Leaving El Cuco, I made a beeline for yet another popular stretch of El Salvador sand — the colorful surf town of El Tunco. Here, I encountered a string of ridiculous bad travel luck, including losing my bank card, breaking my favorite pair of flip flops (kind of tragic when you wear them every single day), and possibly the worst case of food poisoning I’ve ever had. On top of the stress of trying to catch up on work after being offline for so long, it was a bit much.
Yet I leave El Salvador with nothing but smiles. This underrated little country made quite the impression on me, and overall I adored my two weeks in the sunshine here.
Next stop… a month in Guatemala! Let me know if there’s anything I can’t miss. And now, onto Photo of the Week.
Photo A
Photo B
Photo C
Photo D
Photo E
Which photo is your favorite?
Wow, beautiful photos!! I’ve been twice to El Tunco and would do it again. Such a great place. Greeting from germany!
Such a cute little beach town, isn’t it Esther! Glad you’ve enjoyed it so much 🙂
I’m so happy to see such colourful photos on a drab winter day! I love Photo D- that tiny restaurant is adorable.
They made great smoothies!
Photo C
That’s my kinda parking…
Ha, me too. Barely passed my driving test!
Love the first one! The couple in the foreground, the rocks on the beach, and thatched roof buildings tucked in the palm trees – what a great shot!
Sorry to hear you got sick, lost your bank card, and broke your flip flops! What a string of bad luck. Reminds me of a rough day I had in Fort Kochi, India. I tripped and broke my sandal, and had to wear trooper boots in a 90 degree beach town. Laughs were had, and not by me.
Ha, I love that picture… taking pics of other people with an iPhone? Super creepy. Doing it with a dSLR? JOURNALISM!
Just wanted to cut in here and say I love this comment 😀 I’m loving A too this week. I could swear that was Ko Phangan if I didn’t know better!
Ha, thanks Michelle 🙂
Sorry you had such bad tràvel luck in El Salvador 🙁 I’ve gotta go with photo D…because papusas y paleticas just make me happy. I loved Guatemala. Where are you headed? Lago Atitlan is amazing, as are the ruins of Tikal. Monterrico was pretty gorgeous… I’d recommend looking it up! Have so much fun!!
I’m planning to hit all three, plus Antigua 🙂
I love the colours in Photo B!
I’ll be interested in hearing how you enjoy Guatemala after El Salvador – I’ve been to both and love them for different reasons. A must-do in Guatemala is Semuc Champey. It oozes beauty!
I am DEFINITELY planning to hit Semuc Champey. Everyone just gushes about it!
Photo C – that is one groovy looking truck!
It’s lovely, right! I was so excited to spot it 🙂
Photo D!I miss El Salvador…
It’s a very cool little country. Can’t wait to write more about it.
Uch! D & E are total perfection. They belong in the travel mag “AFAR” — do you ever read it? If not, it’s a major compliment.
I do! Well, whenever I can get my hands on a copy. It’s an amazing read — and yes, a huge compliment. Thank you!
So sorry to hear about the food poisoning, there are few things quite so terrible as that. But I’m glad you enjoyed El Salvador. I’m loving Photo A, such a good shot of natural life by the beach.
I’ve been away just a few days and miss it already! I crave the ocean.
Definitely D, the colours are just perfect!
D is for delicious 🙂
Photo E! Very cool street art. Glad you loved El Salvador!
I did indeed. Can’t want to write more about it.
C & D, definitely! Guatemala looks so alive!
These images are from El Salvador actually, but if you tune in next week I hope to have plenty of images of Guatemala lookin’ alive too!
Alex, I am choosing D. Currently feeling fed up I fancy an ice cream/ice lolly.
I was on a strict one a day regimen in that heat!
I love the colourful bus! Such a shame it’s hidden away like that…
Makes it all the more fun to stumble upon 🙂
I love D! So colorful – it makes me feel like I am there! 🙂
I’d pack you all in my suitcase if I could, but I guess that’s the next best thing 🙂
Wow, this is amazing ! The beach looks so beautiful. 🙂
Thanks Sarah! It was a cute little surf town.
I’m going with E, because it’s just good street art and really stands out to me.
Thanks for voting, Marie!
If you’re going to Atitlan, don’t just stay in one village – spend a couple/a few days in each. And don’t miss out on La Iguana Perdida in Santa Cruz la Laguna – it’s one of my favorite hostels ever!
I’ve heard so many great things about them and was absolutely crushed to look them up last night and realize there is NO WIFI! I’m still struggling to catch back up after being offline for so long in El Salvador so I’m pretty devastated by that development.
I was only planning on visiting Santa Cruz for an afternoon to dive but I fell in love with La Iguana and stayed for several nights. It’s that kinda place. A friend from home has now been working there for several months – seems you can’t help but fall in love!
Guatemala recs: Tikal and Semuc Champey. The former draws lots of tourists, but for good reason: It’s amazing. Semuc Champey is a bit of hike to get to (from Antigua), but you pass through some beautiful parts of Guatemala and the limestone waterfall (the main attraction) is amazing. Visit the nearby bat cave, too. Have a great time! And make sure to get the traditional “desayuno chapin” (eggs, beans, plantains, cheese, and corn tortillas) for breakfast!
I’m planning to hit them both en route to Belize! Thanks, Melissa!
Photo A- what a gorgeous little beach! I spent a month in Guatemala at the end of 2012 and loved it. I would recommend heading to the Rio Dulce region and visit the Finca de Paraiso, a hot waterfall which is amazing to swim under. We stayed at Hotel Kangaroo which can only be reached by boat from the Sun dog Cafe in Fronteras – very interesting part of Guatemala
I love the name of that hotel — might be reason enough to stop there!
I am loving all of your photos! I think E is my favorite because of the color.
You should definitely check out Semuc Champey when you are in Guatemala. It is absolutely beautiful and there are so many fun outdoor activities. It is well worth the drive, especially if you are planning on stopping in Tikal.
Yup! Gotta hit up Tikal on my way to Belize, and Semuc on my way to Tikal 🙂 Looking forward to it!
Loving the colorful/rustic street art in E! The colors are everything!
SO much color in Central America. It amazes me.
Ah, I’m so behind on your posts! I haven’t been to El Salvador yet, but after seeing all these beautiful photos it’s quickly climbing my “must go” list! Love the colors of Central America. Why can’t we have this in the US?!
I know, right?! Bring on the bright paints, I say!
So glad you loved El Salvador!
I’ve written those exact words I’m sure, it is such an underrated little gem (especially its capital and small mountain times).
As for Guatemala, I’d say get yourself a dive or two in beneath Lake Atitlan! 😉
I’d really pumped to try some altitude diving! Hoping to head there in a few days.
Our tip would be to stay the night there as well.
Looks like great lodging with a delicious sounding menu… then there are the views!
Our big regret was doing it as a day trip from San Pedro la Lagguna
Definitely photo E, love the amazing colour contrast!
It was such a cool mural. I love street art!
oooohh! I like photo D the best 🙂 It just looks refreshing. I love El Salvador!
Me too! Can’t wait to write more about it.
I am definitely going with Photo C. I worked on a food truck in Canada during my working holiday, and although we covered it in lots of Aussie stickers, it has nothing on this beauty! I love the colours. Have fun in Guatemala x
I love the food truck phenomenon — hope it’s not just a fad and sticks around for a long time to come 🙂
D – that’s just a perfect summer day in a photo. Simple, pure and relaxing. Totally my desktop background for this week 🙂
Love it, Lev! Enjoy the colors every time you sit down at your desk 🙂
I stayed in Antigua for 2 weeks a few years ago. I’d definitely recommend going for a hike on the Pattaya volcano. If you’re lucky, you might see some lava flowing down! You could also check out the Rainbow Cafe, it’s a really nice place to chill and have a drink.
ps: Bring marshmallows to grill on the volcano
I’m headed to Pacaya this afternoon! Cross your fingers for blue skies for me 🙂 I’m off to the shop to get some marshmallows now!
I choose C – I love colorful/decorated buses.
This would be quite the one to road trip in, no?
PHOTO C!
Thanks for the enthusiastic vote, Claire 🙂
I was never a huge fan of Guatemala—though I love the rest of Central America—so I’m eager to hear your thoughts.
Interesting! Any posts on your blog explaining why? If not feel free to write me a juicy email 😉
Photo C!!!
Life is so amazing and colourful and does not always have to be clean, and picture perfect. Great shot.
best
Kelly
A great description of Central America in general 🙂 Thanks for reading Kelly!