By arlington Alright so today I’m dumping my notes from this wild trip where I literally hopped between El Salvador and Guatemala to settle a bet with my backpacker buddy Dave. Started with zero expectations but ended up scribbling comparisons everywhere – beaches, tacos, even how locals argue about soccer.
Beach Brawling First Stop
Kicked off in El Salvador chasing waves at El Tunco. Grabbed a surfboard rental shack looked like it’d collapse in heavy wind. Water felt like warm bath soup honestly. Next morning took this janky chicken bus into Guatemala – man those seats felt like stone slabs. Hit Monterrico beach and immediately noticed the sand was darker volcanic stuff. Weirdest part? Saw leatherback turtles laying eggs at midnight with some hippie volunteer crew wearing glow sticks.
The Taco Showdown
Got hangry in San Salvador and ordered pupusas from this lady cooking on a oil drum grill. She slapped that corn dough like it owed her money. Stuffed ’em with beans and cheese – messy but so damn good. Guatemala? Totally different vibe in Antigua. Found this alley spot selling pepian stew. Tasted like someone blended a whole spice rack into chicken broth. Dave kept whining it needed more heat though.
Culture Clash Moment
Thought I’d be smart and buy souvenirs early. Bad move. El Salvador market dude laughed when I tried haggling over $2 keychains. “Gringo prices final” he says while chewing sugarcane. Guatemala was opposite – in Chichicastenango they expected bargaining. Nearly got stuck paying $40 for a blanket till some granny winked and whispered “offer half”. Both places blast music nonstop but Guatemalan marimba beats literally followed me into nightmares.
Final verdict? Salvadoran beaches win for surfing but Guatemalan food kills it for complexity. Culture-wise… both will make you feel awkward but in totally different ways. Might go back to El Salvador just for those pupusa ladies though. Their tortilla slapping skills deserve medals.
