El Salvador Culinary Tour (Fall 2024)

El Salvador Tours with Chef Johann Schuster

El Salvador has become my favorite country to travel to. It all began in 2008 when I met two wonderful foodies and friends at the international food show in Chicago. I was cooking on stage and presenting "Foods in Season" for a company from Washington State, which had been my main supplier for specialty seasonal products for over 16 years.

That day, while presenting Wild Mushrooms and Truffles from the Pacific Northwest (PNW), the two gentlemen approached my stage with a bag of Loroco blossoms in their hands, asking me if I would be willing to check out their product. Of course, I did, and the rest is history!

I opened the bag and smelled this unique flavor of slightly fresh truffle and green asparagus! This flavor was so unique to me, like nothing I had ever experienced before in my career!

Naturally, I integrated this unique blossom into my Wild Mushrooms and truffled Risotto, and it worked. Because of that pungent flavor in the air and the bright green color added to my Risotto dish, people lined up in a long row to get a taste of this new flavor!

Two weeks later, I was invited to visit the amazing country of El Salvador! Of course, everyone called me crazy for even considering going there, but without thinking too much about it, I just went, discovered, and fell in love with this amazing country, El Salvador!

In the last 16 years, I have gone numerous times back and forth, working with different agencies, companies, and institutions. I've taught cooking classes at culinary institutions and the non-profit organization "Paradiso Down" for individuals with Down syndrome. Each visit to this institution has become one of my favorites because I feel the need and appreciation for this amazing program and the culinary attributes of these extraordinary individuals!

Two years later, I helped to integrate the first International Food Show in El Salvador. Since then, I've been a part of it every year, exploring the possibilities created by this event year after year!

El Salvador's culinary development has expanded tremendously. To me, it's like the second culinary destination in South America after Peru!

Therefore, I've decided to share this unique experience with my customers and invite them to join me in this safe and extraordinary country for culinary, historical, and natural beauty on my upcoming tours, "Travel with Chef Johann Schuster Worldwide."

I will offer two tours every year to El Salvador, one in March and one in October. If there is another desire to travel to this wonderful country, please let me know, because I'm flexible! These are micro-travel tours with limited availability, as I'm conducting these tours myself, with a minimum and maximum of 8-10 people. All hotels will be 4-star rated or higher, with all transportation, sightseeing, and daily meals included!

Let's explore this amazing country together, where sunshine, beautiful beaches, historic sights, Mayan culture and history, beautiful landscapes, volcanic mountains, and gastronomical history meet contemporary cultures!

Day 1

Easy flight with United Airlines, a 3-hour flight to San Salvador. Upon arrival, we'll be picked up by a luxury bus, and after a short 45-minute drive, we'll arrive at "Bocca Olas - Resort Villas El Tunco," located in the heart of Surf City, just 30 minutes away from San Salvador. We'll stay at this unique hotel & resort for the entire tour, eliminating the hassle of checking in and out every two days.

 

After checking in, we'll take it easy by enjoying the pool or beach and, in the late afternoon, join a great walk through town and a dinner cooked by myself and my Salvadoran team at "Loroco - Bistro," promising an experience you'll never forget!

Day 2

 After breakfast, a short ride will take us to the most beautiful silent volcano, "El Boquerón," where we'll have an easy walk, floral and botanical sightseeing, as well as taste different unique fruits from the area. For lunch, we'll enjoy one of the favorite restaurants in the area. In the afternoon, we'll visit the University Museum of Anthropology in San Salvador, where a professor friend of mine will give us a tour. Dinner will be at Chef Leo Guzman's famous restaurant, "Donde Leo," the best Mediterranean restaurant in Central America!

Day 3

After a healthy breakfast, we'll take a bus trip to St. Andrés, a pre-Columbian site in El Salvador. San Andrés Archaeological Park is one of the largest pre-Hispanic centers in the country, and we'll have a local guide explaining the historical aspects. We'll join a typical local lunch and, on our way back to the hotel, dine at one of the most famous new contemporary restaurants in San Salvador.

Day 4

 After breakfast, we'll hit the road and visit the "Ruta de la Flores," one of the most visited and famous regions of El Salvador, known for its variations of floral evolution, unique coffee, and chocolate origins. We'll have direct experiences at local farms & shops and enjoy lunch at a local regional restaurant with typical regional cuisine. For dinner, we'll dine at Carlos Siman's "Puerto Marino," an excellent seafood restaurant.

Day 5

 After breakfast, we'll transfer to the city of San Salvador, visiting the famous Metropolitan Cathedral and old city. We'll also visit Puerta del Diablo, Devil's Gate Lookout, for sightseeing and enjoy a typical lunch at a local restaurant. For dinner, we'll dine at "Umo," one of the newest and well-known restaurants, offering a top-notch fine dining experience.

Day 6

 After breakfast, we'll visit the most famous rum distillery in El Salvador for a great rum lesson and tasting, followed by a visit to the oldest brewery in San Salvador for beer tasting and lunch. On our way back to the hotel, we'll enjoy our farewell dinner at "Donde Leo" Mediterranean Restaurant with a special belly dance performance, well-known in San Salvador!

Day 7 

 Our last day will include shopping at a nice gallery in San Salvador and lunch at a fine dining restaurant in the area. Afterwards, we'll be taken by bus to the International Airport "Saint Oscar Arnulfo y Galdámez" for departure back to the USA.

This 7-day trip includes transportation, first-class (4-star) rated hotel with a luxury swimming pool and private beach, first-class bus, fine dining at extraordinary restaurants, tourist guides, and culinary activities, all inclusive for the price of $4,850.00 per person. 

Flights are not included!

Let me know if you are interested. I would you for you to join me on this adventure.