El Salvador might be the smallest country in South America, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in adventurous spirit.

This year Rough Guides have named El Salvador a must-visit destination for 2016. We high-fived at the news at the thought that more people will feel inspired to make a trip and experience this fantastic place which is still extremely good value if you’re looking for adventure-bang for your buck.

Known for it’s Pacific Ocean beaches, surfing and mountainous landscape El Salvador is a tiny Central American country. Its gorgeous Ruta de Las Flores is a wonderful winding journey through thriving coffee farms, adrenalin packed rainforest zip-line sites and sweet towns like Juayúa, with its delicious weekend food festival, and Ataco the home of vivid and colourful murals. Prepare for the capital, San Salvador’s dramatic backdrop of volcanoes and get ready to immerse yourself in its vibrant nightlife and arts scenes.

Whether you’re tempted by rich black sand beaches, wild volcanoes, lush green valleys and remarkable views you’ll find that El Salvador is perfect for surfing, rafting, mountain biking, hiking, diving and more. Oh, and everything is within a three hour drive of each other. Goodbye overnight bus journeys.

Below are some of the reasons we think Rough Guides picked El Salvador as a destination for 2016.

• Mountain bike through cloud forests in Monte Cristo National Park
• See the Neo-Gothic Cathedral, the city of Santa Ana’s main attraction
• Tour the UNESCO world heritage archeological site Joya de Ceren
• Visit art galleries in the colonial town of Suchitoto
• While in Suchitoto, go horseback riding in the former guerilla sites or take a waterfall tour
• Travel to Ruta de Las Flores and the mountain towns of Apaneca and Ataco, where you can hike, ride horse back, or mountain bike through cloud forests.
• Raft down the Rio Lempa or Rio Palma
• Take in the many species of life hiding in the mangrove forests as you kayak on the Bahia Jiquilisco or Estero de Jaltepeque
• Zip line through coffee plantations on a canopy tour
• Ride horses through authentic Salvadoran fincas
• Get to know El Salvador’s exotic winged population by bird watching in Parque Nacional Imposible or Jocotal Lagoon
• Spend a day or a week at surf school class
• Explore archaeological sites and colonial cities
• Feast on heavenly El Salvadoran food

Check out the two exciting trips below if you’re thinking about making a trip to El Salvador this year.

Surf El Salvador | Surf School & Surf-Safaris

Surf El Salvador with experienced local surf guides who will take you to El Salvador’s most beautiful beaches and world famous epic right hand point breaks… Find out more.

Adventure Tour El Salvador

Mountain Biking in the Cloud Forrest, authentic archeological UNESCO sites, surfing, horse riding and waterfalls, rafting, canopy tours, zip lines, bird watching and much more!… Find out more.