The cruisy days in El Zonte and Santa Ana visit - week 2 in El Salvador -
After enjoying some lively party days, we shifted to laid-back days in El Zonte, known as a surf town, and had an adventurous day trip to Santa Ana by motorbike! The breathtaking landscapes, such as the sunset at the beach and the volcanic views, left us in awe.
1. El Zonte beach
This beach was close to our accommodation, and I often saw many surfers waiting for the next wave. We came here almost every morning to enjoy a traditional breakfast and to watch the sunset over beers. On our first visit, I bumped into a Japanese crew from Nippon TV who were filming a segment about this beach for their financial news show. They referred to it as "Bitcoin Beach." Although I’m not deeply involved in that sector, it was nice to connect with fellow Japanese speakers since English is my primary language and Spanish is the third language I want to learn!
I prefer this beach to El Tunco, which is also a popular spot. El Tunco feels a bit more commercialized, while El Zonte is simpler and more local, making it perfect for beach lovers like us.
2. Food of the week.
We love to try local food, and one of our favorite spots was Luz Del Oceano for breakfast. The owner was incredibly friendly, her smile sparkling. We mostly communicated through a little Spanish and body language, but we understood each other most of the time—food truly is a universal language. Watching the beach while enjoying breakfast and coffee became our lovely routine.
Another favorite dish of ours was pupusas, which are stuffed bread filled with various ingredients like beans and cheese. There were plenty of vegetable options that were great for my partner! The shop we visited was delicious and always packed with customers.
3. Accommodations : Casa del colours
We stayed at a friendly family-owned hostel that offered bungalows and dormitory accommodations, making it a great place for backpackers! We had a fantastic time, not just for the stay but also bonding with the owners and other young travelers. Taco and karaoke nights were big events every Wednesday and Sunday, and we were lucky enough to join both nights for delicious tacos and singing. We chose a variety of songs from the ‘90s rock, ‘70s pop, and even some French tunes. It was so much fun!
The owners invited us to have dinner with their family, and I decided to make sushi. It was a bit challenging because I couldn’t find typical Japanese fish like salmon or tuna, so I bought snapper at the fish market and made the sauce from scratch. My first attempt at cooking rice in a pot failed because I added too much water, despite following the recipe. However, with help from my partner and the owners, I managed to complete the rolled sushi and nigiri. They told me the nigiri was delicious, which made all my efforts worthwhile!On the last day of our stay, they invited us to join their breakfast. The owner cooked Flitata, and it was so delicious and so lovely to share it with them feeling like being part of their family. Thank you for your hospitality!
The living and dining area to share, and this is the place for a Karaoke party!
