El Salvador for the Kosher Family

Planning a trip to El Salvador with young kids while keeping kosher? It’s easier than you think! This post will guide you through family-friendly activities, kosher dining, and how to make the most of your time while exploring the beauty of El Salvador.

We went this past Pesach with a 1.5 year old and an almost 3 year old and I was 6.5 months pregnant at the time. I expected to be a lot more overwhelmed than I was, but the trip ended up being such a good time for the whole family!

We stayed in El Tunco, also known as Surf City. This quaint little beach town lives up to it's name. You'll see travelers about carrying their surf boards heading towards the beach, stopping in the various shops for a drink, a bite, and ice cream! If you're looking to catch a wave, you're in luck! Since we had littles, we just enjoyed watching the ocean waves crash about.

Ubers here are very affordable, so getting around is easy. Alternatively you can rent a car and thats very affordable and safe too. For lodging you can find affordable Airbnbs with private pools, ours was a block away from Chabad and a 15 minute walk to the beach. For Chag it was perfect! In my humble opinion, getting a hotel or Airbnb with a pool is a must. It's hot here and its the perfect way to cool down!

All around El Tunco you'll see Mango trees. Look up and you'll likely see the mangos ripening, ready to drop. Watch your head!

Regarding safety:

Let's talk about safety for a second. Under President Nayib Bukele, the government launched the "Plan Control Territorial," a comprehensive security initiative. El Salvador has invested in infrastructure projects to enhance the tourism experience. This includes the development of new roads, airport upgrades, and the establishment of tourism development zones, which have improved accessibility and travel experiences for visitors. I can attest to this as when we were on the road we saw a ton of construction! Have in mind that it is still a developing country and dirt roads are a thing here. :)

Kosher food:

In El Tunco there's a Chabad house with Kosher food, a Shul and warm energy! What a gift to be able to have fresh Kosher food in such a remote spot in the world.

Since we were there for Pesach I only can show you the Pesach food, but they also offer breakfast, lunch and dining options all year round. You can book Shabbat meals with your family as well.

Some of the breakfasts we had:

Some of the dinners:

All of it was delicious, well portioned and well flavored. To get in touch you can send a Whatsapp message to the Rabbi, he is very responsive.

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Let's talk about the activities. Here are family friendly options to take your littles with:

Parque Recreativo Los Chorros:

About an hour drive from El Tunco, near San Salvador, Parque Recreativo Los Chorros is a serene natural oasis perfect for families seeking a refreshing escape. The park features four spring-fed pools, including shallow areas ideal for young children, and a 5-meter-high slide for added excitement. Surrounded by lush greenery and the soothing sounds of cascading waterfalls, it's a picturesque spot for relaxation and play! Our kids loved going down the little yellow slide over and over again.

El Boquerón National Park:

Just a short drive from San Salvador, El Boquerón National Park offers families an accessible and educational outdoor experience. The park's main attraction is the impressive El Boquerón crater.

We did a brief 10-minute hike upstairs along a well-maintained trail that lead to panoramic viewpoints, it's very doable for even little kids. Don't bring a stroller! Along the way, you can enjoy the very refreshing temperature drop and lush pine forest views.

One of the view points had a glass bottom where you can see under, it was trippy! It also had a good view of the crater and it's a great spot for photos.

On the way down they even had a little playground! I was so impressed! My kids immediately ran to it and we sat down for a Kosher Lepesach Bissli snack by the bench.

The park also features a small museum that provides insights into the area's geology and ecology. Local vendors near the entrance offer traditional Salvadoran foods and crafts, allowing visitors to experience the region's culture. We bought a few granadillas which a type of passionfruit.

Tin Marín Children's Museum:

This interactive museum is designed to stimulate curiosity and creativity through hands-on exhibits. Children can explore a variety of themed exhibits, such as "Banconautas," where they learn about responsible spending and saving, and "La Casa de la Gravedad," which demonstrates the principles of gravity and balance. The museum also features a butterfly conservatory, a real airplane cockpit, a fire truck, and a mini theater for dress-up and puppet shows, providing a comprehensive learning experience.

My kids LOVED playing in the supermarket area where they made pizzas, put together ice cream, and gathered fruit in a basket. They also have a planetarium exhibit which we watched for a few minutes before my daughter decided it was scary. It was also hard to understand because it was in Spanish. There is also a dinosaur movie that is about 23 minutes long. We didn't even have time to do everything they had to offer! Awesome museum.

Sunset Park:

This park is just a 10-15 minute ride from El Tunco. It's El Salvador's first seaside amusement park, offering a few rides and breathtaking ocean views. The park features five main attractions: a Ferris wheel, roller coaster, carousel, pirate ship, and frog hopper, all designed to provide fun for visitors of all ages. The park's prime location allows guests to enjoy the stunning Salvadoran sunsets, making it a perfect spot for family outings.​ We enjoyed walking along the boardwalk after the merry go round, but you can also get your feet wet in the ocean!

Playa San Blas:

For a quieter beach experience, Playa San Blas is a good option since it's usually empty, but there are no shops nearby so come prepared. Be aware that the sand is very hot, the currents are very strong, but the views are beautiful!

The Historic Jewish Community:

This isn't something we had time for but the Jewish Nomads went and it looked cool! Feel free to check out their reel on this and dm them for more info.

The Rainbow Slide:

The Rainbow Slide in El Salvador, also known as "El Tobogán Arcoíris," is a vibrant, multicolored slide located at the Picnic Steak House, a restaurant situated near El Boquerón National Park Visitors can enjoy the slide at $5 per ride. We didn't go because our kids are really little, but it looks like a good time! Since it's right next to El Boquerón it would be an easy additional stop.

Photo source: Tunco Life

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There are many more hikes and beaches to explore, like Santa Ana Volcano, but these are the activities we've managed to do as a family with very young littles! Enjoy exploring ✨

If you have any questions! Feel free to dm me on Instagram. For a more visual viewing of the trip, feel free to see this highlight.