Tamanique: La Libertad Costa

Tunco is a quintessentially Salvadoran term for “pig,” and El Tunco Beach is El Salvador’s most iconic surf destination.

The name comes from an enormous semi-submerged boulder on the beach that, in years past, suggested the shape of a friendly pig.

This spot draws hundreds of local and foreign tourists every week. What was once a sleepy seaside town in the 1970s and 1980s has transformed into a required pilgrimage for international surfers and anyone looking to dive into bohemian, laid-back surf culture.

Just 7 kilometers west of Puerto de La Libertad, El Tunco offers a vibrant microcosm of cosmopolitan fun and good-times vibes, or onda chiva as locals say.

The warmth, familiarity, and generous spirit of the locals is pure magic.

This surfing community offers everything you need for a spectacular trip.

You’ll find modest accommodations for backpackers, as well as options for visitors seeking something much more exclusive and private.

The cuisine explodes with aromas and flavors, from traditional Salvadoran pupusas and pastelitos sizzling on street-side griddles, to homemade dishes, elaborate seafood, and Asian, Mexican or Mediterranean food, along with pizzas, hamburgers, and more.

Ice-cold domestic and imported beers from around the world flow freely. Bars and dance clubs also serve a variety of cocktails.

You’ll also find some of El Salvador’s finest coffee here.

Convenience stores and small pharmacies sit right in town.

Travel agencies can arrange transport back home or on to your next adventure.

You can also catch buses or vans to other destinations in Central America.

If you arrive by car, you’ll find dedicated parking lots waiting.

But above all, the surfing vibe pulses through El Tunco’s DNA.

Local surfers with sun-bleached hair, bronze skin and permanent smiles mix with visitors from every corner of the world who flock to this seaside mecca that smells of salt air and surf wax.

Small shops stock surfing gear, clothing, and accessories.

You’ll also find small stands selling crafts and street art to take home a piece of El Salvador.

Locals rent out surfboards, and friendly instructors are available to get you started in the warm waves.

You can rent a bicycle, scooter, or car in El Tunco, or hire a driver to take you wherever you want and return you safely to your hotel.

As a local hub, El Tunco serves as a perfect staging area and launch pad for countless adventures, city tours, food outings, and more.

Above all, this small world breathes surfing in all its architecture, design, colors, murals, and clothing. The El Tunco vibe moves slowly and lets you be exactly who you are.

When it comes to surfing, El Tunco has something truly special.

The crown jewel is La Bocana. This rare natural left-hand break, uncommon on a coast dominated by right-hand waves, forms at the rocky mouth of Río Grande. It delivers thunderous waves up to 10 feet (3.5 meters), with thick, heavy lips, long rides, and occasional barrels. This wave is strictly for advanced and expert surfers only. La Bocana fires consistently nearly year-round.

Next to the famous pig-shaped rock—a must-have photo opportunity—two other sections offer much smaller, gentler waves perfect for beginners. But on epic days, even these waves showcase El Salvador’s world-class surfing potential.

To visit El Tunco from San Salvador, take the highway to Puerto de La Libertad, then the Road to Surf City Bypass, and continue west along the coastal highway. At kilometer marker 43, you’ll spot the signs welcoming you to this famous surfing haven.