la libertad, SV

La Libertad is the main city in the entire area of the Northern El Salvadorian beach towns. It's also probably the least touristy. Well, it's certainly visited by people, but in general people don't really stay here. As a result of that, this page is going to be somewhat brief. I don't really know if I met anyone who stayed in La Libertad during my entire time here in this part of the country. To be honest, it's not the greatest place in the world. La Libertad is large. Especially by El Salvadorian standards. The town is generally busy, with lots of cars bustling around and people on foot going about their daily lives. The town is right on the water, and it's pretty much home to the 'Surf City' development push the country is going through at the moment. They have constructed a new waterfront amusement park reminiscent of Santa Monica in California, and there's a lot of references to surfing everywhere. So maybe at some point in the future the general state of La Libertad will improve, but for the most part it's a place that you don't have to spend a whole lot of time. — Unless you are surfing, that is. La Libertad is home to the best wave in El Salvador. One of the best waves in Central America. Punta Roca. Surfers from all over the world come here to surf that wave, and when the major international WSL competitions are held, they are held here in La Libertad. So when those are going on, the place gets packed as packed can be. On the inside of Punta Roca, pretty much all the way into the center of La Libertad is another wave, called La Paz. A lot of the groms in this part of El Salvador will be surfing this wave. — Essentially practicing before they level up to surfing Punta Roca. Or until the old guard lets them level up... The main things that should be known about La Libertad are that it's the home of 'Punta Roca', the best wave in the country. It's the physical destination of Surf City, essentially, and it's just a good landmark to know about. Because of its size, it can be very easily used as a point of reference for anyone traveling the area. Cover photo courtesy of Sunzal Surf Co.

GENERAL OVERVIEW

LOCATION - La Libertad is located in the Northwestern part of the country. Given El Tunco, or El Zonte are much more traveled, I would refer you to the location section and directions there. From either of those places it will be very easy to catch a public bus here to La Libertad.

ACCOMMODATION - I don't really know of anyone who stayed in La Libertad. There is one surf camp that people stay at sometimes though. See below.
- Pelicano Surf Camp - A mellow and down-to-earth surf camp just up the coast from Punta Roca. It's an amazing little wooden shack right on the beach, and it won't be expensive. It's going to be a real, down-to-earth surf camp experience. I almost stayed here myself once, and I really regret not doing it actually. See above for the photo of the wooden shack on the beach, and that's Pelicano. Locally owned and operated.

EATS - I personally didn't really do all that much eating here in La Libertad, however I am sure that the local eats here are and can be really really good. A few places I know about are below.
- The Fish Market - There is a big local fisherman's market here in La Libertad. If you have a car, it's a great place to stop and get some fresh fish.
- Pupuseria Margarita - Great side-of-the-road pupuseria.
- Cafe at Punta Roca - Little cafe out at the point at Punta Roca that serves some light food, and has cold coconuts.

NIGHTLIFE - Neighboring El Tunco has all the nightlife.

SIGHTS - The waves, the ferris wheel at Sunset Park.

SURFING - There's two waves here, — one is much more important than the other, but nonetheless there are two.
- Punta Roca - Does not need much in the way of an introduction. The crown jewel of the country is the world-famous Punta Roca. It's been home to multiple WSL events, and attracts people from all over the world. This is my personal favorite wave in the world. It's a perfect, reeling right-hander that will hold almost any size. It's the definition of a perfect wave. With big takeoffs, turn and barrel sections. It's just the best. But beware here, the local crowd is one of the toughest around. Be careful when you are in the water. Give the locals the respect they deserve, don't go straight to the point, cherry-pick the insiders, and give them waves when they want them. It's their house, you're just in it. Certainly a high quality of surfing required here. Especially when big. It's called 'Punta Roca' for a reason. The rocky walkout leaves people bloody on a daily basis.
- La Paz - The wave on the inside of Punta Roca, over by the center of La Libertad. This is where you will find a lot of people learning to surf, and this is also where a lot of the groms coming up in the El Sal surfing scene will be splashing around. Waiting to get called up to Punta Roca, or get good enough to be out there with the big guys.