Not too long ago, who would’ve predicted it? The Central American country of El Salvador, once known mostly for being both poverty-stricken and war-torn (and now enmeshed in controversies including cryptocurrency and crackdowns on gangs), has also become a surfing power of sorts, attracting millions of surfers to Pacific beaches like El Zonte, pictured here.  

Despite its past trials and tribulations, both internal and external, this land just a tad smaller than New Jersey and a bit bigger than Wales has many of the key ingredients of a tropical paradise, including dramatic volcanoes and landscapes, unspoiled ecotourism opportunities, charming colonial towns – and fetching beaches. Now holidaymakers looking for the next cool thing are finally discovering El Salvador, and its waters and sands play a big part in that.

Read more in my post Some Wicked Surf's Up in...El Salvador?