El Salvador may not be on your radar for a gorgeous beach vacation, but it should be. These are 3 gorgeous El Salvador black sand beaches you have to visit.
We honestly didn’t know what to expect when visiting El Salvador. We knew it was a world-class surfing destination and that was about it. It is so much more than that. These El Salvador black sand beaches took our breath away!
With 190 miles of coastline, you will find gorgeous black sand beaches all along the coast. These are just a few of the many gorgeous beaches in El Salvador.
We’ll cover gorgeous El Salvador black sand beaches, the best beaches to stay in El Salvador, El Tunco Beach, and more!
This post is all about 3 of the most gorgeous El Salvador black sand beaches you have to visit.
EL SALVADOR BLACK SAND BEACHES:
1. El Zonte
The beach in El Zonte was our favorite beach in El Salvador. We loved the relaxed atmosphere and quiet beach town. The black sand was not completely covered in rocks, which was wonderful to enjoy some time walking along the beach. The water in El Salvador is so warm it is crazy and this seemed like a great place to swim. We visited during the “winter months” (May-Oct) and the waves were huge so we stayed out.
If you are into surfing, this is a great spot, especially if you are good and enjoy the larger waves of winter. During the calmer seas, this is a great beginner’s spot and there are plenty of classes and rental spots. El Zonte beach is a lot calmer than the more popular El Tunco and is a great getaway to a quieter part of the beaches in El Salvador.
PLACES TO STAY IN EL ZONTE:
You will find a lot of beautiful hotels in El Zonte. There are many more high-end beachfront resorts here than in the other two locations on this list. Perfect for a beach getaway!
Hotel Michanti – This hotel and hostel is a gorgeous property in El Zonte. Not only are they a few blocks from the beach, but they have a pool, private rooms, and an awesome restaurant. You can even rent your surfboard here and get tours directly from the hotel.
Palo Verde – This gorgeous beachfront property features a swimming pool, beautiful views, and a full restaurant and garden. It also has some of the best reviews in the area.
Puro Surf Hotel – This one has our hearts and we have to visit next time we return to El Zonte. The Puro Surf Hotel has an infinity pool overlooking the ocean, a bar on the property, and clean, fresh designs throughout the hotel.
want a free Notion itinerary template?
Plan the perfect trip all in one place with this free Notion Travel Itinerary Template. Just enter your info below to join our weekly newsletter and get it sent straight to your inbox!
2. PLAYA LAS FLORES
There are plenty of Las Flores beaches in El Salvador but this one is located right in the La Libertad area. Although La Libertad is a larger city compared to other beach towns, Playa Las Flores lies on the outskirts and is a secluded spot with a variety of restaurants overlooking the ocean. Although this beach is covered in rocks, the rocks are smooth and large. You’ll find plenty of wildlife in and around the beach as well. We saw a few surfers at this spot. This is also a really close beach to Punta Roca so once it gets crowded there, this is a perfect opportunity to escape the crowds.
PLACES TO STAY NEAR PLAYA LAS FLORES:
La Libertad is a very local destination in which most people here are locals. It’s not flourishing with many hotels and most people stay outside of town and visit for the day.
Rincon Familiar – This hotel is extremely simple but has everything you could need. It’s only steps from Playa Las Flores and has a few pools, a restaurant, and plenty of space in your room for a surfboard.
EL TUNCO
This is the most popular destination for the best El Salvador black sand beaches. Known now as a party, backpack hub we decided to skip staying here. There are plenty of hostels and cheap eats in this area. And the beach? It’s absolutely stunning. If you get a chance to see it as sunrise or sunset, the colors will blow your mind.
PLACES TO STAY IN EL TUNCO:
Staying in El Tunco may be just what you are looking for you if you are looking for a bit of nightlife and meeting tons of fellow travelers. El Tunco is also close to many other beaches so a great spot to venture out and see more of El Salvador.
Hotel & Bar La Guitarra – This hotel and bar are perfect for socializing and have a swimming pool and sea views for every room. Each room is private with private bathrooms as well.
Eco del Mar – This property is surrounded by lush jungle and boasts hammocks throughout. There is an outdoor pool and an on-site restaurant. It has a great location and is only a block from the beach and in the heart of plenty of restaurants.
Hotel Los Farallones – Located on the outskirts of town up on a hillside with direct access to the beach. It has a gorgeous outdoor pool area overlooking the ocean and plenty of rooms with sea views. If you are looking to splurge check out their suite with a sea view and hot tub balcony!
Boca Olas Resort Villas – This resort has rooms, villas, and apartments. This would be a great option if you are traveling with family or a group of friends. The outdoor area is beautiful with a pool and garden. And it has a great location in El Tunco, outside of the main streets but close enough to walk.
