Where to Stay in El Salvador
If you're going to El Salvador, you're likely considering all the different options on where to stay and make the most of your trip. After a recent visit, I'm happy to share some of the best places to visit and where to stay in El Salvador.
Along with letting you know where to stay, I have a few tips for choosing the right option. Below are some of the most stunning places to stay, from city exploring to quiet retreats. I couldn't recommend these enough. These are all places I visited personally either to stay or for a meal, and I want to stay the next time I visit! Now to share where to stay.
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Considerations for Choosing Where to Stay
Where to Stay in La Libertad (Beach)
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Considerations for Choosing Where to Stay in El Salvador
Most people spend a week in El Salvador or less. If this is what you've planned for your trip, I'd highly recommend choosing a central location and taking day trips from there. You may also want to split your time between a few different spots, but you don't have to do this unless you want to!
Why? El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America, and you can quickly get around by car. Most things you'll want to do are less than 3 hours from central locations like San Salvador or El Tunco. This makes it easy to choose a home base and take day trips from there.
The other reason I'd recommend this is a lot of places are more remote. So unless you'd like to have a unique stay for a few days, it makes the most sense to take day trips.
Lastly, while El Salvador is much safer than it used to be, safety is a priority here. You will want to choose a spot with good security, and reviews are important.
If you want suggestions, here's my list of fun things to do in El Salvador!
Where to Stay in San Salvador
San Salvador is the capital of El Salvador and makes a great home base for your trip. It's a bit closer to everything than El Tunco, which I talk about below, but is a bit more upscale and, of course, has a city feel vs. the beach, which is more relaxed and known for parties. If you choose to stay in San Salvador, I'd highly recommend looking at the neighborhood of San Benito (options are below).
San Benito is also known as Zona Rosa and is packed with stylish bars, patio restaurants, and modern malls around the Monument to the Revolution, a towering mosaic depicting a man with outstretched arms.
San Benito is also on the west side of San Salvador, the direction for many of the top attractions in El Salvador, like Lake Coatapeque, Ruta de Flores, or Santa Ana Volcano. It's very modern with hotels that are nice and affordable, depending on the time of year you go!
Museums, shops, rooftop bars, cafes, and more can be found within walking distance of this area, making it really easy to stay here and get the most out of your time in San Salvador.
Barcelo offers an innovative stay in El Salvador, ideally located in the capital of the country, in front of the new shopping center Bambu City Center, Multiplaza, SOHO Las Cascadas, and Gran VÃa, and the fabulous Museum of Art of the city. You will find restaurants, shops, and cafes easy to get to from here.
We stayed here during our trip and found that it was great. They had all the amenities you would need: two restaurants, a bar, shops/snacks, elevators, and fast wifi on site. They have 24-hour security and friendly staff. The pool was immaculate and the perfect spot to relax at the end of the day!
Hyatt Centric is located in Las Cascadas Shopping Center, in the heart of San Salvador's commerce and nightlife. The hotel celebrates the Pacific Ocean and Salvadoran culture—enjoy local wave-inspired artwork.
Hyatt Centric San Salvador features an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, a terrace, and a restaurant. With free wifi, this 5-star hotel offers room service and a 24-hour front desk. The accommodation provides guests with a concierge service, a tour desk, and a currency exchange.
Plenty of shops and restaurants are close by, making it a convenient and easy place to stay on your trip! While not as walkable as the Barcelo, this hotel is modern and close to San Benito, making it another excellent option for your stay.
Sheraton Presidente is located in San Benito, adjacent to the Museo de Arte de El Salvador in San Benito, and a 10-minute walk from the Museo Nacional de AntropologÃa. We walked past this hotel several times, and they have a large number of rooms and space.
Straightforward rooms with balconies offer TVs, desks, and coffeemakers. High-speed Internet is available. Club rooms and suites add access to a lounge with complimentary breakfast, drinks, and snacks. There's a relaxed restaurant that serves international cuisine, a cafe, and a cocktail bar. Other amenities include an outdoor pool, a 24-hour exercise room, and a putting green.
Where to Stay in La Libertad
The beaches of El Salvador are what first brought tourism to the country. Surfing in El Salvador draws international competition and attention to La Libertad, specifically El Tunco. This area has plenty to keep you busy on your trip.
The beaches in La Libertad, closest to San Salvador, are not great for swimming. Keep that in mind when deciding which beaches to visit! I would recommend staying here, though, as you'll find some of this area's most excellent resorts and restaurants. It's really been building up in the last few years, so there's lots to do here.
Mandala Eco Villas is located just outside El Tunco, and you'll find these individual villas on the beach. Kayaking, scuba diving, and snorkeling offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with ecotours nearby. Their infinity pool overlooking the ocean and drinks will keep you happy throughout your stay!
I'd recommend this spot to anyone who wants something quieter along the beach instead of being in the middle of the action. It's all close by, but it feels removed from things. They have 24-hour security at their gate, and we were able to ask staff to set us up with a taxi pick up to/from the airport. They have a bar and restaurant onsite with a great view at sunset. We also loved how quiet and serene the individual villas were!
Los Farallones is a beachfront property located on a private beach in La Libertad. It offers tropical gardens, a private infinity pool, and a sun terrace with hammocks and sea views. The famous surfing spot of El Sunzal is just a 5-minute drive from the hotel, and restaurants are just a 15 minute walk away.
This is much closer to the action and a great spot to stay if you want to walk around and explore the beach town of El Tunco more! We loved that this spot has private beachfront space.
Mizata (Nawi Beach House) is a beach resort right on the beach in La Libertad. It has an outdoor swimming pool, a garden, a restaurant, and bar in Santa MarÃa Mizata. It's walkable to little shops nearby and 1 min to Nawi Beach house. Nawi Beach House is next to a popular day party spot and restaurant with a pool overlooking the beach, perfect for sunset.
The resort with free wifi is also 1.2 miles away from Sihuapilapa Beach. The property has room service and a concierge service for guests. They also have private beachfront tree houses that look stunning. I'd love to come back and stay here!
Unique Stays in El Salvador
Below are some spots that offer unique accommodations close to top attractions in El Salvador. They offer beautiful views, great food, and a unique experience that you won't forget. I wouldn't have known about these things if it weren't for our guide (a family friend of my husband's), so I am so grateful he took us to these unique spots. I'm ready to return and stay at some of them instead of just eating there!
Tres Piedras is located on the Panoramic Route around Lake Ilopango. Villas overlook the lake, and the infinity pool is beautiful. They have resting nets on the balconies, and the bathtub offers panoramic lake views. The rooms are modern and have all the amenities you need.
The restaurant has a fantastic view of the lake and is a great option for eating a traditional Salvadorean breakfast with a stunning view. Excellent view, the pool, and the jacuzzi give the place a big plus; it's half an hour from San Salvador and the airport, making it an excellent option for anyone who may not want a long drive but a beautiful place to stay!
We went here for breakfast and absolutely loved it. I would also recommend checking out their rooftop and swings for more fun!
Casa 1800 has a few different boutique hotels throughout El Salvador, including in Suchitoto, Cerro Verde, near Lake Coatepeque, Los Naranjos, and Ataco. All of their locations offer a unique and beautiful dining experience with stunning views of the natural beauty they surround.
We visited the location in Ataco, located at the top of town. It was an absolutely stunning property with the friendliest staff!
While we were here, we saw hummingbirds on the flowers and enjoyed fantastic views of the mountains with an upscale, relaxed vibe. We loved the drinks here and the pupizza (a pupusa pizza). The steak sandwich with fries was one of my top three meals of this year. I know it sounds wild to choose a sandwich, but it was so good.
Cardadeu Residence or Cardedeu Hotel are both located on Lake Coatapeque. Lake Coatapeque is stunning, and with all the terraces and pool overlooking the lake at this hotel, it's the perfect spot for your stay. I recommend both here because the residence is best for you if you want something more private. The hotel is best if you want something with a more traditional stay and feel. Both are exceptional locations and down the road from each other.
The vibes here are great, and the pool is huge! Make sure you rent a jet ski and explore the lake while here.
I hope this list has inspired you and helped you think through where to stay in El Salvador. There are many beautiful hotels and places to visit, and having the right spot for your trip will improve everything!
