Disclosure: I received a benefit from Mizata by Antiresort in connection with my stay. This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. As always, all opinions and recommendations are my own.
El Salvador may not be the first destination that comes to mind when planning a beach getaway, but after spending a week at Mizata by Antiresort, I can tell you it deserves a spot on your travel list.
Located along El Salvador’s Pacific coast, Mizata isn’t your typical luxury beach resort. You won’t find an elaborate lobby, sprawling manicured grounds, or guests dressed up for dinner. Instead, you’ll discover oceanfront treehouses, black volcanic sand beaches, excellent surfing, incredible food, and an atmosphere that’s about as relaxed as it gets.
In fact, I don’t think I blow-dried my hair once during our stay, and on more than one occasion, I felt overdressed for dinner. That should tell you something about the vibe.
But don’t mistake casual for boring or lacking in luxury. During our week at Mizata, Gary and I surfed, hiked and swam under waterfalls, hiked a volcano, went horseback riding, practiced yoga at sunset, and enjoyed one of the most memorable dining experiences we’ve had in a long time.
We also managed to find plenty of time to relax.
What I loved most about Mizata was that we could fill our days with adventure or do absolutely nothing without feeling like we were missing out.
And despite a few minor inconveniences, I would absolutely go back.
Here’s what you should know before booking a stay at Mizata by Antiresort, including my recommendations on which room to book, what to eat, and which activities are worth your time.
Where Is Mizata by Antiresort?
Mizata is approximately 90 minutes from El Salvador International Airport and a quick easy drive on paved highway. The resort feels removed from the busier surf towns but works well as a base for exploring El Salvador. As part of the package we booked, Mizata by Antiresort arranged our transportation to and from the airport/hotel.
The flight from Los Angeles was about five hours. If you are on a layover in Los Angeles, there are numerous fun activities to keep you busy.
Where to Stay: Book the Ocean-View Treehouse
If I could give you only one tip, it would be to book a beachfront Ocean Tree House with a full ocean view. The rooms are set twelve feet above the ground and provide a minimalist teak design that emphasizes local craftmanship and the stunning ocean view. The showers are private, but feel like they are outdoors with an ocean view.
The treehouse rooms each have a hanging net lounge area suspended under the tree house. While good in concept, I was afraid I would get eaten alive by mosquitoes. Personally, I’d rather hang out on my deck overlooking the ocean, but the netting over the tropical landscape adds to the aesthetic of the rooms.
During our December visit, we enjoyed both sunrise and sunset views from our oceanfront room. Sitting on our deck watching the sun rise was an amazing way to start the day.
One thing to note is that the treehouses are fairly close together, so this is not complete seclusion, and not every category has the same view. Confirm that you are reserving a full ocean view treehouse rather than a partial-view room. The full ocean view treehouse rooms have unobstructed ocean views, while the partial ocean view rooms are behind the full ocean view rooms.
Mizata also offers beach and jungle bungalows and lodge rooms. However, in my view, there is no comparison between these rooms and the full ocean view treehouse.
Surfing at Mizata: Something for Beginners and Experienced Surfers
One of Mizata’s biggest draws, and a reason for our visit, is the access to multiple surf breaks. Experienced surfers can explore multiple breaks in front of the beach houses and treehouses, as well as a right-hand break near the river mouth.
Mizata Point
The right-hand break near the river mouth offers fantastic surfing, with waves ranging from waist-high to well overhead. At low to mid-tide, surfers can enjoy fast, steep, powerful takeoffs followed by long rides across wide-open wave faces. The entrance to the surf and the bottom is rocky and roof booties are suggested.
Gary was in heaven. Like his visit to Namotu, Fiji he typically surfed multiple times a day, choosing different breaks depending on the conditions. With consistent four- to six-foot waves during our stay, he couldn’t have been happier. We joked because sometimes we overheard people talking about the breaks being crowded. However, coming from Los Angeles, we don’t consider four or five other people in the water crowded. These surf breaks are still under the radar unlike K59 and El Zonte, making Mizata special.
Pro Tips: For the larger breaks, it is easier to enter from the sandy beach and paddle across rather than walk over the rocks. Ask a local instructor about the tide, conditions, and safest entry point before paddling out.
Gary brought two boards and was glad he did. The quiver selection at Mizata by Antiresort works for beginners, but if you are a more advanced surfer, you will likely want your own board.
The Beach Break
This sandy-bottom break offers fun, long rides with clean wave faces and both lefts and rights. During our visit, the waves were consistently around head-high, making for some fantastic surfing, in front of the resort.
A few minute walk down the beach, offers a beginner surf break.
If you want to surf K59 or El Zonte, they are about a 20-30 minute drive toward the airport.
My Surf Experience
That variety of breaks does not mean every break works for every surfer. The Pacific has a lot of energy here, with heavy waves and strong currents at times, and rocks, which I learned firsthand. My first surf lesson on the beach break was quickly cancelled because the waves were too big for me. Given my very healthy fear of the ocean, the conditions were not ideal. However, I rescheduled the lesson for a smaller day further down the beach where I had a lot of fun. I stood up on my first try, despite not having surfed in some time.
Things to do in El Salvador While a Mizata
We booked Mizata’s Adventure Package, which included all our meals, two excursions, a massage, a surf lesson, and a short horseback ride. Having so much arranged through the resort made the week easy, and I liked being able to mix planned adventures with downtime.
At Mizata, the resort offers a daily calendar of experiences available on and off property. Take a peak to see how many things there are to do during your stay.
Here is how the experiences stacked up.
Cascadas de Tamanique (Waterfall Hike)
This was much more fun than I expected. Mizata by Antiresort arranged transportation and a guide, and we visited several waterfalls at Cascadas de Tamanique, where you could swim, cliff-jump, or simply enjoy the scenery. It was fun to explore more than the tiny town of Mizata, where the hotel is located.
A word of caution: reaching some of the waterfalls involves descending very steep staircases. If heights bother you, you might want to skip this excursion. Otherwise, I would absolutely recommend it.
Pro Tip: Wear a bathing suit and quick drying clothes since you will be wet on our hike back to the car.
Santa Ana Volcano Hike
Santa Ana Volcano, which is about 90 minutes from Mizata, is a neat place to hike. Our original excursion was postponed because of high winds, but the hotel was able to reschedule our excursion.
The hour hike up and down involved rocky and uneven footing. But the reward was the remarkable blue-teal crater lake, with steam rising from the volcano. It was cloudy during our visit, so we missed most of the views visible on clear day, but the crater alone made the trip worthwhile. It is the only volcano in El Savador with water in the crater creating a gorgeous view.
There was also a refreshing treat sold at the top—but I will let you discover that for yourself.
Things to know before you hike Santa Ana Volcano:
- Wear shoes with good traction, bring water, and wear sunscreen.
- You have to hike in a group with a guide. Private guides are not available. This can be frustrating if your group has slow hikers.
- I would rate the trail intermediate because of the rocky, uneven footing.
What I would have done differently: On this excursion, there are a few things I would have done differently. In hindsight, I would have asked the hotel to schedule a lunch or breakfast stop at Lake Coatepeque, which is just down the hill. Since you literally look down on the massive lake as you drive to the Santa Ana Volcano, it would have been a good opportunity to stop here. I also would have liked to see the main town close by. We were there in December, and I learned (after we got back to the hotel) that there were Christmas markets in San Salvador City that I would have liked to explore. Next time I visit, I want to rent a car and check out San Salvador City.
Horseback Ride
The horseback ride, on the other hand, is essentially a 15-minute guided photo opportunity, where the horses are led along the beach by a guide who walks beside the horses. I have riding experience and was fortunate that the guide allowed me to gallop along the ocean. My horse clearly wanted to run, and I had a blast! But that is the exception. In seven days, we only saw the horses walking slowly on the beach.
The resort can arrange a longer mountain ride if you prefer more than an introduction ride. I might also do this next time.
Wellness Experiences
Mizata offers plenty of opportunities to focus on wellness, whether you’re looking for an active workout or some downtime. The resort has an outdoor Jungle Gym, daily yoga and meditation classes, a sauna, cold plunge, and spa treatments. For something different, guests can explore sound healing or a traditional temazcal steam ceremony.
The Massage
The Adventure Package also included a massage. Here is an area where the hotel has an opportunity to create an upscale spa experience. The treatment space was essentially a simple room with a massage table. There were no frills, but the massage itself was good, which mattered more to me.
Yoga
I joined sunset yoga several times in the open-air palapa overlooking the ocean. The setting was beautiful, especially as the lanterns came on. The classes themselves felt a little repetitive, but the platform was also available for my own workouts when a class was not in session. I found myself here most days. The view is too stunning to pass up.
Jungle Gym
Mizata’s Jungle Gym puts a fun twist on the traditional hotel fitness center. Set outdoors amid lush tropical surroundings, the gym features unconventional workout equipment made from natural materials like wood and ropes. It’s a great place to get in a workout while enjoying the fresh air and jungle atmosphere, rather than being stuck inside a typical hotel gym. The Jungle Gym is reminiscent of something you might see in the Flintstones cartoon. It is super kitschy, in the best way!
Temazcal
Led by a shaman, embark on a mediation and chanting ritual in a traditional Mesoamerican steam bath to promote healing, purification, and spiritual growth. This is an activity I’d like to try on my next visit.
Thrivelab Longevity Clinic
While at Mizata, you can visit the Thrivelab Longevity Clinic for therapies such as stem cell, IV Therapy, Botox, hperbaric chamber.
Dining at Mizata: Better Than I Expected
Ishwi Omakase
My favorite dining experience at Mizata was the nine-course omakase at Ishwi. With each dish, our host explained the ingredients and the inspiration or sometimes a story behind the chef’s creation. It was fascinating learning about the chef’s process. Every course seemed better than the last, and I thought the quality and creativity were exceptional. A comparable tasting experience in the United States could cost substantially more.
Since Gary does not eat raw fish, he was able to order from Nawi, the on property restaurant, while I enjoyed the omakase. We had the final seating of the evening to ourselves, where lanterns illuminated the romantic setting overlooking the pool. It felt like a private dinner. My compliments to the chef and team. I cannot recommend this experience enough.
Nawi Beach House
Most of our meals were at Nawi Beach House, next to the pool and beach club. With an extensive menu, there was enough variety that I never tired of eating there, even after a week. I especially liked the traditional breakfast, the fresh juices, and the ceviche. Everything tasted fresh and flavorful. The downside of having all meals included? I probably ate more than I needed to because the food was so good.
Pool and Common Areas
The resort has a lively beach club, lounge areas, a main pool, and a smaller pool near the bungalows. The main pool (pictured above) is also open to day-pass guests, so the atmosphere can be more social and entertaining than relaxed.
The pool area pictures above is reserved for hotel guests. It is very quiet in this area.
Mizata Music Recording Studio
One unexpected experience was an invitation to the resort’s nearby recording studio one evening while a DJ played for a small group of us. I had never been to a music recording studio and was excited to check it out. The studio has more buttons and gauges than I would ever know what to do with, but I enjoyed hanging out in the large, comfortable sitting area!
Giving Back: The Mizata Foundation
The Mizata Foundation was created to support the community through numerous local initiatives. When The Mizata Foundation sees a problem, it finds ways to develop a solution. Examples of The Mizata’s Foundation work includes English classes, after school programs, women-led initiatives, community events, hyenine and public health initiatives to build eco-friendly toilets since most local families don’t have access to toilets, clean water programs, animal welfare initiatives, and improvements to local sports facilities. You can visit Mizata’s Foundation page or inquiry at the front desk during your stay to see how you can get involved.
A Few Things to Know Before You Go
Mizata is wonderfully laid-back, but the tropical setting comes with a few practical considerations. Bring insect repellent, sunscreen, casual clothing, and reef booties if you plan to surf. During our December visit the weather was sunny and very hot; larger surf is generally more common in the wetter months, while the dry season tends to make sightseeing easier.
The plumbing is sensitive, so toilet paper must go in the trash rather than the toilet—similar to what you may be used to on a sailboat in the British Virgin Islands. This was a minor inconvenience that I mention so you know what to expect when you visit.
One detail I wish had been disclosed earlier: at checkout, the hotel added an optional gratuity to the bill. I was happy to tip the staff in addition to what we had been tipping throughout our stay, but I would have preferred to know about the tipping practice upfront rather than learning about it as we were checking out.
At Mizata you will might see peacocks and cats running around. It is part of the charm.
Would I Go Back to Mizata? Absolutely.
If you want formal five-star service and highly polished accommodations, Mizata may not be your first choice. But if you love ocean views, a laid back luxurious place to stay, excellent food, surfing, and having an adventure close at hand, it is an easy recommendation. I would book the same full-ocean-view treehouse again, make another omakase reservation, and spend plenty of time in the water.
Our week struck the right balance between being active and unwinding.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Mizata, El Salvador?
One of the advantages of visiting El Salvador is its warm climate throughout the year. However, the best time to visit Mizata depends partly on what you want to do.
Dry Season: November Through April
El Salvador’s dry season generally runs from November through April.
This is a popular time for visitors who want sunshine, outdoor excursions, and beach activities with a lower likelihood of rain.
We visited in December and enjoyed beautiful weather, although the daytime heat could still be intense.
One of the things I particularly loved about our December stay was being able to enjoy both sunrise and sunset from our oceanfront setting.
If you’re looking for a vacation that combines beach time, sightseeing, and hiking, I think the dry season is a great option.
Surf Season: Larger Swells During the Rainier Months
Surfers may prefer visiting during the months when larger Pacific swells are more frequent. Although the consistent four to six foot swell in December was a highlight for Gary.
Generally, the more powerful surf occurs during the wetter part of the year, particularly from around May through October, although conditions vary.
Experienced surfers may appreciate the bigger waves, while beginners may find smaller conditions during parts of the dry season more manageable.
Regardless of the time of year, I would check the surf forecast and speak with local instructors before heading into the water.
What to Pack for Mizata
You don’t need an elaborate wardrobe for Mizata, which is part of its appeal.
In fact, I would encourage you to pack less rather than more as I spent most of my time in bathing suits, coverups, and shorts.
Here are a few things I would prioritize:
Casual clothing: Lightweight dresses, shorts, T-shirts, and sandals are more than sufficient for most of the resort.
Swimwear and a rash guard: Particularly helpful if you’re planning to surf or play in the water so you don’t have to apply sunscreen.
A good hat and sunscreen: The sun can be intense, and shade is limited in some areas.
Insect repellent: Essential for a tropical destination.
Hiking shoes: Bring comfortable shoes with good traction if you’re planning the volcano or waterfall hikes.
A reusable water bottle: Particularly useful for excursions.
A light layer: Helpful for early-morning excursions or breezy conditions at higher elevations.
And don’t worry about bringing an entire collection of fancy dinner outfits. I certainly didn’t need them.
How Long Should You Stay at Mizata?
We spent approximately a week at Mizata, and I thought it was the perfect amount of time. I left wanting more.
Having several days gave us the flexibility to enjoy the resort without feeling like we needed to pack every activity into a tight schedule. We could surf in the morning, relax by the pool in the afternoon, and enjoy dinner without rushing, while still leaving us a few days for excursions.
Is Mizata by Antiresort Worth It?
Absolutely! Mizata is one of those properties where the overall experience matters more than any individual amenity. The combination of beautiful ocean views, comfortable treehouses, consistently delicious food, excellent surfing, and access to outdoor adventures made it a particularly enjoyable place to spend a week.
Would I recommend Mizata to someone looking for a traditional five-star luxury resort like the Four Seasons, with expansive suites, formal service, and every possible amenity? Probably not.
But if you want a barefoot luxury beach vacation in El Salvador that is not the same cookie cutter tropical experience, Mizata is well worth considering.
The Trav Nav Takeaways
On our next visit, I will definitely opt for the full ocean view treehouse and stay for a week and book the omakase experience again.
We would likely rent a car so we can explore places like San Salvador City, the El Tunco Beach area, K59, and El Zonte.
However, for first time visitors, the package is a nice option because it exposes you to a little bit of everything with very little planning.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mizata El Salvador
Is Mizata by Antiresort a luxury hotel?
Mizata offers upscale amenities and unique accommodations but has a more casual, rustic, and nature-focused atmosphere than a traditional luxury resort. It’s best suited to travelers who value experiences, location, and adventure over formal luxury. Think barefoot luxury.
Which room should I book at Mizata?
I recommend a beachfront Ocean Tree House with a full ocean view. Make sure you’re booking the category with expansive ocean views rather than a partial-ocean-view room.
Is the food good at Mizata?
Yes! I thought the food was excellent throughout our weeklong stay. Nawi Beach House offers a varied menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while Ishwi Omakase provides a particularly memorable multi-course dining experience.
Can beginners surf at Mizata?
Mizata offers surf lessons, but conditions can vary. For beginners, I’d suggest a surf lesson on the beach break rather than the point break where there lots of rocks.
Can you hike Santa Ana Volcano from Mizata?
Yes. Santa Ana Volcano is approximately a 90-minute drive from the resort, making it possible to visit on a day trip. A guided hike takes you to the summit, where you can see the volcano’s striking crater lake and enjoy panoramic views.
How many days should you spend at Mizata?
I recommend a week if you want to combine surfing, relaxation, and excursions.
Is Mizata good for couples?
Yes. I think Mizata is an excellent option for couples who enjoy adventure and a relaxed atmosphere. The oceanfront treehouses, sunset yoga, and Ishwi omakase dinner make it a particularly appealing destination for a couples getaway. During our stay, I only saw one family. The hotel is geared toward adults.
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