El Salvador
Las Flores Resort, El Oriente Salvaje, El Salvador
Boutique Hotel, Spa, Yoga Retreat, Surf Club
Las Flores is a dramatic, natural cove, hemmed in by severe topography and dense tropical flora, a playful black sand beach bordering a cauldron of whitewater and waves detonating in the background, a throwback in time to a prehistoric vision of Central America where the tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean meet the charcoal sands of ancient volcanic outflows. A stroll in either direction along the secluded beach features stunning rock formations and tidal pools— water draining down the alluvial plain of the beach only to return again later under the mad influence of lunar gravity. The cerulean sky becomes a black star field, with stars numbering in the millions, unpolluted by urban electrical grids— the spirit is freed here, our preoccupation with daily trivia effaced by the nascent awareness of a more planetary scale of time.
Cast within this primordial setting, Las Flores Resort is an environmentally conscious hotel designed to have a minimal impact on the landscape and ecosystem— conserving all indigenous vegetation, utilizing a sophisticated grey water recycling system to keep our beach pristine, and recycling organic and inorganic waste.
Resort
Las Flores Resort is a unique destination resort, located in El Oriente Salvaje, El Salvador, on a stunning seven-acre oceanfront property. Designed by Salvadorian architect Rodrigo Barraza Dominguez, the resort is a juxtaposition of jungle and ocean — a perfect reconciliation of our primeval yearnings and modern addictions following sustainable development guidelines.
Hotel
The 4-star, boutique hotel, opened in 2005, features ocean-view guest suites with modern interior design by MITSUKO. The 2 Master suites and 5 Junior Suites contain luxury amenities such as plasma screen Satellite TVs w/DVD player, mini-bar, air-conditioning, hot water showers, direct-dial international telephone and high speed internet w/WIFI.
Facilities
Hotel facilities include main swimming pool w/sundeck, infinity pool w/swim-up bar, Jacuzzi (heated to 40c), air-conditioned VIP lounge w/entertainment area and regulation sized pool table, business center, outdoor lounges and hammocks, gardens and walking trails, surf shop, surf school, fleet of surfing and fishing panga boats, cliff-side yoga & meditation deck w/360 degree ocean and mountain views, and our seaside Las Flores SPA.
Activities
On our very own beach you can take part in surfing for any level of ability at one of the premier breaks in Central America or swim freely through the jolting, frothing waves and enjoy their invigorating healing properties. External resort activities include eco tours, fishing, surfing and kayaking excursions. In-resort activities include yoga, spa services, socializing with like-minded individuals, sun-worshipping or R&R.
Impeccable Guest Service
Averaging more than 1 staff member per guest, our Las Flores Resort team spoils you with a level of personal attention only available in the most upscale boutique resorts, and offers an unrivaled array of guest services to provide you with a relaxing and rejuvenating experience — all for a tangible and down-to-earth economic value. Our bilingual front desk and concierge staff is at your service to meet your every need while at Las Flores Resort.
Suites
(5) Jr. Suites
Junior Suites have an open floor plan w/ 2 full-sized double beds (combinable to 1 king) + 1 twin sized bed, sitting area, terrace w/surf view, closets & cabinets, and tiled designer bathroom with hot water. Jr. Suites can comfortably sleep up to 3 adults or a family of 4.
(2) 2-bedroom Master Suites
Master Suites are located on the second level of the hotel and feature incredible views of the ocean. These suites have a living room w/L-shaped sofa + Satellite TV & DVD player, a private balcony w/surf view, and 2 bedrooms each with 2 full-sized double beds (combinable to 1 king), closets & cabinets, and tiled designer bathroom with hot water. 2-bedroom suites can comfortably sleep up to 5 adults or a family of 6.
Premium Suites:
Premium Suites have additional amenities including 31-inch plasma TV w/Sky Satellite HBO Plus Programming, minibar, and superior views.
Premium Junior Suite #1
This suite is located on the first floor of the hotel and has a 200-degree ocean and valley view.
Premium Master Suite #5
This suite has the best views in the hotel, located on the 2nd floor and enjoys commanding views from the living room, balcony, and anterior bedroom, which has a birds-eye view of the Las Flores Point Break.
Premium Junior Suite #7:
This is our honeymoon or couples suite perched just above the swimming pools and features a private balcony overlooking the ocean as well as an oversized floor plan.
LAS FLORES SURFING
Managed by surfers for surfers, Las Flores Surf Club is a surfers’ resort. Its signature break “Las Flores” is a world-class break, offering 300meter rides when on. The waves form way out off the point and peel across the cove, right up onto the sand just meters from the front of the hotel.
El Salvador’s East Coast
The East coast, contrary to belief, is not the Caribbean coast, in fact EL Salvador has no Caribbean coast only a Pacific coast. Because of the El Salvador coast’s due south orientation the country is divided into 2 regions, “El Oriente” (East), and “Occidental” (West), also called “La Libertad”. The East coast of El Salvador gets the same swells as the West coast! These swells are generated by storms in the Southern Hemisphere and occur with regularity from March-November. Average wave heights are 4-8ft on the face, with bigger days to 10-15 ft faces possible, and rarely if ever under 3 feet. The consistency is 90% or greater. December-February still breaks but is less consistent, 1-3ft mostly, with days to 5ft possible. This season offers sunny skies and pleasant conditions, however strong side-onshore winds are common (ideal for kitesurfing). The main draws here are 5 righthand pointbreaks located along a 10 mile stretch of rugged, mountainous coastline. Most famous of the breaks are Las Flores and Punta Mango.
Climate/Water Temperature
El Salvador has a dry season (Nov- Apr) and a wet season (May-Oct). One should not be deterred from traveling to El Salvador in the “Wet season”. The majority of days in the wet season are fair with occasional afternoon and evening thunderstorms, and the wet season is generally when the surf is biggest and best and glassiest. The dry season, or “summer” (November-April), offers beautiful, sunny conditions, but typically has more wind, especially January-March, when the onshore comes up by 9 or 10am, and Dec-Feb is smallish and inconsistent.
The water temperature is between 78F and 86F year-round. Unlike neighboring Nicaragua or Guanacaste, Costa Rica, El Salvador does not get the strong local offshores that cause upwelling, and El Salvador water temperatures are among the warmest in Central America. The air at the coast is hot and humid, in the 80′s and low 90′s generally. Strong sun protection is mandatory.
Surfing Equipment
Though waves up to double overhead are common, gunny boards are generally not needed. 5-10 to 6-6 thrusters are ideal, with a 6-8 or 6-9 rounded pin for the heaviest, low tide sessions. Funboards, longboards and fish also work well in these sometimes machine-like point break conditions.
Las Flores Boats
Las Flores Surf Club has 3 boats to deliver you into the best waves at the East coast:
LA DIABLA : A 26ft custom superpanga (2005) w/ Center console, side bench seating with leather cushions, carpet, roof, VHF radio, ice chest, and powered by a 130hp Honda 4-stroke engine w/electric start, 4 rod-holders. Skipper: Antonio Campos
LA COLACHA : A 24ft custom superpanga (2006) w/Center console, seating with leather cushions, carpet, roof, VHF radio, ice chest, and powered by a 70hp Johnson 4-stroke engine w/electric start, 4 rod-holders. Skipper: Misail Campos
LA LLORONA : A 24ft custom superpanga (2004) w/ Side console, side bench seating with leather cushions, carpet, roof, VHF radio, ice chest, and powered by a 75hp Yamaha 2-stroke engine w/manual start, 4 rod-holders. Skipper: Juan Antonio Flores
These boats are available for Las Flores Surf Club guests on a daily basis (except Saturdays) and launch directly in front of Las Flores Surf Club. Easy access in and out of the water is possible through the use of trailers and an electric winch w/steel cable.
Las Flores Main Point
The main point is an incredibly consistent right point break. It is a sand point directly in front of the hotel that breaks mechanically with a hollow takeoff at low tide (softer at high tide) and very long rides up to 300m. The wave has many personalities depending on the swell size and tide. On swells of 6-8ft or bigger, and lower tides it is a serious wave for experienced surfers only (similar to Jeffrey’s Bay and Bells), and the takeoff is critical as well as competitive, with surfers lining up and dropping in behind the rocks… a fall here has consequences! On small to moderate swells (3-5 ft faces), or fuller tides, Las Flores is a classic sand point break, super fun on a shortboard, fish, or longboard, with long open faces and whack-able wall sections comparable to a good day at Rincon or Noosa. The break can shut down almost entirely at high tide if there is not much swell, but on the biggest of swells the high tide is more manageable.
La Vaca
300 m West of Las Flores. This right point works best on a low to mid tide, and a 4-6 ft swell. Vaca is a hollower, critical, shorter wave than Flores. Punta Vaca can be a great option for the experienced surfer looking for heavy takeoffs and tube rides, and can provide crowd relief if the point at Las Flores is congested.
Toro De Oro
Toro De Oro is 1km west of Las Flores. This right-hand point works best on a low to mid tide, and a solid 4ft+ swell, but can also hold big swells. The wave breaks in deepwater with a steep but forgiving take off and offers long lined up rights with 200m rides when on. The wave face is very carve-able, but steep, with rocks. Safest access is by boat due to treacherous entry and rocks on the inside.
Punta Mango
Punta Mango is 15 minutes west of Las Flores, and accessible only by boat. Powerful right cobblestone point break with 200m, machine-like rides when on. It has a hollow take off with a serious barrel at size, and an amazing hollow inside section. It works on a 3ft+ swell and all tides, but 4-7 ft SW swell is best. Mango closes out over 8 feet. Reef booties are recommended, but not mandatory. Punta Mango is the most hollow wave in the region, but also the most wind sensitive. This wave is for experienced surfers only, even on a small day, due to currents and shallow inside rocks. The wave has become popular and is sometimes semi-crowded w/3-4 boats and 15-20 surfers at peak hours.
Punta Bongo
Another right point that is only accessible by boat. This wave is similar to Las Flores, but slightly inferior. Bongo is best at low to mid tides, and can’t handle much wind, but it’s never crowded.
El Cuco Beachbreak
A hollow beachbreak in front of town, with one distinct peak that favors lefts. Usually when the swell is good the point is better, but check it anyway. Sometimes it is good when the point isn’t and can work on a higher tide, offering a scrappier alternative.