Catching a Break in El Salvador

Known as one of the world’s surfing Meccas, La Libertad is a small, uncrowded village located on the Pacific Ocean approximately 30 minutes west of El Salvador’s capital San Salvador. I was in the country last May visiting family when my husband and I had the opportunity to stay at a cool, new beachside hotel. We are always looking for interesting accommodations off the beaten track and, being avid travellers, we are always looking for a bargain. In Tekauni Kal, we were lucky enough to find both.
Meaning House of the Jaguar in Nauhat, Tekuani Kal is a small six-room hotel opened in the winter of 2006 with renovations and additions such as a Temescal (a traditional Aztec sauna), a bar, massage room and surf shop being added throughout 2007. All rooms provide guests with air-conditioning and cable TV. They are clean, comfortable and tastefully decorated with crafts created by Salvadoran artisans.

A small infinity pool and the hotel’s restaurant overlook the world famous beach break of Playa El Tunco. The thatched roof restaurant offers international fare such as chicken satay, ceviche, and seafood soup with coconut milk. The cook, Dora Alicia, also offers local specialities including the country’s gastronomic staple, pupusas. Another house speciality is a ceremonial chocolate drink made with pure cocoa beans that have been roasted and ground together with the ancient recipe’s original pre-columbian ingredients.

A paved path leads visitors directly from the back of the hotel and to a palapa-covered row of hammocks running across the black sand beach. Tekauni Kal as well as various surf shops along the beach offer surfboard rentals and lessons given by experienced locals. And if you happen to get thirsty between sets, the beach is dotted with a handful of outdoor restaurants that offer iced Supremas (the local cervesa) by the bucket.

Rooms at Tekauni Kal are $70 per night (double occupancy), which is a lot less than the popular Roca Sunzal Hotel located a half a mile up the beach. The Tekauni Kal staff is polite and helpful, the food is great and the accommodations are charming and affordable. I found it to be an ideal spot to spend three days of our two-week Salvadoran vacation. Reservations for Tekauni Kal can be made on their web site: www.tekaunikal.com. Additional information on surfing La Libertad can be found at: www.surflalibertad.com.

Written by Allison Neves

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