Family Adventure in El Salvador: Beaches, Volcanoes & Pupusas

If you’ve ever debated whether El Salvador is family-friendly — we’re here to tell you yes, absolutely... with a few caveats. For spring break, we packed up our crew along with another family who had three kids (ages 2, 6, and 8) and headed to this underrated gem in Central America for a week filled with waterfalls, hot springs, black sand beaches, and a lot of driving (don’t worry, I’ll break it all down for you).

We wanted a mix of adventure and downtime, culture and coastline — and El Salvador delivered. It’s still off the radar for most travelers, which made it feel authentic, local, and refreshingly affordable. But it also means you need to plan a little more intentionally, especially if you’re traveling with kids.

Here’s a day-by-day recap of our family’s El Salvador itinerary, including what we loved, what we’d skip, and tips we wish we had before going.

And before you start packing, don’t miss our must-have family travel essentials — the gear that helped make this adventure smoother, easier, and a whole lot more fun (especially the kids’ tablet and wireless headphones, which were lifesavers on long flights).

Calm lake with mountains in the background under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Day 1: Arrival in Santa Ana & Lake Coatepeque

We landed in San Salvador around 2 PM after an early flight from New Orleans. Our pre-arranged ride with Transportes Profesionales was waiting for us at the airport, complete with a car seat and booster seat (you may also consider bringing a portable car seat) — highly recommend booking this through WhatsApp ahead of time! We hired a private driver every day from 7 AM to 9 PM, and it was absolutely worth it. El Salvador has a strict zero-tolerance policy on alcohol, so having a driver meant we could relax and fully enjoy everything—from pupusas to beach cocktails—without the stress of navigating winding roads or unfamiliar places ourselves.

After a long travel day, we headed straight to our Airbnb near Lake Coatepeque, one of the most scenic lakes in the country, nestled inside a volcanic crater. We had dinner at La Pampa Coatepeque, a lakefront restaurant with sweeping views and strong drinks — perfect for a travel recovery night.

Sunset over a lake with mountains in the background, stilt houses by the water, and children walking on a stone path through a grassy area.

Day 2: Tazumal Ruins & A Hot Spring Misfire

Our first full day began with a short drive to Tazumal, an easy-to-navigate archaeological site with ancient Mayan pyramids. It’s not huge, which made it ideal with kids — we were in and out in about an hour, leaving us time for our next stop: El Salto de Malacatiupán, a naturally heated waterfall.

Unfortunately, this one was a miss for us. While the idea of a “hot waterfall” sounds magical, the location felt remote and required hiking down steep, uneven rocks to reach the water, which was tricky (and a bit nerve-wracking) with young kids in tow. We ended up eating lunch at the small, local restaurant at the top of the falls — delicious, but very basic — then cut our visit short.

Family tip: If you're traveling with little ones, skip the falls and head to the more established and family-friendly Santa Teresa Hot Springs instead. It’s easier to access, cleaner, and more comfortable for all ages.

We also swung by a local Walmart on the way back to stock the Airbnb with snacks, groceries, and supplies — a worthwhile stop before heading into more remote areas.

A family of four standing in front of a large ancient Mayan stone pyramid at a historical site, smiling and posing for a photo on a sunny day.
A scenic view of a small waterfall in a lush forest with a partly cloudy sky overhead.

Day 3: Ruta de las Flores 

We had big plans to road trip the scenic Ruta de las Flores, known for its charming villages, coffee farms, and roadside markets. Originally, we planned to stop in several towns — Ataco, Apaneca, and Juayúa — but we quickly realized we were overly ambitious.

Instead, we focused on one main stop: Café Albania, a family-friendly eco-park that felt like a dream playground for our kids (and honestly, us too). There was a giant rainbow slide, a mirror maze, ziplining, and a delicious on-site restaurant. It ended up being one of our favorite stops of the whole trip.

Family tip: Ruta de las Flores is a lot of driving for little ones. Choose one or two stops max and leave room for surprises — like rainbow slides and ice cream. Pack the Zofran — and don’t forget the kids' tablet and wireless headphones for the car ride in case they get antsy. It made a huge difference for us!

A young girl sitting at the top of a colorful, steep water slide in a lush, green outdoor setting with hills and transmission towers in the background.
A child riding a tube down a colorful water slide surrounded by green trees and grass.

Day 4: Lake Day & Exploring Santa Ana 

We kept things local in the morning, enjoying lake life with swimming, snorkeling, and a boat ride around Coatepeque. We were lucky to have friends (Thanks, Jav and Emily!) who own a house on the lake, and their groundskeeper kindly gave us a personal tour of the area, which made the experience extra special. For those without local connections, the restaurant Las Palmeras offers pontoon ferry boat rides around the lake—perfect for soaking in the stunning views and calm waters. The lake was peaceful and quiet—a perfect break in the middle of a packed itinerary.

Family tip: If you’re spending time by the water, don’t forget your quick-dry towels and polarized sunglasses—they came in handy for drying off kids and spotting fish beneath the surface during the boat ride.

Later that afternoon, we drove into Santa Ana, El Salvador’s second-largest city. We walked around Parque Libertad, peeked inside the stunning Santa Ana Cathedral, and admired the historic theater and city hall. That evening, we ventured just two blocks off the main square to find the most authentic pupusas — warm, cheesy, griddled corn cakes that quickly became a daily staple for the rest of the trip.

We felt very safe exploring Santa Ana, especially with a few friendly armed guards keeping watch around the main square—it actually added to the sense of order and calm. And just in case any kiddo meltdowns popped up during dinner, we had our driver parked right outside the restaurant, ready for a quick getaway. 

Children swimming in a calm blue lake, with mountains and cloudy sky in the background.
Woman and young girl standing in front of a green wall with yellow letters and a red heart that says "I love Pupusas". The woman is pointing towards the sign while the girl is smiling.
A woman and a young girl sitting together on a boat by a lake, smiling with a lush, green hillside and clear blue sky in the background.
A family of four standing on a city street with a historic cathedral in the background. The family includes a man, woman, girl, and boy smiling at the camera, with people sitting on benches and walking nearby.

Day 5: Cerro Verde & The Coast 

We said goodbye to the lake and made a morning stop at Cerro Verde National Park, a volcanic area with hiking trails and panoramic views. If you have the flexibility, try to pick a day with the clearest skies for the best views — we made the rookie mistake of saving this for our last day in the area, so clouds were rolling in. That’s why you’ll see a photo of us swinging and playing on the playground, surrounded by clouds! Heads up: it’s chilly up there — layers are a must! And I totally forgot a sweater, so I had to buy one from a souvenir stand just to stay warm. While we didn’t tackle the full volcano hike (it’s 4-5 hours round trip — not toddler-friendly), we enjoyed a short forest loop, checked out the playground, and grabbed lunch at the park’s cozy café. 

From the mountains, we made our way down to Los Cóbanos, a quiet beach town known for snorkeling and marine life. Our Airbnb had a pool and ocean views, and it was within walking distance to Casa Coral, a beachfront hotel and restaurant with plenty of drinks and seafood. We were in paradise!

Four children sitting on a wooden swing, arm in arm, overlooking a scenic landscape with a lake and mountains in the distance.
Children playing on a wooden playground structure surrounded by trees and fog, with grassy ground and misty atmosphere.
Family sitting on a wooden bench under a large flowering tree with a sign that reads 'I Love Cerrado Verde' in a lush, green outdoor setting.
A child playing on a sandy beach with large rocks, underwater, at sunset, with the ocean and several ships in the distance, and overhanging tree branches at the top.

Day 6: Whale Watching & Snorkeling

We woke up early for a whale watching tour with Balam Tours SV — and yes, we actually saw whales! It was such a unique and memorable experience, and surprisingly smooth with kids. The waters were calm, the ride was short, and life jackets were provided for everyone. Be sure to bring plenty of bottled water (our leak proof water bottles saved us here!), as potable water isn’t always available in more remote areas. Sunscreen is also a must — there’s little shade once you’re out on the water, and polarized sunglasses helped us enjoy the view without the glare.

Our tour guide, a local from El Salvador, was truly one of the highlights of the experience. He spoke excellent English, was incredibly kind and patient with the kids, and took the time to talk with us about his country — everything from day-to-day life to local politics and the impact of the new president. It was the kind of genuine, open conversation that makes travel feel deeply meaningful.

What made this excursion even more impactful was the glimpse into local life. To reach the boat, we walked through a small village — including passing directly through someone’s two-room home — a powerful reminder of how differently people live. Many of the homes had no running water or electricity, yet everyone we met was warm and welcoming.

After the tour, we stayed in the village for lunch, where local women cooked freshly caught fish for us in a communal kitchen over a wood-burning stove. It was a beautiful, humbling experience — one of those rare travel moments that sticks with you.

In the afternoon, we spent the rest of the day swimming and relaxing. We ended the day with a short walk to Casa Coral for ice-cold drinks — the perfect close to an unforgettable day.

A whale's tail emerging from the ocean, with a partly cloudy sky in the background.
A woman holding a fish with three children around her at a seaside location, with boats on the water and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
Group of five people, including a child, on a boat wearing life jackets, smiling and waving with the ocean in the background on a sunny day.
Two women cooking at an outdoor brick and wood stove in a rustic kitchen with a table covered in holiday-themed cloth and a basket of vegetables.

Day 7: Beach Brews & La Libertad

We had originally planned to wake up early for a turtle release with Balam Tours SV, but by this point in the trip, the kids were starting to show signs of exhaustion — and honestly, so were we. The release location was over two hours away from our Airbnb, and with the early wake-up time and a long day of travel ahead, we made the tough (but wise) call to skip it. Sometimes flexibility is the key to surviving family travel with everyone still smiling. However, if you have time, I would recommend adding it! 

Instead, we had a slower morning, packed up, and checked out by noon. On the way to La Libertad, we stopped for lunch at Cadejo Brewing Company, which had great food, a relaxed atmosphere, and space for the kids to regroup a bit.

That afternoon, we arrived at our La Libertad Airbnb — our “splurge” house for the trip — and it was worth every penny. The property featured three freshwater pools and two saltwater pools that filled directly from the crashing ocean waves, creating a truly unforgettable swimming experience. The location was unbeatable, with private beach access and coastal caves just steps away. These caves were incredible to explore, but should only be accessed with a guide due to the changing tides — we were lucky to have one of the house managers give us a personal tour, which made the experience both safe and unforgettable. It felt like we had our own little slice of paradise, full of wonder, water, and just the right amount of wild.

One of our favorite parts? The Airbnb hosts arranged a private chef to prepare us a meal featuring fresh fish and traditional local sides. It was such a special, stress-free way to enjoy a taste of El Salvador without ever leaving the property.

We ended the day unwinding poolside while the kids explored the beach — relaxed, salty, and ready to soak up every last bit of El Salvador’s coastline charm.

View of a swimming pool with children swimming, surrounded by tropical trees and greenery, under a clear blue sky.
Four children playing on a sandy beach in front of a large rock formation with an arch, under a clear blue sky.
A smiling young boy in a blue long-sleeve shirt and swimming shorts standing barefoot inside a rocky sea cave with water at his feet, sunlight shining in from the cave opening.
A coastal walkway with white railings, a palm tree, and lush greenery overlooking a rocky beach and ocean during daylight with partly cloudy sky.
A person snorkeling in an ocean pool near the beach with cliffs and houses in the background
A dinner layout featuring a large plate of fried fish, sliced limes, a bowl of rice, a vegetable salad, and pickled vegetables on a wooden table.

Day 8: Lazy Beach Day 

For our final full day, we embraced total relaxation — no tours, no timelines, just sun and sand. That morning, we took a walk to El Tunco to grab breakfast at Hotel Roca Sunzal — a beachfront hotel and restaurant with great views and solid coffee. The walk isn’t the easiest with small kids, as it involves climbing over rocks along the shore, so we definitely recommend wearing water shoes. After breakfast, the kids bounced between the beach, the pool, and the hammocks while we packed slowly and soaked up every last bit of La Libertad’s laid-back charm. Known for its surf and nightlife, this part of El Salvador turned out to be the perfect place to hit pause before heading home.

The next morning, we checked out around 11 AM, said our goodbyes to the beach, and made our way to the airport — sandy, tired, and full of pupusas. A slow, simple end to a trip packed with adventure.

A group of people standing on a rock at the beach during sunset, with the sky partially cloudy and a large rock formation with a building on top in the background.

Reflections from the Road: Why El Salvador Stole Our Hearts

El Salvador is raw, beautiful, and real — not overly polished, but full of heart. From volcano views to beachside pupusas, it offered just the right mix of adventure and authenticity for a family willing to go a little off the beaten path. The people were kind, the scenery unforgettable, and the food? Let’s just say we’re still dreaming about it. We came home with tired kids, happy hearts, and enough stories to fill a suitcase. We’d go back in a heartbeat.

Still on Our Bucket List: What We’ll Be Back For

  • Explore the caves in El Tunco – Only safe with a local guide who knows the tides, but totally worth it for the adventure.

  • Wander the colonial town of Suchitoto – Full of charm, history, and artisan culture.

  • Complete the full Ruta de las Flores – We only made it to a couple towns; next time, we’d love to explore all five (especially Concepción de Ataco).

  • Climb Puerta del Diablo – 300 steps for sweeping views and a chance to stretch our legs in the clouds.

  • Hike the Santa Ana Volcano – A 4–5 hour round trip that’s not toddler-friendly, but perfect for a future trip when the kids are older.

  • Visit Parque Recreativo Los Chorros – Natural pools, hiking, and playgrounds — a great family-friendly stop.

  • Explore Parque Nacional El Boquerón – A trail inside the crater of the San Salvador volcano? Yes, please.

  • Tamanique Waterfall hike – Beautiful, rugged, and full of adventure.

  • Play at Sunset Park in La Libertad – A beachfront amusement park for evening fun.

  • Take surf lessons – As the kids get older, we’re dreaming of spending a day in El Tunco or El Zonte catching waves together. These beach towns are known for surf culture, and we can’t wait to give it a go as a family.

Pro Tips for El Salvador with Kids

  • Currency: U.S. dollars (super convenient!).

  • Cash is king: Many places, especially outside major cities, may not accept credit cards.

  • Navigation: Use Waze, not Google Maps — Waze is much more accurate for local roads and traffic.

  • Language: Download the Google Translate app to help with communication—especially useful in more remote areas where English isn’t widely spoken.

  • WhatsApp is essential: Most locals and tour operators communicate via WhatsApp, not email or traditional calls. Be sure to download the app before your trip — it’s the easiest way to confirm reservations, ask for directions, or stay in touch with guides.

  • Water: Tap water is not safe to drink, so stock up on bottled water, especially when heading to more remote locations.

  • Tours & hikes: If you're planning to hike Santa Ana volcano or explore local caves, always hire a guide. Local knowledge is crucial for safety and the best experience.

  • Driving: Be aware — distances may look short, but driving can be slow due to winding mountain roads and traffic. Build in buffer time for each day.

What to Pack: El Salvador Family Essentials