Gringo Tours always looks for ways to support the local communities and initiatives reason why we are one of only a few companies that offer Mangrove Boat tours at the Barra de Santiago which is much further away and remote than the other well-known mangroves of Jiquilisco bay. That said we can offer a truly unique experience either as a half day add on to another tour like when in route to the Impossible Park or as a separate full day experience from areas like, San Salvador, Santa Ana, Ruta de Flores and Suchitoto. Relatively close to the Ruta de Flores but about 3.5 hours from Suchitoto and 2.5 from San Salvador makes for a long drive, why we recommend as an in route tour to another destination western El Salvador.
Working with AMBAS the local association that looks after the protected area and in coordination with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources where permits must be requested with at least 15 day advance notice to enter the protected reserve area of mangroves makes are tours different than those just hiring a boat to access the initial waterways within the area. On a good day caimans and crocodiles can be seen up close, this not to mention the numerous types of local crabs and birds. We add on a stop on a small island where the endangered Blue Crabs are manages as a small economic initiative of the habitants on the island. We also can arrange tortilla classes and a wonderful fresh sea food lunch, trips to the Bocana where the estuary meets the ocean and of course time for a walk on the beach or swim in the ocean and or estuary.