Hostels in El Cuco, El Salvador

Situated on one of the best beach areas in El Salvador, El Cuco is a popular destination on the eastern coast of San Miguel. This area is home to more than 100kms of dark sand, with beaches like El Espino, Playas Negras, Las Tunas, and Tamarindo.

While El Cuco is a well-loved beach town for residents and tourists alike, it has maintained a quiet, laid-back atmosphere. Although the town relies heavily on the tourism industry to support a fishing-based economy, there isn’t much large-scale infrastructure here. Guests can still find a local hostel or hotel, but many of the big resorts are located nearby, in Playa Las Flores. The hotels and hostels in El Cuco are small, and travelers need to come prepared with groceries if they plan to eat at home – the nearest market is at least 30km away.

Restaurants are easy to find in El Cuco, though, and many will feature fresh seafood dishes. El Salvador’s first microbrewery is located in nearby Intipuca Beach, and if the bars in El Cuco aren’t enough, tourists looking to get a taste of the local nightlife can venture in to San Miguel.

After a night at your hostel or hotel in El Cuco, there are tons of options for spending the day in the Central American sun. Watersports are popular here, as Playa Las Flores is one of El Salvador’s best spots for surfing. Visitors can go tubing, parasailing, jetskiing, wakeboarding, and stand-up paddleboarding – or enjoy the water on a kayak or a boat tour through the islands. Those looking to explore the area a bit more can take nature hikes or tours to Isla de Olomega, or venture up Chaparrastique, one of the country’s most active volcanoes.

From San Miguel, it’s easy to reach El Cuco by bus, shuttle, or taxi – but again, visitors are reminded to purchase any supplies before leaving the city, as there is no supermarket or ATM in the town of El Cuco.