El Sunzal, La Libertad: Address, Phone Number, El Sunzal Reviews: 4.5/5
El Sunzal
4.5
About
This area is known as an outstanding spot to surf.
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
33 within 3 miles
Cafe Sunzal
158
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Latin • Seafood • Salvadoran
Coyote Restaurant
99
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Restaurant El Balsamo
3
150 ftSalvadoran • South American
Cadejo Brewing Company
112
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • Seafood • Pub
Day Cafe & Salad Bar
36
0.5 mi$ • American • Cafe • Healthy
Dale Dale Cafe!
17
0.4 mi$
Rock & Roe Fish Shop
41
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
Tunco Veloz Pizzeria
85
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly
Point Break Cafe
25
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Dessert • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
La Bocana
24
0.4 miSeafood • Spanish
Attractions
2 within 3 miles
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Popular mentions
4.5
42 reviews
Excellent
20
Very good
17
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
1
AfricaAtNewYears
Island of Malta, Malta323 contributions
Accessibility limited
Mar 2020 • Solo
Did a walk between El Tunco and El Sunzal both along the beach (only really passable at low tide) and along Route 2. The latter is probably 3 times as long ~1.5 km vs 0.5 km. Plus when you get to El Sunzal along Route 2 you’re confronted with either no passage at Club Salvadoreño (photo) or a $2!beach access fee (photo) at Kayu Restaurant. I didn’t check out the access situation at Sunzal Reef (photo) next door. I was able to access via Kayu early one morning before the fee collectors showed up.
Written March 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
bucketlisttravellers
Sydney, Australia3,512 contributions
Black sand beach
Feb 2020 • Friends
El Sunzul is the next beach along from El Tunco and is a 20 minute walk down the road. There are a few nice hostels near here.
The beach is a black sand beach and there are a lot of rocks to walk over before you get to the sand. There is a cave on one end of the beach which the ocean enters and recedes from with each passing wave.
There are some restaurants along the beach, but the area was pretty quiet when we were there on a weekday afternoon. We enjoyed swimming here and watching the locals play beach soccer.
The beach is a black sand beach and there are a lot of rocks to walk over before you get to the sand. There is a cave on one end of the beach which the ocean enters and recedes from with each passing wave.
There are some restaurants along the beach, but the area was pretty quiet when we were there on a weekday afternoon. We enjoyed swimming here and watching the locals play beach soccer.
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
C B
Grande Prairie, Canada1 contribution
El Sunzal
Dec 2019 • Family
You just need to park and dont need to book any expensive hotel/restaurant, just go there for a day, it is A BEAUTIFUL BEACH!!!!! There’s also a little cave nearby, we had lots of fun and beautiful pictures to cherish!
Written December 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Javier C.
San Salvador, El Salvador800 contributions
Top surfing spot!
Jul 2019
This place is reviewed as one of the Top 10 best surfing spots in the world. Many tourists attend this surf attraction. Many small hotels and restaurants nearby. Locals are very friendly and you can have a very good stay while at El Sunzal. There are also a couple of beach clubs nearby.
Written July 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DCandice R
Boston, MA24 contributions
Rincon Azul
Feb 2019 • Family
Such a beautiful/private ranch. Enough for 15 people or so. PERFECT for family reunions with a beautiful open living room view to the sea
Written January 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Johanna S
221 contributions
Great beach
Jan 2017 • Friends
Great beach. Quiet when we were there. Plenty of cafes along the front serving good local food at decent prices
Written January 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Exhale Yoga Retreats
Vancouver, Canada196 contributions
Amazing spot in Central America!
Mar 2016 • Couples
Don't believe the western media or the timid travellers. El Salvador is a beautiful country with amazing locals and epic surf. My wife and I lived in El Tunco for a month and a half and loved every minute of it! We made some life long friends with the local community. They welcomed us with smiles and good vibes. We surfed at El Sunzal multiple times and stayed until after dark enjoying dinner. The walk home to our apartment in El Tunco was no big deal. Not once did we feel threatened or harassed. If you put out good energy you will receive good energy in return.
As much as I would love to keep this place a secret I have to share how awesome it is! The local communities relies on tourism and this bad reputation (NOT TRUE) is really hurting them. Like anywhere be an aware traveller and you will have the time of your life!
As much as I would love to keep this place a secret I have to share how awesome it is! The local communities relies on tourism and this bad reputation (NOT TRUE) is really hurting them. Like anywhere be an aware traveller and you will have the time of your life!
Written November 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bettina W
Sao Paulo, SP290 contributions
Great Surfing Spot
Nov 2016 • Friends
For those that enjoy good surfing Sunzal is a must destination! You will surf great waves in nice warm water. I saw many Brazilians surfing there
The beach has many rocks so not ideal for walks since the rocks can make it challenging
There are lots of hotels, hostel and restaurants in the El Tunco Beach.
The beach has many rocks so not ideal for walks since the rocks can make it challenging
There are lots of hotels, hostel and restaurants in the El Tunco Beach.
Written November 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
brendabeachbum
Vancouver, Canada1,583 contributions
Beach bumming
May 2016 • Solo
My guidebook overstated El Sunzal's beach as a "must see." El Sunzal was a lovely diversion, as an extension of the playful beach town of El Tunco.
Not realizing how easy it was to walk from El Tunco to El Sunzal, I took the chicken bus as part of my day trip that included La Libertad. The public bus ride is a short 5 minutes. After realizing it was manageable on my feet, I walked back to my hostel along the beach rocks enjoying the turbulent Pacific Ocean waves. The beach is rugged and passionate, the complete opposite of the soft romantic sand of the Carribbean sea. During my walk, I wished I was wearing my runners as my flip flops were malleable over flexing on the hot rocks.
There were many locals enjoying the beachfront due to Semana Santa: frolicking in the water, drinking cervezas to cool down, and eating local cuisine. I would imagine that a typical beach day (outside of the Easter holiday) would be more subdued.
Not realizing how easy it was to walk from El Tunco to El Sunzal, I took the chicken bus as part of my day trip that included La Libertad. The public bus ride is a short 5 minutes. After realizing it was manageable on my feet, I walked back to my hostel along the beach rocks enjoying the turbulent Pacific Ocean waves. The beach is rugged and passionate, the complete opposite of the soft romantic sand of the Carribbean sea. During my walk, I wished I was wearing my runners as my flip flops were malleable over flexing on the hot rocks.
There were many locals enjoying the beachfront due to Semana Santa: frolicking in the water, drinking cervezas to cool down, and eating local cuisine. I would imagine that a typical beach day (outside of the Easter holiday) would be more subdued.
Written May 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rita_Picarra
Miami Beach, FL272 contributions
Great beach and great waves
Feb 2016 • Solo
I went to el Salvador for work but I was fortunate enough to be able to go to the beach and get some right hand waves in El sunzal.
It does not have the white sand of the Caribbean and it is a very good beach for surf.
It does not have the white sand of the Caribbean and it is a very good beach for surf.
Written March 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Belle Z
4 contributions
Hi! I’m currently planning a trip to Central America, and I’m looking to stop in El Salvador (my homeland). I haven’t had the opportunity to see it as a tourist, do you have any recommendations?
Keith H
Hollywood, FL25 contributions
I am planning a trip for my 14 year old son and I and I would like to know what the bottom is like? This will be his first experience out of the country and I want to avoid gnarly bottoms. I am hoping for waves in the chest to head high range to start him out slowly. We surf in Hollywood and Cocoa Beach FL mostly.
