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El Salvador

Awarded Best in Travel 2023

About Best In Travel 2023

El Salvador is a travel powerhouse in a tiny package. This underrated destination appeals to those looking to get off the beaten path of Central American travel and dive into a multifaceted country with a taste for adventure. Here you'll find world-class surfing on empty, dark-sand beaches; coffee plantations clinging to the sides of volcanoes; pretty flower-filled villages with buildings splashed by murals; and sublime national parks. There are few crowds outside the capital, San Salvador – a town with its fair share of swagger – so you'll have plenty of space to take in all the beauty El Salvador has to offer.

Explore El Salvador

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout El Salvador.

Guidebooks

Learn more about El Salvador

Uncover the heart of travel and be inspired to see new sights with one of Lonely Planet’s in-depth, award-winning guidebooks.