Discovering The Coastal Towns Of El Salvador
When it comes to real estate investment opportunities, coastal cities have always held a special allure. El Salvador, a country known for its stunning Pacific coastline, offers a treasure trove of potential for investors looking to get the most out of their existing or future properties. We have sectioned the cities according to geographic zones: the Eastern side, Central part and Western zone, where coastal cities are still under development. Follow along, for a better understanding of each investment zone.
1. The Eastern Side
The Eastern side of El Salvador is composed of La Unión, Morazán, San Miguel and Usulután. Two and a half hours away from the capital city of San Salvador, you’ll reach Usulután, the first department of the Eastern side of El Salvador. Yet, the most developed city is San Miguel. San Miguel coast is home to the popular Las Flores and El Cuco beaches, as well as Punta Mango.
Las Flores
Playa Las Flores in San Miguel, El Salvador, is the perfect beach retreat for those yearning for a tranquil and rejuvenating experience. Surrounded by the serenity of the ocean and cradled by consistent waves, this coastal gem offers an idyllic escape. With its breathtaking sunrises, warm sands, and vibrant community of surfers, Playa Las Flores not only presents an enviable natural setting but also the chance to embrace the simplicity and beauty of life by the sea. It’s also the best beach for beginner waves — sandy all year!
Image via The Salty Souls
El Cuco
If you’re seeking a beach getaway with a wide range of activities, then ‘Cuco,’ as San Miguel’s residents know it, is the destination for you. There are plenty of local restaurants, hotels and beach bars to spend the day, and gentler waves, compared to Playa Las Flores, offer a perfect environment for swimming and family enjoyment. This town offers a very local feel, more populated and active than the neighboring beaches.
Image via TripAdvisor
Punta Mango
Leaving San Miguel and moving into Usulután’s coast, you’ll find Punta Mango, the most exclusive, natural and remote corner of El Salvador; a coastal gem that redefines the concept of a beach retreat — in fact, there are still some locations that can only be accessed on a boat. For those seeking a tranquil escape away from the crowds, this paradise is unparalleled. Its golden sandy beaches offer a serene and private experience, perfect for unwinding and reconnecting with nature. Unlike Playa Las Flores and Playa El Cuco, Playa Punta Mango exudes tranquility to the fullest due to its limited access. Surfing wise, it’s similar to La Bocana and El Sunzal waves, and it is actually known as the ‘land of the barrels.’
These 3 beaches (Las Flores, El Cuco and Punta Mango) are the main coastal cities that composed the second stage of the Surf City project. Contact us for listings in these areas!
2. The Central Part
Geographically speaking, the central part of El Salvador is the largest zone. It is composed of the following departments: San Salvador, Cabañas, Cuscatlán, La Paz, San Vicente, Chalatenango and La Libertad. But only La Paz, La Libertad and a small tail of San Vicente have access to the coast.
Costa Del Sol
Costa del Sol is one of the most beautiful and extensive beaches in El Salvador. Located in the department of La Paz, in the central zone of the country, Costa del Sol covers 15 kilometers of coastline, surrounded by a stunning valley where you can admire some of the most majestic volcanoes of El Salvador. Costa del Sol has something for everyone: one of the best sun bathing beaches in El Salvador, with high and low accommodation options, delicious restaurants serving both Salvadoran and international cuisine, and ecologically diverse surroundings including the estuary. There are plenty of activities on this beach, such as swimming, water sports or just relaxing under the sun. You can also take a tour through the mangroves, to bird watch, and explore the reptiles and plants that are typical of this ecosystem. If you like fishing, we recommend renting one of the luxurious yachts that anchor in the marinas and go out to the open sea, where you’ll find common species like dorado, tuna, wahoo, sailfish and marlin. Costa del Sol is only 95 kilometers from the capital San Salvador, which makes it an accessible and convenient destination for travelers. It is also a good place to live, as it offers a peaceful and friendly environment, a pleasant climate all year round, and a variety of services and facilities. Costa del Sol is a paradise of nature and culture in El Salvador that you can’t miss.
Image via Joya Del Pacifico
San Blas
San Blas is home to a handful of gated communities, all within a short walk/drive to the beach, including, Lomas de San Blas, Islas de San Blas, Residencial San Blas, and Brisas de Surf City – the first urban development in the coast of La Libertad. Some of these gated communities present stunning panoramic views of the surroundings, offering an array of amenities, from infinity pools and wellness centers to concierge services. An added advantage of San Blas is its convenient location — a mere 25 minutes away from the city (depending on traffic) and only 5 minutes from Playa El Tunco. Check out our properties in San Blas, and don’t miss out on your opportunity of living in one of the best gated communities on the coast. This area is only growing in popularity with rising development of commercial and residential projects.
Image via Secretaria de la Presidencia
El Tunco and El Sunzal
Step into Playa El Tunco – a vibrant beachside haven with laid back vibes and surf oriented lifestyle; not to mention, that it has become a town on its own. Set against the shoreline, Playa El Tunco emerges as an irresistible destination for those in search of world-class waves. There’s a reason why La Bocana, in El Tunco, has been, for 3 consecutive years, home to the world surfing competitions of the ISA and the WSL. This, along with its vibrant nightlife scene, are the main reasons El Tunco has become a hotspot in the real estate Investment market. The wide variety of restaurants provides a culinary adventure, offering everything from local seafood delicacies to international flavors. Playa El Tunco’s dynamic atmosphere extends to its accommodations, boasting an array of beachside hotels and charming boutique lodgings tailored to those seeking a comfortable stay amidst the festivities.
El Sunzal is right next door to El Tunco, only separated by the El Tunco river. El Sunzal is widely known for being ‘the surfer’s spot’, with consistent long-board waves all year round.
Atami
Perched along the picturesque coastline, Atami is a gated community for short and long term residents. Atami’s gated community offers a beach club with a variety of amenities: restaurant, event venue, beach huts and more. You’ll find older and newer homes as well as vacant lots to dream up your own accommodations. It is one of the larger gated communities on the coast, conveniently located, and within a short drive to all the popular surf breaks. It’s a great place to retire, invest in Airbnb properties or vacation.
El Zonte
Everyone knows Playa El Zonte… famously recognized as ‘Bitcoin Beach.’ This charming coastal village offers a relaxed and friendly lifestyle with local charm. With its black sandy beaches and world-class waves, Playa El Zonte is a surfer’s paradise, offering consistent and diverse waves that cater to both beginners and experienced surfers depending on the time of year. Beyond its natural and sporting allure, Playa El Zonte is known for its ever-growing variety of accommodation and dining options, ranging from cozy authentic spots to luxurious high-end establishments. Here, residents and visitors alike can savor a wide array of choices, all set against an active and diverse community backdrop offering activities like morning beach yoga, hiking excursions, and exploring local markets. Explore our exclusive properties in Playa El Zonte and discover your perfect beachside haven or investment opportunity – Wave House project is a great example of some of the up and coming developments.
3. The Western Zone
As we drive along the coast of El Salvador towards Guatemala, we reach the western part of the country. The western zone is composed of the following departments: Santa Ana, Ahuachapán and Sonsonate; these last two are the only ones with access to the Pacific Coast. Fact: Acajutla is the biggest port of the Central American region, and it lies in the Sonsonate department.
Costa Azul
Costa Azul Beach is located in the municipality of Acajutla in the Sonsonate Department. It is about a 1 hour drive from the capital, to the west side of the country. This beach is characterized by its fine sand, warm waters and its family atmosphere. At Costa Azul beach you can enjoy different activities, such as swimming, diving, water sports or just relaxing under the sun. Similar to Costa del Sol, enjoy the diverse ecological systems like the mangroves. If you’re interested in investments in this area, check out the Costa Azul estuary front property.
Costa Azul beach is also very close to another spectacular beach, Barra de Santiago, which you can reach within a 16 kilometer drive.
Image via Airbnb
Barra de Santiago
If you like beaches with fine sand, resting ambience and a great diversity of wildlife, then you must go to Barra de Santiago beach. The beach stretches for more than 2,000 hectares in the department of Ahuachapán, in the west of the country, and is part of a protected natural area that seeks to preserve the mangrove ecosystems that host hundreds of species of birds, reptiles and plants. Besides enjoying the sun and the sea, you can participate in various activities on this beach, such as ecotourism, water sports or boat rides. A popular saying among Salvadorans is ‘vamos a la Barra’ (let’s go to La Barra) which is intended to say let’s go to the estuary at la Barra. The estuary is the perfect venue for the sunset hour, where you can park and set up a beach tent for drinks and relaxing vibes with friends and music. Barra de Santiago beach is an ideal place to relax and admire nature, so don’t miss it on your next trip to El Salvador. If you are looking for an adventure and a connection with nature, you will love the properties for sale at Barra de Santiago.
Image via Airbnb
