Acajutla, El Salvador cruises
Acajutla port guide
Acajutla is the gateway into El Salvador for travellers visiting the country by cruise ship. About an hour’s drive from many of the region’s attractions, here you’ll find a welcoming centre filled with friendly locals and plenty of coffee shops, restaurants, and markets.
Sand beaches lapped by the Pacific Ocean are just the tip of Acajutla’s appeal. You could venture further inland, towards beautiful green forestry and the notorious volcanoes. Or perhaps you’ll take in a little local culture, visiting a coffee plantation or the Tazumal ruins. Find out how to best use your time in port, with our guide on Acajutla.
Things to do in Acajutla
On arrival into the port of Acajutla, you’re just over three miles from the centre. You’ll find shuttle buses or taxis available, as well as Shore Experiences that include transport to some of the region’s attractions. Here are a few ideas to consider, depending on what kind of day you’d like.
Spend time on the beach
The coast of El Salvador offers some picturesque beaches that blend visions of tropical flora with soft sands and warm waters. Playa Los Cobanos and Playa Metalio are both popular options located close to the port.
Visit a coffee farm
El Salvador, like much of Central America, produces highly-sought-after coffee beans. Whether your order is a strong espresso or perhaps a frothy cappuccino, if you’re a lover of coffee you’ll likely enjoy a tour of one the local coffee plantations on the Ruta de las Flores (flower route road, travelling in land).
Go wildlife-spotting
In the El Salvadorean interior, El Imposible National Park brings with it an extraordinary mix of terrain begging to be explored, with mangroves, mountains, and plenty of wildlife. Adventures here could provide sightings of creatures like eagles, hawks, boars, and pumas.
Top landmarks and sights in Acajutla
While Acajutla itself is a modest city with few monuments, it’s close to some of El Salvador’s most exciting sights. Should you want to stay local, perhaps enjoy a wander in the botanical park as well as perusing the local shops and restaurants, or you could venture further out.
Maya ruins at Tazumal
Around an hour and 30 minutes’ drive from the port is Parque Arqueológico Tazumal, a pre-Columbian site that is believed to have been an important Maya settlement for thousands of years BC, until around the year 1200 AD when it’s thought to have been abandoned.
Explore a maze of volcanoes
Owing to the formation of geological plates that make up this part of the world, El Salvador is home to more than 100 volcanoes. Among these are the impressive Santa Ana and Izalco volcanoes, each of which you can hike in half a day. They’re close to one another and roughly an hour and 30 minutes’ drive from the port.
Travel the Ruta de las Flores
Roughly 25 minutes’ drive in land is the town of Sonsonate, where the Ruta de las Flores begins. This 21-mile-long road is named after the colourful wildflowers that bloom either side, and links five picturesque, colonial towns. Once settled by the Spanish, these towns are home to ornate churches and cobblestone streets as well as elements of a more modern culture, in the form of street art.
Eating and drinking near Acajutla
El Salvadoreans are innately proud of many different dishes, but the undeniable favourite is a pupusa – in fact, the second Sunday of November every year is National Pupusa Day in the country! Widely available in shops, cafes, and restaurants, these treats are cornmeal-based flatbreads traditionally served with (or sometimes stuffed with) a kind of pickled coleslaw, salsa roja, and melted cheese.
Soups are another popular meal in this part of the world, with recipes using chicken, fish, beef, and tripe, among others. Enchiladas, empanadas, and tamales are also great options to try, each using ingredients like beans, corn, onions, and cheese.
Shopping in Acajutla
There are a few local shops in Acajutla, where you’ll be able to buy souvenirs for loved ones or a memento or two of your time here, for yourself. There’s also the Mercado Municipal, where you’ll find stalls selling fresh produce and traditional foods, as well as handicrafts and other trinkets.
Getting around: Acajutla transport
From the port there are shuttle buses that will take you to the local beach and handicraft market. Should you wish to travel into the centre, or further afield, taxis are widely available. You’ll also have an array of Cunard Shore Experiences to choose from, designed to help you utilise your time as best as possible and providing a glimpse of some of Acajutla’s highlights.
Acajutla port facilities
The port itself is large but modest, offering limited amenities. It primarily serves cargo ships and offers basic facilities including toilets and a waiting area.
Top tips for Acajutla
Currency
Acajutla, and all of El Salvador, uses the US Dollar. ATMs can be difficult to find, so it’s advisable to purchase cash on board your ship before disembarking here. It’s also worth noting that due to the low prices of souvenirs and refreshments in this part of the world, you might like to request smaller denominations of cash. Should you use larger notes, you may struggle to get the right change.
Tipping
Around a 10% service charge will already be added to your bill in most eateries in El Salvador, and tipping anything more on top of this is not considered the norm. Likewise, taxi drivers will not expect a tip.
Weather
The temperature in Acajutla stays quite constant year-round, reaching lows of around 24°C and highs of 33°C in any given month. The wet season is May to October and dry season is November to April.