Solo Journey in El Salvador - Farewell Before Departure - Years After, I Embarked on the "Vacheurlaub"
In the heart of Central America, El Salvador has become a dream destination for one intrepid traveler. This year, they embarked on a solo journey to the land of volcanic coasts and Mayan archaeological sites, marking their 95th country visited.
Two years ago, the traveler had planned a trip to El Salvador with their then-boyfriend to celebrate both of their birthdays. However, a turn of events led to the cancellation of the initial trip. Undeterred, the traveler decided to turn their breakup into an opportunity for a "revenge trip."
With a newfound sense of freedom, the traveler began to plan their adventure. They booked flights, hotels, a rental car, and put together an itinerary for the vacation. The itinerary included archaeological Mayan sites, volcano hikes, museums of cultural heritage, and relaxation on El Salvador's black volcanic coast.
To adjust travel plans for a solo trip, the traveler focused on finding affordable accommodations like local Airbnbs or budget guesthouses costing around $20-$40 per night, which support local tourism and fit a solo travel budget. Instead of renting a car, they opted for local transportation such as inexpensive buses ($0.50-$15 depending on distance) or booked local driver transfers through services like the Daytrip app to ensure reliable transit between destinations.
The traveler found that many tours accept single travelers without extra fees; platforms like GetYourGuide offer single tickets for tours including visits to Mayan archaeological sites or hikes like up the Santa Ana volcano. Joining these group tours helped meet fellow travelers and eases solo logistics while exploring popular routes like the scenic Ruta de las Flores or city tours in San Salvador.
On their journey, the traveler joined a tour of Mayan archaeological sites without paying extra fees. They also joined a guided hike up El Salvador's highest volcano, Santa Ana, without incurring any additional costs. They even discovered that a so-called "artisanal" market was an overpriced tourist trap and quickly left it.
However, the traveler no longer felt comfortable renting and driving a car, so they booked transfers via the Daytrip app. On the way from the coast to the city, they could plan additional sightseeing stops, including one at a series of natural spring water pools.
In the end, the traveler was glad that a breakup didn't stop them from visiting another one of their dream destinations. They found that solo travel helped them fall back in love with solo travel, and they look forward to their next adventure.
What about exploring different lifestyles during this travel? Rather than renting a car, the traveler opted for local transportation and budget accommodations, immersing themselves in the local culture and lifestyle of El Salvador.
