San Salvador

When you think of the Bahamas, who thinks of San Salvador?  In fact most of us think of little else but war when we think of San Salvador, which is downright silly.

The wars been over for 20 years now, and the country is like a little gem with the warmest people, naturally protected reefs, mangroves, mountains and freshwater rivers. It’s an absolute surfers paradise and it’s cheap. It’s like what tropical paradise should be. And we’ve got your cheap tickets to San Salvador right here.

Because of its remoteness from the main resorts of the Bahamas, San Salvador is the least spoiled Bahamian island. I’m not kidding, since the days of Columbus here, little has changed. Preserved wooded hills, lakes and white sandy beaches. And the war has also done its fair share in keeping people away. It’s taken about twenty years, for the country’s tourism to come back again and guess who is the first to come?

the surfing is awesome for all levels

Surfers. Yep, the surfers know that here in San Salvador not only is the water pristine, the waves superlative, the food and lodging pleasant, they know the prices are out of this world.

Adventure travelers, they’re the ones we armchair travelers watch. They’re the first to find remote places, emerging places of crazy beauty and great fun at prices that don’t beat us down. Check this place out:

Akwaterra Surf Hotel.

pool

They have packages for surfers- like the following for those who know what they’re doing:

This package includes a half day surf taxi service. This tour includes a roundtrip transfer to one of several nearby local breaks. This is not a private or guided surf tour, just a taxi transfer to the break and back operated by Las Olas. Departure from the hotel is at 5:45 am the first ride and at 6:30 am the second ride. Pick up at the break is at 11:00am and 11:45am and is scheduled to return to the hotel by noon. Las Olas offers a comfortable vehicle with a/c but the driver is not a surf guide and doesn’t necessarily speak English, however the Las Olas manager can point you in the right way and go over certain details about certain breaks. He speaks English and has been a local surfer for over 15 years. This service is recommended for surfers that know La Libertad area and have a decent to advanced level of surfing.

easy, clean accommodations

And we’re talking around $75 a night.

Here in San Salvador, you can still hop on a mail boat that cruises through the Bahamas delivering mail and packages for $30 and see all the islands with a guy who knows them well. How fun is that?  How much better than some tacky alcohol-fueled sunset cruise?

colorful vibe

Life here is as it should be:  Tiny, colorful inns overlooking the Pacific, friendly local surfers, fishermen trolling along mangrove-lined channels, and family-owned waterfront restaurants specializing in fresh ceviche and  grilled giant shrimp.

Because of all the flights to San Salvador, surfers have flocked to the coast near the town of La Libertad, where many of the best point breaks are. Today you can see the beginnings of a tender economy in the cars and cafes cropping up along the town.

the coast

In beach towns west of La Libertad, like backpacker-friendly El Tunco — a hot spot for cliff-jumpers — seaside inns and restaurants are popping up big time. Most people are booking flights to el salvador san salvador for the surfing, but there are some major land-based activities like hiking and biking in the volcano-dotted inland national parks are also becoming more and more known.

Because of their proximity to San Salvador, beach areas like the Costa del Sol and La Libertad are busy on the weekends but are blissfully quiet during the week.  The country’s beaches, volcanic craters, pristine cloud forests and bird sanctuaries are setting it up to be the next Costa Rica, without the crowds. No joke.

hike the cloud forests

But really makes this place stand out, is its newness to tourism and the travel industry altogether. Check out the roadside stands everywhere that sell pupusas- corn tortillas, filled with homemade cheese and refried beans. Out on the water, seasoned oyster divers, their floats and nets bobbing on the surface, are ready to chat between trips down to the rocky seabed.

perfection

San Salvador is a three- to five-hour flight from cities like New York, Houston and Los Angeles. Check out our cheap flights to San Salvador

If you want help discovering the place, and real hands on guidance, try Access Trips (650-492-4778; www.accesstrips.com; seven-day itineraries from $1,695 a person, double occupancy)

The U.S. dollar is the official currency of El Salvador. Many of La Libertad’s inns rent surfboards, and here they aren’t out to rob you blind.

Luxury: The 11 hilltop rooms at the Casa de Mar (www.casademarhotel.com; doubles from $110, including breakfast) have air-conditioning and Pacific views.

Casa del Mar Hotel El Salvador

Cheaper: Six-room Tekuani Kal www.tekuanikal.com; doubles from $73, including breakfast) overlooks La Bocana point break. The décor is inspired by the Nahuat Indian culture.

Cheapest: At Hotel Mopelia www.hotelmopelia-salvador.com; shared rooms from $10 a person), a young international surfer vibe dominates. Owned by a Belgian named Gilles, the hostel has a lively in-house restaurant serving thin-crust pizzas and cheap beer.