El Salvador: San Salvador > El Zonte

El Zonte was my best stop in El Salvador. Okay, I only had two stops, but still! After a brief stay in Santa Ana, I hit the road to the coast via the Ruta de Flores. This route is often hailed as one of the top tourist paths in El Salvador. To be honest, it’s an okay ride. For an experienced adventure rider like me, it’s nothing special. However, it’s a scenic road filled with beautiful flowers.

As I approached Sonsonate, I was treated to some stunning views of the surrounding volcanic peaks. They towered majestically down towards the coast. I later made a pit stop at Los Cabanos to check out what I missed the day before. Honestly, it felt like a bit of a rundown beach town. You know the type—where they charge you $5 to park, but you hardly see any vehicles or people around.

After Los Cabanos, things took a turn for the better. I reached the snaky coastal road, and let me tell you, this is a 5-star route! The beaches and views are incredible. It’s a great, winding tour along the coast that every rider should experience.

On a whim, I decided to stop in El Zonte. I booked a room at Beach on the Rocks. It was a bit pricey, but totally worth it. I ended up staying three nights. The manager, Omar, is a fantastic guy, and the place has a great vibe. If you’re not a surfer or a bitcoin enthusiast, there’s not much to do in El Zonte. But honestly, I didn’t mind. It’s a perfect spot to chill out and relax.

I took a short ride to El Tunco, just 15 minutes away. It’s also a lovely spot, a bit more developed than El Zonte. If you’re looking for a little more action, El Tunco might be your place. But for me, El Zonte was just right.

El Zonte is famously known as "Bitcoin Beach." You can pay at most places with bitcoin here. It’s a town that has played a significant role in El Salvador's national commitment to Bitcoin. Interestingly, in July 2025, I read a BBC News article titled "The Salvadoran beach town that became a Bitcoin testbed." While I was in El Zonte, I looked up the story again and was surprised to see it mentioned Beach on the Rocks and Omar. The author had also stayed there.

Ride: 165 km / 4 hours

Stay: Beach on the Rocks / $75 /