Where to Stay in El Tunco
Are you wondering where to stay in El Tunco, El Salvador?
El Tunco is a small beach town on the Pacific Coast that is popular with surfers. It’s located just 45 minutes from the capital San Salvador and a little over an hour from the airport. Once a quiet fishing village, this little town has grown in popularity as a destination for surfing and is also known for its nightlife.
If you’re looking for the best places to stay in El Tunco, you’re in the right place.
Although it’s a small town, you have a number of options for where to stay. I do recommend booking your El Tunco accommodation in advance because there isn’t always much last-minute availability here.
Read on for my top picks of the best places to stay in El Tunco!
Best Hotels in El Tunco
As I mentioned, El Tunco is a small place. The whole town is really just a few streets along the beach. I recommend choosing somewhere that is actually in town, or within short walking distance of it.
There are hotels and hostels in El Tunco for every budget, from luxury travelers to backpackers. I do have to say that I found the hotel prices in El Tunco (and El Salvador as a whole) higher than what you’d see in neighboring Central American countries, and not the best value for money for what you get.
You also will only find a couple high-end hotels in this area — most places are pretty basic. This isn’t the destination for a luxurious beach vacation. It’s a lot more casual and simple.
I personally stayed at Hotel El Viajero and I’d hesitate to recommend this to others. It wasn’t exactly bad , but it overall left me feeling unimpressed. To start, the location is slightly outside of town. It’s about a ten-minute walk down a jungle path to get to the beach and town, which is fine but a little inconvenient.
The rooms were comfortable enough and the included breakfast and free filtered water was nice. But the hotel is located on a noisy main road, and there is no soundproofing. The WiFi also wasn’t working for almost the whole time I was here and although I was eventually compensated for this, it was a pain.
Here are my top picks for where to stay in El Tunco:
- Best luxury: Boca Olas Resort Villas
- Best mid-range: Hotel Roca Sunzal
- Best on a budget: The Cabins
- Best hostel: Papaya Lodge
And here’s a full breakdown of where to stay in El Tunco.
Boca Olas Resort Villas
Boca Olas Resort Villas is one of the best luxury hotels in El Tunco. If you’re looking for a high-end stay in El Tunco, this four-star hotel is one of your best options amidst other basic hotels.
The hotel is located just a short walk away from the beach and the restaurants and bars in town. There’s a great swimming pool, and breakfast is included. Standard hotel rooms and larger villas are available.
Mirasurf Hotel & Waves
Another one of the best hotels in El Tunco is Mirasurf Hotel & Waves. This is your other best bet if you’re looking for a more luxurious place to stay. This hotel is located right on the waterfront with ocean views.
You’re just a short walk away from the main town, where you’ll find lots of restaurants, bars, and shops. This hotel also features a pool and a free breakfast is provided each morning during your stay here.
Hotel Roca Sunzal
Hotel Roca Sunzal is a great mid-range hotel in El Tunco. This highly-rated three-star hotel offers some high-end amenities including two swimming pools and rooms with private sea-view balconies.
This hotel is steps away from the beach and also just steps away from the restaurants and bars of El Tunco. Guests staying at this hotel will enjoy spacious rooms and a complimentary breakfast each day.
The Cabins
One of the best budget-friendly places to stay in El Tunco is The Cabins. It’s slightly outside the main part of town, but just a few minutes away on foot. The rooms here are well-equipped and private.
Breakfast isn’t provided at this hotel, but each rooms at The Cabins comes with a kitchenette area that has a microwave and a mini-fridge. There is also a swimming pool for guests to enjoy.
Papaya Lodge
One of the best hostels is Papaya Lodge. It has a great location in town and is just a couple of minutes from the beach. Private rooms with private bathrooms and dorm rooms with shared bathrooms are available.
This is a fun and social place to stay, and guests will enjoy relaxing by the pool or in the garden or in one of the hammocks on the terrace. A local breakfast is provided free of charge every morning.
Tunco Lodge
Finally, one more popular place to stay in El Tunco is Tunco Lodge. Although not as highly-rated as Papaya Lodge, this is a good option if you’re looking for an affordable place to stay in the heart of El Tunco.
It’s just a short walk from the beach and there is a swimming pool. Guests can choose from private rooms with private bathrooms and dorm rooms with shared bathrooms. Breakfast is included every morning.
Where to Stay in El Tunco
This guide showed you where to stay in El Tunco, El Salvador.
To recap, my top picks for where to stay are:
- Best luxury: Boca Olas Resort Villas
- Best mid-range: Hotel Roca Sunzal
- Best on a budget: The Cabins
- Best hostel: Papaya Lodge
Have a great trip and enjoy your stay in El Tunco!
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