El Tunco is El Salvador's surf and party headquarters—a compact beach village where rocky point breaks meet a thriving nightlife scene. The main break wraps around a distinctive pig-shaped rock formation (hence the name), while the world-class right-hander of Punta Roca lies just down the coast. The town pulses with Central American energy, from budget surf hostels to beachside bars bumping music until dawn. El Salvador's consistent south swells and affordability have made it a backpacker favorite, and El Tunco sits at the heart of that discovery.
Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
6/10
Access: El Salvador surf hub. Many surf camps and hostels.
Peak: Mar-Oct
South swells March-October. Very consistent.
Verified by Central America surf community
How well swell angle matches the spot
Wave height in the ideal range
Each spot has different period requirements. Points and reefs can handle longer periods than beaches.
Offshore/glassy conditions