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R&R at it´s Best

 Los Cobanos, El SalvadorAfter two nights of sleeping on the ground Tez and I packed up camp in twenty minutes and made a straight course for the first bus out of El Imposible. We were ready for a shower and a couple days of relaxation and we had heard of an idyllic location: Hostel Kalindigo [...]

 Los Cobanos, El Salvador
After two nights of sleeping on the ground Tez and I packed up camp in twenty minutes and made a straight course for the first bus out of El Imposible. We were ready for a shower and a couple days of relaxation and we had heard of an idyllic location: Hostel Kalindigo in Los Cobanos. The hostel is run by Kali who we had met at El Imposible. The hostel opened a year ago so it’s still unknown and not yet in many of guidebooks.

The town of Los Cobanos is a small fishing village frequented by Salvadorans on the weekends. During the week it returns to a small, sleepy fishing village. There are no foreign tourists and it is the perfect get-away spot.
On our second full day in Los Cobanos there was a yoga retreat that was staying at the hostel. They invited us to take part Tez and I jumped in to take part. A quiet beach, eating fresh-caught red snapper, great sunsets over the Pacific, and yoga was just what the doctor ordered after hiking and camping.
From Los Cobanos 2010-12
Evening yoga session
Yoga and massages were a nice change of pace but after one day I was done with the yoga scene. Their air of spirituality and pursuit of inner peace was as annoying as evangelizing Jehova’s witnesses after one full day and I had enough talk of balancing my chakra, ‘ohms’ and finding my inner peace. When they wanted to stand around a campfire and talk about three things they could do to improve their mind, spirit and body in a kum-ba-ya-esque ceremony I had enough. There was no way I was taking part. Tez agreed and we laid in a hammock reading and listening to some music instead.
The yoga retreat-ers moved on yesterday evening and Tez and I remained for one final day on the beach. More fish. One last sunset and a lunar eclipse thrown into the mix.
My initial plan was to spend Christmas in El Salvador on the beach but I’ve just spent five days on the beach and am ready to move on. I could move to another beach in El Salvador but if I stay at ths point I feel like I’m trying to pass time until after Christmas. I’ve decided to move into Nicaragua instead.
Sunsets
If you have looked at my photos over the past four months you have probably noticed a lot of pictures of sunsets. If your bored of looking at then I can only say ‘tough luck’ because there will most likely be more. I never tire of taking 15 minutes out of my day watching the sunset over the horizon and reflecting on the days events. So, more photos of sunsets will scattered amongst my photos in the months to come.
What makes a great place to stay?
I’ve stayed at my fair share of holes-in-the-wall and of decent places. Looking back at my favorite places I’ve come up with a few criteria that I when combined make a place a true joy to stay at. Most places I stay at are usually hostels so this is geared mostly towards them.
  • Easy access to the Internet – preferably WiFi
  • Sells cheap beer or allows you to bring in outside alcohol
  • Easy access in and out – no curfew
  • Comfortable bed
  • Good company
  • A feeling of security
Other Nice to Haves:
  • A great view – preferably of a beach or ocean-life
  • A pool – in operation and clean
  • Hot showers – although when on a beach this isn’t really needed
The Best Places I’ve Stayed At:
Mismo Sol – Manzanillo, Mexico
This place is located 5 minutes from the beach away from the main strip of town in a small colonia. The owners are amazing.
Buena Onda – Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Located on the beach you wake up and are staring at the ocean. Laying in hammocks reading or surfing are the main activities.
Kalindigo – Los Cobanos, El Salvador
Located off the beaten track in a small fishing village this place is a gem.
Runners up:
The Blue Iguana – Copan, Honduras
Not a lot of people at the time I was there but it was incredibly clean with everything you want in a place.
El Retiro Lodge – Lanquin, Guatemala
The staff of this place is a bit scatter brained but it’s in a great location, however, if it weren’t for the people I met there this place probably wouldn’t even make the list.

Filed under: Cubicle Ditcher, El Salvador, Random Thoughts

About the Author:

Sam Langley left a comfortable and profitable job with an insurance company in the USA to travel the world. He has been going for years, and has not stopped yet. Keep up with his travels on his blog at Cubicle Ditcher. has written 147 posts on Vagabond Journey. Contact the author.

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  • Hostels December 22, 2010, 8:33 am

    Numerous hostellers tour on their own all over a country more than a year long, and rely on opportunity meetings to make links.

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