Things To Know Before Visiting El Salvador

El Salvador is a hidden gem in Central America waiting to be explored. Before starting on your journey to this vibrant and culturally rich country, there are a few important things to know to ensure a safe and memorable experience. From its stunning natural landscapes to its warm and welcoming people, El Salvador has much to offer, but being well-prepared will make your visit all the more enjoyable. Here are some important things to know before you plan your trip.

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The surfing is great

Head to El Tunco in the north of the country to catch some waves. There is a strong local scene and plenty of weekenders from San Salvador, too. There are small breaks for beginners and more challenging waves for experienced surfers.

Experts say that huge swathes of forest have been destroyed in recent decades, but there are some left in national parks such as Imposible and Montecristo. The latter sits on the tri-border with Honduras and Guatemala, and it’s well worth a visit.

The Flower Route is beautiful

A short drive outside San Salvador is the iconic Ruta de las Flores (Flower Route) which winds through the mountains and takes in some incredibly pretty towns and villages. Make sure to visit Juayua, Apaneca and Ataco.

Try the pupusas

Central American food might be lacking a world famous dish such as tacos that have made Mexican cuisine a global favourite, but there are local delicacies that should be savoured. In El Salvador that means pupusas, thick corn tortillas stuffed with cheese, beans or pork.

The dollar is legal currency

You’ll have no problems with money in El Salvador thanks to the fact that the US dollar is the official currency. It’s easy to calculate costs, but it pays to be careful with the notes as they all look very similar.

Getting around can be a challenge

Transport infrastructure is poor in El Salvador, and local buses can be something of an ordeal for heavily-laden backpackers. Use tourist shuttles where possible or consider hiring a car if you are traveling in a small group.

Recent history is very complicated

While no one is expecting you to study a degree in Salvadoran history before you go, you’ll appreciate the country more if you have a basic understanding of events. For example, the rifts in society caused by the 1979-1992 civil war are still very relevant today, and it’s also worth looking into Salvadoran migration to and from the United States.

Keep your wits about you but don’t be obsessive

El Salvador has a crime problem, but tourists don’t tend to be targeted. If you can, book taxis to get around in San Salvador and use tourist shuttles to other parts of the country, but by no means should you obsess over safety. Take normal precautions and you should be just fine.

Travel is very affordable

You can have a great time on a limited budget in El Salvador. Couples sharing private rooms or groups in dorms will get the best deals thanks to shared costs in taxis and group discounts. You can have a lot of fun on $35 (€29) per day.

Don’t prioritize San Salvador

The capital of El Salvador may be a necessary staging post for those arriving by plane, but there is little to make you stick around. If you only have a limited amount of time to spend in the country, head off to Ruta de las Flores or the Pacific coast as soon as you arrive.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.