Volcano with trees and flowers in the foreground.

The Ultimate Backpacking El Salvador Travel Guide

“Don’t Skip El Salvador.” It’s a slogan found all over the tiny country, grasping at the tourism market that seems to have passed it by. Wedged between three rapidly growing destinations of Central America: Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; the smallest of the group is often overlooked by travellers.

Having spent nearly two months backpacking El Salvador, over multiple visits, we’ve decided to help shed some light. Let us help you explore this fascinating little nation with this El Salvador travel guide. El Salvador is eager to break free of its unfortunate history, join the ranks of her neighbours and be the next great tourist destination.

The Past

Like many Central American countries, El Salvador has had its share of unfortunate events. Revolutions, coups and civil war stand out in recent years, the war itself ending as recently as 1992. Prior to that, it was corrupt governments and coffee owners. The age-old story of all of the power and money in the hands of the very few, the rest suffering dearly. Of all Central America, El Salvador has the smallest population of indigenous people, sadly due to a massacre in the early 1930’s.

The Present

To say the country has a tumultuous past is an understatement. These days things have improved significantly, though some progress is still to be made. Poverty and inequality are all too common, as is gang activity in some areas. All of that said, the situation is nothing like what it appears on mainstream media.

During our time backpacking Central America, we experienced nothing that made us question our decision to stop and travel El Salvador. We were greeted by smiling locals, who would often stop us in the street simply to thank us for giving their home a chance.

It’s time to end the stigma surrounding this fantastic little country and focus on the positives. Delicious cuisine, unique and fascinating festivals, and incredible people. Mountains, volcanoes and over three hundred kilometres of coastline – featuring some of the best surfing in the world.

Resist the urge to simply pass through like the majority of travellers do. Stop, stay and explore. Don’t skip El Salvador!

Backpacking El Salvador Travel Guide

What are you Looking For?

Must Visit Destinations
Unique Experiences
Lesser-Visited Destinations
If you Only do One Thing
Salvadoran Food

Festivals in El Salvador
The Good, the Bad, the Ugly

Money
Visa Requirements
Getting Around
Accommodation
Language
Weather and Climate
Health and Safety

Must See El Salvador Destinations

El Tunco, El Salvador’s Surf Capital

Only a few short hours from Antigua, Guatemala, El Tunco is where most visitors stay when they pass through El Salvador. And while it’s an amazing place to spend a little time, it’s often the only bit of the country many foreigners get to experience.

Like most little beach towns, it was once considered a ‘hidden gem’ in the region but in recent years has become the most touristic spot in the entire country. It’s also home to some of the best surfing in all of Latin America, and in 2019, it hosted one of the biggest events of the year for the International Surf Association.

Being the traveller hub that it is, El Tunco has a ton of things to do and food to try — especially considering its modest size. El Tunco also makes a great base for exploring more of El Salvador’s famous beaches and heading inland to the glorious Ruta de las Flores.

So sit back, grab a cold beer, and watch one of the worlds most spectacular sunsets from the beachside paradise that is El Tunco.

For all the information on what to do and where to stay, head and check out our fully updated and Massive guide on all things to do in El Tunco! Or see what the Best Beaches in El Salvador are!

Beach with lifeguard tower and a sign that reads "El Tunco"
El Tunco Beach – Backpacker Playground of El Salvador

Ruta de las Flores

The Ruta de las Flores is one of the prettiest, most colourful and vibrant regions in El Salvador. Seeing as it’s also one of the most popular destinations in the country, it’s likely you’ve already heard about it. Found on the western side the country, in the highlands between the city of Santa Ana and the beach town of El Tunco.

The route of flowers is aptly named for the astounding display of coloured flowers in bloom following rainy season. Yet the hues remain throughout the year, in the brightly-painted towns the winding road threads together. 

From Ahuachapan in the north, the 45-kilometre ruta snakes along rolling hills of coffee and dense jungle, waterfalls and volcanoes. Several small villages, full of sights and activities, dot the road as it makes its way south to Sonsonate, a major transport hub in the region.

No journey through El Salvador is complete without experiencing the incredible, sights and smells and tastes of the Ruta de las Flores.

Coloufully-painted wall of a building.
Colourful Mural along the Ruta de las Flores

At the time of writing, there have been several robberies on the route to the waterfall just outside of Juayua.

We personally know two people who fell victim. The two of them were hiking to the falls than two kilometres outside of Juayua when they were robbed at knife-point. They lost some belongings and were shaken up, but were ultimately ok.Our hostel clearly informed us about this issue, unfortunately theirs did not.

The local police will escort you – free of charge – if you want to do this hike without a proper guide.

Suchitoto

This sleepy town is situated up in the hilly region northeast of San Salvador on the edge of a grand lake. Full of well-preserved colonial architecture and a cooler climate than other parts of the country, Suchitoto is slowly gaining popularity on the tourist trail.

A wonderful place to stop and relax is in Parque Central, sipping a locally grown coffee or puffing a hand-rolled cigar while staring up at the Iglesia Santa Lucia.

Los Tercios Waterfall is a nice hike for the scenery, especially the stunning basalt rock formations. The falls themselves can be a little underwhelming, especially in the dry season; but the mystical basalt formations are worth the effort.

For a little bit of history, learn a little of the darker side of Suchitoto while on a civil war tour. Hear the stories direct from a former guerrilla fighter who fought in the jungles surrounding Suchitoto.

Santa Ana

A city rich in history, Santa Ana was actually a thriving pre-Colombian urban centre. In the early 20th century, it was home to the majority of coffee plantation owners, as a result, here you’ll find some of the most beautiful colonial architecture in the country.

Santa Ana is a great base for exploring western El Salvador because it’s so well-connected to some of the country’s best experiences. The popular Ruta de las FloresSanta Ana Volcano and the gorgeous Lago de Coatepeque are all less than an hour away. In the city itself, though it lacks in some areas, also has a few great sights of its own.

For a detailed guide to Santa Ana and area, click here.

White gothic cathedral at the edge of a city square at sunset.
The stunning Gothic Cathedral of Santa Ana

Unique El Salvador Travel Experiences

Costa del Sol and Isla Tasajera

This strip of brilliant coastline a few hours south of San Salvador is a hot spot for higher-end vacationers. Here you’ll find a lot of nicer hotels and resorts with private beaches. They’re not quite the caliber that you might expect in Mexico, for example, but they’re much posher than a lot of the places you’ll encounter in other coastal towns in El Salvador.

This area isn’t limited to travellers with deep wallets. If you’re looking for a great place to escape the crowds, we recommend heading to the end of Costa del Sol and taking a ferry over to Isla Tasajera. We actually discovered this stunning place during a rather unfortunate Workaway experience, but overall, are glad we found it!

Although it’s not technically an island, it’s cut off from nearly all outside traffic. Cross the island via pickup trucks that regularly drive along the single road.

Check out some truly local restaurants for great seafood or head down to the beach where you’ll encounter the same beautiful strip of the coast as Costa del Sol proper, but without a single hotel or resort – it’s completely empty!

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Climb an Active Volcano

El Salvador is full of volcanoes, some of them still very active. Just outside Santa Ana, you can hike right to the edge of the central crater of the tallest volcano in the country. Known locally as Volcan Llamatepec, the Santa Ana Volcano stands a staggering 2300m above sea level and towers above the surrounding landscape.

Hiking this volcano is fairly easy and affordable. Typically, the whole journey can easily be done for a little over $10.

Upon reaching the top, stand in awe as the sulphurous steam bubbles from the lake below and the cracks in the crater walls. Just hold on to your gear! The wind reaches powerful speeds at this altitude. As pretty as the cloudy-green water is, you’re not going to want to chase anything into it.

For the full details to help you take on this epic hike, visit our Complete Guide to Hiking the Santa Ana Volcano 

Woman standing on the edge of a volcano crater with blue water in the crater.
Smiling at the Summit of Santa Ana Volcano

Cliff Jumping from Waterfalls

While spending some time in El Tunco, head to the hills high above the coastline and do some cliff jumping at the Tamanique waterfalls. Reaching the falls takes a bit of effort but is ultimately worth it. The only downside to this activity is the long hike back up and out!

Read More | Cliff Jumping in El Salvador.

Lesser-Visited El Salvador Travel Destinations

San Salvador

“Lesser-Visited” is a term rarely given to the capital city of a country. Though in Central America, this is often the case. Many will argue against visiting the capital city of San Salvador and depending on their reasons, some may be correct. However, in our opinion, visiting El Salvador without exploring this rapidly progressive city would be a shame.

It’s a city of great divides, the richest of the rich and those living in the extreme opposite. Neighbourhoods of corrugated-metal fences and razor wire, then towering American chain hotels and modern shopping centres only blocks away.

Over the last few years, the former mayor (and now Salvadoran President) Nayib Bukele and his government have invested vast amounts of money into rehabilitating San Salvador. And the changes are incredible. Even in the two years between our visits, the difference is evident.

The change has happened so quickly that many government websites and travel guides still recommend not visiting many parts of downtown that are now completely safe. On top of it all, its central location as a transport hub makes it the perfect base for exploring the rest of the country.

Inside of a large, dark church with rainbow coloured windows casting coloured light throughout.
STUNNING IGLESIA ROSARIO IN SAN SALVADOR

San Miguel

San Miguel, the often ignored city in the sweltering southeast of El Salvador. Often little more than a transit stop for those heading to or from Nicaragua or the coastal village of El Cuco, San Miguel is screaming for attention.

It might not have the same draw as other spots around El Salvador, yet we found ourselves really enjoying the time we spent here. From climbing an active volcano to celebrating the country’s biggest yearly festival, San Miguel has more to offer than a bus station.

And what it might lack in activities, it more than makes up for with its mind-blowingly friendly locals and equally impressive food scene.

So while you might not be planning a visit to San Miguel on its own just yet, if you find yourself passing through, we definitely recommend stopping for a few days and giving it a chance!

El Zonte

Only a few kilometres up the coast from El Tunco is the sleepy surf village of El Zonte. This wonderful town is actually our favourite of all the beach towns in El Salvador.

Though roughly the same size as El Tunco, it’s far-less developed for tourism. Even so, surfing here is a strong contender for best in the country.

A much quieter beach town El Zonte doesn’t have nearly the traveller scene as other parts of the country. So don’t come here expecting the same shopping or nightlife as you might expect elsewhere. But what El Zonte lacks in amenities, it makes up for in tranquillity.

On top of the peaceful, laid-back vibes, Zonte is also home to two separate beaches. On the south, powerful waves roll over the rocks, creating outstanding surf for those who ride. To the north, smooth, silky sand and calm water welcome those looking to go for a swim.

As well, a bonus for those visiting in October and November, El Zonte is also a great spot to take part in the release of baby sea turtles!

Check out our detailed guide for visiting El Zonte, or have a pick your favourite from the amazing beaches of El Salvador!

If You Only Do One Thing while Backpacking El Salvador…

Ride the Chicken Buses

Central America is famous for these incredible rides and El Salvador is one of the best (and cheapest) places to experience them. Old, outdated school buses from America are sent down here for “retirement.”

The buses are then polished up and with elaborate paint jobs, faux-chrome, strobe lights, powerful sound systems and any number of other flamboyant modifications imaginable. You can’t backpack El Salvador without riding the local buses.

Occasionally in questionable condition safety-wise and often packed like sardine cans, they’re a great way to have a true local experience. Catching a bus on the side of the highway from El Tunco up to Juayua early one morning at around 6am with 90’s techno blaring from the speakers, is a surefire way to wake up fast – trust us on that.

Although you can experience them in countries like Guatemala and Nicaragua, they’re a fun ride but often horribly uncomfortable. In El Salvador the routes are often much shorter, so you can have the experience without committing to six or seven hours of discomfort.

Colourful red school bus in front of a blue building.
The Famous Latin American Chicken Bus

The Food of El Salvador

Salvadoran cuisine is often misrepresented by many as underwhelming. While this may be true when compared to other regional heavy hitters – notably Mexico – the cuisine of El Salvador is by no means bland. Given the country’s history, they simply haven’t had the luxury of being able to focus on expanding their culinary scene. Limited crops and resources have kept options rather limited.

That being said, their creative use of common staples such as corn, beans, plantains and cheese have brought about some incredibly delicious dishes. Just don’t forget that while travelling El Salvador, you’ll be eating much more than just pupusas!

Must Try Salvadoran Food

Pupusas

Yes, I know what I just said. But just because there are other options, doesn’t mean they aren’t amazing!

The national dish of El Salvador and something you’ll find on nearly every street of every town in the country. Ridiculously cheap, simple and fantastically delicious, pupusas are a staple in Salvadoran cuisine.

Pupusas are essentially stuffed patties of masa (a corn flour) dough. Fillings are most commonly any combination of either cheese, beans or pork. The patties are expertly formed into perfectly round forms and fried on a hot, greased skillet until a deep-brown crust has formed and the filling has reached magma-like temperatures. They’re served along side a simple, pickled cabbage slaw called curtido, and a simple, spicy tomato sauce. Curtido is actually quite common throughout Central America, check out our own recipe for this tasty condiment!

Some restaurants, such as this one in Santa Ana, have dozens of unique pupusa fillings. These include everything from zucchini blossoms and loroco (an edible flower) to grilled prawns.

Plate of fried pupusas with a slaw and bowl of sauce.
Pupusas – The National Dish of El Salvador

Chorilonza

We first encountered this sausage during our time at the Juayua Food Festival. As a speciality of the western part of El Salvador, specifically the Ruta de Flores, it’s difficult to find elsewhere in the country. However, you’ll probably be going there anyway, so no worries!

This spicy snack is in essence a fusion of two classic Spanish sausages: Chorizo and Longazina. While I won’t bore you with the subtle differences between the two, just understand that chorilonza truly captures the best aspects of each. From the finely minced pork to the just-spicy-enough heat, it’s simply a perfectly crafted sausage.

Seafood

Another aspect of the food of El Salvador that is often overlooked is one that should almost be obvious. Given the ratio of coastline to landmass in this tiny nation, fresh seafood is easy to access – though understandably most common along the coast – and is of impeccable quality.

Like many of the best seafood preparations around the globe, seafood here is simple and rarely messed with. Fish, squid and giant prawns are typically cleaned and cooked whole, either grilled or fried. They’re served with lemon, a simple garlic-heavy sauce, curtido or fresh vegetables, and fried plantains.

Ponche

Ladlefuls of the steaming, milk-brown liquid were drawn from the bubbling cauldron and poured into styrofoam cups. A hearty couple of ounces of local rum was swirled in next.

This little treat tastes like more of a Christmas drink, one that should be enjoyed while hiding indoors from winter on the Canadian Prairies; not something to be sipped in 30 degree heat. However, we found ourselves returning for seconds, thirds, fourths…

Typically found during celebrations or special occasions, this festive concoction goes down a little too easily. Ponche itself is a simple mixture of milk that’s been flavoured with cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg and vanilla.

Styrofoam cup with a drink inside topped with grated cinnamon.
Sweet, tasty, boozy Ponche

Festivals in El Salvador

Nejapa El Salvador

August 31st Fire fight! We didn’t get to check this out because it’s in August. If you find yourself around Nejapa during the summer, make sure to get to this festival and write us! Its a fireball festival.

Check it out, it sounds dangerous, crazy and amazing.

Semana Santa

One Week leading up to Easter the beaches come crawling with locals and it is hard to find accommodation.

Carnaval de San Miguel

One of the biggest parties of the year in San Miguel, get there, book ahead and let loose!

Dia de Independencia

Independence Day September 15th Lots of food, lots of fireworks and a lot of fun.

Feria Gastronomica

Food festival is every weekend in Juayua, and should not be missed. Make sure to take a friend or two so you can share plates and eat more!

Festival del Cristo Negro

In Juayua, during he first two weeks of January. Activities take place throughout the city, with a huge celebration peaking at the end of the second weekend. This coincides with the Feria Gastronimica mentioned above.

Man hunched over with a wooden frame around his upper body. Foreworks shoot from the frame.
Salvadorans know how to throw a party

El Salvador: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The Good

The People.

There are few countries we’ve travelled where we’d encountered such friendly and hospitable people – and we have met some amazingly friendly folk around the world. What stood out for Kylee and I the most, was how often people would walk up to us on the street just to thank us for visiting their country. So proud of their nation, their faces beam with giddy delight as they greet those who ignore the stigma and give their beautiful home a visit.

Their humour is another stand-out quality. We entered the country on the same day as Donald Trump famously referred to El Salvador as a Shithole. We weren’t sure how the reaction would be and certainly weren’t prepared for what it was.

Salvadorans actually embraced it! As the hashtag was trending, they took advantage of this to draw attention to themselves. Cycling teams, videographers, bloggers, writers, artists and businesses began sharing #shithole all over the socials, using it as a quick and easy way to draw in those who were following. This use of humour and ingenuity was astounding!

The Bad

Getting around the country is cheap relatively easy – if you have enough time and patience. While cities and towns are very well-connected with buses and other transportation options, there are very few long-distance direct buses.

Quite often we would find ourselves having to take two or three different buses to get between two relatively popular towns that may have only been 70 or 80 kilometres apart. While this is merely an inconvenience, given the time constraints of some travellers, this can become a fairly significant issue.

The Ugly

This one is actually (and unfortunately) two parts. Though there is some lighter notes to the second.

Garbage

There is a horrible garbage situation in El Salvador. It’s hard to go anywhere in the country and not find plastic littering the roadsides, streets, fields and beaches.

And this problem doesn’t seem to be resolving itself soon. However, still reeling from a violent civil war and a struggling economy, much of the population lives in poverty.

There are many other, far more serious problems that must be addressed before the garbage problem will have the attention it needs.

Gangs

Speaking of more important issues, gang activity is widespread throughout the country, especially in the North and Eastern areas of San Salvador. Though it rarely spreads into tourist areas, gang violence does often spill into more populated areas and as unlikely as it is, innocents can and have become caught in the crossfire.

Thankfully, the current President has taken huge steps in dealing with this issue. And as of spring, 2020, gang murders have dropped significantly from previous years.

There is still a long way to go but it seems that progress in this case is finally happening.

Still, as with anywhere, doing a bit of research on current situations prior to arrival in a destination is a good idea.

Money in El Salvador

Average Daily Spending

This is a general suggestion for a daily budget while travelling to El Salvador. For the sake of simplicity, all prices are listed in U.S. dollars unless otherwise specified.

Budget

Solo: $25 – $30 per day
Couple: $50 – $65 per day

We spent an average of $50 a day, we stayed in private rooms, usually with shared bathroom. We cooked our own food most of the time, and went out for pupusas quite a bit when we were out. We also hitch hiked and took local transport all throughout El Salvador.

Mid-Range

Solo: $30 – $50 Per day
Couple: $50 – $75 Per day

This will include doing more activities and going out for beer and food in actual restaurants. We didn’t go out too many times since the street food (pupusas) are amazing. Mid-range hotels and nicer hostels will get you MUCH more overall, so make sure to do your research for accommodation, and spend where you need to!

High

$75+
Spend when you want, where you want and don’t think of money at all, do everything and stay anywhere.

El Salvador Travel Costs – Based on a Shoestring Budget

These are the basic costs of day-to-day spending for a low-cost travel budget. You can probably cut costs a little more, but this is a relatively safe expectation on the least amount you can expect to spend.

If you’re travelling on a larger budget, the sky is the limit!

Accommodation in El Salvador

Dorm bed – Between $7-14 a bed (expect more accommodation to be on the higher end)
Private Room $25 – 35 (without private bathroom)
With Bathroom $35 and up

Transportation in El Salvador

Local buses although usually crowded are the cheapest option, and super fun! Sometimes you can pay a bit more ($0.25)for an AC bus in and around the cities.
Short Distance (1 – 3 hours) $0.25 – $2
Medium Distance (3 – 5 hours) $2 – $5
Long Distance (5 hours or longer) Will usually be Tica bus or shuttle $20 – $30

Beer

In a bar : $2 and up (for 1L)
In a grocery store: you can find beer as cheap as $0.50 a can.

If you can’t find this deal, prices often drop when you buy in large quantities.

Food

In a restaurant: $3 and up for a sit down meal.

On the street: $0.25 – $2 Pupusas: each If you search for the street food carts you can get these for breakfast and dinner. When eating pupusas, make sure to get a good amount of the cabbage salad and tomato sauce, this is quite healthy for your guts while travelling; although your dorm mates might not like you too much in the middle of the night…

Make at home: $0.75 and up per meal (if you buy your groceries at the beginning of your trip and use throughout you will save a lot more than buying every meal.)

El Salvador Currency

Currency: USD (American Dollar)

Until 2001, the currency of El Salvador was the colon. Though, for several reasons, including a struggling post-war economy, they officially switched to the U.S. dollar. They continue to use the dollar to this day.

The paper money consists of $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 and up, but mostly try to have only $20 notes and lower, since it is tough to find change in many smaller shops. The coins will usually only consist of $1 and $0.25 coins since most of the prices are rounded up or down to the nearest quarter.

You will see one-dollar coins being used as well, which are not generally accepted outside of El Salvador, so spend them prior to leaving.

Most prices are rounded to the quarter ($0.25) when purchasing.

ATMs in El Salvador

ATMs are common in most bigger towns and tourist areas but sometimes can run out of money in smaller towns – El Tunco on the weekend is notorious for this. Make sure to have enough cash to keep you going for a few days if leaving bigger cities.

Tipping

Do tip around 10% at a restaurant, if you feel the service deserved it, but check the bill first, many restaurants (especially in touristy areas) will automatically add a gratuity, so check the bill closely to make sure you aren’t overpaying.

Tipping taxi drivers is not common , though rounding up to the nearest dollar is normal.

El Salvador Visa Requirements

For most passports, No visa is required for stays up to 90 days or less.
Passport must be valid for at least six months prior to entry.

*Remember that El Salvador is paired with Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua for visas. Meaning you can stay in the area for 90 days, not each country.

Entry: If arriving by air there is a $10 entry fee/tourist card.
If arriving by land, no fee required. Officials occasionally demand proof of sufficient funds to cover stay and documents for onward travel.

Always check prior to arrival for your specific country, as things can always change.

Countries Requiring Visas

Visa application needs to be approved for passport holders of:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Cameroon, China, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Timor-Leste, Vietnam and Yemen

If only in transit and from a visa-requiring country, visa is not needed for a stay of up to 48 hours if holding onward tickets.

Exit Tax

None as of time of writing. However, Guatemalan border agents tried to make us pay a non-existent entry fee when crossing from Mexico. As well, we’ve heard from some travellers that Guatemalan guards ask for a fee upon exiting. And as far as we know (as we’ve never had to pay) this is not official, and is likely a scam.El Salvador is part of the CA-4 agreement along with Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. This states that entry into any of these four countries lets you travel freely between them with a collective of up to 90 daysThis means you get a total of 90 days within all four countries – not each one.

Getting Around El Salvador

El Salvador Chicken Bus:

Are usually over packed but can get you pretty much anywhere for super cheap. El Salvador is quite small so most buses are an hour or less.
Check out Centro Coasting to get almost any route in El Salvador and how to get there.

Private Driver

Hiring a driver is quite normal in El Salvador. These drivers are usually great for getting you places fast, and they usually give a good amount of information if you want it, during the drive.
(price depends on driver and length of time/distance)

Shuttles in El Salvador

These will usually be only for getting into and out of El Savador. Unless you hire a shuttle from your hotel in San Salvador you won’t find them to go short distances, like between towns.

El Salvador Car Rentals

About $20 a day for rental without insurance. Roads can be a bit rough so make sure to get the applicable insurance, especially for windshield rocks! Also, make sure to inquire about insurance any time you rent a vehicle and check out your credit card for protection, because you might not need the extra coverage.

Also, make sure you check out if you can have an extra driver, some countries insurance don’t cover unless you pay for a second driver.

Tica Bus

A Central America bus system that only brings you into or out of the country via San Salvador. The bus is great and an easy ride, but only leaves from two terminals in San Salvador depending on where you are going.

Uber & Taxi

There are normally taxis only in the major cities. Flag them down and make sure they know where you are going and they have their papers before you hop in.

Uber is only available in larger cities but are a great to get to and from the airport in San Salvador.

Hitchhiking in El Salvador

A super easy and great way to get around. Hitch-hiking is free, just wave down the driver and tell them where you want to go. They will get you right there, or just closer to the place. Make sure you try to know a bit of Spanish before doing this to have better communication with the driver, you don’t want to end up somewhere you don’t want to be!

Although we hitchhiked often in El Salvador, it always comes with some risk. Avoid hitching alone and never do it after dark.

Accommodation in El Salvador

Hostels

There are a lot of choices in El Salvador for hostels, but they do vary quite a bit. When spending more you do get quite a bit more and we found that it is very worth going to the nicer hostels here.

Hotels

Are available everywhere, and range from cheap and dingy to expensive resorts with spas and relaxation centres.

AirBnb

We use AirBnb for most of our travels to keep costs down. You don’t meet as many travelers, but you get a chance to meet local families, which we really love. We also work online and the WiFi in hostels doesn’t always pan out.

If we aren’t using AirBnb we are using Booking.com for Hostels and Hotels.

Electricity

Electricity in El Salvador is 120V / 60Hz

Plug type: B

Language

Spanish

Hello/hi: Hola
What is your name?: Como Te llamas?
My name is___: Me llamo _____
How are you: Como estas?
How much is this?: Cuanto Cuesta?
Where is the bathroom/toilet?: Donde esta el bano?

While translations can often come out somewhat confusing and robotic, a safe bet is to download Google Translate on your phone before visiting.

Make sure to know the basic numbers, so you know how much things cost. A good idea is to have the calculator app on your phone, or even carry a small calculator so they can input the cost. This can also help with bargaining at local markets, simply type a counter-offer and see how it goes!

The Best Time to Visit El Salvador

November – April is the dry season, and the best general time for visiting. December is the best month overall.

Great weather, not too hot, just after the rainy season, and able to see the flowers in the Ruta de Flores and are able to surf in El Tunco. If in Juayua for the first two weeks, make sure to hit up the food festival on the weekend and the end of Jesus Negro celebration for the running of the bulls as seen here.

Weather and Climate

Average Temperature | 24C (75F) year around (San Salvador)

Hottest Month | April 26C (79F)

Coldest Month | December 23C (73F

Dry Season | November to April

Wet Season | May to October (but usually only rains at night)

Rainiest Month | October, although rarely, is affected by hurricane season.

El Salvador Safety and Health

El Salvador safety concerns are typically one of the biggest issues travellers have before visiting. Given the country’s history, this is understandable.

During our several-week stay in the country we had no problems. Most people are really considerate and helpful. However, saying that we met some people that didn’t have the same experience, so please be careful.

Be sure to check with your accommodation or with locals before going on any hike to know if there has been recent robberies, and always take a guide when recommended as a safety precaution. Sometimes the local police will escort tourists to sites (free of charge) if they know of it to be dangerous.

All you have to do is ask for an escort police officer and they will send someone, give them a heads up so they have enough staff on board to help you out.

Never walk alone especially at night, always hike with a guide or someone that knows the area, never hike alone. Do not flash signs of wealth: money, jewelery, cameras, etc.Do not resist a robbery! Many people in El Salvador carry weapons, whether it be a knife or a handgun. Your belongings are always replaceable.

Emergency Contact Numbers

Dial from any phone within El Salvador for emergency:
Police: 911
Ambulance: 132
Fire: 913

Drinking Water

Water is not safe to drink in El Salvador, some hotels and hostels will give water refills for free or a small fee, so please don’t forget to bring your own water bottle to reuse, and save the environment. We bought a Steri-Pen to sanitize water as we go, and it works great!

Illness/Sickness

The most common illnesses in El Salvador are stomach problems relating to diarrhoea, and vomiting.

Malaria is also present in El Salvador, so take precautions — especially around Guatemalan borders. If hiking make sure you keep an eye on Altitude sickness, since some of the heights in El Salvador can cause Acute Mountain Sickness. Please contact your health service department before entering the country.

Dengue fever and Zika have been found in El Salvador, so take precaution and cover up and/or use a high DEET.

Trust me, Dengue fever is not fun.

Vaccinations for El Salvador

No vaccinations are required to enter the country but some are recommended. Typhoid, hepatitis A and Hepatitis B are recommended, as well as routine Measles, Mumps Rubella (MMR); Tetanus, and Diphtheria.

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