Destination El Salvador

The following suggestions are put together for anyone traveling to El Salvador, whether it be to visit friends or relatives, for business or just for a brief visit

How to Pack: El Salvador is hot and humid any time of
the year. Rainy season begins usually at the beginning of May and runs through October, so plan accordingly. Bring light weight clothing, but appropriate clothing.

In some rural areas it is still inappropriate for women to wear pants and especially shorts so be sure to pack some skirts, sisters, just in case! You’ll now view more and more bikinis sported on El Salvadors public beaches as in the resort areas of Costa Rica and Mexico. Things are slowly but surely changing. Good shoes…. Please bring comfortable shoes. Even if you hire a driver or tour operator to transport you or rent a car in El Salvador some hiking and walking will be required to explore off the beaten path, and it wont always be down paved sidewalks, more often mountain trails, so bring some good, sturdy and comfortable hiking shoes. Leave all your valuables you will not need at home. No flashy jewelry, no fancy watches, nothing that will make you stand out in the humble villages you are bound to visit. Remember, the contents of your luggage could contain more than a humble person may possess in a lifetime. Travelling around: In the modern cities of San Salvador and San Miguel, Santa Ana and Sonsonate the visitor shall encounter the modern style “MetroCentro” malls boasting everything from supermarkets to tattoo parlors where the young imitate dress and styles up north, chatting endlessly on the cellular phones! ATM machines and Banks are located in the modern shopping centers and accept most all international credit and debit cards, paying out in USD, the currency of legal tender in El Salvador since 2000. The shopping malls have their own private guard services avoid using ATMs located on the street or outside banks when alone, especially at night. When travelling to to beach or countryside bring only as much cash as you feel youll need for meals and small purchases, some of the larger coastal restaurants and all of the larger guest houses, B & B-s and beach and mountain resort hotels accept credit and/or international debit cards. For large purchases in the city, use credit card. Never flash a lot of cash, nor leave valuables unattended in a parked vehicle unless locked securely in the trunk out of sight. Never discuss your travel itinerary with overly friendly strangers nor divulge in public where you are lodging. ——-

Getting There: There are several flights daily into San Salvador from the Stateside Gateways of Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, New York, and Miami (as well as from Montreal and Toronto and other Central and South American cities, Flights direct from Europe into Cancun & Mexico City, Guatemala and San Jose, Costa Rica)). Shop around and start early and you may actually find a good deal. Central and South American, EU passport holders no visas nor tourist cards required. American and Canadian Citizens no longer need to purchase a $10.00 tourist card when they arrive in El Salvador. Stay given is 90 days, and that includes immigration for 3 other nations of the CA-4 (Central American 4 countries): Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, after that the visitor must exit to either Belize, Mexico or Costa Rica and return after 72 hours for another 90 days, if planning to work or volunteer check with your employer or non profit organization regarding assistance with obtaining a 1 year work permit or volunteer visa.

The airport departure tax leaving El Salvador is generally $27.00-$34.00USD cash, check with your airline. (if not included in the price of your ticket). Remember that El Salvador’s Comalapa International Airport is located near the coast, actually 45 kms. or 28 miles due south from the capital city of San Salvador (about a 45 minute drive to the capital).
So, those planning beach, coastal, surfing and watersports vacations in El Salvador will be delighted to hear that resorts hotels and surf camps on the Pacific Coast are all accessible, often less than a 30/40 minute drive, from the airport by the Carretera Litoral..Coastal Highway CA2, no need to drive into or through the congested capital city of San Salvador from the Airport AT ALL.

*International Buses When travelling by first class or luxury bus services to and from either Guatemala, Honduras or Nicaragua/Costa Rica/Panama (King Quality Lines, Pulmantur, TransNica and Tica Buses), except for Tica Buses downtown Centro San Salvador terminal, the international bus terminals are located at San Salvadors modern and secure Puerto Bus terminal, or terminals, including Tica Bus, in the upscale Colonia San Benito, located near many of the 3, 4 and 5 star luxury hotels.