My apologies (again) for a recap taking me six weeks to finish.
Life is busy. I began a Patreon. I traveled to Miami. I have to maintain my good looks. You know, BUSY.
But I still got it done.
Here is a recap of my solo trip to San Salvador, El Salvador and Managua, Nicaragua that I came home perfectly safe from – even though so many of you said I would get kidnapped. Ha. Take that!
If you want to know how much it all cost, click here.
Wednesday, June 26th
Today I had a direct flight! Yay, for once, no dealing with layovers because I am a cheap bitch. Go me.
It was only five hours from Toronto to San Salvador, El Salvador. The process to enter went pretty fast and I paid the $12.00 USD entry fee. As I went to exit the airport a bat flew at my head and the power went off in the whole place. Dark airport. Bats. No thank you. Luckily my Uber came super fast to escape these shenanigans. FYI – central San Salvador is like 50km from the airport, it only cost $17.00 USD for the trip, which is awesome, but you should know it’s quite the distance. Overall the Ubers in San Salvador were quick, clean and well priced. Never had to wait long or pay much to get around.
Because I landed at 8pm, I didn’t really get to see much during the drive to the center. I eventually arrived at my AirBnB, which was in a gated area. Got in pretty easily and the host was talking to me on WhatsApp the whole trip. Pin pad entry, simple.
The AirBnB itself was very basic, but perfect for a solo traveler. Bed, closet, little kitchen area and a bathroom. I didn’t intend on spending much time in here anyways, but as you will see, I was wrong. If I knew the weather would mess up being outdoors and I would cancel a whole day trip from my plans, I may have opted for something a little more comfortable. Shit happens.
I would still recommend the AirBnB if you want simple and affordable + great location. If you are interested in it, click here.
I should have eaten before I left the airport. This was a big mistake I made. There are many options for food in San Salvador’s airport, but I figured I’d just order something when I got to the AirBnB. Which is usually fine right? Well it was now pouring rain and to grab the actual food I have to walk to the entry gate. Not so bright.
I ordered some pupusas on UberEats from a place named Rustica Pupuseria. Waited for a while and then yes, walked in the rain to go grab it from the delivery person.
The pupusas were good, but the SHRIMP PUPUSA specifically??? You must get that. Went to sleep finally with a full tummy.
Thursday, June 27th
I woke up too damn early today. The one complaint I have about the AirBnB I stayed in was that there were no blinds on the windows. I like to sleep in total darkness (even if it’s 2pm).
Took an Uber over to Graciela for breakfast.
This place is so pretty and so damn busy as well. I went for the passion fruit and orange smoothie, some egg crepe thing and the beignets.
The egg crepe thing was good, so were the beignets. But. But. As I would learn throughout this trip – you must have every single fruit drink available in El Salvador. I could have easily drank six of these passion fruit and orange smoothies. It was so good, that I did end up having two of them. Major brain freeze, but no regrets. Felt like a whole new person after them.
After breakfast I decided to go to a spa for some pampering and my reservation was at Green Spa for 11am. They had this amazing package deal for $55.00 USD; hot tea, aromatherapy, collagen mask, head massage and one hour body massage. YES PLEASE.
I enjoyed my massage very much and do you see the view from the massage chair? Pool overlooking San Salvador. Totally needed this.
Next I took an Uber over to Cuscatlan Park. Wanted to at least do some walking around before it began raining again. It was a nice little walk, but the heat became really intense so I ended up taking an Uber home and took a nap.
When I woke up from my little nap, it was pouring rain again. Yes of course.
I went to Señor Gaucho for some dinner.
The pineapple lemonade was good, the sample platter was OK tasting (it looked better in photos) and the dulce de leche sampler at end was delicious. Wouldn’t really recommend here, not my fave.
I walked over to Presidente Plaza, because I had read about this donut place inside of it, however, once I got there it looked like the place had been closed for weeks. Fail. Took an Uber back to the AirBnB.
Friday, June 28th
Today I woke up late, because I was up with the thunderstorms watching Law and order SVU episodes on my phone. Real adulting on vacation.
When I began planning this trip, I was actually supposed to be heading to Guatemala this day. The tour operator never got back to my messages so I ended up cancelling it a couple of weeks before the trip. This is why I ended up on all these other random side missions and restaurants in San Salvador. Had to change everything around.
For breakfast today, I was going to this place I saw on TikTok named Yorkino’s.
Aside from all the fruit juices you must have in El Salvador, DO NOT MISS COMING HERE FOR THE DULCE DE LECHE PANCAKES. Oh. My. Goodness.
The restaurant is decorated in a bunch of American stuff, very New York, hence the name. I ordered some eggs, bacon and home fries. BUT. On the side I ordered these dulce de leche pancakes and they were by far, the best pancakes I have ever ever ever tasted. You have to come eat these damn pancakes. Holy moly. The joy you and your tummy will feel after is indescribable.
Following those heavenly pancakes, yep, went to another spa.
I know San Salvador and the area have a lot to do – there is the colourful slide, the bicycle tightrope and also the nice beaches. However, I can’t risk my back problems on that slide, I don’t know how to ride a bike and taking 40-50min Ubers to a beach when it’s pouring rain constantly? No thank you.
Again, with the non-existing day trip to Guatemala and these other things not being an option because of the rain, I had to choose other adventures, like, spas.
Todays adventure took me to Sento Luxury Spa. This place is fancy pants and everyone I met in here was a foreigner. I opted for the 80-minute massage, because I definitely can’t afford those in Toronto.
I liked this massage very much, felt relaxed after. Ended up hanging out around the spa for a bit after and using their sauna, jacuzzi and having a little drinky drink by the pool, before it began raining again.
Went back to my AirBnB for some more napping, since doing anything outside was out of the question with the showers.
Eventually, I was hungry again, because all I do is eat on vacation. Went over to La Pampa for dinner.
For my starter I had some mussels with crackers and for my main I had some fish and shrimp. Make sure you eat lots of this tasty green sauce they put on the table. I dipped everything in it!
One of my favourite desserts on the planet is a nice tres leches cake. Do not order the one from here. You know when you catch Covid and can’t taste anything? That is what my experience with this tres leches cake was. I could feel that I was putting food in my mouth obviously, but it has ZERO taste. Very disappointing.
Saturday, June 29th
Today’s breakfast choice was a place named Delikat.
If you like the whole * aesthetic * thing in a brunch place, this is for you. Place is super cute.
They have these big bottles of all kinds of juice and mixes you can get, I got the ginger/lime/basil one and it was so refreshing. It’s like I knew I’d be drinking alcohol the next day and my stomach was being prepared. With the drink I also got this huge omelet meal. Be hungry when you come here.
You must indulge in their desserts as well. I literally couldn’t decide because of the insane menu of choices so I went for this chocolate one and a passion fruit one. Both were great.
I took an Uber over to the central part of San Salvador, I guess more of their downtown. I walked around for a bit. It was pretty busy around the big city sign and this massive library as well.
Would have enjoyed walking around for longer, but of course, it began raining again.
Once I took ANOTHER nap, I got up to head over to Chatos San Tecla because Canada vs Chile was about to play for Copa.
Unfortunately for me, Argentina was playing at the exact same time, so the bar would absolutely not put on the Canada game for me. Even without Messi playing? I was so annoyed.
Luckily, I liked this bar because it had everything for under like $3.00 USD per item. So clutch. I wanted to be weird so I got some cheese fries and ceviche for my first order. For my second order I got more cheese fries and some meat sides. It was pretty good bar food. Also, got some nice cocktails while there (they were also super cheap).
Made some friends from Tallahassee and we had shots. According to my ESPN app, Canada ended up winning their game. Great night overall for my last night in San Salvador.
Sunday, June 30th
Early morning today for my flight to Managua, Nicaragua.
I think the flight is only 55 minutes so it really was nothing.
When you arrive you pay $10.00 USD for an entry card and that’s that. It was a very simple entry into the country. I booked a hotel directly across the street from the hotel, and I mean, DIRECLY. Like I walked across the street for three minutes and I was inside my hotel. Super clutch.
This was the Best Western Las Mercedes Airport.
I had chosen this hotel solely because of the proximity to the airport. My flight on Monday was super early in the morning and I didn’t want to deal with transport to get there. This ended up being the best decision I made for this trip after how the next couple of hours went with said transport.
But first, dropped my stuff off at the hotel and my huge room.
Here is where the issues began.
Nicaragua doesn’t have Uber or Lyft, and I try to avoid using taxis where I don’t speak the local language fluently. They do have a ride-share app here though named Aventon. I had read about it and downloaded it before the trip began.
This is a REALLY shitty app. It is so slow, there are no drivers, the location puts you ‘nearby’ most times, not in the actual location. Overall, just trash. Also, when I ordered my first Aventon to the hotel, the person went to the airport instead and STARTED A TIMER!!! The app will literally show you a timer so you know if you take longer than this, you will have an extra charge. This was really annoying for me, since my driver decided to go to the airport instead of to me at my damn hotel.
You can see a screenshot of the stupid timer below and the pop up message that I got more than 20 times this day about there being no drivers at any of the price levels for Aventon.
I eventually got in the car and made my way over to a restaurant named El Chante.
The food here was very good, I got myself a big plate with a lot of items on it. All tasty. However, it got VERY busy and thankfully I was already at a table. If I had come like 10 minutes later, no way I would have gotten a seat.
Now, I really wanted to head to another part of Managua. But guess what??? Stupid app wasn’t working. I tried and tried and the thing kept saying no drivers available. I Googled local taxis and then found out the local taxis don’t take cards, just cash. Of course I hadn’t taken out any local currency here. Just kept piling up.
I saw a sign for a grocery store nearby and it also had a sign for ATM. It was CRAZY hot outside, but I walked over there to use the ATM. As I finish using the ATM, boom, there are now drivers available to pick me up in the app. Really getting on my nerves.
The ride took me to Plaza Nicaragua.
It is only 37 cents Canadian equivalent to enter. Thank goodness I had taken cash out, so I had something to give for entry.
This place is pretty cool, there are dozens of restaurants and places to sit. Take in the waterfront. Lots of people hanging out with their friends, families and couples. I’d totally hang here. I also got myself a banana split, which was necessary in the heat.
As I was walking along the lengthy promenade, I heard a Vybz Kartel song playing from somewhere. That got my attention immediately. I saw this place called Juicy Caribbean.
I decided I would sit here for a little drink or two. Good music, it’s hot and some rum? This is how Sundays were meant to be spent in foreign countries. I wanted to have some drinks and then head over to the rest of my plans in Managua.
Fail. Big fail. I ended up going to NONE of the other restaurants I wanted to see. The pouring rain (because nearby in the Caribbean, hurricane Beryl was storming through), and me being intoxicated – nope. I think I ended up staying at this bar for like three hours and finished a whole bottle of rum to myself. I did also have coke with it, and bought two nice ladies I met some beers. Total was $22.00 CAD. Hell yeah.
The rain was very scary though at some points, but Reggae music and rum kept me in a pretty good mood.
Once the rain died down just a little bit, I took a tuk-tuk to see other things nearby.
This area is beautiful, the church there was especially something gorgeous to see.
I wish I had spent more time in Managua, because it is definitely a vibe. But with the crazy rain and shitty ride-app, that was enough for me. I went back to the hotel and next morning flew back to Toronto.
I would really like to go back to El Salvador and actually see the beaches. I would also really like to go back to Managua to hang out at that same bar and make it to all the restaurants I had planned on going to.
Maybe another time……….hopefully another time.
I only blame myself for going to Central America during hurricane season. Of course the weather was terrible. Granted, didn’t know Beryl was going to hit nearby and add to all of that. Thankfully it didn’t hit in El Salvador or Nicaragua, shitty it hit everywhere else though.
I’d totally recommend visiting both places, I was fine as a solo traveler. I really take joy in being able to say that because when I was in high school, I knew some El Salvadoreans and no way back then was that something I could have imagined from their stories of back home.
MAKE SURE YOU GO EAT THE DAMN DULCE DE LECHE PANCAKES.
- Mirna