Surf's up in La Libertad, the most popular surfer's beach in El Salvador. It's also got a great malecon for evening strolls, with several good seafood restaurants with ocean views and spectacular sunsets.
Understand
[edit]La Libertad is a great beach with long, wide stretches of sand and blue waters. You can tan yourself, walk along the beach and collect shells, or hang out in town and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere. Most people coming to Libertad are here for the surfing though.
Get in
[edit]You can take bus 102 from the corner of 17a Av Sur and 6a Calle Poniente in the city center, US$0.60.
Get around
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You can walk and surf in the nearest beaches. Buses from Liberad to other beaches like El Tunco and SunZal cost US$0.25 and catching a ride in a truck is always an option.
See
[edit]- 1 Puerto la Libertad Pier (Muelle Puerto la Libertad), Malecon. 6am-11pm. Long modern pier built in 2003. Hub of fishing activity for the town. If you are cooking your own meals, you can buy fresh caught fish right off the boat.
Do
[edit]La Libertad beaches are some of the best surfing beaches in Central America.
If you plan to surf, understand that these are the local's breaks also. Expect them to drop in on you, but if you drop in on them, they might say something. There are numerous places to rent boards and many of the hostels outside of La Libertad have a decent selection. Most rent per day for US$5-6 and up to US$12 per day at Hospital de Tables (best selection in one place). If you are new to surfing, SunZal is an easy point break but can be crowded on weekends. Surf boards are allowed on all buses with no additional cost. Enter through the back door where the seats are removed.
- El Sunzal Beach. The best surfing beach in El Salvador.
- Playa San Diego. A huge sandy beach, deserted bar a few fishermen at dusk & dawn, maybe some kids playing football with bamboo goalposts. Great surf for beginners. none of the rocks and crowds of Sunzal. Friendly residential area, a few hotels and one hostel and a few cheap comedores & pupusarias.
- El Zonte (Bitcoin Beach). A surf beach where the Bitcoin movement started.
- 1 Playa el Obispo. Quieter beach area away from the pier. Rocky shoreline so wear shoes.
- 2 Playa San Blas. Nice beach for swimming and sunbathing because it's sandy with few rocks.
- 3 Walter Thilo Deininger National Park (right off CA 2 about 5.4 km east of La Libertad, will see blue sign with "Parque De Aventura Walter Deininger" or something similar on it.), ☏ +503 76015560. 8AM-4PM daily. Lush deciduous forest, canopy walks, abseiling (rappelling) down waterfalls, guided tours, bat cave exploration, obstacle course, animal encounters, be prepared to get a little muddy if it's wet out. $3 for foreigners.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]You can eat the world famous cocteles de camaron (shrimp cocktails) and a lot of seafood. Pupusas seem to be a staple food for travelers and 3 for a dollar is hard to beat. These are sold just about everywhere in Libertad and all along the highway. The local comedors along the highway and in town also sell large plates of tipico for US$2-4, well worth the splurge. There is a selection of higher priced gourmet restaurants dotted throughout the area also.
- 1 Pacífico Mar Restaurante, ☏ +503 2346 0349. Daily 9AM-7PM. Economical seafood eatery with mariscada de crema.
- 2 Restaurante El Hawaiano (near junction of Hwy 4 and coast highway), ☏ +503 2398 1390. Daily 9AM-7PM. Lobster, oysters, coctel, oceanfront location.
Drink
[edit]The neighboring town of El Tunco has most of the bars frequented by travelers and local surfers. Beer starts at a dollar in most places. Watch for event parties in Libertad on the weekends at the pavilion near the beach.
- 1 Clasico Beach, Playa Conchalío 2 (final calle Peña Blanca). from opening til the sun sets and the last customers leave. Seafood grilled over a hardwood fire, tables right next to a somewhat rocky beach with spectacular sunsets, ice cold beer, and dirt cheap prices.
Sleep
[edit]There are many options along the coast ranging from $5 to $50 per night.
- 1 Sunzal Point Surf Lodge & Retreat, Calle a playa sunzal (off Hwy 2 in El Sunzal), ☏ +503 23896070. Friendly English speaking owners and a good kitchen with large refrigerator. One Private double available, big, with shower(more to come). Get to know the locals by talking with the gardener and the friendly neighbors. Also ask about painting/writing just about anything you want on the walls. Or get a Foosball tournament going on the full sized table upstairs. Beer/water $1, soda/juice $.50 available.
- 2 Surfers Inn. Sits just above El Hostel and offers private rooms for about the same price.
- (dead link) Hammock Plantation (hostel), Playa El Parmarcito. Outgoing hosts, can order breakfast lunch or dinner for about $3, pool, hammocks, wifi, beach access. $30.
- 3 Tunco Lodge, ☏ +503 25561240. Swimming pool, pool table, clean beds. Pupuseria short walk away. $18.
- Papaya Lodge (next door to Tunco Lodge), ☏ +503 23896027. Swimming pool, breakfasts can be purchased and surfboards rented, airport transfers. $24.
- Kali Hostel is also in this area with beds for about 125 Colons.
- 4 Hotel Casa de Mar, ☏ +503 78569009. Offers guests direct beach front access to perfect waves. Each room overlooks the ocean, as do the swimming pool, bar and hilltop restaurant. $130.
- 5 Eco de Mar. Restaurant/bar, pool, wifi, transfers to airport. starting at $44 with fan; $55 with a/c.
- Royal Decameron Salinitas, Acajutla, Salinitas, ☏ +503 2209-3100, fax: +503 2263-0900. Located at Playa Salinitas. It's an all-inclusive hotel and resort. From $190.
Stay safe
[edit]Staying safe in the city is very important. As many other cities in El Salvador, La Libertad is highly populated but unlike San Salvador it has a lower crime rate. Common sense rules apply as in most places:
- Don't wear expensive jewelry.
- Don't hang out in places that look abandoned.
- If you rent a car don't rent a luxury car.
Go next
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