BEST & Safest Hostels In El Tunco, El Salvador 2023
Some links in this post contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission if you use the links at no extra cost to you! Happy reading 😀
Looking for the best hostels in El Tunco El Salvador? If you’re backpacking El Salvador, El Tunco should be one of your list’s ‘must-see’ places, especially if you want to surf!
If you’re backpacking El Salvador I recommend visiting El Tunco for around 2-3 nights. There isn’t a lot to do apart from surfing, partying and relaxing, so this gives you enough time to experience the beach properly. If you want to visit Tamanique waterfalls and El Zonte beach, potentially stay for 3-4 nights in El Tunco.
In the following post, I outline the best and safest hostels in El Tunco. I’ll be honest, before we visited El Salvador, we did still have safety concerns. Although we found it to be incredibly safe, it is a worry if you’ve never been before! That’s why I’ve listed the safest hostels, as well as some of the best and safest hotels in El Tunco to put your mind at ease.
As always, be sure to read the Hostelworld reviews before booking anything (even after reading this post). The information shared here is accurate of 2023, but things change! Read the reviews and ultimately, make the decision yourself.
So, let’s get down to the best hostels in El Tunco so you can have the most epic backpacking trip in El Salvador!
- Backpacking El Salvador: Routes, Itinerary, Safety + More!
- El Tunco El Salvador: COMPLETE Guide
- Best Time to Visit El Salvador: Complete Guide
- Antigua To Santa Ana El Salvador COMPLETE Guide!
- How To Get From Santa Ana To El Tunco: COMPLETE Guide
Need help planning your El Salvador trip? Check out this detailed route and itinerary for 7 days in El Salvador!
Best & Safest Hostels In El Tunco: A Summary
My biggest piece of advice for finding accommodation in El Tunco is to make sure it is actually in El Tunco. What do I mean by this? Well, El Tunco is one part of the El Salvadorian coastline. There are other beaches along the coast, such as El Zonte, Playa San Blas, Playa Punta Roca, and the large area of La Libertad.
These areas are not close to El Tunco. We made the mistake of booking accommodation 15 minutes away from El Tunco. How did it end? We ended up cutting our stay short, wasting hundreds of pounds and moving to El Tunco.
To put it simply, we were in an area out of the main ‘tourist’ parts of El Salvador. Whilst I’m a huge fan of going off the beaten track, we didn’t feel comfortable. To some, it may have been fine. But for us, we didn’t feel safe, so we moved.
When finding accommodation near El Tunco, I didn’t realise how far apart the beaches are. I assumed it would be similar to Puerto Escondido in Mexico, where we could easily travel between the beaches. I was wrong! There were no taxis in La Libertad or Playa San Blas, so it was the public bus or nothing.
To summarise, whether you are booking a hotel, hostel or Airbnb, ensure your stay is in El Tunco, or an area you actually want to be in. Travelling to and from the surrounding beaches isn’t the easiest (especially if you don’t like public buses), so pick somewhere that suits you.
📲 Don’t forget to download your eSim for El Salvador! ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!
Why is ‘El Tunco’ not showing up on Hostelworld?
If you are looking for a hostel in El Tunco, it will not come up on Hostelworld as El Tunco. You will need to type in La Libertad.
If you are not booking one of the hostels on this list, I highly recommend checking the location. Is it actually in El Tunco? Or is it 15 minutes away, where you might not feel safe to walk or travel by yourself? Of course, this is a personal preference but do your research first.
🌟 To summarise, I recommend booking either Papaya Lodge or Canuck’s Guest House if you are a solo backpacker in El Tunco, El Salvador.
🌈 Recommended tour in El Salvador: The Rainbow Slide! Slide down a colourful rainbow slide – a must-do for any adrenaline junkies in El Salvador! ➡ Check prices now!
🤩 Related post: Backpacking El Salvador? Be sure to check out my in-depth guide on backpacking El Salvador here.
Best Hostels in El Tunco
1. Papaya Lodge
😀 Best for: solo travellers, couples, groups
⭐️ Overall Rating: 8.9 (Fabulous)
📍 Location: El Tunco main area, a few minutes walk from the beach
💸 Budget: £ (Low)
🥳 Hostel vibe: social but chilled vibe.
❄️ Air conditioning: Yes
💻 Wifi: Yes
🍽 Kitchen: Yes
🏊♀️ Facilities/extras: Swimming pool, terrace, airport transfers, 24-hour security, 24-hour reception
🏖️ What’s nearby?: El Tunco main town, bars, restaurants, the beach
Find out more on Hostelworld.com.
Papaya Lodge is one of the most well-known hostels in El Tunco. It is known for hosting backpackers and solo travellers from all over the world. It consistently gets good reviews from backpackers, detailing how it is a fun, social and chilled hostel to stay in in El Tunco.
Papaya Lodge is also well-located in El Tunco. It is on a safe street, with a number of bars and restaurants around it. It is also next to one of the best pupuserias, Los Amigos, in El Tunco! There is also 24-7 security for added safety and protection.
⚠️ As El Tunco isn’t a built-up area (yet), with many accommodation choices, Papaya Lodge books out quickly. We found even looking for a room four weeks in advance was too late! Be sure to pre-book as early as possible.
➡ Check prices and availability for Papaya Lodge now!
2. Canuck’s Guest House
😀 Best for: digital nomads, couples, backpackers, surfers
⭐️ Overall Rating: 9 (Superb)
📍 Location: El Tunco town, a 5-minute walk from the beach
💸 Budget: £ (Low)
🥳 Hostel vibe: social but chilled vibe
❄️ Air conditioning: Yes
💻 Wifi: Yes
🍽 Kitchen: Yes
🏊♀️ Facilities/extras: outdoor communal space, 24-hour reception
🏖️ What’s nearby?: El Tunco main town, bars, restaurants, the beach
Find out more on Hostelworld.com.
Canuck’s Guest House is a brand new hostel in El Tunco in 2023, but it has already been given over fifteen excellent reviews. It is easily one of the best hostels in El Tunco for backpackers!
It is in another safe location in El Tunco and is just a five-minute walk from the beach. It’s also known for having friendly and fun owners, who go out of their way to make sure your stay is a success.
⚠️ As El Tunco isn’t a built-up area (yet), with many accommodation choices, Canuck’s Guest House books out quickly. We found even looking for a room four weeks in advance was too late! Be sure to pre-book as early as possible.
➡ Check prices and availability for Canuck’s Guest House now!
Related post: El Tunco El Salvador Nightlife: Party Guide
Best Hotels in El Tunco
If you would rather stay in a hotel than a hostel in El Tunco, these are some of the best options. They are again, safe, secure and in the main area of El Tunco.
🇸🇻 Boca Olas Resort Villas: 450 yards away from El Tunco Beach. A 4-star hotel with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden and a terrace, free WiFi, a restaurant and a bar. ➡ Check prices now!
🇸🇻 Hotel & Bar La Guitarra: this hotel is actually on El Tunco beach, and has easy access to all of El Tunco’s attractions. ➡ Check prices now!
🇸🇻 Eco Del Mar: a beautiful eco-friendly hotel located in the heart of El Tunco surrounded by tropical forest. ➡ Check prices now!
Related post: Complete El Tunco, El Salvador Guide: where to eat, what to do, what to see and how to stay safe!
Is El Salvador safe for backpackers?
Yes, El Salvador is safe for backpackers, but I would advise sticking to the tourist-focused and busy areas. Whilst most trips will be trouble-free, there are still violence and crime areas, and some feel less safe than others.
However, the main backpacker locations (Santa Ana, El Tunco) are safe. To add extra safety precautions, stay in the main backpacker hostels in these areas.
As a reminder, these are:
Best hostel in Santa Ana: Casa Verde or Velvet Hostal
Best hostel in El Tunco: Canuck’s Guest House or Papaya Lodge
Best hostel on Lake Coatepeque: Captain Morgan
🤩 Related post: Backpacking El Salvador | EPIC Things To Do In Santa Ana, El Salvador
Do I need a SIM card to travel around El Salvador?
Yes, I highly recommend downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and safety in El Salvador. We found most of the cities to be chaotic and difficult to find local SIM cards.
ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!
Bucket list tours in El Salvador
Looking to book a tour in El Salvador? Tours are one of the best and safest ways to see the hidden gems of El Salvador. If you’re travelling during peak season, I highly recommend pre-booking your tours to ensure you don’t miss out!
When travelling, we use this company to book our tours. Tours include skip-the-line tickets to the world’s most iconic attractions, walking tours by top local experts, immersive food and beverage tours, cooking and craft classes, bucket list experiences, and niche offerings you won’t find anywhere else!
Some of the best tours in El Salvador include:
- Santa Ana Volcano, Full Day Tour 🌋 ➡ check prices here!
- Rainbow Slide Experience 🌈 ➡ check prices here!
- Tamanique Waterfalls and El Tunco Beaches ➡ check prices here!
- Day trip to Honduras, Copan Ruins 🇭🇳 ➡ check prices here
- Half-Day San Salvador City Tour ➡ check prices here!
➡ Check out more tours for your trip here!
Best Hostels in El Tunco: FAQs
1) What is the best party town in El Salvador?
El Tunco is known for being one of the best party towns in the country. It is home to some of the best bars, beach clubs and nightclubs in El Salvador. At the weekend, El Tunco is known for its crazy nightlife and attracts tourists and locals from all over the country. It’s a fun night out, I can assure you!
Related post: Backpacking El Salvador | El Tunco El Salvador Nightlife: Party Guide 🪩
2) Where to stay in El Tunco for backpackers?
There are two main hostels that backpackers should stick to if they are staying in El Tunco. They are the Papaya Lodge and Canuck’s Guest House. Both of these hostels are within walking distance from the beach, and are in safe and secure locations. They are both trusted by backpackers.
Want to know more about visiting El Tunco? Check out my El Tunco El Salvador complete guide here!
3) Why is Playa El Tunco famous?
El Tunco is known for being one of the best tourist destinations in El Salvador and attracts crowds from all over the country. It has a fun nightlife with a variety of beach clubs, perfect surfing waves, beautiful black stone beaches and some of the best puperserias in the country!
4) How to get from the airport to El Tunco?
El Tunco is just 50 minutes from El Salvador’s International Airport. If you are travelling from the airport to El Tunco, you will need to either hire a private driver, hire a car yourself or get a public bus.
🚎 Getting the public bus from El Salvador airport to El Tunco? The public bus will take around 2-3 hours, and you will need to:
➡️ From the airport, get the 183 micro-bus to San Luis Talpa. This is a 10-minute journey.
➡️ At San Luis Talpa, get the 166 bus to La Libertad. This should take just over an hour, and La Libertad is just 15 minutes away from El Tunco. It is a large beach town.
➡️ From La Libertad, catch a bus to El Tunco. There are many public buses in this area, and you can get one from where you were dropped off. This journey should not take more than 20 minutes.
🚕 Alternatively, you can hire a car and drive yourself, or hire a private driver. If you would like a private driver in El Salvador, you can check out prices here.
Related post: Complete El Tunco Backpacker Guide
5) What is the best time to visit El Salvador?
El Salvador has a tropical climate. Its wet season is from May until October, and the dry season is from November to April. If you would like to avoid torrential rain, head to El Salvador between the months of November to April. This is also a great time for cheap flights in El Salvador.
Related post: Best Time to Visit El Salvador: Complete Guide
6) Where do backpackers go in El Salvador?
If you are backpacking El Salvador for the first time, I recommend sticking to Santa Ana, El Tunco, El Zonte and Lake Coatapeque. These are the most popular areas amongst backpackers in El Salvador in 2023. Most backpackers do not stay in the capital city, San Salvador, due to safety concerns. However, this is a personal preference.
Related post: One Week in El Salvador: Full Itinerary
Best backpacker travel insurance for Central America
If you’re visiting Central America as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.
Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.
I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.
If you need medical help at any point whilst in Central America, you need travel insurance.
With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)
Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for Central America. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!
If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!
Best Hostels in El Tunco: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about the best hostels in El Tunco. When you’re planning a trip to El Salvador, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!
If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently travelling around the world with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more El Salvador content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!
As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!
Happy travelling 🙂
Jennie x
🇸🇻 Where to next?
- El Salvador Itinerary: One Week In El Salvador
- El Tunco El Salvador: COMPLETE Guide
- Backpacking El Salvador: Routes, Itinerary, Safety + More!
- Best Time to Visit El Salvador: Complete Guide
- Antigua To Santa Ana El Salvador COMPLETE Guide!
- How To Get From Santa Ana To El Tunco: COMPLETE Guide
MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
