Ep 173 w/ Dave Mendez - Why You Should Visit El Salvador in 2025 – A Local’s Perspective

Ep 173 w/ Dave Mendez - Why You Should Visit El Salvador in 2025 – A Local’s Perspective

Author: Voyascape Media February 17, 2025 Duration: 1:10:45

Exploring El Salvador with Local Guide Dave Mendez

🚀 Episode Overview

In this episode of Winging It Travel Podcast, I sit down with Dave Mendez, a passionate local tour guide from San Salvador, El Salvador. Dave shares his personal journey from growing up in El Salvador to moving to the U.S. during the civil war and then returning to his homeland to help others discover its hidden gems.

🌎 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ The transformation of El Salvador from one of the world’s most dangerous countries to a thriving travel destination

✅ Top places to visit in El Salvador, including San Salvador, Suchitoto, Santa Ana, and Surf City

✅ What to eat—pupusas, wild hen soup, and other must-try Salvadoran dishes

✅ The impact of Bitcoin adoption and how it’s shaping the country’s economy

✅ How to travel around El Salvador safely and efficiently using public transport

📍 Featured Locations:

  • San Salvador – Historical center, National Library, and markets
  • Suchitoto – A charming colonial town full of history and culture
  • Santa Ana & The Volcano Route – A must for adventure lovers
  • El Tunco & El Zonte – Surf spots and relaxed beach vibes
  • Joya de Cerén – The “Pompeii of the Americas” and a UNESCO World Heritage site

🚌 Travel Tips:

  • Best times to visit El Salvador (November-December for cooler weather)
  • How to use public transport like local buses and Uber
  • Currency: US Dollar & Bitcoin – what you need to know before you go

🎙️ About Our Guest – Dave Mendez

Dave is a tour guide in San Salvador, specializing in walking tours, food tours, and cultural experiences. He’s passionate about sharing the beauty of his country and helping travelers explore safely.

🔗 Connect with Dave & Book a Tour:

🌍 GuruWalk: Dave Mendez Tours

📍 Find him on GuruWalk, GetYourGuide, Viator, and FreeTour.com

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:

Find Winging It Travel Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and more!

🌟 Support the Podcast!

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with fellow travelers!

San Salvador Immersion Episode

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000690747297

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4sqKzF3juk67iR0bJagPax?si=6bsduQW3QUmJEw374YreAg

Suchitoto Immersion Episode

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Winging It Travel Podcast - Website

Please leave a review and rating wherever you get your podcasts!

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Winging It Travel Podcast Credits

Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond

Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com 

Social Media - follow me on:

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Thanks for supporting me and the podcast!

Cheers, James.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of Voyascape, a podcast network that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.

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Every Monday, James Hammond sets off with a microphone, and the resulting audio feels less like a planned production and more like you’ve been handed a pair of headphones in the middle of an adventure. Winging It Travel Podcast, from Voyascape Media, is built on the idea that the most compelling stories aren't found in guidebooks but in the unplanned moments and raw reactions that happen along the way. You’ll hear the crunch of gravel underfoot on a remote trail, the bustling chaos of a foreign market, and the genuine conversations that unfold when plans fall apart. This approach transforms each episode into a deeply personal journal entry, documenting not just places, but the cultural and human textures that define them. It’s a documentary of feeling as much as fact. While the soundscapes are cinematic, the heart of the podcast lies in its authenticity-the slight breathlessness from hiking up a volcano, the surprise at a strange local delicacy, the quiet reflection after a long day navigating unfamiliar streets. The journey covers the societal layers and personal transformations that travel sparks, making it about more than destinations. Tune in weekly to find yourself completely immersed, feeling as if you’re right there beside James, figuring it all out as you go.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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