Gringo tours and how we started
Our Story
We founded Gringo Tours in 2007 after working with the local tourism association here in Suchitoto for several years. At that time we had no idea that our involvement would become so substantial in tourism at both local and national levels. My wife Tita and I, Roberto “El Gringo” have been living in Suchitoto since 2000, Tita being originally from the western part of El Salvador and I am from the SF Bay Area in northern California.
Back when it all started we had no idea or desire to start a tour company but today we consider our tours to be some of the best in the country as we try to build sustainability into each tour, so that the local communities and partners we work with benefit and much of the money we charge ends up helping many more people and not just our family income.
What we do best!
Since opening, our small company “Gringo Tours” has been providing personalized tours and travel options to travelers from around the world. We work closely with each client to design the perfect El Salvador experience for any budget. We now often use English, French, Italian, German and Spanish speaking guides; just let us know your language of preference so we can see which of our drivers or driver\guides will best be suited.
Gringo tours has been providing high quality, personalized tours in and around El Salvador and the neighboring countries of Guatemala (Antigua, Esquipulas, Lake Atitlan) and Honduras (Copan Ruins) since 2007. We specialize in rural, eco, agro, birding and what I refer to as alternative tourism, believing that if you have found us while planning a trip to El Salvador you are not the everyday traveler and are looking for a different, unique and personalized experience.
Our Tours
Although we offer some of the more common fixed tours like all the other larger tour companies in El Salvador we only do this to give you an idea of what El Salvador has to offer, each of our tours are customized to fit your needs and interests. So if you want to experience, what I call “The Other El Salvador” give Gringo Tours a try.
If you need more information about our services, travel in El Salvador or ideas of what to do and see here, feel free to contact us. Our goal is to make your visit to El Salvador the best it can be. Remember here at Gringo Tours we can plan your entire stay, from airport pickup to hotel reservations, or you might just use our services for one of our half day tours around Suchitoto.
Since 2005 we have been providing unbiased trip and itinerary planning free of charge, our hopes of course are that you contract us for some of your services but we have helped hundreds of people with just information and recommendations knowing that not everyone needs or wants to use a Tour Company/Guide/Drivers. This service again is totally free so if you are not sure if El Salvador is for you or if you need information about local activities, transportation, lodging, customs, etc. just drop us a note and we will be happy to help.
Whats included in our tours.
Whatever your needs be, we are here to make your stay in El Salvador an experience of a lifetime. Pricing for all of our full day tours include, transportation in modern and comfortable vehicles with responsible, safe and courteous drivers, fully bilingual guides (we now offer French, English and Spanish speaking local guides ), entrance fees to national parks, archaeological sites, and museums, expense of local guides and bottled water.
Not included and addon activities
Not included in the cost of our tours are meals (in most cases), snacks, lodging, specialized activities like diving, zip lines, buggy tours, specialized boat tours and optional tips to local guides.
Our full day tour rates start at $200 and for groups of 4 or more range from $90-$125/person. Local tours in and around Suchitoto start at only $25/person for our city tour and go up to $175 this for the 5-7 hour tours to Cinquera or Guazapa. Half day birding tours start at $150 and full day birding tours average around $250. We also work with many local guides and when available can offer some lower cost options for walking tours to Los Tercios and El Cubo waterfalls. These tours with young local guides start at only $15 and can be arranged at any time with 1-2 days advance notice. Other tours with local guides in other parts of the country are available so please ask if you have a special interest.
Some of our more popular tours in Suchitoto are our pupusa making and cooking classes which start at $20/person and can be scheduled in advance on most weekdays from 3:00 pm till 6:00 pm.
For more information call locally (503) 7860-9435 or email to: [email protected] If you are already in Suchitoto stop by our office/home. We are located behind the Centro Arte para la Paz on Octava Avenida Norte #9, Look for the Dark Blue House!
Do understand that we do stay busy and many times of the year book up months in advance, so plan your trip in advance and try not to get upset if we can´t provide a tour of find a local guide with only a days notice.