El Salvador travel guide
El Salvador Tourism | El Salvador Guide
You're Going to Love El Salvador
This tiny country is packed with history, volcanoes, white sandy beaches and cloud forests, not to mention being the home to warm-hearted, welcoming people.
What to do in El Salvador
1. Surfing
Surf the Pacific Ocean in El Salvador and organize trips to beaches, such as Las Flores and Punta Mango in the east and Punta Roca and El Zonte in the west.
2. Horseback Riding on the Guazapa Volcano
Tour companies, such as Gringo Tours, will organize horseback riding tours through the forest and on to some spectacular views from the Guazapa Mountain. Tours can take anywhere from 3-8h depending on the route.
3. Visit Suchitoto
A pretty, colonial town, Suchitoto is famous for its main square, which is overlooked by the parish church. Stroll down the cobbled streets and look out for the colonial architecture of the buildings.
4. Walk in the Cloud Forest in Cerro Verde
Cerro Verde National Park boasts three volcanoes as well as a prime example of a cloud forest that is home to diverse species of trees, plants and birds. Guided tours can be organized to visit the volcanoes.
5. Explore a Mayan Settlement
While there are no surviving Mayan pyramids in El Salvador, you can still explore the likes of Joya de Cerén, the perfectly preserved archaeological site of a Mayan settlement that was buried after the eruption of Laguna Caldera volcano in 600 AD.
When to visit El Salvador
The best time to go to El Salvador is between November and April, which is the dry season with temperatures of around 73°F on the coast and cooler temperatures inland. Turtle nesting season is between July and November towards the end of the rainy season.
How to Get to El Salvador
Entry Requirements
Travelers from the US, EU, Australia and most of South America will need to have a passport that is valid for at least six months. They won't need a visa to travel to El Salvador for a period of up to 90 days.
Plane
El Salvador International Airport receives flights from the national carrier Avianca and various US carriers, such as American Airlines, Delta and United, while Iberia flies from Europe.
Car
Enter El Salvador on the Pan American Highway from Honduras in the east and Guatemala in the west. This highway is one of the safest ways to enter the country and links San Miguel and San Salvador.
Bus
Bus companies, such as Tica Bus and Transporte Del Sol, operate luxury coaches on routes that link El Salvador with the nearby countries of Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. These coaches are usually safer than the buses that run the same routes.
Popular airports in El Salvador
Popular airlines serving El Salvador
Where to stay in El Salvador
While high-end luxury hotels exist in San Salvador and San Miguel as well as on the coast and in the mountains (Entrepinos Resort and Spa), there is also the option to stay at smaller hotels and hostels both in the cities (look on the Boulevard de los Héroes in San Salvador) and in smaller places of interest.
Where to stay in popular areas of El Salvador
Most booked hotels in El Salvador
How to Get Around El Salvador
Public Transportation
Bus is the best way of getting around the cities of El Salvador. The fares are inexpensive, although the buses are often crowded. Taxis are another option, though more expensive.
Bus
There is a good bus network around El Salvador linking cities and places of interest. The buses are usually old school buses from the US and run regularly with fares ranging between $0.25-5 depending on distance.
Car
Cars can be rented from San Salvador and San Miguel where international car companies, such as Alamo and Budget, have their offices. Most of the roads are paved, although signposting is not always clear, and traffic can be busy.
The Cost of Living in El Salvador
The currency accepted in El Salvador is the United States Dollar, but be sure to carry notes smaller than $20 as change can be tricky. Visa is the most commonly accepted credit card and ATMs exist at banks and in shopping malls. A 0.2 gallon of milk and a dozen eggs will cost approximately $3.60 in a supermarket or grocery store. Eating out is reasonable and will cost around $5 for a meal per person in a local inexpensive restaurant.