Jicalapa (La Libertad)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Jicalapa (La Libertad) is a right-hand point-break surf area known for the two main wave options at Kilometer 59 (K59) and Kilometer 61 (K61). K59 is described as a powerful, high-performance right with fast, peeling sections and potential for barrels on larger south swells; K61 is generally longer and more mellow. Conditions are tide- and swell-driven. K59 is reported to work best on a low to mid tide, while on high tide it can wash out against the rocks. The wave is considered exposed, and winds vary by direction: north winds are generally clean and offshore, while south winds tend to be onshore and choppy. Safety is a central concern at K59 due to sharp rocks and large boulders in the entry/exit zone and submerged hazards, plus possible strong sweep currents during larger swells. Set timing is specifically emphasized to avoid being pushed against rocks; booties are commonly preferred for the sharp volcanic-rock walk. Rescue availability for the spot is reported as none, so riders should plan for self-rescue and avoid overextending. Seasonally, providers highlight November as a notable best month for the spot, while another dataset emphasizes May to October for surf windows. Separate seasonal data also indicates warm water year-round (about 27–29°C) and a generally quieter feel than the busiest La Libertad surf hubs, though weekends can bring more local traffic.
- K59/K61 right-hand point breaks with strong quality
- Rocky, hazard-heavy access—timing and footwear matter
- North winds clean/offshore; south winds onshore/choppy
- Warm water year-round
- High-quality right-hand point breaks (K59/K61) with strong wave characteristics
- Warm water year-round (reported 27–29°C)
- More remote and quieter than main La Libertad hubs
- Exposed rocky point-break with difficult, timing-critical entry/exit on large boulders
- No formal dedicated spot rescue confirmed; plan self-reliance and conservative conditions
- Best performance is tide- and swell-dependent, especially for K59
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N
- Offshore directions
- N
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Provider reports wind described as frontal; another source indicates best wind direction is north.
- Reliability
- low (provider)
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Provider notes light gusts; regional context mentions afternoon thermals as the typical wind driver.
- Best Months
- November
- Thermal Window
- Afternoon · Dir: N · Regional context: thermal sea-breeze influence common; strongest roughly 1:00 PM–5:00 PM during the dry season (November to April).
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Pebble — Pebble/rock composition reported; also described as rocks/rocky entry zone in other data.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Big — Provider describes wave size as big; guide datasets reference strong conditions seasonally.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky entry requiring careful timing with sets.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Provider: rocky entry requiring careful timing with sets; difficult access around large boulders.
Through the year
Generally much quieter than El Tunco, though weekends can see more local traffic
May to October
By sport
What to expect for each.
Right-hand point break(s) known as Kilometer 59 (K59) and Kilometer 61 (K61). K59 is a high-performance, powerful right with barrels on larger south swells; K61 is generally longer and more mellow.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Provider notes K59 works best on a low to mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Provider describes the spot as exposed.
- Wind Effect
- North winds are clean and offshore; south winds are onshore and choppy.
- Bigger Swell
- K59 holds significant size and becomes world-class during large south swells.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Provider rates wave quality as excellent.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Provider characterizes K59 as powerful; guide rating supports strong wave quality.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Provider reports peeling wave shape.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Provider notes fast peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Long — Provider indicates long ride length; K59 shorter/more intense vs K61 longer.
- Typical Ride Length
- 100–200 m
- Ride Length Details
- K59 offers shorter, more intense rides; K61 can provide very long rides across the point. Provider quantifies typical ride length range.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Jicalapa (La Libertad) in the full forecast view.
Jicalapa (La Libertad) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–9 ktsGusts 17 kts
- Direction
- ESE113°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 259 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–1.3 m12s period
- Temperature
- 24–33 °C
Over the next 7 days, Jicalapa (La Libertad) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 17 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 1.0–1.3 m with a period of about 12s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks and sharp volcanic rock on entry/exit
- Large boulders and submerged rocks
- Strong currents during large swells
- Sea urchins
- Remote/steep access walk
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — Provider reports no lifeguards for the spot; regional context notes lifeguards are present at major nearby tourist beaches.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Provider reports no rescue availability for the spot.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number: 911. Nearest major medical facility referenced: Hospital San Rafael in Santa Tecla (about 1 hour away).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Reported as mild localism.
Rules of the spot
Timing the set at K59 is essential because the entry/exit is difficult and can push you against large boulders; avoid high tide if it washes out against rocks.
- No formal dedicated kite/windsurf rescue confirmed for this specific stretch; plan for self-rescue and be conservative in exposed conditions.
- Use careful timing for sets at the K59 entry/exit to avoid being pushed by waves.
- On K59, it works best on low to mid tide; on high tide it can wash out against the rocks.
- Booties are commonly preferred due to sharp rocks during the walk to shore.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- San Salvador
- Nearest Town
- Jicalapa
- Nearest Airport
- El Salvador International Airport (SAL)
- Parking
- Limited parking near private surf houses and along the highway access points
- Public Transport
- Local buses (Chicken buses) serve the CA-2 coastal highway; private transport or rentals are recommended for gear.
- Access
- Accessible via the CA-2 coastal highway; requires a walk down a steep path to the shore
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Private surf camps and guest houses are located directly overlooking the point; additional lodging options in the broader Jicalapa area.
- Food & Drink
- Limited options locally; most visitors bring their own or eat at nearby surf camps.
- Equipment Rental:
- No public rental shops on the beach; bring all gear (regional context notes surf rentals are available, while kite/wingfoil rentals are extremely limited).
- Gear Storage
- Limited to specific surf resorts and private accommodation.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard repair widely available; sail or bladder repair not locally supported.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Jicalapa and the nearby La Libertad coast offer rugged scenery centered on surfing and local fishing, with additional day-trip activities and dining in surrounding beach towns.
A famous surf village known for nightlife and bohemian atmosphere.
Popular surfing destination with beaches and local culture.
A historic local church known for the annual pilgrimage of San Juan Bautista.
Local surf culture and beach towns.
Hiking and cliff jumping into natural jungle pools.
Surfing and beach activities along the Pacific coast.
Upscale dining and beach club atmosphere nearby.
Beachfront dining in surf towns.
Seasonal turtle conservation programs at various beaches along the coast.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Jicalapa (La Libertad)?
The best overall months at Jicalapa (La Libertad) are May, June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are November.
Which wind directions work at Jicalapa (La Libertad)?
Jicalapa (La Libertad) works with N winds. Offshore directions are N.
What skill level is Jicalapa (La Libertad) suitable for?
Jicalapa (La Libertad) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.