La Libertad Costa

El Cocal has emerged as a sought-after surfing destination. This break sits conveniently just 2 kilometers west of Puerto de La Libertad.

Like most surfing beaches in El Salvador, El Cocal is a medium-sized rocky-bottom point break, in this case shaped by a small river mouth that generates right-hand waves. Wave size and power depend on swell conditions as they strike the Salvadoran coast from the south.

From March to September, this break can fire off waves up to 10 feet (3.5 meters), with long lines, wide steep walls, and tube sections that fade on the black volcanic sand to the east. Under these conditions, the wave becomes fierce and challenging, for expert surfers only. This wave rarely breaks under smaller swell conditions; surfers should study how this wave performs before venturing into the water.

In any case, surfing is recommended at high tide only due to the shallow and rocky bottom.

At the heart of Surf City, this area has developed at breakneck speed. Hotels and lodging options continue expanding, and just steps away, a diverse selection of restaurants and other services await in Puerto de La Libertad.

Although El Cocal's surf break isn't ideal for swimming or wading due to its rocky terrain, beautiful beaches await just meters in either direction: San Blas, to the west, and El Cocal Beach, which connects to Conchalío Beach to the east. Both beaches feature striking volcanic sand and numerous additional attractions.

To get to El Cocal from San Salvador, take the highway to La Libertad and then the Road to Surf City Bypass, taking a moment to appreciate the scenic views of the La Libertad coast. El Cocal is less than a half-kilometer down the coastal highway to the west.