Teopan, Lake Coatepeque, El Salvador

El Salvador Holidays

El Salvador – also known as ‘the half-an-hour country’. Spend a little more time than that here with Steppes Travel and you’ll meet towering volcanoes and spirited colonial cities (and, very few tourists).

If you travel to see somewhere off the beaten path, make connections and surprise yourself then El Salvador might be the destination for you. A small country of some 21,000 square kilometres (less than a tenth of the size of the UK).

A land of earthquakes and volcanoes – 90% of the country is volcanic – the volcanic activity has produced a fertile land and a fecundity of plant biodiversity from the purple explosion of bougainvillea to frangipani, from the variety of coloured hydrangeas to the wonderfully named Dragancea Fragrans. Nestled on the Pacific Coast between Guatemala and Honduras, El Salvador contains many small gems from La Ruta des Flores to Suchitoto, from Joya de Ceren to San Andreas, from Perquin to the coast.

Highland Coffee Plantations, Santa Barbara National Park, Honduras
Highland Coffee Plantations, Santa Barbara National Park, Honduras

Highlights of El Salvador & Honduras

Our classic combination of the “half-an-hour country” El Salvador and neighbouring Honduras unveils the highlights of these often overlooked nations. From dining with an archaeologist to trail hiking Mayan islands, we can curate a fully-tailored trip bursting with extraordinary experiences.

16 days

from £3,105 pp

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El Imposible National Park
El Imposible National Park, El Salvador

Why we like El Salvador

El Salvador is little travelled – for the time being – yet has much to offer. Take the time to enjoy it in its own right or combine El Salvador with either Guatemala, Honduras or Nicaragua. Preferably all – call our expert John to design your own private itinerary that gives you the very best insight to the region as a whole.

Coffee Plantation
Coffee Plantation

El Salvador: What to Expect

Few countries have been untouched by globalisation, the proliferation of brands and, sadly, single-use plastic. Unfortunately, El Salvador is not one of them but what it does offer to you, the discerning traveller, is a country rich in plant life, birds and community. The latter is so evident as you travel around meeting local Salvadoreans or those returning from abroad as opposed to other tourists.
Where you stay is small and boutique, with the emphasis being on the experience. The understated nature of the country is part of its charm. So too understanding its ancient and recent history.

Explore El Salvador

  • Suchitoto
  • Santa Ana

Experiences

Tell us what you love doing and we’ll curate a journey that’s perfect for you.

Coffee Plantation
El Salvador

Stay at a Coffee Plantation

Stay in a traditional hacienda on a working coffee plantation.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Butterfly, El Salvador
El Salvador

Barra de Santiago

Visit the most unspoilt beach in the area which doubles as a nature reserve for butterflies and birds.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Building, Panchimalco, El Salvador
El Salvador

Visit the Panchimalco

Discover one of the few tribes to have retained their traditional culture and dress.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Zipline in forest
El Salvador

Apaneca Zipline

For an adrenaline buzz, take the Apaneca Zipline tour through forests 150m above the ground.

Suggested Holiday Idea

El Imposible National Park
El Salvador

El Imposible National Park

Discover El Imposible National Park, which is far more accessible and enjoyable than its name suggests!

Suggested Holiday Idea

Suchitoto Town, El Salvador
El Salvador

Visit Suchitoto

Visit this pretty town, famous for its cobbled streets and parish church that dominates the main square where a craft market is held most days.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Los Almendros de San Lorenzo £££££

  • El Salvador

Los Almendros is a charming French-owned colonial period property in the heart of the historical city of Suchitoto. This is a very traditional Spanish building with terraces, bar and lounge surrounding a leafy central courtyard.

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Los Trozos £££££

  • El Salvador

Tucked away in the highlands above the city of Sonsonate on a working coffee plantation is the family-run hotel, Los Trozos. The accommodation has been created in the old farmhouse building, where the original kitchen has been cleverly adapted to provide a beautiful living space.

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Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

John Faithfull

If you’re looking to slip off the grid into some of Central America’s most spectacular scenery, John suggests heading for Parque Nacional El Impossible, named by coffee farmers who found it near impossible to transport their crop through the precipitous mountains.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

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Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

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