Please consider all contributions from this point forward to be made under that license.
La Libertad
From Wikitravel
Contents
La Libertad one of the 14 departments that form El Salvador. It is one of the largest and most diverse of the country.
[edit] Regions
[edit] Cities
Well-known areas of this departement include Antiguo Cuscatlan, the richest and most urbanized municipality in the "Metropolitan Area of San Salvador" as well as in the whole country of El Salvador. Santa Tecla, the second largest city in the country which borders on the capital of San Salvador, is also in La Libertad.
[edit] Other destinations
- The La Libertad beaches are some of the best surfing beaches in the country as well as in the whole Central American region.
- El Sunzal Beach, the best surfing beach in El Salvador and one of the best 10 of the world.
- Puerto de La Libertad, has one of the country's major ports, and is a good area for tourism and surfing, as well as for eating the delicious salvadorian "cocteles" or "seviches".
- Letras Café is a bohemian style café with gourmet-bistro style food in Antiguo Cuscatlán. Additionally there are weekly artistic performances ranging from live music, theater, art exhibitions, and culinary expositions.
- Playa San Diego, a huge sandy beach, deserted bar a few fishermen at dusk & dawn, maybe some kids playing football with bamboo goalposts. Great surf for beginners .... none of the rocks and crowds of Sunzal. Friendly residential area, a few hotels and one hostel and a few cheap comedores & pupusarias.
- Joya de Ceren — A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Joya de Ceren is an archaeological site featuring a pre-Columbian Maya farming village preserved remarkably intact under layers of volcanic ash. It is often referred to as the "Pompeii of the Americas" in comparison to the famous ancient Roman ruins.
[edit] Understand
[edit] Get in
By car and other local transports.
[edit] Get around
You can walk and surf in the nearest beaches. Busses from Liberad to other beaches like El Tunco and SunZal cost .25 US and catching a ride in a truck is always an option.
[edit][add listing] Do
Surf, go to local restaurants. A really nice place to stay on weekends.
If you plan to surf understand that these are the local's breaks also. Expect them to drop in on you but if you drop in on them you might they will let you know. There are numerous places to rent boards and many of the hostels outside of La Libertad have a decent selection. Most rent per day for 5-6 US and up to 12 US per day at Hospital de Tables (best selection in one place). If you are new to surfing SunZal is an easy point break but can be crowded on weekends. Surf boards are allowed on all busses with no additional cost. Enter through the back door where the seats are removed.
[edit][add listing] Eat
You can eat the world famous cockteles de camaron (Shrimp Cocktails) and a lot of seafood. Pupusas seem to be a staple food for travelers 3 for a dollar is hard to beat. These are sold just about everywhere in Libertad and all along the highway. The local comedors along the Highway and in town also sell large plates of typico for 2-4US, well worth the splurge. There is a selection of higher priced gourmet resturants dotted throughout the area also.
[edit][add listing] Drink
El Tunco has most of the bars frequented by travelers and local surfers. Beer starts at a dollar in most places. Watch for event parties in Libertad on the weekends at the pavilion near the beach.
[edit][add listing] Sleep
There are many options along the coast ranging from 5US to 50US per night. It is also possible to rent townhouse style with Kitchens for about 150US per month/pp right on the beach (El Tunco).
- El Hostel is a new place in Sunzal with friendly English speaking owners and a good kitchen with large refrigerator. Dm 6-10US One Private double available, big, with shower(more to come). Get to know the locals by talking with the gardener and the friendly neighbors. Also ask about painting/writing just about anything you want on the walls. Or get a foosball tournament going on the
full sized table upstairs. Beer/water $1, Soda/Juice $.50 available.
- Surf Inn sits just above El Hostel and offers private rooms for about the same price.
- El Tunco offers many accommodations also, the town is more centered and developed then some others. Just walk around the town for a few minutes and ask a couple places. Long term places are usually the cheapest here.
El Roble Hostal. Hostel at Playa San Diego. Large swimming pool, lots of sports & games, hammocks set in gardens and communal areas. Meals provided or you can cook your own on the outdoor kitchen & barbecue area. Bar open all hours supplying beers, cocktails and fruit smoothies. Dorm rooms and privates available. A few minutes to the beach of Playa San Diego. You can safely walk or jog this beach for hours.
[edit] Stay safe
Staying safe in the city is very important. As many other cities in El Salvador La Libertad is highly populated but unlike San Salvador it has a lower crime rate.
The basic rules are:
- Don't wear expensive jewerly.
- Don't hang out in places where it looks abandoned.
- If you rent a car don't rent a luxirious car.
It's the basics but other than that you will remain safe and will be a great enjoyment to you and whoever you are traveling.
[edit] Get out
| This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow! |
