🏄‍♀️ El Zonte

Surf, Sun & Giant Grasshoppers – Family Life in El Salvador's Coolest Surf Town

El Salvador keeps surprising us, and El Zonte—or as the locals call it, “surfer’s paradise”—was one of those places that made us stop, breathe, and just soak it all in. If you're a traveling family looking for a laid-back surf town with good vibes, great waves, and a dash of boho spirit, El Zonte might just steal your heart.

🌴 Where the Surf Meets the Soul

El Zonte has that chill, barefoot-on-the-sand vibe that makes you want to do yoga in the morning and sip fresh coconut water by noon. It’s a haven for surfers, hippy chicks, and soul-seekers—you’ll find yoga retreats and well-being classes calling out from beachfront shalas. There's a buzz here, but it’s not a party town—more slow mornings or early mornings if you like to catch the first wave and sunset surfs and gatherings.

We heard El Tunco—about 45 minutes down the road—was where the party’s at. So we went to check it out, but honestly? We weren’t blown away. The beach felt small and super overcrowded, packed with surfers all vying for the same wave. It just didn’t feel like our scene. If you're a family or beginner surfer, El Zonte is much more our vibe—still vibrant but a bit more spaced out and peaceful.

🏄‍♂️ Joe's Epic Surf Moment

El Zonte’s beach is great for both seasoned surfers and beginners. On the left-hand side, we watched newbie surfers catching their first waves while the boogie boarders put on a bit of a show—seriously, some serious skill out there!

Then there was Joe’s big moment. He paddled out the back with the pros—on a floatie board, no less—and caught his best wave of the trip. The beach photographer caught it on camera, and the cheers from the local surf crew were unforgettable. That was the moment Joe was officially accepted by the group—like a rite of passage. That wave was the talk of the beach bar that night. He says it’s one of his favourite moments from our entire trip.

...Although, like all good surf stories, there was a twist—Joe ended up cutting his feet on the rocks coming in. A not-so-gentle reminder from the ocean that she gives and she takes!

🧘‍♀️ Yoga & Beach Vibes for the Non-Surfers

Tilly and I didn’t surf much here—we had our practice for La Flores in La Libertad—but I did try out a beachfront yoga class in El Zonte. It was lovely (and made me feel like a true beach yogi), but I’ll be honest—it wasn’t the cheapest! So it was a one-time treat... we are traveling on a budget after all.

Still, just sitting by the beach, feeling the warm breeze and watching the surfers do their thing, was more than enough.

🏡 Our Dream Villa – Travel Goals Unlocked

Now for the absolute highlight of El Zonte (and maybe the whole trip?): our huge villa. We landed a massive place with a garden, pool, and mango trees, and stayed for 10 amazing nights. Thanks to a deal we made with the host—offering some promo photos in exchange for a discount—it ended up being a perfect arrangement.

This was the moment I really felt that stepping out of our comfort zone was starting to pay off. We weren’t chasing money—we were living differently, and it felt so right. The garden backed onto a stream, and there was wildlife everywhere. One morning, we met a giant grasshopper that made us all scream and laugh—it was the size of a small bird!

It was also the first time on our travels that we had our own space again. After weeks of sharing one room, having that villa to spread out, relax, and reconnect was pure magic.

We even started our first Spanish sessions here! Sitting by the pool, mango juice in hand, trying to get our tongues around Spanish verbs while the kids played—it felt like home. A home we didn’t know we needed.

Our Language lessons on the road 😁

🌺 Why We’ll Be Back

El Zonte gave us so many memories—from Joe’s legendary wave, to lazy days in the sun, giant bugs, and that feeling of freedom and space that we’d been craving. If you're a family chasing both adventure and calm and love surfing and the ocean, El Zonte strikes the perfect balance.

We’ll definitely be back. Next time? Maybe we’ll stay even longer.

🏄‍♂️ Surf Shops, Gear & Gifts – What to Know Before You Go

If you're heading to El Zonte with surfers in tow (or wannabe surfers like Joe 😄), you’ll be happy to know that surfboard hire is around £12 a day. Joe went for a floatie board—which, clearly, worked out well for him—but there’s a wide range of boards to choose from, whether you're a total beginner or a seasoned pro.

There are plenty of surf shops around town, and they’ve got everything you could possibly need—from boards and wetsuits to fins, leashes, wax, and rash vests. It’s easy and convenient, especially if you don’t want to lug gear around while travelling with kids.

As for the beach vibe shops, they’re not the cheapest (especially if you're budget-conscious like us), but they’re full of beautiful handmade pieces, cool surf merch, and unique gifts. If you're on holiday and feel like splurging on a treat or souvenir, it's a great place to find something special.

New Surf Bucket Hat!

🌞 Top Tips for El Zonte (Especially If You’re Travelling with Kids)

Here’s what we learned—and what we highly recommend bringing to make the most of your time in this sunny, surfy paradise:

• 🧴 Sunscreen – The sun is strong, so lather up often. Reef-safe is best!

• 🏄‍♂️ Surf sun blocker – That thick white zinc stuff? Total lifesaver for faces in the water all day.

• 👒 Bucket hats – For beach days and strolls through town. Keep those little heads (and yours!) cool.

• 👕 Rashie vests – Protect from both sun and surfboard rub. A must if you're surfing or boogie boarding.

• 🌈 Good vibes – El Zonte is full of positivity. Bring your smile, your curiosity, and your kindness.

• 🧘 Free spirit & open heart – This place has a way of surprising you, healing you, and filling your soul if you let it.

You’ll love it here—we sure did. 🌊❤️