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CAPRICHO BEACH HOUSE

 

Just 3 kms from the sleepy fishing village, La Barra de Santiago, in the western part of El Salvador, you find Capricho Beach House. Its unique location, close to the tip of the peninsula of a long stretched sand bar, with access to both the Pacific Ocean and the estuary makes this a wonderful place to relax and enjoy nature. You can walk for kilometers along solitary beaches and feel as on a deserted island. This is a very safe area you will have the luxury of being, most of the time, the only person on the beach and will have no people interrupting you or offering you to purchase things and you will feel at ease sharing the beach mostly with the occasional local fisherman. The sunsets are particularly breath taking and with the coconut palms lined up as far the eye can see, this is nothing short of a small paradise. A short walk will take you to the tip of the peninsula, la bocana, and on the estuary side your eyes rest on an impressive panoramic view of the volcanic mountain chain from the Volcan de Agua in Guatemala all the way to the Santa Ana and Izalco volcano in El Salvador. The lush foothills of the El Imposible National Park are the backdrop of the extensive mangrove forest right behind Capricho.  The beach house is situated right on the beach where you can get catch some great waves, it’s a perfect place for both advanced and newcomers in surfing.

Barra de Santiago is a protected natural area and has the 3rd biggest and the best preserved mangrove forest in the country. This is an excellent place for bird watching and an opportunity to see crocodiles in their natural habitat. Barra de Santiago is a pioneer in turtle conservation and turtle farms. The isolation of this beach and the conservation awareness among the villagers has protected the turtles that come to deposit their eggs. Every year thousands of baby-turtles are hatched and returns to the ocean. Many of the birds and mammals found in the reserve are endangered species. You can do boat trips into the nearby mangrove forests accompanied by local guides who will tell you about the diversity of animal and plant life that exists here as well as the rich history of this place once habited by indigenous tribes, who left behind pyramids and other unsolved mysteries.

Capricho Beach House consists of: * Main Bungalow - palm thatched roof, 4 individual, spacious and comfortable rooms with large corridor in front - Four rooms with private bath and A/C  ( $40.- & $50.-  per room, max 2 persons per room). (Holiday Season rates are $50.- and $60.-) * Rustic Cabin - small adobe cabin with palm thatched roof, small corridor and shared bath. - Dormitory for 5 persons ($7.- per person) * Two palm thatched beach pavilions (glorietas) with tables and chairs, dining area * Three Beach front terraces with chairs and tables. * Lounge area with hammocks and lounge chairs

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We offer a variety of meals from our menu (See menu) - breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as a large selection of drinks.   Activities There is a little tourist development yet in the area as this is a protected natural area, and you won’t find discotheques and resorts but in return you will find pristine nature, friendly locals and amazing wildlife. At Capricho we can connect you with locals who can provide both small dug-out-canoe as well as motor boats with whom you can explore extensive mangroves and the beautiful lagoon. Surf boards can be rented and the surf instructors and guides can show you to catch the best waves in the area. For nature lovers; this is one of the best turtle beaches in the country. Get a local guide to show you the best place to spot a sea turtle deposit their eggs at the beach. In the village there are turtle farms with turtle babies which are being bred to set out to the ocean all year round. You can visit the farms and learn more about this amazing animal. The long stretched beaches are excellent for running and walking and the tranquility perfect to practice  yoga. You don’t have to go into the mangroves to do bird watching, there are a variety of birds at the beach house and walking along the beach, even without binoculars you can enjoy the humming birds, chiltota and pelicans among others. Small crabs, geckoes, and iguanas walk freely among the trees and shrubbery. Close by: The National Park “El Imposible” – is just 50 minutes by pick up and is a great opportunity to explore the largest park in El Salvador. There is a visitor’s center and park rangers who guide you around the several paths in the forest and to visit the waterfalls and rivers. Ruta de Las Flores – is a valley between volcanoes with several picturesque mountain villages surrounded by coffee groves. Here you can find great arts and crafts and visit volcanoes, lagoons and enjoy the cool mountain air. Take a bus from the terminal in Sonsonate towards Ahuachapán and get to Nahuizalco, Juayua, Salcotatián, Apaneca and Ataco. Other interesting villages in that area (just off Ruta de las Flores, near Sonsonate) are Santiago de Guzmán where you find villagers who still talk Nahuat the original indigenous language.   How to get here: If you come from Guatemala, we are only 45 minutes from the border Pedro Alvarado/Hachadura, so it’s just 4-5 hour drive from Antigua or Guatemala City (via Esquintla). The turnoff to Barra de Santiago village is at km 98.5 of the coastal highway and from there it’s a 10 kms drive along a dirt road in good conditions (7 kms to village and then 3 kms more along the main street) If you come from San Salvador it’s a 2 hour drive by car going towards Acajutla and turning right at the turnoff towards the border of Guatemala. At Km 98.5 you turn left towards Barra de Santiago Village. By bus from San Salvador you take the direct bus from Terminal de Occidente to Sonsonate where there are two direct departures daily to Barra de Santiago with bus #285, one at 10 am and the other at 4:30 pm. Returning to Sonsonate, the departures from the beach house are at 4:30 am and 12pm. If you should need transport at other times, contact us and we will contact local drivers to pick you up if necessary. This has to be arranged ahead of time as availability is subject to demand. From the International Airport Comalapa it’s a 3 hour drive along one of the country’s most scenic roads. You will pass several small beaches and 5 tunnels carved through sheer volcanic rock and have an amazing view of the rugged Pacific Coastline. It’s a nice way of getting a glimpse of the area and later come back to explore more. A transfer from San Salvador (from Ximena’s Guest House) to Capricho is a total of $50.- for 1 to 4 persons. From the International Airport the fee is $70.- Contact us ahead of time for these services.   IMPORTANT! At Capricho prior reservation is necessary!!!