The heart of the Balsamo Coast stretches approximately 25km (16 miles) from La Libertad to just past Playa El Zonte along the winding but well-paved coastal Hwy. CA-2. The region is dotted with small fishing villages, rocky and sandy beaches, and cliff-filled alcoves. La Libertad is the largest city here, with ample grocery stores, ATMs, and a post office. Playa Tunco is the second-most-developed town, with a number of beachfront hotels, restaurants, surf shops, and Internet cafes.

Visitor Information

The region's national tourism office is in Puerto La Libertad (at Km 34.5 Carretera Literal, 90m/295 ft. from the Shell gas station; tel. 503/2346-1898). It's open daily from 8am to 5pm.

Most of the Balsamo Coast's banks, ATMs, and pharmacies are in La Libertad, along 2a Calle Poniente, in the center of town. Since La Libertad can be a bit hectic and has a reputation for high crime, it's better to use the ATM and buy your groceries and gas at the large, modern shopping center 1km (1/2 mile) east of town along the coastal road. The shopping center is a 10-minute walk from the La Libertad pier and includes a grocery store and four ATMs that accept a variety of North America bank cards. A Shell gas station is across the street.

La Libertad's tourist police can be reached at tel. 503/2346-1893, ambulance service can be called at tel. 503/2335-3049, and the fire department number is tel. 503/2243-2054. La Libertad's post office is located along 2a Calle Oriente, directly north of the pier.

Getting There

By Bus -- From San Salvador, take the frequent bus no. 102 to Puerto La Libertad. The trip costs 55¢ and takes 1 hour. From La Libertad, you'll catch bus no. 192, which travels the length of the Balsamo Coast past Playa El Zonte. It takes 30 minutes and costs 45¢. Bus no. 80 travels between La Libertad and Playa Sunzal, takes 30 minutes, and costs 25¢. Both bus nos. 192 and 80 will stop wherever you request along the main road. Simply tell the driver which town you'd like to visit, and he'll let you off at the right spot. Most towns are a direct 5- to 10-minute walk toward the water from the main road.

By Car -- From San Salvador, follow Hwy. CA-4 for 45 minutes to 1 hour to La Libertad, where you'll turn right at the ocean and follow coastal Hwy. CA-2 west along the Balsamo Coast. Each town is well marked and a short drive off CA-2.

Getting Around

To get around this coast by bus, simply walk to any spot along the main highway CA-2 and hail one of the many no. 192 buses that travel in both directions about every 10 minutes; these will drop you off anywhere along the main road and cost between 25¢ and 45¢, depending on where you are going.

It's easy to drive around this area on your own: The main road linking all towns, coastal Hwy. CA-2, is well maintained, and the entrances to all the coastal towns are well marked.

The Balsamo Coast also has a number of local taxi drivers who can take you from La Libertad to Playa Sunzal for a negotiable $5 and from La Libertad to Playa Zonte for around $10. Call Ricardo (tel. 503/7277-3699) or Fausto (tel. 503/7741-2571) for a lift.

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