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El Salvador

Overview of El Salvador

San Sebastian
Photo credit: innovacionweb
Breathtakingly lush and home to world-class surfing, dark-sand beaches and blossom-filled villages, El Salvador may be Central America's best-kept travel secret. Visitors are in for a treat of sublime coffee, intriguing history, and some of the warmest welcomes on the planet.

Interspersed between the forest, mountains, and 21 volcanoes are the best-preserved ruins of Mayan civilisation. A highlight is the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Joya de Cerén, which is all that remains of a Mayan settlement buried under volcanic ash 1,400 years ago. The San Andrés region and the ruins of Tazumal are other vestiges of this ancient people.

Getting around the small country is easily achieved by bus or taxi. The longest journey is between San Salvador and La Palma, and that lasts a meagre four hours, making internal flights redundant. San Salvador and San Sebastian are the main attractions. The latter is a popular, picturesque beachside resort village, a town of quaint Romanesque sights and simple beauty.

San Salvador, by contrast, is the hub of a rapidly industrialising country. It is densely populated and crime-ridden. Still, visitors can enjoy a wide range of sights in the city; colonial cathedrals and buildings including the Catedral Metropolitana, St Ignatius Loyola, and the Spanish façade. Atop San Jacinto Mountain visitors can enjoy a panoramic vista of the city as well as an amusement park and cable car rides.

map of El Salvador


Key Facts

Language:
Passport/Visa:

All foreign visitors to El Salvador must hold return or onward tickets, and the required travel documentation for their next destination. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter El Salvador if passengers are arriving from or transiting through any yellow fever risk area. It is highly recommended that travellers' passport have at least six months' validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Currency:

The official currency of El Salvador is the US Dollar (USD). It's virtually impossible to change pounds sterling anywhere in El Salvador, so travellers should bring cash in US dollars. Smaller bars, shops and restaurants generally won't accept $50 and $100 notes, though visitors can exchange these at banks on arrival. It's advisable that travellers bring smaller denominations with them. ATMs are widely available but travellers should inform their banks that they're visiting El Salvador to avoid their cards being blocked.

Electricity:
Electrical current in El Salvador is 120 volts, 60Hz. American-style flat two-pin plugs and a plug with a third round grounding pin are standard.

Travel to El Salvador

Customs in El Salvador

The people are warm, welcoming, and friendly. However, etiquette in El Salvador can be formal in address. Visitors should always use the formal pronoun 'usted' with strangers and acquaintances, and use titles of respect. Greetings are common in shops and in passing on the street, and it is considered rude not to return a greeting. El Salvador culture is patriarchal and women traditionally show respect to men. It is considered rude for anyone to put their feet up on a chair or table, or to yawn without covering their mouth.

Duty Free in El Salvador

Visitors to El Salvador may import the following goods: 200 cigarettes, 25 cigars or 250g of tobacco in any form, 12 litres of alcoholic beverages, 6 units of perfume and gifts valued up to USD 500.

Communication in El Salvador

The international dialling code for El Salvador is +503. Visitors can purchase local SIM cards and WiFi is available at many cafes and restaurants, and nearly all hostels and hotels in urban areas.

Passport/Visa Note

All foreign visitors to El Salvador must hold return or onward tickets, and the required travel documentation for their next destination. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter El Salvador if passengers are arriving from or transiting through any yellow fever risk area. It is highly recommended that travellers' passport have at least six months' validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for Americans:

US citizens must have a valid passport. No visa is required for a stay of up to three months.

Entry requirements for Canadians:

Canadian citizens must have a passport valid for six months on arrival in El Salvador. No visa is required for a stay of up to three months.

Entry requirements for UK nationals:

British citizens must have a passport valid for six months on arrival. British passport holders do not require a visa for a stay of up to three months; unless their passports are endorsed 'British National (Overseas)', in which case a visa must be pre-arranged. British visitors will be required to buy a Tourist Card (fee: USD 10) upon arrival if they do not have a visa.

Entry requirements for Australians:

Australian citizens must have a passport valid for six months on arrival. No visa is required for a stay of up to three months.

Entry requirements for Irish nationals:

Irish citizens must have a passport valid for six months on arrival. No visa is required for a stay of up to three months.

Entry requirements for New Zealanders:

New Zealand citizens must have a passport valid for six months on arrival. No visa is required for a stay of up to three months.

Entry requirements for South Africans:

South African citizens must have a passport valid for six months on arrival. A visa is not required for stays of up to three months.

Tourist Offices

Tourist Information Center, La Union: http://www.elsalvador.travel/en

El Salvador Embassies

In the United States:

Embassy of El Salvador, Washington, D.C. United States: +1 202 595 7500

In Canada:

Consulate General of El Salvador, Toronto, Canada: +1 416 975 08152

In the United Kingdom:

El Salvador Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 207 224 9800

In Australia:

Consulate General of El Salvador, Melbourne, Australia: +61 3 9686 9151

In New Zealand:

Consulate General of El Salvador, Melbourne, Australia: +61 9686 9151 (also responsible for New Zealand)

Foreign Embassies in El Salvador

American Embassy

Embassy of the United States in San Salvador, El Salvador: +503 2501 2999

Canadian Embassy

Canadian Embassy in San Salvador, El Salvador: +503 2133 1100

British Embassy

British Embassy in San Salvador, El Salvador: +503 2511 5757

Australian Embassy

Australian Consulate in San Salvador, El Salvador: +503 2298 9447

Travel Advisories

Health Information for Travelers to El Salvador

Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Vaccines and Medicines

Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor (ideally, 4-6 weeks) before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need.

 

  Find Out Why Protect Yourself

All travelers

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccines may also be required for travel.

Routine vaccines

Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot.

get_vaccinated hygiene

Most travelers

Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.

Hepatitis A

CDC recommends this vaccine because you can get hepatitis A through contaminated food or water in El Salvador, regardless of where you are eating or staying.

get_vaccinated eat_drink
Typhoid

You can get typhoid through contaminated food or water in El Salvador. CDC recommends this vaccine for most travelers, especially if you are staying with friends or relatives, visiting smaller cities or rural areas, or if you are an adventurous eater.

get_vaccinated eat_drink

Some travelers

Ask your doctor what vaccines and medicines you need based on where you are going, how long you are staying, what you will be doing, and if you are traveling from a country other than the US.

Hepatitis B

You can get hepatitis B through sexual contact, contaminated needles, and blood products, so CDC recommends this vaccine if you might have sex with a new partner, get a tattoo or piercing, or have any medical procedures.

get_vaccinated avoid_body_fluids avoid-non-sterile-equipment
Malaria

Although the risk of malaria is low in El Salvador, you should avoid mosquito bites to prevent malaria. Some travelers to certain areas who are at higher risk for complications from malaria (such as pregnant women) may need to take extra precautions, like antimalarial medicine. Talk to your doctor about how you can prevent malaria while traveling. For more information on malaria in El Salvador, see malaria in El Salvador.

antimalarial_meds avoid_insects
Rabies

Rabies can be found in dogs, bats, and other mammals in El Salvador, so CDC recommends this vaccine for the following groups:

  • Travelers involved in outdoor and other activities (such as camping, hiking, biking, adventure travel, and caving) that put them at risk for animal bites.
  • People who will be working with or around animals (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, and researchers).
  • People who are taking long trips or moving to El Salvador
  • Children, because they tend to play with animals, might not report bites, and are more likely to have animal bites on their head and neck.
get_vaccinated animals hygiene
Yellow Fever

There is no risk of yellow fever in El Salvador. The government of El Salvador requires proof of yellow fever vaccination only if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever. This does not include the US. If you are traveling from a country other than the US, check this list to see if you may be required to get the yellow fever vaccine: Countries with risk of yellow fever virus (YFV) transmission.

For more information on recommendations and requirements, see yellow fever recommendations and requirements for El Salvador. Your doctor can help you decide if this vaccine is right for you based on your travel plans.

All travelers

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccines may also be required for travel.

get_vaccinated hygiene
Routine vaccines

Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot.

Most travelers

Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.

get_vaccinated eat_drink
Hepatitis A

CDC recommends this vaccine because you can get hepatitis A through contaminated food or water in El Salvador, regardless of where you are eating or staying.

get_vaccinated eat_drink
Typhoid

You can get typhoid through contaminated food or water in El Salvador. CDC recommends this vaccine for most travelers, especially if you are staying with friends or relatives, visiting smaller cities or rural areas, or if you are an adventurous eater.

Some travelers

Ask your doctor what vaccines and medicines you need based on where you are going, how long you are staying, what you will be doing, and if you are traveling from a country other than the US.

get_vaccinated avoid_body_fluids avoid-non-sterile-equipment
Hepatitis B

You can get hepatitis B through sexual contact, contaminated needles, and blood products, so CDC recommends this vaccine if you might have sex with a new partner, get a tattoo or piercing, or have any medical procedures.

antimalarial_meds avoid_insects
Malaria

Although the risk of malaria is low in El Salvador, you should avoid mosquito bites to prevent malaria. Some travelers to certain areas who are at higher risk for complications from malaria (such as pregnant women) may need to take extra precautions, like antimalarial medicine. Talk to your doctor about how you can prevent malaria while traveling. For more information on malaria in El Salvador, see malaria in El Salvador.

get_vaccinated animals hygiene
Rabies

Rabies can be found in dogs, bats, and other mammals in El Salvador, so CDC recommends this vaccine for the following groups:

  • Travelers involved in outdoor and other activities (such as camping, hiking, biking, adventure travel, and caving) that put them at risk for animal bites.
  • People who will be working with or around animals (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, and researchers).
  • People who are taking long trips or moving to El Salvador
  • Children, because they tend to play with animals, might not report bites, and are more likely to have animal bites on their head and neck.
Yellow Fever

There is no risk of yellow fever in El Salvador. The government of El Salvador requires proof of yellow fever vaccination only if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever. This does not include the US. If you are traveling from a country other than the US, check this list to see if you may be required to get the yellow fever vaccine: Countries with risk of yellow fever virus (YFV) transmission.

For more information on recommendations and requirements, see yellow fever recommendations and requirements for El Salvador. Your doctor can help you decide if this vaccine is right for you based on your travel plans.

Key
  • Get vaccinated
  • Take antimalarial meds
  • Eat and drink safely
  • Prevent bug bites
  • Keep away from animals
  • Reduce your exposure to germs
  • Avoid sharing body fluids
  • Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment

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Note: Zika is a risk in El Salvador. Zika infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects. Therefore, pregnant women should not travel to El Salvador. Partners of pregnant women and couples planning pregnancy should know the possible risks to pregnancy and take preventive steps (more information).

 

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Stay Healthy and Safe

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in El Salvador, so your behaviors are important.

 

Eat and drink safely

Unclean food and water can cause travelers' diarrhea and other diseases. Reduce your risk by sticking to safe food and water habits.

Eat
  • Food that is cooked and served hot
  • Hard-cooked eggs
  • Fruits and vegetables you have washed in clean water or peeled yourself
  • Pasteurized dairy products
Don't Eat
  • Food served at room temperature
  • Food from street vendors
  • Raw or soft-cooked (runny) eggs
  • Raw or undercooked (rare) meat or fish
  • Unwashed or unpeeled raw fruits and vegetables
  • Unpasteurized dairy products
  • ”Bushmeat” (monkeys, bats, or other wild game)
Drink
  • Bottled water that is sealed
  • Water that has been disinfected
  • Ice made with bottled or disinfected water
  • Carbonated drinks
  • Hot coffee or tea
  • Pasteurized milk
Don’t Drink
  • Tap or well water
  • Ice made with tap or well water
  • Drinks made with tap or well water (such as reconstituted juice)
  • Unpasteurized milk
Take Medicine

Talk with your doctor about taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs with you on your trip in case you get sick.

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Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in El Salvador. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?
  • Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
  • Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
  • Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
  • Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
  • Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.
What type of insect repellent should I use?
  • FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
  • FOR PROTECTION AGAINST MOSQUITOES ONLY: Products with one of the following active ingredients can also help prevent mosquito bites. Higher percentages of active ingredient provide longer protection.
    • DEET
    • Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
    • Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or PMD
    • IR3535
  • Always use insect repellent as directed.
What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?
  • Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
  • Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.
What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs.

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites.

Note: Zika is a risk in El Salvador. For more information, see Zika Virus in El Salvador.

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Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in El Salvador include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

  • Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
  • Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
  • Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
  • Heat-related illness, such as heat stroke, can be deadly. Eat and drink regularly, wear loose and lightweight clothing, and limit physical activity during high temperatures.
    • If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
  • Protect yourself from UV radiation: use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
  • Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
  • Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.
Stay safe around water
  • Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
  • Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
  • Do not dive into shallow water.
  • Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
  • Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
  • To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can be spread in fresh water, is found in El Salvador. Avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers.

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Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

  • Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
  • Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
  • Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
  • Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
  • If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

  • Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
  • Go to a doctor right away.
  • Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

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Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

  • Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
  • If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
  • Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
  • Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
  • If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.
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Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

  • Use latex condoms correctly.
  • Do not inject drugs.
  • Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
  • Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
  • If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.
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Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

  • Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
  • Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
  • Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
  • Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call El Salvador’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
  • Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website (www.jointcommissioninternational.org).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

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Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Walking

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

  • Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
  • Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
  • Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.
Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

  • Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
  • Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
  • Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
  • Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
  • Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
  • Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

  • Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
  • Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
  • Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

  • Wear a seatbelt at all times.
  • Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
  • When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
  • Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of El Salvador may be poor.
  • Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
  • Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
  • If you choose to drive a vehicle in El Salvador, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
  • Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
  • Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
Flying
  • Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
  • If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
  • Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.
Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

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Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave
  • Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
  • Monitor travel warnings and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
  • Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
  • Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.
While at your destination(s)
  • Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate.
  • Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
  • Follow all local laws and social customs.
  • Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
  • Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
  • If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.
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Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for El Salvador for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

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Travel Health Notices

There are no notices currently in effect for El Salvador.

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After Your Trip

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic. Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor about your travel history.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel.

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Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

Currency

The official currency of El Salvador is the US Dollar (USD). It's virtually impossible to change pounds sterling anywhere in El Salvador, so travellers should bring cash in US dollars. Smaller bars, shops and restaurants generally won't accept $50 and $100 notes, though visitors can exchange these at banks on arrival. It's advisable that travellers bring smaller denominations with them. ATMs are widely available but travellers should inform their banks that they're visiting El Salvador to avoid their cards being blocked.

El Salvador International Airport (SAL)
Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport

Location: San Salvador The airport is located 51 miles (82km) from San Salvador city centre.

map of El Salvador International Airport

Time: Local time is GMT -6.

Getting to the city: Buses are available; however, they take up to an hour to make the journey to San Salvador. Taxi Acacya offers shuttle service into town for a fixed fare.

Car rental: Car rental companies represented at the airport include Avis and Alamo.

Airport Taxis: Taxi services are available from the airport.

Facilities: Airport facilities include ATMs, banks, a restaurant, couriers, baggage wrapping services, a pharmacy, a library, vending machines, photocopying services, and shops (including duty-free shops).

Parking: Parking is available at the airport.

Overview of the Attractions in El Salvador

Public Holidays in El Salvador

  2023 2024
New Year's Day Mon. January 1 Mon. January 1
Maundy Thursday Sat. April 6 Thu. March 28
Good Friday Sun. April 7 Fri. March 29
Holy Saturday Mon. April 8 Sat. March 30
Labour Day Wed. May 1 Wed. May 1
Fiesta de San Salvador Sun. August 4 to Tue. August 6 Sun. August 4 to Tue. August 6
Independence Day Sun. September 15 Sun. September 15
All Saints' Day Sat. November 2 Sat. November 2
National Day of Life, Peace and Justice Tue. March 26 Tue. March 26
Christmas Day Wed. December 25 Wed. December 25

News about El Salvador

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Since the start of 2023, the U.S. Department of State has issued travel advisories for Mexico and four other countries in Central America due to crime. The State Department says Americans should reconsider travel to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica and El Salvador, popular
News Nation
Tuesday April 18, 2023
CDC adds 6 places to its 'high' risk category for travel, including 2 Central American countries
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added six destinations to its "high" risk category for travel on Monday. Two Central American countries -- El Salvador and Honduras -- received a Level 3, "high" risk designation. Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Poland and Fiji
CNN
Tuesday July 26, 2022
Explore El Salvador's beaches, volcanoes, coffee and culture
Looking for a tourist-free escape? El Salvador is far less-visited than other Central American countries like Costa Rica and Guatemala and breathtaking scenery abounds wherever you go. Whether it's sun-drenched beaches, well-preserved national parks or pristine lakes high
USA Today
Tuesday July 12, 2022
Airline stocks slide as highly contagious Covid mutation in UK prompts travel restrictions
Airline stocks slipped Monday as a highly contagious mutation of Covid-19 found in the U.K. and South Africa prompted travel restrictions by more than two dozen nations. Countries from Italy to India to El Salvador have banned flights from the U.K.
CNBC
Tuesday December 22, 2020
The State Department is telling US tourists that El Salvador is now as safe as Denmark
The State Department has declared El Salvador safer for American travelers after advising them to avoid it since at least 2013, saying that it’s now safe to travel to the country if they exercise “increased caution.” Given that violent crime, gang activity, and ineffective policing is still common in the country, as its State Department travel warning notes, it’s not clear what about the situation in El Salvador
Vox
Thursday October 03, 2019
Mexico Airline Offers Central America Migrants $1 Trips Home
Mexican airline Volaris has launched a program called “Reuniting Families” that is offering to fly Central American immigrants in Mexico back to their countries of origin. For $1, plus applicable taxes, Volaris will fly immigrants in Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara and Mexico City to Costa Rica, El Salvador or Guatemala. Immigrants need only show some
Bloomberg
Friday June 21, 2019
How to See El Salvador Like an Insider
The first thing you notice about Rafael Hernandez is his smile. Bright, youthful, and beaming, it’s a toothy grin you’d think belonged to a child. But now in his late 40s, Hernandez is anything but a babe in the woods. As the head park ranger at the Cinquera Forest, located in the Northeast corner of El Salvador, Hernandez takes his job seriously. And really, you can’t
Travel+Leisure
Tuesday May 28, 2019
How Has Guatemala Remained Central America's Underrated Surf Destination?
I have been surfing in Central America for about 15 years, alternating between Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. All of these countries offer great waves, warm water, friendly people and really good food. Over those years, I have seen the lineups get more crowded, prices go up, and the locals getting more radical to protect their once empty lineups-turned-playgrounds for traveling surfers.