap flight from LA – San Salvador for $50 the first time I went.
From further afield, you’ll need to connect via a larger city in Latin or North America and then jump on a connection to San Salvador.
- LAX - SAL: $200
- LHR - SAN: $800
- SYD - SAN: $1100
By Bus
if you’re already in Central America, you can also get to El Tunco by bus. If you’re crossing the border from Nicaragua, you can take a bus from Northern Nicaragua across the border (a 10-hour overnight journey) to San Salvador. From here, you’ll then need to take a local bus from San Salvador, to La Libertad, which can be a little complicated, especially, if you’re Spanish is sh*t like mine.
By Shuttle\Boat
If that doesn’t sound appealing, you can get to El Tunco by shuttle and boat. I booked this with Gekko Explorer and it was a much faster way to get to El Tunco. When you book, simply add the names of your hotel (pick up and drop off), and they take care of the rest. The trip means you don’t go through Honduras and go directly to El Salvador. You’ll go through immigration at tiny offices on either side and yes, expect to wait around.
El Tunco Surf Tips
Thick Crowds
El Salvador is becoming increasingly popular, so the main waves around El Tunco are stupidly crowded. Punta Roca and Sunzal are always crowded during the morning session with good winds; however, you can surf without crowds if you can handle the sun and some onshore bumps.
Intense Heat
It’s stupidly hot in El Salvador, which means boardies year round, but be warned, surfing at midday is punishing, and it takes it out of you surfing at this time.
Additionally, winds will be offshore in the morning and go onshore by 11 am. This happens like clockwork and is part and parcel of surfing in Central America.
WSL Events
Marque waves Sunzal and Bocana recently featured as the venue for the World Junior Titles and spots that put El Salvadorian surfing on the map. El Salvador now features on the WSL CT and hosts the world’s best every year.
The event is held at Punta Roca and sees some of the highest-performance surfing you’ll see in Central America. During my trip last year, I hung around during some of the pre-event warm-up sessions but bailed before the event took place. It was epic to see that level of surfing on a wave as fun as Punta Roca.
Surfboards
You’ll mostly be surfing fat/punchy head high rights, so your standard performance shortboard will be perfect. It’s also worth considering a small wave performance shape board for the smaller days. You do get larger swells in El Salvador, but generally, you won’t need a step up for surfing in El Tunco.
El Tunco Surf Spot Map
If you’re looking for a perfect combination of warm waters and fun rippable walls, El Salvador is it…
Where To Stay?
El Tunco is the go-to for staying near the surf in El Salvador. Although Punta Roca, the area’s premier spot, is in La Libertad, the town is not that pleasant to hang out in compared to El Tunco.
I felt unsafe in La Libertad, whereas in El Tunco, you have to go through security to get in, and it feels like a safe, secure bubble away from the outside.
- Dorm Price: $15 per night
- Distance from Surf: 5 minute walk to Sunzal
- Wifi: Excellent
- Type: Dorms & Privates
If you’re on a budget surf trip to El Salvador, I’d highly recommend Papaya Lodge. The place is epic with a restaurant, clean rooms close to the beach, and super friendly staff: cool backpacker vibe and travelers passing through constantly, dorm rooms and privates available. This is where I stayed on both of my trips to El Salvador.
- Dorm Price: $24 per night
- Distance from Surf: 2 minute walk to El Zonte
- Wifi: Excellent
- Type: Dorms & Privates
Just north of El Tunco lies El Zonte, a small, quirky town boasting another ridiculously fun right-hander. Hostal Punta gives you panoramic views of the surf, a small restaurant, and heaps of hammock and chill space. Prices for dorms start at $24 per night.
- Dorm Price: $113 per night
- Distance from Surf: 5 minute walk to Sunzal
- Wifi: Excellent
- Type: Privates
For a beautiful spot located right among the action in El Tunco, you’re surrounded by everything you need for surfing in El Salvador. Walk out on the street, and you have waves to your left and all the bars, shops, and restaurants to your right!
Outdoor pool, private rooms, A/C, lounge terrace, and wifi. Learn more about the Layback Surf Hostel; prices start from $ 113 USD per night (sleeps 2).
- Dorm Price: $200 per night
- Distance from Surf: 5 minute walk to Sunzal
- Wifi: Excellent
- Type: Dorms & Privates
If you want to surf El Sunzal and trust me, you will (it’s stupidly fun), Casa de Mar Hotel perches you on the cliff overlooking the wave. The best spot to slip out when it looks fun or at opportune moments when the crowd thins out.
A beautiful property with some of the best views in town, an outdoor pool, and comfy clean rooms. Prices for rooms begin at $200 per night for a 2-person room.
El Salvador Country Overview
- Currency: USD
- Language: Spanish
- Time Zone: GMT - 6
- Visa: 3 Month Visa on Arrival
- Vaccine: Not Required
El Tunco - Cost Breakdown
Here’s a concise cost breakdown for a 1-week surf trip to El Tunco, based on three budget levels:
Budget Traveler ($400 – $600 total)
- Accommodation: Hostel dorms ($8–$15/night) → $56–$105
- Surfing: Board rental ($70), lessons → $70–$150
- Food: Street food/local eateries ($5–$10/day) → $35–$70
- Transport: Shared shuttle ($40 each way) → $80
- Extras: Minimal nightlife & activities → $50–$100
Mid-Range Traveler ($800 – $1,200 total)
- Accommodation: Private hotel room ($50–$100/night) → $350–$700
- Surfing: Board rental ($70), 3–5 lessons ($100–$200) → $170–$270
- Food: Mix of local + mid-range restaurants ($10–$20/day) → $70–$140
- Transport: Airport transfer ($40 each way) + local rides → $80–$150
- Extras: Excursions & nightlife → $100–$150
Luxury Traveler ($1,500+ total)
- Accommodation: High-end beachfront hotel or surf camp package → $1,000+
- Surfing: Private coaching & premium board rental → $200–$400
- Food: High-end dining & cocktails ($30+/day) → $200+
- Transport: Private car service → $200+
- Extras: Private tours, spa, premium nightlife → $200+
Non-surfing Activities
While you’re probably only going surfing in El Salvador, and anything outside of the water isn’t appealing, El Salvador has much more to offer than just its waves. The Santa Ana volcano hike is an excellent way to spend a day if you’re surfed out.
Final Words
Without a doubt, El Tunco is an incredible surf destination–perfect if you‘re looking for easy, high-performance waves on a budget. If you’re considering visiting El Tunco and have any questions, please reach out! Additionally, if you want to gain some first-hand insights into El Tunco and immerse yourself in a story of wave chasing on a budget through El Salvador and beyond, check out The Latin American Surf Tales.
FAQs
Most spots are super consistent in the El Tunco area. El Sunzal and Bocana have waves all the time. Especially between April and October where it’s consistently 3-4ft.
Yes. I won’t lie to you. Most surf spots in El Salvador are super crowded.
At low tide, you can surf the small beach break on the inside of El Sunzal. This is the only beachie in El Tunco. There are other beginner-friendly beaches you can head to outside of town though!
El Tunco is between 25 to 45 minutes from El Salvador’s main airport by car. Airport transfers can be arranged through accommodations or local transport services, for around $40 to $60.
El Tunco is pretty safe for tourists, including solo travellers and women. While the vibe in town is welcoming, take standard safety precautions like you would anywhere in Latin America.
