Surfing in El Salvador (World's Cheapest Surf Destinations: Episode 2)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 มิ.ย. 2024
- Surfing in El Salvador. Hello and welcome back to the world's cheapest surf destinations series. In this one, we dive into a Central American gem with world-class right points, a tropical climate, and a relatively low cost of living.
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#worldscheapestsurfdestinations #budgetsurftrip #surfinginelsalvador #elsalvadorsurftrip #eltuncosurfing #surfingineltunco #affordablesurftrips #cheapsurftrips #danharmonsurftravel #dhst
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Thanks for putting my small but beautiful country on the map man. Just guys, PLEASE be respectful to the locals. We are a small country, and the communities are really nice but again PLEASE respect the locals. LOVE Thanks Dan you are the best.
Hey mate! Yeah, well I think it's pretty well established on the world surfing map now! It does host the CT and is super super crowded. I totally agree though, locals should always get the best waves! And from what I've seen in El Salvador, locals have got no problem getting the best ones hahah! !
@@DanHarmon123 Yes they do hahahaha. Cheers man thanks a lot for your content.
And support the locals
I surfed Sunsal/Zunzal whatever, in Jan Feb Mar 1977. We stayed mostly at the Surfers Inn. Antonio was our landlord and his family is still there I hear. The little girls who used to wash our clothes and who we used to cook breakfast for, are now the owners and Antonio's daughters I think. They were a beautiful and welcoming family. A room was $1 a night and the apartment upstairs was like $90 a month which we had for 1 month. Walked the path to the beach and the surf. Sometime in late Feb or early March, the civil war was breaking out and the private club on the beach closed it off to everyone. We had machine guns pulled on us walking back to Surfers Inn not knowing about the curfew at sunset. We were 20 and 21 years old. Quite the experience. I always want to go back.
Wow! I bet the place was wild back then! But sounds amazing, a true surf travel experience! I reckon you'd be shocked at how it's developed now hahah!!
Yes it was. We spent about 3 months and it was amazing. As a 20 year old it was a trip that changed me and my outlook on what I had in life, FOREVER. It made a huge impression on me and what we in America have and do not even think about or appreciate. Seeing a grass and wood scrap huts on the trail to the beach with no water or electric was shocking to see. At Surfers Inn we had a kerosene stove and one old refrig for the whole house. We cherished and shared it. I wish every young person could take such a trip to see 1st hand how most of the world lives.
In 1977? Whoa, that was last century man. Totally a different country now.
@@jerryarcher9489 I can only imagine. We traveled through Nicaragua to Costa Rica and north in British Honduras and Guatemala.
Glad I did it back then as it is a bit mire difficulty now. I couldn't imagine traveling like we did if we had the internet.
@@SanchezArep British Honduras, eh? It's now called Belize, That must have been some adventure.
Just like folks try to keep surf spots secret I feel like I wanna keep this channel secret to keep the crowds down in these places. You really do a great job thank you for sharing all your experience. I will certainly thumbs up and comment on all the videos.
I have been 19 times since 2015. Living the dream! Yewwwwww
Totally cool this is my next planned Surf trip. Thanks for all your help.👍
Hey Steve!! Sick, do it! Such fun waves over there :)
informative video Dan --- thanks, keep up the good work
Thanks for the vid im in el salvador currently because of this video.
Staying at Lagarza hostel beautiful, originally started in la libertad it was really something else. would not recommend for a first time solo traveller ( just stick to the nicer places at first) but man it is an incredible adventure so far I have rented a moto off of that host in la libertad for $15/DAY and i'm planning on going into el tunco tomorrow for some essentials and then continue the exploration.
Rode from la libertad to taquillo today and thats really a unique experience riding rush-hour traffic with all the locals what a rush!
Overall people are incredibly friendly and welcoming, really is a laid back vibe here.
Epic!! Stoked to hear you're enjoying it mate!! Yeah I love El Tunco :))
Loving these. Thank you!
Stoked you're enjoying the series!! :)
Hey man if I could suggest/request further info on this video series: availability of surfboards. I always buy a board on trips and sell it when I go, last time in C/Rica I bought a board for $250 and sold it three months later for $200. Way cheaper than flight board fees. Anyhow cheers for the info!
Hey Joe! Yeah that's a great shout! I'll do some research for future videos and include this info :)
Delivering so much value. Thanks!
Thanks mate!!
@@DanHarmon123new sub here. Im from Fiji though live in San francisco California. Hope you swing by Cloudbreak soon and hope to see it here. HAPPY TRAVELS !!!
thank you!! Very good guide for cheap sarfin, Salva will be my next surfing destination for sure
No worries!! Yes, do it!! Sick place to check out :)
Very helpful. This one of my top picks on spots you have highlighted.
Epic!! Definitely a wicked place to check out :)
Thank you 🙏
Keep the awesome videos coming!
Thank you!! Got plenty more in the pipeline :)
It's an amazing country, it's a hidden gem and the people are amazing. Enjoy it now before it becomes really crowded!
Hey mate!! Yep, certainly an amazing country, but pretty crowded already, at least in the main surf towns... I'm sure there are some lesser known spots still out there tho!!
This was a great video. I've been twice. May '21 I stayed in a Tunco hostel with 1 friend, no car. July '23 I stayed in a San Blas airbnb with 5 friends, 2 trucks. Both were awesome weeks! You can really do this place cheap or lux and have a great time with both!
I will say having a vehicle really enhanced the 'adventure,' getting to more breaks at our own will. San Blas was great, but when I go back, I'll stay at a hostel in Tunco again. I'd also say budgeting only $500 feels slim. Maybe I'm just hungrier and like to budget extra drinks, Gatorades and an afternoon ice cream. I'd say $650-900 to be safe. That way you can buy a local souvenir too.
Sick!! Yeah you can kind of pick ya budget I guess! But yeah for sure, the more the better, especially with some extras! My needs are pretty basic to be fair hahah :)
@@DanHarmon123 Fair enough mate, love your vids 👊👊
Amazing tips man! Thx
Stoked you found it helpful :)
Very helpful. Subscribed.
nice review looking forward to see one on review on Nicaragua and mexico
Thanks mate! Yep, coming soon... Got so many videos to edit hahah...
Great review Dan
Thank you :))
good knowledge thanks
You're welcome :))
Great video!..very informative. One thing worth mentioning is, that EL SALVADOR is now the safest country in the AMERICAS 🌎!!.. too bad you only felt safe in "the bubble" of El Tunco 🐷. Surf on 🌊🤙!
Thank you!! Ahhh ok, thanks for the info I thought Costa Rica would be the safest!! An to be honest, the only other place I went was downtown San Salvador!! So I'm sure other surf/coastal towns would be safe also :)
Very good video and information ℹ️ 😊
Thank you! Glad you found it helpful :)
hi dan first of all thank you for your videos which really make you want to go on a surf trip! I'm planning to take a surf trip to El Salvador in August, I saw that it was the rainy season at that time. When did you leave and how long did you stay?
Thanks in advance for the response, Antoine
You are quickly becoming Dan The Man no BS advice on how to score quite effi
Sorry about the short note that didn't make my point Basically your advice is second to none Really appreciate your dedication to helping us to travel and have the time of our lives Thanks as always my friend Be well and Stay Safe 👍🤙
Hey Michael!! Thanks so much that means a lot!! Feels epic to be helping people get waves :))
Great tips. Thanks Dan. I love your other videos as well. I'm heading there next month and would like to hire a surf guide so that I make the most of my 10 days there. Is it best to to that once I get down there? (i don't need surf lessons) Any advice. Thanks for the great content!
Hey mate!! Sick, very excited for you!! I'm not to sure on surf guides to be honest as I always kinda do my own thing. Might be worth hitting up some of the local surf shops and schools for guiding?!
I'll do that, Thanks for the reply@@DanHarmon123 . Love your channel keep up the great work!
Hey dan, I don’t suppose you have any information on united airlines surfboard charge flying to and from London? I’ve been trawling around and it’s all a bit confusing. Keep up the good work man yew
Hi Dan thanks for the info. Are there good boards for sale in surfshops? I'm thinking about buying one there instead of bringing my own. What month of the year did you go? thx!
Sweet video! Quick question I know surf and punk rock go hand in hand, how is the music scene in Surf City?
Thank you!! To be honest, I'm not much of a partygoer these days, so not the best person to ask haha...
Correction, the airport is not located in San Salvador, it's actually 45 minutes from it, in La Paz departament. If you are there to surf, do not state in San Salvador, go directly to la libertad departament where all the surf locations are.
Yes, I say this in the video! San Salvador airport is closer to La Libertad :)
Awesome breakdown. Two questions for anyone out there that been:
1) is it worth it to go to El Salvador as a goofy foot surfer? Sounds like it's all right-hand breaks. Are there any left-hand breaks for intermediate surfers?
2) Has anyone stayed in Bitcoin Beach (El Zonte)? I'm wondering if that has become a cool sort of backpack town or if El Tunco is really the way to go for nightlife and safety (backpacker-type scene).
Hey Patrick! It's mostly rights (a good place to work on the backhand attack), but check out La Bocana in El Tunco - It's a predominant left! I haven't stayed in Zonte, but think it's pretty laid back. Whereas El Tunco has a lot more happening regarding nightlife and places to eat/stay!! Hope that helps :)
@@DanHarmon123 Dan! thank you for the response. El Tunco sounds perfect for what I'm looking for...
If you were looking for lefts, intermediate surfer, booking a 1-week trip somewhere in Central America / Caribbean, where would you recommend going.. other than Nica haha.
Hi, great content, thank you very much, subscribed! :-) How do you compare surfing and life in Ecuador, Salvador and Mexico from your experience? :-) I stayed in Montanita 7 years ago for 2 weeks, surfed my first wave, now going back to Ecuador, would like to explore and have second home there in the future. I also liked Mexiko Oaxaca, but Ecuador is cheaper, better climate, far from civilized world and US which is what I like :D
Never been to Salvador but would love to. Thanks
Great insight! Question about traveling with boards. I’m intermediate surfer, mostly long boarding. Can I rent there or is it worth traveling with my boards? I have 3, east coast surfer.
Thank you
Hey Stephen! Yeah, you can definitely hire boards from some of the shops in town (I'm not sure what the quality is like as I haven't done it) but from what I can see, you'll be able to get your hands on a log in El Tunco :)
You can also pay with bitcoin anywhere in El Tunco, lots of other places in the country too.
Yep!! Good point actually. I never did this, but did see the ATM's everyhwere!!
Love your vids G
Are you from SA or England ? Just wondering?
I'm heading to Escondido CR and then visiting my friend in Montanita in succession this spring and summer.
Your vids are insightful 👌
All the best and keep chasing the waves 777
Happy Holidays
Best
-Christopher
🏖🏝🌊🏄♂️🤙💚💛❤
hey mate!! Thank you very much and I'm from England, although I don't spend much time at home these days haha! Epic, you'll have a sick time in those places!!
@@DanHarmon123 Will do Brother and ill stay tuned to your channel and look fwd to your next adventure
Best
777
You didn't feel safe in San Salvador? It's the safest town in the Americas
Yeah, just walking down the street at night by myself I felt scared. I mean there was nothing to indicate any danger, it was all in my head, but thanks for the info! I didn't know that!!
Everyone have their own experiences.
Okay this pertains to spots that don't exist anymore. Between Ventura and Rincon the half mile south of little Rincon is an area that has lost three really fun waves. First we'll start off with the oil Piers oil pairs were put in in the 1950', and were taken out in 1998. Second South about half a mile from the oil Pierce was a spot called Stanley's which was a very fun sandbar, that had a little greasy Cafe with the same name on the beach. In the early 1960's, a huge off-ramp was built to exit the 101 freeway. After about 10 years, a spot at the South corner of the off-ramp was formed. At low tide It produced a short sand spit type barrel hard to see from the freeway at remained kind of hidden. A mile up the beach, the spot called the oil Piers, had 3piers. The middle produced an A-frame sand bottom. Which was good from 2 to 6 ft. Localized by the Ventura boys it was hard for them to tell how the surf was until they actually got to the spot, but the Santa Barbara guys could see both spots on the freeway before they got off the off ramp. The second spot was the South Pier which produced a wedgie point like brake, that broke maybe 50 to 100 days how did the year but it's hard to say, cuz you had to walk a little bit to check it, unless you're from Santa Barbara driving by you could check it. It was super fun and bottom good from 2 to 6 ft. So when they took out the oil appears you guessed it ruined the spot off/ ramps
Do you have any surf videos on Guatemala coming up.
I don't currently! But maybe I'll make a budget guide and tag it onto the end of this series!!
El Salvador is place made in heaven for super stoked dudes and like minded people! Que viva El Salvador And by the way it’s got the most beautiful name that a country can have as a country name! Yeah buddy!
Agreed!! Sick place, one of my faves!!
Hey man, amazing video! I’m heading to El Tunco in just a few days and not taking my board. Any advices on where to rent one there or potentially buying one? 🤙
Alternatively, my friend has a 5’9 27.4 litre epoxy tokoro that has been properly repaired from a fold.
Hey mate!! Sick, excited for you! Love that place... Hmmm, I don't know of a specific shop, but on the main street in town (there's only one), there are a handful of surf shops which will have something, definitely to rent, but not sure if they sell them as well!!
That’s awesome, thanks for the response! Can’t wait to be there! And keep up the great videos, I hope to follow one of your other guides to a different spot next time!
I wish I could join you. I was last on that beach for the 1st 3 months of 1977 as a 20 year old. I didn't even know where El Salvador was when I was asked if I wanted to go.
❤🇸🇻
I think it used to be cheap, but now El Salvador is super expensive.
You can still make it cheap I think... I'm going back next month, so I can update ya :))
Most of central America is cheap to live it's getting there that can be expensive , I bet the Californians love travelling there haha
Yeah from Cali, it's so so easy haha!! And yeah, by far, that's the biggest expense!!
come to hossegor
I love Hossegor!!
I know January can be small most of the time. What do you think is it worth it? Maybe 5 feet waves? Or 3 to 5.
Hey Jerry!! I haven't been there at that time of year! But I'd imagine you'd still get some waves :))
here now not bad 3 feet to 5 the last two days.Thanks for your videos.@@DanHarmon123
Is it safe there?
Hey mate! I definitely felt safe in El Tunco, but you definitely wouldn't want to wonder around in parts of San Salvador alone!!
@DanHarmon123 dont worry . now it is safe all country .
I’ve heard amazing things about Central America, but the murder… 😬 I’ll wait a little longer for Bukele to clean things up.
Yeah there is definitely an element of danger in Central America! I did feel safe in the major surf towns though! But yeah, still got to be aware!
El Salvador is the safest country in America nowdays.
Somebody's been living under a rock. You too need to update on the safety situation in EL SALVADOR, DAN . It's only the safest country in the American continent!
Don't wait any longer!
Bro they are not pancakes WTH is wrong with you :p
Hahha, yeah I don't know how to describe them . But if you've a more accurate description, I'd love to hear it hahah ;)
@@DanHarmon123 similar to Mexican tortillas, except that they are slightly thicker and they are stuffed with a filling haha. If you have ever get to mexico get a gordita also similar :D
What was your favorite wave in El Salvador. Heading there in November.
@@DanHarmon123Thick tortilla
dont come
don't come