The Coastal Road of El Salvador

Rolling hills and lush green farmland.

Farmers were drying this grain along the road. I stopped to inquire what it was. The farmer told me it was manzanilla. I didn't quite understand what the english translation might be, but later I confirmed with a local that it was chamomile.

This guy crossed from the left hand side of the road to my side of the road. I didn't remember my instructor covering this situation in my motorcycle safety course.

There were a number of these tunnels along the route. They were pitch dark once I entered. It was hard to see even with my light on. Kind of a cool experience until the trailer truck decides to crowd my lane.

Most of the coastal road overlooks the playa (beach), although there is a steep cliff that separates the two. The vistas are dramatic.

I got a kick out of these signs. REDUCE SPEED, SURFERS IN THE WAY. El Salvador has been on the map for surfers for a few decades. There are some pretty isolated beaches with great breaks.

I didn't really have a final destination in mind when I entered El Salvador. I just figured that I'd ride until I came across something interesting, then I'd stop. I road for about 2 hours and came across a small sign that read La Dolce Vita. I'm a classic film fanatic and La Dolce Vita is one of my favorite films of all time. I had to check it out.

It turns out the La Dolce Vita is a seaside hotel and restaurant. I decided that I had found my place to stay.

The seafood pasta, garlic bread and a liquado de sandia (watermelon smoothie) was the perfect meal after a great day of riding.

And a Pacific sunset to end the day.