Travel guide

You need a passport valid for at least six months.

Many nationalities don’t need a visa; some pay for a tourist card on arrival. Requirements change: confirm with the consulate or your airline before travelling.

El Salvador is part of the CA-4 agreement with Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, which makes it easier to travel between them.

The dollar is the everyday currency; carry small bills, as 50s and 100s aren’t always accepted.

Cards work in hotels, restaurants and supermarkets. In villages and at the beach, carry cash.

Restaurants often include a 10% tip; check your bill.

Tropical climate all year. The dry season runs from November to April; the rainy season from May to October, with rain mostly in the afternoon.

The coast is hot (28–32 °C); the mountains and volcanoes are cooler.

Distances are short: about 45 minutes from the airport to San Salvador and about 40 to the La Libertad coast.

We recommend private transfers or ride-hailing apps. If you rent a car, avoid driving rural roads at night.

Drink bottled or purified water.

Use repellent: in the rainy season there are mosquitoes that carry dengue.

Get travel insurance with medical cover. San Salvador has good private hospitals.

You can buy a local SIM at the airport or in shopping malls; coverage is good in cities and along the coast.

WhatsApp is the usual way to reach hotels, guides and businesses.