7 Days • 6 Nights
El Salvador Coffee & Highlands
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Staying at working coffee plantations
- The full journey from cherry to cup
- The flower-lined Ruta de las Flores
- Climbing the Santa Ana volcano
- The turquoise Coatepeque crater lake
- Mural villages, waterfalls and highland life
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 7-day journey.
Met at the airport, you drive into the highlands along the Ruta de las Flores, settling into a working coffee plantation guesthouse with a welcome dinner and an introduction to Salvadoran coffee.
A full day at the plantation and its neighbours, walking the shaded groves, picking cherries in season, and following the process through washing, drying, roasting and a guided cupping tasting.
A day exploring the mural-painted towns of Ataco and Juayua, a weekend food festival, and a hike to the Los Chorros de la Calera waterfalls for a swim.
You travel to the Santa Ana area and hike the Santa Ana volcano to its emerald crater lake, taking in the region's coffee-clad volcanic slopes.
A morning swimming at the turquoise Coatepeque crater lake and an afternoon exploring the elegant colonial city of Santa Ana with its opera house and cathedral.
You return to the flower route for a final night in the artsy highland town of Ataco, with time for craft shopping, a coffee farewell tasting and highland sunset views.
A final highland morning before transferring back to San Salvador airport for your onward flight.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 6 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and coffee-farm meals and tastings
- Airport transfers
- Touring and activities as per itinerary with English-speaking guides
- Ground transfers between regions
- Entrance and national park fees as per itinerary
- coffee plantation tours and tastings, a Santa Ana volcano hike and a Coatepeque visit
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Most nationalities, including UK, US, EU, Canadian and Australian passport holders, do not need a visa for tourism and receive entry under the CA-4 regional agreement; a passport valid for at least six months and, sometimes, a small tourist fee apply. We confirm details for your nationality
- Currency: El Salvador uses the US Dollar as its official currency, and Bitcoin is also legal tender though rarely needed by visitors; carry small US Dollar notes for markets, tips and rural areas
- Best time to visit: The dry season (November to April) is sunniest and ideal for volcanoes, ruins and the beach, while the green season (May to October) brings lush landscapes and afternoon showers; the surf is excellent year-round
- Getting around: El Salvador is Central America's smallest country, so distances are short and you can reach beaches, volcanoes and colonial towns in a single day; internal ground transfers are included
- Surfing: The Pacific coast is a world-class surf destination, with consistent waves at El Tunco, El Zonte and Punta Roca suiting beginners to experts; lessons and boards are easy to arrange
- Safety: El Salvador has transformed its security in recent years and now welcomes travellers warmly; as anywhere, we use trusted local guides and drivers and follow sensible precautions to keep your trip smooth
- Health: No vaccinations are required for most travellers; bring insect repellent, reef-safe sunscreen and stay hydrated in the tropical heat, and drink bottled or filtered water
- Money & tipping: US Dollars in cash are useful throughout; cards work in cities and resorts. Tipping around ten percent is customary for good service, and power is 120V with US-style plugs, so US travellers need no adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a coffee expert?
Not at all — the plantations and roasters are welcoming and explain everything from growing to tasting in an accessible, hands-on way. Whether you are a serious enthusiast or simply enjoy a good cup, you will find it fascinating.
When is the coffee harvest?
The main harvest runs roughly from November to February, when you can see cherry-picking in action, though the plantations are beautiful and the process is explained year-round. We can time your trip to the harvest if you wish.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with any meals named in the itinerary such as a welcome dinner. El Salvador's food, from pupusas to fresh seafood, is a delight and inexpensive, so most lunches and dinners are left free to explore.
Is El Salvador safe to visit now?
El Salvador has seen a dramatic improvement in security in recent years and is increasingly popular with travellers. We use trusted local guides and drivers and sensible precautions throughout, and most visitors find the country warm, welcoming and easy.
Do I need a visa for El Salvador?
Most nationalities do not need a visa and enter under the regional CA-4 agreement, sometimes with a small tourist fee. We confirm the requirement for your nationality when you book; a passport valid for six months is needed.
What currency is used?
El Salvador uses the US Dollar, which makes budgeting easy for many travellers. Carry small notes for markets, tips and rural areas; cards are accepted in cities and resorts.
When is the best time to visit?
The dry season (November to April) is best for sightseeing and the beach, while the green season is lush with afternoon showers. The Pacific surf is excellent all year.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Because the country is small, we can easily combine volcanoes, colonial towns, Maya ruins and the surf coast, adjust the pace, and tailor the trip to your interests and budget.
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