El Salvador offers outdoor enthusiasts a wide range of activities. Surfers, in particular, are more than prepared to drag their boards across the country in search of the best breaks. It's hard to believe that such a small country has some world-class waves, but El Salvador does. Most are concentrated near La Libertad, with a few more good spots in either direction, and the surf season lasts from late February until November, although offshore winds can still create good waves during the rest of the year. In general, the waves are usually one to two-metre right breaks, though they can be much bigger. Playa Zunzal is said to offer the best breaks in Central America and international surfing competitions are held there during Easter. For those who just like beaches, there are pristine and deserted stretches of sand (often with the obligatory palm trees waving their fronds in the breeze), such as Playa El Espino and Playa El Cuco. Rios Tropicales offers tours that take people white water rafting and sea kayaking through some of El Salvador's most impressive scenery and wonderful seascapes. The most popular white water rafting trip is down the Guajoyo River, which is lined by gallery forest and passes through a deep gorge. The best paddling expedition for bird watchers is the day trip to Jocotal Lagoon, a protected wetland area that is home to 130 species of aquatic birds. Sea kayaking offers trips to the Bay of Jiquilisco and the Gulf of Fonseca, as well as flying fish, sea turtles and dolphins. Hikers who like climbing uphill will find spectacular walks and climbs in most areas of the country, which is dotted with stunning volcanoes, beautiful crater lakes, magnificent parks and utterly breathtaking views. The sight of lush, patchwork-quilt valleys lying between never-ending mountain ranges, clouds hanging over the dark forests on the peaks, is utterly unforgettable. If you're going hiking, get a good map from the Instituto Geografico in San Salvador before you leave.
Parks & Reserves: El Salvador has several parks, as well as about 14 turicentros. These recreational parks are set along beaches, crater lakes or natural pools, and are all inexpensive and offer basic facilities. If there were just one reason to visit El Salvador, then Parque Nacional Montechristo would be it. This forested park is part of the Parc International El Trifinio, jointly administered by El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. The reserve has the most varied wildlife in all of Central America. Animals include the rare spider monkey, two-fingered anteaters, porcupines, spotted and hooded skunks, pumas, red and grey squirrels, wild pigs, possums, coyotes and agoutis. The birds, of which there are at least 87 species, include quetzals, green toucans, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, nightingales, white-faced quail and striped owl. The highlight of the reserve, however, is the mysterious, humid cloud forest which stretches from 2,100m (6,890ft) upward. Nothing ever dries out in the mist and the rain, of which there is more than 2m (6.5ft) per year. A hike here is an odyssey through a fairytale land of huge trees and mysterious sounds. The forest floor is the habitat of orchids, mushrooms, lichens, mosses and tree ferns growing as tall as 8m (26ft). The Parque Nacional Cerro Verde is home to one of the country's most diverse communities of plants, trees and wildlife. The park also includes several volcanoes and offers hikes through thickly-forested mountains. Volcán de Santa Ana, also known as Lamatepec ('Father Hill'), is El Salvador's highest volcano at 2,400m (7,800ft) and is technically still active, while Cerro Verde is an extinct volcano. Volcán Izalco is one of the world's youngest volcanoes, dating from 1770. Molten rock and flames spewed hundreds of feet into the air from a small hole near Cerro Verde, making such a spectacle that sailors named it El Faro del Pacifico ('The Lighthouse of the Pacific'). From nothing it grew to 1,900m (6,000ft) during nearly two centuries of activity and then fell silent in 1957. There was a small eruption in 1966 and it is still classified as active. Amidst all the greenery, Izalco is a little unearthly: a perfect black cone completely devoid of life. Right next to San Salvador, and impossible to miss, is Volcán de San Salvador (or Quetzaltepec). On a clear day you can see forever - or at least as far as the coast. The lower peak, 1,893m (6,211ft), is called El Boquerón ('the Big Mouth') and the higher, 1,960m (6,430ft), is Picacho. The crater of El Boquerón includes a second perfectly symmetrical crater or cinder cone, 45m (148ft) high, which was formed during the volcano's most recent eruption in 1917. An earthquake on 6 June, which destroyed most of San Salvador, opened fissures, and on 10 June the lake inside the crater began to boil and by 28 June it had evaporated altogether. At the Los Chorros Turicentro, El Salvador's favourite, freshwater springs and small waterfalls tumble down fern-covered volcanic cliffs and cascade into three swimming pools. Not far from the capital, it is a beautiful spot for walking, swimming, and admiring the tropical plants and flowers and bright butterflies. Parque Balboa, a turicentro, is close to San Salvador and offers trails meandering through forests and numerous birds as well as animals such as rabbits, sloths and agoutis. A steep climb up a pair of enormous boulders called Puerto del Diablo ('The Devil's Gate') provides a stunning view of numerous volcanoes, Lago de Ilopango and Panchimalco village. Zacatecoluca is home to El Salvador's largest turicentro, Ichanmichen. There are trails, natural springs, pools, and flowers among the trees, and several of the pools are dedicated to characters from local folklore. The statue of Sihuanaba looks onto Piscina Sihuanaba: the legend is that she is a beautiful woman who lures men with her beauty and then changes into an ugly witch. Lago Güija, shared by El Salvador and Guatemala, was of great religious importance to the Toltec and Pipil Indians and may well be the country's most beautiful lake. Ancient ruins and rock carvings are found around its shores and islands. The village handcrafts are lively and brightly-coloured, perhaps reflecting the rich colours of the countryside and the surprising optimism of the people.