San Salvador, El Salvador | Spring 2022
👉 Skip to 🏍️ Breakfast with a Biker Man on a Mission 😊
Quick Trip Details
Duration: 6 days
Route: San Salvador → Santa Ana → La Libertad
Flights: Roundtrip from NYC to El Salvador International Airport (SAL)
Transport Tip: Chicken buses are cheap and fun
Day 1 – Landed in San Salvador & Headed to Santa Ana
Left Brooklyn early and landed in San Salvador around 1 p.m. I had prebooked a taxi through the hostel, so once I got outside the airport, I messaged the driver on WhatsApp, hopped in and we made our way to Santa Ana.
Checked into Hostal La Puerta and reserved a private room with a garden view. After settling in, I walked around the area and grabbed a pizza at Simmer Down, a cute little spot with a rooftop terrace and views of the nearby landmarks.
Before bed, I asked the receptionist to help me book a guide for the Santa Ana Volcano hike the next day with the same driver.
Day 2: That Volcano Hike Almost Took Me Out
I started the day with breakfast at Ban Ban Independencia, a busy café that seemed popular with both locals and travelers. I was buzzing with excitement and barely touched my coffee. Around 7 a.m., the driver picked me up and we headed to the national park, volcano.
At the base, I met a few other hikers and our guides, after 30 minutes we started the climb. Listen, I love hiking. But this one? It was torture. My chest was burning, my legs were screaming and the only thing I didn’t do was pass out. There were moments on the trail where we were walking along cliff edges and I genuinely feared I might faint. I ended up dragging along with the slow pacers.
Once we reached the top, we were hit with disappointment. The turquoise crater lake was completely covered in fog. Anyway, I decided to wait it out with the other hikers and after a few minutes, the fog cleared. That bright blue lake peeked through and made everything worth it. It looked like someone had colored it in with markers. Absolutely beautiful.
After the hike, we stopped at Rancho Alegre on Lago de Coatepeque. I devoured a plate of lobster and veggie rice with plantain chips and mango juice while staring out at the lake. El Salvador was showing off.
Day 3: Café Albania: Rainbow Slide
I met up again with the solo traveler from the volcano hike and we took a taxi to Café Albania, nestled in the lush coffee plantations of the Ruta de las Flores, it’s about an hour from Santa Ana. This place is part coffee farm, part adventure park and full-on nostalgia trip.
Highlights of the Day:
- Rainbow slide: We launched ourselves down a 320‑meter, inflatable‑tube rainbow slide that’s become one of El Salvador’s top Instagram moments. It’s just as thrilling as it looks.
- Bike zipline (sky‑bike): Suspended in mid‑air, I tried not to freak out.
- Rainbow slide comeback: Yes, we went again. It wasn’t a busy day.
- Crazy maze: We got completely lost in the hedge maze, laughed ourselves out of it.
Café Albania is fun and absolutely worth the hype. We then headed to a early dinner in the city.
Later in the evening, I went to Terminal de Autobús Tudor, caught a coach to Estación Ceiba de Guadalupe and waited for the final leg to La Libertad.
Eventually, a chicken bus going somewhat in the right direction showed up. I tracked the route obsessively with Google Maps since it was not the exact bus i was told to take. Hopped off when the driver said he was turning around, 10 minutes away from my stop. It was now night, I walked to a gas station, called La Garza Hostel, ordered an Uber and finally arrived… in the dark. I couldn’t even see the ocean view I came for.
Day 4: Chicken Buses & Ocean Views
The next morning, the Pacific delivered. Sunrise views from La Garza Hostel made the chaos worth it.
Later that day, I made my way to La Zona Hostel, my base for the rest of the trip. I teamed up with another traveler to check out Bambu City Center and grabbed lunch at Don Quijote’s Mexicano Fusion. We spent the afternoon chatting about our past travels and experiences.
Breakfast with a Biker on a Mission
The morning at La Garza Hostel started peacefully, with waves crashing below and the scent of strong Salvadoran coffee in the air. I grabbed a seat on the rooftop to enjoy my breakfast, just minding my business, when a fellow traveler struck up a conversation.
We started chatting about the room and that one guy who kept getting off his bed… The struggle of sharing a room with strangers in a hostel.
Just casual stuff… until he dropped the bomb:
Traveler: “I’m riding my motorcycle from California to Argentina.”
Me (choking on toast): Sir??
I nearly choked on my toast.
Immediately, I had questions. So many questions.
- “Are you not scared?”
- “How are you handling border crossings?”
- “And the cartel… do you just drive right past them or??”
He laughed it off with a mix of confidence and humility. I, on the other hand, was equal parts terrified for him and completely intrigued. His journey sounded like a documentary waiting to happen. The kind of story some people only dream about and he was just casually living it.
After breakfast, we went down to the beach for a quick dip. As he packed up his bike and rolled out, I watched him ride off toward the next border like it was just another day.
I stood there, wondering if i could ever be brave enough to travel from North to South America in one trip. One minute you’re brushing your teeth, the next you’re swapping stories with someone crossing continents.
With my own journey far less extreme but equally adventurous, I packed my bag, asked the hostel staff for directions to San Salvador and made my way to catch the next chicken bus into the city.
The ride continued….
Final Thoughts on Solo Travel in El Salvador
I had a great time. From volcano hikes to hostel chats and wild chicken bus rides, El Salvador delivered. It’s budget-friendly, full of surprises and perfect for solo travelers looking for a little adventure. The chicken bus? An experience I’ll never forget. Would I do it again? Absolutely.
