Suchitoto, El Salvador: Best Things to Do and Where to Eat and Stay

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Suchitoto was one of the places I was a bit unsure about when planning my trip to El Salvador. I didn’t find that much info on it and most itineraries I looked at seemed to skip this place. However, I decided to give it a go, and I’m so glad I did. It ended up being my favorite city in El Salvador and I wish I had spent more time there.

If you’re planning a trip to El Salvador, Suchitoto is a must. Whether it’s just for a day trip or a few slow, dreamy days. I’ve put together a guide of the top things to do in Suchitoto, including the best places to eat and where you should stay when visiting.

Best things to do in Suchitoto

If you’re anything like me you want the fun parts first. So let’s dive right in to the top things to do in Suchitoto. If you also need some more practical help like how to get there, where to stay and where to eat, just scroll further down and you’ll find everything you need.

Wander the cobblestone streets

Honestly, the best thing to do in Suchitoto is to simply wander. Every street has its own little surprises, colorful doors, crumbling facades, blooming bougainvillea. You should know that it does get pretty hot during the day so set aside enough time for lots of drink and ice cream breaks. I lost count of how many times we had to sit down somewhere or hide at an ATM for some cool air.

Visit Iglesia Santa Lucía

This gorgeous white church in the town square is Suchitoto’s centerpiece. I didn’t step inside to see because we were there on Good Friday during the Easter holidays and it didn’t seem appropriate. I have however, heard that its quite lovely. Since it was Easter, the square around the church truly came alive with markets, street food stalls, and lots of people meeting up. I’ve read this also happens every weekend. So if you’re visiting Suchitoto it might be a good idea to schedule it for a weekend to witness some of the local life.

Go to Lake Suchitlán

A short tuk-tuk ride from town will take you to Lake Suchitlán. This is a human made lake, but not less pretty because of it. At the entrance to the lake, an area called Puerto San Juan, you’ll find a huge area with different restaurants, a swimming pool and you can catch a boat ride out on the lake. You can pay to swim in the pool there, but there was no water in it when we visited.

We opted for a boat ride on the lake instead. You can choose from a lot of different options depending on what you want to see. This is a popular spot for bird watchers. We did a tour that took us around the lake watching birds, an old plane crash site and we got of at an island to look at a cave where a man used to live in solitude. In all honesty, it wasn’t the most eventful trip, but it was nice to explore the lake. Unless you’re very interested in birds I would choose one of the shorter trips.

Cascadas Los Tercios

If you google this place I’m sure you’ll also want to go here. It looks like something out of a fantasy movie. It’s a hike up to the waterfall so if you’re planning on going there bring good shoes. We had planned to go there, but when the time came we learned that the waterfall had been dry for the last month. So we ended up not going. Bummer. Hopefully it won’t be dry when you’re visiting!

Explore the art galleries

There are tiny galleries and shops scattered all around town, selling paintings, textiles, and handwoven crafts.

Galería de Pascal is a people favorite, housed in a beautiful old building, full of colorful, modern Salvadoran art. Another one worth visiting is the Art Center for peace which focuses on the history of El Salvador.

Learn about indigo dyeing

El Salvador has a long tradition of indigo dyeing, and Suchitoto is one of the best places to experience it. I didn’t personally do this but I know that you can find several workshops or classes where you can make your own shirt or scarf for instance. If you have more time in Suchitoto than I had this sounds like a fun way to spend it!

Best places to stay in Suchitoto

My biggest regret is that we didn’t spend the night here. So I highly recommend spending at least one night. Even though I don’t have a personal recommendation from where I stayed, I’ve done a lot of research so you don’t have to. Here are some of the best places to stay in Suchitoto.

Hostal Koltin Suchitoto

For budget travelers, Hostal Koltin offers clean, cozy rooms with a relaxed vibe — and you’ll be right near all the town action.

Hotel Casa 1800

Beautiful hotel with stunning views over Lake Suchitlán. Modern, comfy rooms but still with that colonial charm. Plus, the food here is amazing.

Los Almendros de San Lorenzo

This gorgeous boutique hotel is set in a restored colonial house, with a pool, a lush courtyard, and stylish rooms. It’s easily the best luxury option in town (and honestly, still super affordable).

Best places to eat in Suchitoto

For such a small town, Suchitoto has some seriously amazing places to eat! My favorite place in al of El Salvador is found here.

I always do my very best to test as many places as possible, but it’s impossible to try it all. I therefore have a mixed list of places I’ve tried and loved as well as a few places I’ve got recommended or have saved on my maps and want to try.

Casa 1800

If you only have time to eat at one place in Suchitoto it should be here! Trust me, you will understand why when you walk in! The restaurant has the best view of the lake, and you can watch it from a huge terrace or one of the many cozy tables around the garden. The food is also delicious!

La Lupita del Portal

Located right in the town square, this spot serves traditional Salvadoran food with a view of all the action. We had some drinks and snacks here and it was such a cozy place.

Street food at the Plaza

As I said above, on the weekends and holidays the square fills up with food vendors selling pupusas, grilled meats, and sweet treats. Definitely worth a try. Even if you don’t end up eating anything you should still wander around and see it.

Here are some other options I didn’t have time to try, but really wanted to:

• Villa Suchimex
• Café & Restaurante El Gringo
• Donde Charlie

How to travel to and from Suchitoto

El Salvador is slowly growing it‘s amount of visitors, but it’s a long way from its neighboring countries Guatemala or Honduras. With this also comes less shuttle services that many backpackers heavily rely on. Especially to Suchitoto which isn’t that known yet. I couldn’t find a single one going to Suchitoto.

Uber, private transfer or renting a car in El Salvador

If you prefer comfort and flexibility, a private transfer or an Uber (yes, it works here!) is a great option, especially if you’re traveling with luggage. Many travelers opt to rent a car for more freedom, as the roads are in good condition and the drive is scenic. We considered this, but ended up taking an Uber from San Salvador. It’s not that expensive and since we were three people it was worth it. I honestly wouldn’t advise the bus unless you’re planning on staying at least one night there. Otherwise you’ll spend most of your time on the bus.

Taking the bus to Suchitoto from San Salvador

From San Salvador, you can take a direct bus (number 129) from Terminal de Oriente. Buses are frequent and budget-friendly, though not the fastest. If you plan on spending more than a day this might be a good option, and definitely a cheap one.

Taking the bus to Suchitoto from Santa Ana

From Santa Ana, things are a bit trickier. There’s no direct bus, so you’ll need to transfer in San Salvador. First, take a bus to Terminal de Occidente in San Salvador, then catch the 129 to Suchitoto. Total travel time can be 3–4 hours.

Final thoughts on Suchitoto

Suchitoto feels like a secret you’re lucky to stumble upon. It’s the kind of place where time slows down and you can just relax. Would I go back? In a heartbeat. And next time, I’m definitely spending the night.

I hope you found this helpful! If you have any questions when planning your trip to Suchitoto, don‘t hesitate to reach out to me on social media. I would love to connect and help you out!