What's on in El Tunco, El Salvador through the year

Busy — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: Dry season (1 Nov – 15 Apr (usually))

Busy — one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Dry season (1 Nov – 15 Apr (usually))

Peak crowds — South swell season, Semana Santa

• Season

  South swell season

  15 Mar – 31 Oct · usuallySurf seasonCrowded

  Southern-hemisphere swells light up the point breaks at Sunzal, El Tunco and Punta Roca almost daily. The rain arrives with it but mostly in the afternoon, so the dawn session stays clean and the town empties out at midday. Source ↗

• Holiday

  Semana Santa

  20 Mar – 20 Apr · usuallyEaster & Holy WeekCrowdedBook early

  Half the country heads for the coast over Holy Week. El Tunco's hostels book out, the beach bars run late every night and the line-up at the main peak gets crowded from Thursday. Source ↗

Still on: Dry season (1 Nov – 15 Apr (usually))

Peak crowds — South swell season, Semana Santa

• Festival

  Surf City El Salvador Pro

  5–15 JunSporting eventCrowdedBook early

  The world tour stops at Punta Roca in La Libertad, a short ride along the coast, and the surf towns fill with teams, media and spectators for the waiting period. Its slot on the calendar has moved between April and June. Source ↗

Still on: South swell season (15 Mar – 31 Oct (usually)), Semana Santa (20 Mar – 20 Apr (usually)), Dry season (1 Nov – 15 Apr (usually))

Busy — South swell season

Nothing new starts in May.

Still on: South swell season (15 Mar – 31 Oct (usually)), Surf City El Salvador Pro (5–15 Jun)

Peak crowds — South swell season, Surf City El Salvador Pro

Nothing new starts in June.

Still on: South swell season (15 Mar – 31 Oct (usually)), Surf City El Salvador Pro (5–15 Jun)

Busy — South swell season, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

• Nature

  Sea turtle hatchling releases

  1 Jul – 15 Dec · usuallyTurtle nesting

  Olive ridleys nest along the La Libertad coast in the second half of the year, and the hatcheries near El Tunco and El Zonte let visitors join the evening release of hatchlings. September to November is the busiest stretch. Source ↗

Still on: South swell season (15 Mar – 31 Oct (usually))

Peak crowds — South swell season, August holiday week

• Holiday

  August holiday week

  1–6 AugNational holidayCrowded

  The first week of August is the capital's patron feast and most offices shut for it, so San Salvador spills down the highway to the beach towns. Weekdays at El Tunco feel like weekends. Source ↗

Still on: South swell season (15 Mar – 31 Oct (usually)), Sea turtle hatchling releases (1 Jul – 15 Dec (usually))

Busy — South swell season, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: South swell season (15 Mar – 31 Oct (usually)), Sea turtle hatchling releases (1 Jul – 15 Dec (usually))

Busy — South swell season

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: South swell season (15 Mar – 31 Oct (usually)), Sea turtle hatchling releases (1 Jul – 15 Dec (usually))

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

• Season

  Dry season

  1 Nov – 15 Apr · usually

  The rain stops and the waves drop to a size beginners can handle, which is when surf schools do their best business. Outside Christmas and Easter the town is at its most relaxed.

Still on: Sea turtle hatchling releases (1 Jul – 15 Dec (usually))

Busy — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: Sea turtle hatchling releases (1 Jul – 15 Dec (usually)), Dry season (1 Nov – 15 Apr (usually))