El Sunzal
4.5
About
This area is known as an outstanding spot to surf.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
45 within 5 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
43 reviews
Excellent
21
Very good
17
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
1
bucketlisttravellers
Sydney, Australia3,645 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
El Sunzul is the next beach along from El Tunco and is a 20 minute walk down the road. There are a few nice hostels near here.
The beach is a black sand beach and there are a lot of rocks to walk over before you get to the sand. There is a cave on one end of the beach which the ocean enters and recedes from with each passing wave.
There are some restaurants along the beach, but the area was pretty quiet when we were there on a weekday afternoon. We enjoyed swimming here and watching the locals play beach soccer.
The beach is a black sand beach and there are a lot of rocks to walk over before you get to the sand. There is a cave on one end of the beach which the ocean enters and recedes from with each passing wave.
There are some restaurants along the beach, but the area was pretty quiet when we were there on a weekday afternoon. We enjoyed swimming here and watching the locals play beach soccer.
Written 27 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Javier C.
San Salvador, El Salvador883 contributions
Jul 2019
This place is reviewed as one of the Top 10 best surfing spots in the world. Many tourists attend this surf attraction. Many small hotels and restaurants nearby. Locals are very friendly and you can have a very good stay while at El Sunzal. There are also a couple of beach clubs nearby.
Written 27 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
effarag
So. Cal4 contributions
I couldn't believe there was a place like this left on Earth. I don't recall seeing more than 20 people in the lineup at any given time and the surf was just incredible. Wave after wave after wave! La Libertad's El Sunzal was simply amazing and it's the best long-weekend getaway for the best price. Fly into SAP, rent a car, and head south. Find a place called Guamalitos and chill there for the weekend. You won't regret it. Do it before it becomes the next commercial surf spot.
erich f.
erich f.
Written 28 July 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AfricaAtNewYears
Island of Malta, Malta442 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
Did a walk between El Tunco and El Sunzal both along the beach (only really passable at low tide) and along Route 2. The latter is probably 3 times as long ~1.5 km vs 0.5 km. Plus when you get to El Sunzal along Route 2 you’re confronted with either no passage at Club Salvadoreño (photo) or a $2!beach access fee (photo) at Kayu Restaurant. I didn’t check out the access situation at Sunzal Reef (photo) next door. I was able to access via Kayu early one morning before the fee collectors showed up.
Written 17 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Faye T
Bristol, UK7 contributions
Mar 2015 • Solo
El Sunzal is a long walk from the town of El Tunco where the beach is, down a completely unlit isolated concrete path, next to wasteland and barbed wire fences. This is a prime site for getting attacked and mugged which is what happened to me when I stayed here, when I was walking back from the beach early one evening. 2 men threw me to the floor, kicked me in the head and punched me multiple times, and took my belongings. Fortunately I was able to scream loudly enough for others to hear, otherwise I hate to think what more would have happened to me.
There is little other option for getting back from the beach, other than if you risked trying to call and pay for a taxi from the town (I didn't see any taxis while here and the town is tiny so I'm not sure you would manage to find one). There are also numerous reports of taxis kidnapping tourists or taking them to ATMs and forcing money out of them here, so I'm not sure even that would have been a safe option.
El Salvador has recently been announced to be THE most dangerous country in the world outside of a warzone. The murder rate here has overtaken even that of Honduras due to the political instability and there are currently 16 murders every single day which is a huge number for a country with a population of only 5 million. The police are corrupt and do very little to try and stop criminals, so El Salvador is becoming a lawless country run by gangs. It is therefore not a safe place for tourists to go to- I have spoken to a number of people about my attack and heard numerous awful stories about tourists getting kidnapped here, raped, and even murdered. Please please think seriously about whether it is worth risking not only your possessions but also your life to visit this country. There are far nicer beaches and places to visit elsewhere in the world.
If after reading that you are someone who likes to live dangerously and still want to visit this place, then my advice would be to book somewhere right on the beachfront in El Tunco to minimise the distance you have to walk, never go out after dark unless you are in a large group, and seriously think about bringing an attack alarm with you to keep in your hand at all times when out after dark. This place is very touristy so will lull you into a false sense of security and false sense of safety. Remember where you are and be aware of who is around you at all times.
There is little other option for getting back from the beach, other than if you risked trying to call and pay for a taxi from the town (I didn't see any taxis while here and the town is tiny so I'm not sure you would manage to find one). There are also numerous reports of taxis kidnapping tourists or taking them to ATMs and forcing money out of them here, so I'm not sure even that would have been a safe option.
El Salvador has recently been announced to be THE most dangerous country in the world outside of a warzone. The murder rate here has overtaken even that of Honduras due to the political instability and there are currently 16 murders every single day which is a huge number for a country with a population of only 5 million. The police are corrupt and do very little to try and stop criminals, so El Salvador is becoming a lawless country run by gangs. It is therefore not a safe place for tourists to go to- I have spoken to a number of people about my attack and heard numerous awful stories about tourists getting kidnapped here, raped, and even murdered. Please please think seriously about whether it is worth risking not only your possessions but also your life to visit this country. There are far nicer beaches and places to visit elsewhere in the world.
If after reading that you are someone who likes to live dangerously and still want to visit this place, then my advice would be to book somewhere right on the beachfront in El Tunco to minimise the distance you have to walk, never go out after dark unless you are in a large group, and seriously think about bringing an attack alarm with you to keep in your hand at all times when out after dark. This place is very touristy so will lull you into a false sense of security and false sense of safety. Remember where you are and be aware of who is around you at all times.
Written 27 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Exhale Yoga Retreats
Vancouver, Canada191 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
Don't believe the western media or the timid travellers. El Salvador is a beautiful country with amazing locals and epic surf. My wife and I lived in El Tunco for a month and a half and loved every minute of it! We made some life long friends with the local community. They welcomed us with smiles and good vibes. We surfed at El Sunzal multiple times and stayed until after dark enjoying dinner. The walk home to our apartment in El Tunco was no big deal. Not once did we feel threatened or harassed. If you put out good energy you will receive good energy in return.
As much as I would love to keep this place a secret I have to share how awesome it is! The local communities relies on tourism and this bad reputation (NOT TRUE) is really hurting them. Like anywhere be an aware traveller and you will have the time of your life!
As much as I would love to keep this place a secret I have to share how awesome it is! The local communities relies on tourism and this bad reputation (NOT TRUE) is really hurting them. Like anywhere be an aware traveller and you will have the time of your life!
Written 18 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie P
Duvall, WA12 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
Go there!
Enjoy the town and the great surfing.
Find Bamba Diaz.
(easy to find, just ask for him at Restaurant Erika on the main street in town)
He is the best surf instructor in town and offers lessons for very affordable rates.
Friendly, funny, encouraging, He will push you and teach you to get better all the time.
He speaks great english and spanish.
He and his friend David also can take you hiking at local waterfalls to jump and swim, or take you around the country if you want a local to show you the sights. They are just really friendly, fun guys!
Enjoy the town and the great surfing.
Find Bamba Diaz.
(easy to find, just ask for him at Restaurant Erika on the main street in town)
He is the best surf instructor in town and offers lessons for very affordable rates.
Friendly, funny, encouraging, He will push you and teach you to get better all the time.
He speaks great english and spanish.
He and his friend David also can take you hiking at local waterfalls to jump and swim, or take you around the country if you want a local to show you the sights. They are just really friendly, fun guys!
Written 26 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
myrna415
San Francisco, CA66 contributions
Jul 2015
This is one of the most laid back and beautiful spots on the Western beaches of El Salvador. It is developing as a tourist hotspot, as it is one of the 10 best surfing waves in the world. The restaurants and bars are frequented by tourists - mostly American, Canadian and Brazilian, but on weekends in El Tunco, lots of young people from El Salvador come to party - it gets loud! The natural beauty of the place is amazing - looking out at the sunset over the pacific with a cold beer in your hand is just heavenly.
This is a small town, and people know one another. You can get pupusas for 50cents or have a higher end meal at Café Sunzal or at Las Olas de Beto. I have been coming here a couple of times a year for several years and have always felt safe.
This is a small town, and people know one another. You can get pupusas for 50cents or have a higher end meal at Café Sunzal or at Las Olas de Beto. I have been coming here a couple of times a year for several years and have always felt safe.
Written 18 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lizzyma
california2 contributions
I really likes laying out on the beach. Water is very warm but sometimes the waves were a little rough. We didn't have any problems with the locals. Food was yummy and the beer was cheap... we had a great time
Written 8 September 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RAAP
22 contributions
Why a place like this is still unknown? This is the best spot for surfing in Latin America. The waves are awesome and the salvadoreans are wonderful. This is one of the best well kept secrets in the world. Hurry up to visit there, since this is going to be crowded soon. WONDERFUL.
Written 19 September 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi! I’m currently planning a trip to Central America, and I’m looking to stop in El Salvador (my homeland). I haven’t had the opportunity to see it as a tourist, do you have any recommendations?
Written 19 May 2018
I am planning a trip for my 14 year old son and I and I would like to know what the bottom is like? This will be his first experience out of the country and I want to avoid gnarly bottoms. I am hoping for waves in the chest to head high range to start him out slowly. We surf in Hollywood and Cocoa Beach FL mostly.
Written 28 August 2017
Showing results 1-2 of 2
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing