A Backpacker’s Travel Guide to El Salvador (2020) • Indie Traveller

El Salvador is a polarising destination that is often regarded as the ugly duckling of Central America. Normally, travellers only pass through the country on a bus, or skip it entirely.

The two most common perceptions about El Salvador are that it’s dangerous and that there’s nothing to do apart from surfing.

So many travellers bypass the country that there’s a common tourism tagline floating around: ‘Don’t skip El Salvador’.

I too was contemplating skipping El Salvador. I’m thankful I did end up visiting, as in three weeks crisscrossing the country, I visited some stunning places and gained a lot of respect for the enduring nature of the locals.

El Salvador can’t be thought of as a hidden gem, as it’s in the middle of Central America and bordered by the popular backpacking destinations of Guatemala and Honduras.

But it’s an overlooked destination that deserves a lot more attention from travellers than it currently receives.

This guide to El Salvador will…