Sandwiched between Guatemala, Honduras, and the Pacific Ocean, the small country of El Salvador is a lush green country with miles upon miles of quiet Pacific beaches. Fishing villages dot the coast and surfers take advantage of some of the best waves in the world. The Salvadoran people are friendly and ready to welcome more visitors to boost their economy through tourism.

A war that ended nearly twenty years ago has given El Salvador a reputation for violence and kept it off the beaten tourist track. Today, El Salvador is one of the most peaceful and most beautiful countries in Central America. Tourists here are still few, so you’ll be able to enjoy all these Salvadoran wonders without the large crowds that burden so many great destinations.

The El Salvador coast boasts some of the best surfing in the world. La Libertad is known for long, fast rides on big waves. The reputation of this spot, however, makes it one of the more touristy areas of the country so you may want to seek out other beaches like La Paz and El Zonte. Or better yet, ask local surfers where their special surf spots are and tackle a real off-the-beaten-path adventure.

Ecotourism is big business in El Salvador, too. Many companies offer jungle treks, zipline canopy tours, and mountain biking. Hike along the floor of a quiet cloud forest and then zip through a portion of the canopy to get a real sense of the forest on several levels. If you want to see some flowing lava, consider a hike near or one of El Salvador’s active volcanoes in Parque Nacional Los Volcanes.

As many Central American diets are, the cuisine of El Salvador is based largely on rice, beans, and readily available local fruits. Rice and beans is the typical peasant food of many countries and El Salvador is no exception. Guava and green mango are favorite local fruits as are plantains, especially when served fried. The pupusa is a hearty Salvadoran dish based around staples. Cheese and shredded pork are stuffed into a corn tortilla to create a pupusa, which are often sold at street carts.

In cities (especially large ones like the capital San Salvador), you can find a wide variety of global cuisines. All the typical American fast food chains are present. For ethnic restaurants, Peruvian, Chilean, Argentinean, Mexican, Korean, Italian, and French are among the most popular choices.

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