The Central America country greatly known for pupusas is just a short 2-hour flight from Miami. Attractions like the giant rainbow slide that gained popularity via TikTok, has tourists flocking at record setting pace. A last-minute solo planned trip to El Salvador in late May of 2022 brought me an experience I will cherish and never forget. I arrived in San Salvador, the country capital at 1am, thanks to a delayed flight. Arriving at the airport so late allowed me to scurry through immigration rather quickly. A $12 USD Visa is required and to be purchased on arrival and in cash. My pre booked driver awaited outside with a sign with my name on, where you will see many taxicab drivers and people waiting on family. El Salvador rich in natural beauty, an AIRBNB would have rewarded me with very instagramble photos. But because of my late arrival and being solo, I opted for a Marriot hotel in downtown San Salvador. For 3 nights I stayed at the Sheraton Presidente San Salvador Hotel. From the looks of the hotel, It seemed to be a hotel where pilots and flight attendants frequented.
The next morning, I was greeted with the same driver from the previous day with plans to go the thrill park and the beach club. Hiring a driver was a splurge but leaving the stress of driving as EL Salvador hot spots are very far between was priceless.
From my hotel in San Salvador, we headed 2 hours to Café Albania, a thrill park popularized by TikTok travel influencers. Because of my early start to my day, I ate a traditional El Salvadorian breakfast on the park grounds. When eating at the café you are awarded a $5 discount on your activities. For $16 I had the most unique thrill of my life. I rode the Famous bike zipline which I would put on the fear level of a 6 out of a 10. I also rode the Zipline Surfboard which I would rate it an 8 out of a 10. For the extra $1 I got on a nice photo op on the colorful wings swing. To get that Instagram/TikTok video, the bike attendants at their discretions will record you on the bike zipline for a tip. After a fun filled and heart racing morning at Café Albania, me and my driver headed over to Nawi Beach House. Set on Mizata by Antiresort the beach club gives the Tulum vibes without the Tulum prices. Nawi Beach House placed on a black sand beach, you can purchase a day pass for just $20. The $20 Day pass includes a welcome drink, access to the Beach club all day, and a ride on of their horses, weather and space permitting. Another photo op location much like Tulum Beach, Nawi Beach allows for Tiktokers and Instagramers to get all the Boho vacay pics with the vibes to match or proceed perhaps. The beach clubs serves up a full menu, and a full bar for purchase. Weather and space permitting day pass guests can take a short horse ride on the beautiful black sand beach free of cost. Its advised to put your name down for the horse as early as possible as the horses get fatigue. Nawi Beach House definity gives Tulum’s Taboo a run for customers money. My time in El Salvador was short and sweet but action packed. Sadly I was not able to sample much of the local cuisine because of my short time there. Which saddens me to say since I consider myself a foodie. The next day was mostly a day of leisure, Explored the nearby stores and restaurants before heading on the strip for lunch. Late in the afternoon, I was picked up by my hired driver to go to Picnic Steakhouse to ride the famous Rainbow Slide. A short 20 min drive away up in the woods near San Salvador, I arrived at Picnic Steakhouse. An Outdoor restaurant featuring colorful wooden animals. Because the rise of popularity of the slide, a table for slide only tickets are sold right near the entrance. For $5 USD customers can purchase a 1-time ride on the slide. After purchasing a ticket customers can then make a short walk down to the slide line. Slide opens at 11am with the first ride being shortly after. Once to the front of the line customers are expected to sign a waiver. Ride attendants do mind friends stepping past the entry ropes to record this exciting moment. The forecast was light rain mist, starting right before I left out to Picnic Steakhouse. By the time I was up to the line to go down the slide, I was informed they would be shutting it down after me because the rain was picking. The rain forecast made my 1st slide experience very fast and very thrilling. Felt like I was never going to stop. So remember water makes you go faster. I returned the following day with a drone videographer to capture some aerial footage of me going down the slide before scurrying to the airport. Covid tests were required back then return to the United States and it was scheduled by the hotel front desk and cost $35 USD. The short but exciting time I spent in El Salvador opened my eyes up to country that’s often written off as a dangerous country. Because of my fun filled schedule, I saw a lot of the country driving place to place and saw that EL Salvador was a very rich country in nature, and culture. Everyone I spoke to were very nice and helpful. I walked the downtown streets of San Salvador and felt as safe as I would anywhere else. El Salvador can easily be a nice change of scenery to a Cancun/Tulum Mexico vacation at a fraction of the cost.
Good post.
Thanks