EL TUNCO (EL SALVADOR)
14 February - 16 February 2017
El
Tunco was close to being the ultimate surprise packet of the trip. We arrived
with no expectations, with not much knowledge other than the understanding that
the waves here were good and that the sunsets were something to write home
about. Absolutely true, on both counts.
El Tunco beach - El Tunco - El Salvador
El Tunco beach - El Tunco - El Salvador
El Tunco - El Salvador
El
Salvador itself hasn’t been dealt a great hand. It’s recent history also
incorporates a Civil War that lasted a period of 13 years from 1979-1992.
Admittedly I don’t know a lot about the country and about half of what I do
relate to comes from a U2 song, Bullet
the Blue Sky;
Well the God I believe in ain’t
short of cash, mister
I feel a long way from the hills
of San Salvador
Where the sky is ripped open and
the rain pours
Pelting the woman and children
Run, run into the arms of
America
What
a pleasure therefore it was for our transit van from Leon (Nicaragua) to turn
up into this two street town just of Ruta 2 on the Pacific coastline and
encounter the relaxed, beach side town of El Tunco. A place that moved to the
beat of its own drum, that was as smooth as a great Irish whiskey and as
relaxed as British tourist on their first visit to Amsterdam. This place was a
draw card, and as we discovered, is the El Salvadorian draw card. A place with
ultimate surf, majestic sunsets, an easy going vibe and as yet, has not been
overrun by tourists – this is ‘just the
ticket’.
El Tunco beach - El Tunco - El Salvador
El Tunco - El Salvador
El Tunco - El Salvador
Restaurante La Bocana - El Tunco - El Salvador
El Tunco - El Salvador
El Tunco - El Salvador
We
stayed at an incredibly fabulous two star hostal – Hostal Los Almendros El Sunzal located around the Western point
of Playa El Tunco. In fact the walk to
the accommodation was along the beach from the end of main walkway in town.
This we discovered was the only ‘real’ detriment to El Tunco, with a stone based beach akin to those in Europe, it
was untypically Pacific like. The hostal, around the point, had the perfect
location, open to the Pacific ocean, a beautiful sun deck with pool and some
cheap, basic accommodation. It was really the ideal scenario.
Hostal Los Almendros El Sunzal - El Tunco - El Salvador
Most
of the time in El Tunco we either spent at the Hostal or in El Tunco itself.
Without being surfers there’s not really a hell of a lot to be doing other than
unwinding and dialling back whatever level of anxiety you have. The place is
just the tonic for all your ‘inactive’ requirements, what’s more, for right now
as an extremely cheap destination to go to, value for money is incredible.
La Libertad - El Salvador
La Libertad - El Salvador
Sunset - El Tunco - El Salvador
Sunset - El Tunco - El Salvador
El Tunco - El Salvador
Leaving the fantastic El Tunco - El Salvador
Inga
and I had one of our most memorable nights on the sun deck at the Hostal. With
a few drinks, some snacks in hand, some fine cigars, the starry night sky,
crashing waves and light breeze of the Pacific Ocean, we just sat there
chatting for hours. It was just bliss. To steal a quote;
Memories are made in El Tunco
Certainly
they are. To you El Tunco I say thank you. A wonderful hidden surprise in a
part of the world that needs to find more elements of you in its country.
