La Libertad, El Salvador

La Libertad is one of the best destination for surfing. If you don't surf nor care to partake in the culture of it, there isn't much to do in this small seaside fishing town, 37 km south of San Salvador. The pier is interesting, full of fish - dried and diced, alive and dead - all emitting a pungent, salty smell. Also note the shark oil ointments, seahorses and turtle eggs.The closest beach to the capital, it fills up with city dwellers on weekends. In the winter (March to October), the beach is rocky with large black boulders, and the riptide, along with sewage, makes the water uninviting. In the summer the rocks get covered in sand, but the boulders are still whipped up by the waves. If you want to frolic in the waves, head over to the Costa del Balsamo or Playa San Diego, or go to the waterslide at Manny's Restaurant or the pools at some of the hotels.