El Salvador Travel Guide – Best Tips And Things to Do
EL SALVADOR TRAVEL GUIDE
For many years, El Salvador was known as the murder capital of the world. Headlines about gangs and violence kept travelers away. But things are changing quickly. Today, El Salvador is opening its doors to tourism with a mix of culture, history, coffee, and beautiful nature. In this El Salvador Travel Guide, we’ll share essential information about the country, introduce our blog articles, and give honest advice for anyone planning a trip.
EL SALVADOR - IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Most travelers from Europe, the US, and many other countries can enter El Salvador visa-free for up to 90 days. You just need a valid passport and proof of onward travel.
There are direct flights from major US cities, and connections from Europe usually go through the US, Panama, or Mexico.
No mandatory vaccinations are required, but it’s always recommended to check routine shots (like tetanus, hepatitis A/B). If you’re arriving from a yellow fever country, proof of vaccination is necessary.
The official currency is the US Dollar (USD), which makes things simple for travelers. ATMs are widely available in cities and towns.
Since 2021, Bitcoin is also recognized as legal tender in El Salvador. While some places accept it, in reality, cash in USD is still far more common and much easier to use for everyday expenses.
El Salvador has a tropical climate with a dry season from November to April, which is the most popular time to visit.
The rainy season runs from May to October, with heavy afternoon showers, especially in the mountains. Travel is still possible, but hiking and some outdoor activities may be affected.
El Salvador uses the same plugs as the USA (Type A & B) with a standard voltage of 110V. Travelers from Europe will need an adapter.
Tap water is not safe to drink in most of El Salvador. Always stick to bottled water. Ice in restaurants and hotels is usually made with purified water and is generally safe.
For years, El Salvador was called the “murder capital of the world” due to extreme gang violence. But in recent years, things have changed a lot. With new security measures, the country is now considered much safer for travelers.
That said, it’s smart to stay cautious:
Avoid poor neighborhoods in San Salvador.
Don’t show valuables in public.
Use trusted taxis or rideshare apps.
At night, stick to well-lit, busy areas.
Our experience was very positive: locals were welcoming, and we felt safe while traveling around. As always, use common sense and keep up with the latest travel advisories before your trip.
EL SALVADOR TRAVEL GUIDE
COMING SOON!
We are currently working hard on our travel guides for El Salvador, especially San Salvador. In the future, you can expect to find a guide on how to spend one day in San Salvador, as well as an article dedicated to the amazing local food. Stay tuned, and in the meantime, check out our other blog articles.
TRAVEL GUIDE EL SALVADOR - YOU HAVE TO GO THERE
El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America but don’t let its size fool you. It is full of culture, history, and beautiful landscapes. With just over 6 million people and an area of around 21,000 square kilometers, it is about the size of New Jersey, making it easy to explore even in a short trip.
In 2024, El Salvador became the fastest-growing and trendiest destination in Central America, welcoming around 3.2 million international visitors, more than Panama or Costa Rica. This marks a 40% increase compared to 2019.Â
For us, visiting San Salvador was the perfect starting point to get to know the country. From exploring historic plazas and local markets to tasting pupusas, the national dish, our time here revealed a side of El Salvador that few expect and left us eager to discover even more.
WHERE TO GO IN EL SALVADOR
In many Central and South American countries, visiting the capital is not always recommended. However, we personally think San Salvador is the perfect starting point for exploring El Salvador. The international airport is here, and many private shuttles and buses depart from the city. The San Benito neighborhood is modern, safe, and makes a great base for your stay.
A short drive from the city takes you to volcanoes like Izalco and Ilopango, offering views and hiking opportunities. To the north is Suchitoto, a colonial town with cobblestone streets, art galleries, and views of Lake Suchitlán. Heading west, the Ruta de Las Flores has colorful villages, waterfalls, and coffee plantations. For beach lovers, like us, the Pacific coast and towns like El Tunco or El Zonte are about an hour away. From San Salvador, you can quickly explore the country’s diverse landscapes, culture, and history without long travel times.
So far, we’ve only visited San Salvador, but both our guide and other travelers recommended several sights, which we made sure to note for next time. On our next trip, we definitely want to explore more of El Salvador, since this time we just arrived, spent a full day in the city, and then continued on to Honduras.
You can also check out our existing Guatemala Travel Guide and Belize Travel Guide, where we spent a few days in Caye Caulker.
A popular beach town on the Pacific coast, famous for surfing and laid-back vibes. Great for sun, waves, and local beach bars.
A UNESCO World Heritage site known as the “Pompeii of the Americas.” Preserved ruins show daily life of the Mayan people.
One of El Salvador’s most famous volcanoes, offering nice views from the summit. A moderate hike rewards you with panoramic scenery.
A crater lake surrounded by hills, perfect for swimming, kayaking, or relaxing at lakeside restaurants.
WHEN TO VISIT EL SALVADOR: WEATHER AND TRAVEL SEASONS
If you are planning a trip to Peru, the travel season can make a big difference, especially since summer in Peru means winter in Europe. On the one hand, the Peruvian coast, including Lima, stays dry in winter but is often grey and cloudy. In fact, Lima is famously called Lima la gris because of its overcast skies between June and September.
On the other hand, June is actually a perfect time for hiking in the Andes. We did the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu in June and had beautiful clear skies almost every day, which was perfect for enjoying the mountain views. In general, the best time to visit Peru is between May and September
To help you plan your trip better, we created a simple graphic showing the best travel seasons for different regions in Peru with average temperatures and rainy days.
OUR HONEST ADVICE - IS EL SALVADOR WORTH VISITING?
So far, we’ve only visited San Salvador, but both our guide and other travelers suggested many sights to explore next time. On this trip, we spent a full day in the city before continuing to Honduras. Next, we’d love to explore more of El Salvador and then visit Nicaragua. Nearby are volcanoes like Izalco and Ilopango, the colonial town of Suchitoto, the Ruta de Las Flores with villages and coffee plantations, and Pacific beaches like El Tunco and El Zonte. Even in a short time, you can experience the country’s diversity. El Salvador is definitely worth visiting for its history, food, volcanoes, and beaches.
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