The title of this post says it all. Mi lindo El Savador = My beautiful El Salvador. This post hits a spot very close to my heart. Not only because my roots are from El Salvador, but because I hope this post changes the narrative that you have about El Salvador. I know that the media often portrays the country as a gang infested and horrible place. And yes, just like any other third world country in the world, there is violence and poverty. I hate how the media’s portrayal of all the negatives about the country, outshine the positives and all of the beauty the country has to offer.
El Salvador was the first international trip I had in my life, when I was about 6 years old. I’m not going to lie, the experience shook me. I mean, shook me! My mother’s family lives in a remote small village in the middle of the jungle, where there are only dirt roads and the closest “town” is about a 30 minute drive away. I am extremely grateful that my parents exposed me to what their life was like before they immigrated to the U.S. My parents always put extra effort to help me understand that we take so many things for granted in the U.S. As I look back, I think that is one of the reasons that I’m optimistic when traveling to another country. That was the first time I was forced to step out of my comfort zone. So now, as an adult, I feel comfortable being uncomfortable. It also helped me understand what poverty looked like and realize that there are people in this world that are doing whatever they can to just simply survive and eat. But the most important thing that always resonates with me after leaving a third world country is realizing that the people that have the least, have the most. I’ve learned to realize that some of the poorest people I’ve met, live the richest lives. I’ll let you dig deep and sink that sentence in, because you won’t get it, until you get it or see it with your own eyes.
My hopes in creating this blog is that it also inspires to travel somewhere you never thought you’d travel to, or even put on your bucket list. I’m hoping this is one of those places.
My last trip to El Salvador was in 2019, and I was so excited to explore and experience all of the beauty that is hidden in this small country.
I also hope that this helps explain that Salvadorans aren’t bad “hombres” lol. Sorry, had to laugh at that. I try to remove myself from political views and comments, but just had to throw that ignorant statement in there. The kindest people I have met were in El Salvador. The type of kind that will welcome you into their home and offer you their last pieces of food(literally) to show you that kind of hospitality.
Gordi and I plan on visiting El Salvador together within the coming years, and I hope to share all of those new experience with you soon! I cannot wait for this trip because the energy I’m going to put into the content is going to be on another level! Wait for it!
Ok, so for now…
My top recommendations in El Salvador:
*Playa El Tunco – this is the hot tourist spot with many beachfront resorts and restaurants
*Royal Decameron Salinitas – the nicest beachfront and all inclusive resort in the country.
*Los Planes de Renderos- Mountaintop with a strip of restaurants, bars and shops.
*Cafe Albania- stunning property that has a labyrinth, restaurant, cafe and bar.
*Cafe Santa Cruz- Mountaintop and lake view cafe and restaurant.
See, there are beautiful places in this small country! If you have some time, take a look at my Instagram Stories Highlight for El Salvador for some video footage of these recommendations.
I’d like to end this post with a few interesting facts that you probably didn’t know about El Salvador:
*El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America
*El Salvador is the most densely populated country in Central America
*It’s the only country in Central America without a Caribbean Coastline
*The country has more than 20 volcanoes in it’s territory
*Salvadoran foods do NOT consist of any spicy foods (meaning hot like chile spicy)
Wandering Stefany 