Planning to visit the beach in El Salvador? Then there is one place you absolutely shouldn’t miss. And that place is called Hotel Palo Verde in El Zonte, El Salvador’s first official sustainable hotel and a paradise for beach and surf lovers. In this article I will tell you more about my stay at Hotel Palo Verde in El Zonte and why you want to include this destination in your El Salvador itinerary.
Welcome to Hotel Palo Verde – El Zonte El Salvador
The fact that owner Camilo has worked and lived abroad, is immediately visible when entering Hotel Palo Verde. Everything looks stylish and is well organized, something that is not particularly commun in Central America. Moreover, sustainability plays an important role. Upon arrival I first have to hand over my plastic bottle of water. And they are completely right. What was I even thinking!
Hotel Palo Verde is located directly on the beach of the small surfing town El Zonte, famous for its beaches and amazing waves. The complex, which is situated in a tropical garden, consists of two buildings, connected by stairs and terraces.
The rooms – Hotel Palo Verde, El Zonte El Salvador
Hotel Palo Verde offers ten different types of rooms, with queen-sized, king-sized or single beds. All rooms are spacious and clean, including comfortable beds, a modern design and L’Occitane bath products. The most beautiful rooms are located at the front, offering a view of the Pacific Ocean. And of course you want to go for this option. Is the suite available? Make sure you book it. There is only one, and you will have a large balcony and terrace all for yourself. You look out at the sea, the waves and its surfers and at the end of the day, there is this beautiful sunset to observe.
Check the latest prices and availability for Hotel Palo Verde in El Zonte here.
Hotel Palo Verde is completely prepared for surfers. Do you travel with your surfboard? Then book a room on the ground floor. You have special places here to store your surfboard.
Facilities Hotel Palo Verde – El Zonte El Salvador
Swimming pool
Another reason to stay at Hotel Palo Verde in El Zonte is the great swimming pool. Hotel Palo Verde is small-scale so it never gets really busy. Moreover, you have your personal beds available during the entire stay, giving you the option to come and go as you want. From your bed you order cocktails from the cool beach bar and look out over the Pacific Ocean.
Restaurant Nan Tal
Restaurant Nan Tal, part of Hotel Palo Verde in El Zonte is a place that easily could fit in Ibiza and Tulum in Mexico. The interior is nice in a bohemian look & feel, decorated with natural materials. But the real reason to come here is the fantastic cuisine. The dishes are just delicious and believe me, you want to order everything on the menu. Think of delicious ceviches, sashimis with a Peruvian twist, fresh fish, creative burgers, tacos, bowls and all types of juices. And everything looks pretty too.
Nan Tal is during the day also a place to be in El Zonte for expats and digital nomads. In the evening it is more catered for hotel guests. At the end of the day you can watch the sunset with a drink in your hands and dine with your feet in the sand.
Do you want to spend the night at Hotel Palo Verde in El Zonte? Check the lastest prices and availability here.
Activities
Surf, surf and surf
El Zonte is one of the best places in the world for surfing. The weather is always good, the water warm and 95% of the year there are perfect waves. Almost nowhere in Latin America I have been so impressed with the surfers. There are just so many good ones and you can’t stop watching. If you are a surfer, you will quickly find your way here. And if you’re not a surfer, you probably won’t be surprised when I tell you that you really have to take surf class.
The people on the coast breath surfing and are happy to share their knowledge and passion with you, such as Alex Novoa from Esencia Nativa. You only can be jealous watching him and his team surf. But they also know how to teach surfing, as almost everyone is standing during their first surf class. I have taken some surf classes in several countries around the world, and usually I don’t get much further than being able to stand and move myself for some meters on the water. This with the help of a teacher. But here I actually managed to catch quite a few waves.
In El Salvador you can surf all year round, but the best time is between March and October, when the waves are high. The best time to learn how to surf is between November and February.
Learn Spanish
Do you want to learn some Spanish, overlooking the Pacific Ocean? Then make sure to book a Spanish lesson at Say Zonte, the language school of Hotel Palo Verde. You will have your classes at the beach. Learning grammar has never been so much fun.
Palo Verde – El Zonte El Salvador – a hotel wit a story
Hotel Palo Verde in El Zonte is not only a beautiful place, but also a hotel with a story. Owner Camilo, a surfer himself, grew up in El Salvador, a country that used to be dominated by gangs and violence. Through a scholarship he managed to study business management in Spain. But while many Latinos decide to stay in Europe after their studies, Camilo chose to return to his home country, wanting to give something back and using his acquired knowledge to do business in a different way. This is how the idea for a sustainable hotel on the coast was born.
An ambitious project, which many people raised their eyebrows at, back in the days. Foreign tourists hardly came to El Salvador and extortion from gang members was a problem for many entrepreneurs. Yet Camilo didn’t give up and what once started as an ambitious idea, has now grown into one of the most successful boutique hotels in El Salvador.
El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America and one of the region’s least visited. El Salvador is a hidden gem with beautiful beaches, shimmering lakes, volcanoes you can climb, national parks and pretty colonial villages. Curious? In the next article you will find an overview of the most beautiful destinations and best things to do in El Salvador.
Sustainability Hotel Palo Verde – El Zonte El Salvador
Hotel Palo Verde means green branch and there is a reason for that. Hotel Palo Verde wants to limit the negative impact on the ocean and our planet as much as possible. That is why sustainability plays an important role. Several prizes and certificates have already been awarded. Solar panels are used, water is filtered and waste is minimized. In addition, Hotel Palo Verde also strives to have a major social impact. This means that all staff is coming directly from the area, background does not play a role and everyone is provided with training and a fair income. In addition, the hotel works with local suppliers where possible.
El Zonte El Salvador
The beach of El Zonte is a highlight in itself. You can swim in the sea, walk on the black sand beach and visit caves. There are several small restaurants along the beach, where you can have a drink. It is also nice to stroll around the village and try a pupusa at Pupusería Geisy, the national dish of El Salvador. At the end of the day you will enjoy the most beautiful sunsets.
Bitcoin Beach
El Zonte is also known for its Bitcoin Beach, a community that uses Bitcoin as a payment for daily transactions, from the Bitcoin Beach Wallet. With this initiative, Michael Peterson wanted to create an independent financial system to support the local population. The majority of people here do not have access to a bank account and many local companies do not qualify for this either. Bitcoin Beach mobilized more than 3,000 local users, including 500 families and 120 businesses. The project attracted international attention and believers from all over the world now find their way to El Zonte. By the way, El Salvador is one of the few countries in the world where bitcoin is used as a legal tender.
How ro reach Hotel Palo Verde in El Zonte El Salvador
El Zonte is located about 50 kilometers southwest of the capital San Salvador. I personally find it easiest to rent a car. The roads are good and safe and you can get there from San Salvador within an hour and a half, Of course not including rush hour, weekends or holidays. Then everyone travels to the coast. Hotel Palo Verde offers free parking places during your stay.
San Salvador is not only the capital of El Salvador, but also the economic, cultural and political heart of the country. San Salvador has a lot to offer and is worth visiting, especially at the beginning or end of your trip through El Salvador. In the next article I’ll tell you more about best things to do in San Salvador.
Car rental
Need a rental car for your trip to El Zonte in El Salvador? Use Rental Cars to search and compare your car rental options. A quick and easy tool and no need to have up multiple tabs trying to figure out which company is the most affordable. They also have great discounts and cancellation policies.
More about Hotel Palo Verde in El Zonte El Salvador
Do you want to know more about Hotel Palo Verde in El Zonte, El Salvador? Check out the website. You can also follow Hotel Palo Verde on Instagram en Facebook.
Do you want to spend the night at Hotel Palo Verde in El Zonte? Check the lastest prices and availability here.
More hotels in El Salvador
In every country I look out for the most beautiful and unique place to stay. Interior design, a nice atmosphere, a lovely setting and good service are important topics for me, when choosing a hotel. In addition, I like to support the locals and love a sustainable approach around a hotel. Are you curious about my favorite hotels in El Salvador? In the next article you will find an overview of the best boutique hotels in El Salvador.
More over El Salvador
El Salvador is a small country in Central America with so much to offer. Let me take you on a journey along the most beautiful destinations and things to do in El Salvador. In the next articles you will find more inspiration and tips.
- Best things to do in El Salvador
- El Salvador itinerary
- San Salvador – city guide
- Things to do in Suchitoto – a comprehensive travel guide
- Santa Ana city guide
- Conchagua volcano – everything you want to know
- Ruta de las Flores – everything you want to know
- Boutique hotels in El Salvador
Disclaimer: I was invited to stay at Hotel Palo Verde in El Zonte in El Salvador but this review is based on my personal view and is independent from the invitation.
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