Costa del Sol

Costa del Sol beach is a natural gem located in the department of La Paz, in the central region of El Salvador.

Unlike the rocky formations and cliffs that characterize the beaches of the east and west of the country, this area is surrounded by a beautiful valley, where it is easy to spot some of the most beautiful and majestic Salvadoran volcanoes, at whose feet lie swaths of winding canals and other local crops.

Costa del Sol offers visitors a perfect combination of attractions that make it a world-class beach destination. If you are looking for a place to enjoy the sun from sunrise to sunset, an endless white-sand beach, all types of accommodations, a wide showcase of Salvadoran and international cuisine, and the added appeal of being surrounded by an immense navigable estuary and waves for great surfing, this should be your choice.

The beach is 15 kilometers long, and regarding surfing it is characterized by sandbanks that form across the entire breaking zone; they generate fast waves that break both to the right and to the left, usually tubular, and truly challenging when a light north wind blows, raising their crests and increasing the wall size for maneuvers, which can reach up to 9 feet (3 meters) in height.

The best time of year to surf Costa del Sol is from November to January, when the southern Pacific swells are not so large and powerful, allowing the wave to break with less speed and more smoothness. Small, foamy ripples also form, ideal for beginners to start practicing this exciting sport.

As a complement to the great surf, Costa del Sol has an enviable hotel and private-house rental offering. There are numerous restaurants along the boulevard that crosses it, some very typical under a palm-leaf canopy, and others truly gourmet.

The beach is bordered by the immense Jaltepeque estuary, populated by intricate and pristine mangroves, ideal for SUP, kayaking, sailing, fishing, and ski; or for renting a small boat and taking a pleasant ride. If you are more demanding you can rent one of the luxurious yachts that moor in its marinas and head out to open sea on an exciting blue-water fishing trip, where larger species such as dorado, tuna, wahoo, sailfish, and marlin abound.

If you decide to visit this wonderful destination, from San Salvador you should take the highway to Comalapa; upon reaching La Paz, join the coastal road heading west, and then take La Herradura street, which leads directly to the Costa del Sol boulevard.