Costa del Balsamo

11 Surf spots
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Positives
  • Perfect right pointbreaks
  • Mellow warm waves
  • Good wind patterns
  • Cheap living
Negatives
  • Rarely big
  • Few winter swells
  • Rainy swell season
  • Thefts and questionable security

Costa del Balsamo surf travel guide

Considering its small size, El Salvador could easily claim the highest density of quality pointbreaks in Central America. The Costa Balsamo provides the lion's share of the righthand pointbreaks stretching from as far west as Mizata back along the impossibly twisty, coastal mountain range road that allows glimpses of perfect regular foot set-ups like K59 and 61, before hitting the crowded line-ups of Zunzal and Punta Roca, touted as one of the best righthand points on the planet.

Surf spots in Costa del Balsamo

Research the 11 surf breaks in Costa del Balsamo and discover what spots suit the current conditions.

Break lowdown

We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 11 breaks in Costa del Balsamo.

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When to go

Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Costa del Balsamo

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Library

Helpful surf travel videos and articles featuring Costa del Balsamo.

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Travel Information

General
Current Time
Tourists
1,677,300
Population
6,486,205
Tourist Info
Tourist Info

Security

Health

Money
Currency
SVC
Exchange rate
$1 = $1 USD SVC

Cost of living

Communication
Dialing in
+503
Dialing out
00
Emergencies
911
Language
Spanish, Nahua
Electricity
Plug Type
a
b
Visas

Most nationalities can visit visa free for stays of up to 90 days.

Getting There

The airport is conveniently located 20min drive from La Libertad. Cross border buses also arrive from Guatemala. Buses and taxis between San Salvador and La Libertad are frequent and reliable.

Getting Around

Renting a car is expensive. Main highways are modern and fast and small roads are potholed and washed out in the wet season. Renting a boat to reach remote breaks can be moderately expensive.

Accommodation

La Libertad has a few decent hotels like Don Lito from $70p/n. Many tour operators include Epic Surfing Adventures (Zunzal, Mizata), K59 Surf Tours, Horizonte Surf Resort (El Zonte) and Tortuga Surf Lodge (Playa El Tunco). A meal will cost $10.

Activities
cultureoutdoorurbanwatersports

A city tour should include the San Salvador churches, and a visit to the national forest reserve WT Deininger or 'Evil's Doorway'. Volcano trips and Tazumal Maya ruins take a couple of days to visit. There's now a few small nightspots around El Tunco.

Hazards & hassles

Boulders underlie many spots, which can get encrusted with sharp molluscs, plus there are plentiful urchins. Crowds occur at the main spots. Pollution, sea lice, thefts, hepatitis, malaria and typhoid are all potential problems, while decent medical attention is difficult to find. Despite the war being over there are still security concerns so surf camps and guided tours will be safer than independent travel.

Handy Hints

There are surf shops in San Salvador, La Libertad and Zunzal, but it's better to take your own gear and leave some. The points will require a fast board and a semi-gun for those big days. Take booties for the rocky points.

Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.

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