Pre-Trip Information


Country Profile: El Salvador


Select A Country
  View Regions


   Country Overview
   People | Cultural Etiquette | Travel Guide | Health Advisory

Travel Guide

Please Note

 

This is a generalized travel guide and it is intended to coalesce several resources, which a traveler might find useful, regardless of a particular destination.  As such, it does not include travel warnings for specific "hot spot" destinations.   

For  travel alerts and warnings, please see the United States Department of State's listings available at URL: 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

Please note that travel to the following countries, based on these warnings, is ill-advised, or should be undertaken with the utmost precaution:  

Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), El Salvador, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories of West Bank and Gaza, Philippines areas of Sulu Archipelago, Mindanao, and southern Sulu Sea, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Venezuela, and Yemen.


***


Please note:

The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens that crime and violence levels in El Salvador remain high, and U.S. citizens traveling to El Salvador should remain alert to their surroundings.


***



International Travel Guide

 

Checklist for Travelers

 

1. Make sure you travel with the proper documentation.  This may include passports, travel visas, consent for travel with minors, and international driving permits, if necessary.  Get the necessary visas for the country (or countries) one intends to visit - but be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry. 

 

2. Protect one's personal information by making copies of one's passport details, insurance policy, travelers checks and credit card numbers. Taking copies of such documents with you, while leaving another collection copies with someone at home, is also good practice for travelers. Taking copies of one's passport photograph is also recommended, as well as leaving a copy of one's passport photograph and details at home is also recommended.  

 

3. Take time to learn about one's destination country and culture. Read and learn about the place one is traveling. Also check political, economic and socio-cultural developments at the destination by reading country-specific travel reports and fact sheets. Always have the contact information for the embassy or consulate of your home country. 

 

4. Keep in regular contact with friends and relatives back at home by phone or email, and be sure to leave a travel itinerary.  As well, keep a list of your emergency contacts handy and create a communication plan for reaching family and friends in the event of a crisis. 

 

5. While it may be appealing to travel "off the grid" and without attention to current events, it is inadvisable to travel internationally without paying attention to the news and current events taking place "in country."  Monitor local radio, television, and other sources for news and updates. Make contacts with staff at hotels and/or in the community so you are able to stay informed.

 

6. Phone lines are usually affected during a crisis. Think about other ways to communicate. For example, update your social media status often and send messages as regularly as possible to let friends and family know how you are doing.

 

7.  Know the laws of one's destination country and culture; be sure to understand the repercussions of breaking those laws and regulations. Often the transparency and freedoms of the juridical system at home is not consistent with that of one's destination country. Become aware of these complexities and subtleties before you travel.

 

8. For longer stays in a country, or where the security situation is volatile, one should register one's self and traveling companions at the local embassy or consulate of one's country of citizenship.  Be prepared for crisis situations and have an exit strategy to ensure you can easily evacuate from a volatile situation. Have more than one way to get towards safety as a crisis event may make some roads unpassable or unsafe.

 

9. Stay healthy by taking all possible precautions against illness. Also, be sure to take extra supplies of prescription drugs along for the trip, while also taking time to pack general pharmaceutical supplies, such as aspirin and other such painkillers, bandages, stomach ailment medication, anti-inflammatory medication and anti-bacterial medication.

 

10. Do not carry illicit drugs. Understand that the punishment for possession or use of illegal drugs in some countries may be capital punishment. Make sure your prescription drugs are legal in the countries you plan to visit.

 

11. Women should take care to be prepared both culturally and practically for traveling in a different country and culture. One should be sure to take sufficient supplies of personal feminine products and prescription drugs. One should also learn about local cultural standards for women, including norms of dressing. Be aware that it is simply inappropriate and unsafe for women to travel alone in some countries, and take the necessary precautions to avoid risk-filled situations.

 

12. If one is traveling with small children, one should pack extra supplies, make arrangements with the travel carrier for proper seating that would adequately accommodate children, infants or toddlers. Note also that whether one is male of female, traveling with children means that one's hands are thus not free to carry luggage and bags. Be especially aware that this makes one vulnerable to pickpockets, thieves and other sorts of crime.

 

13. Make proper arrangements for accommodations, well in advance of one's arrival at a destination. Some countries have limited accommodation, while others may have culturally distinctive facilities. Learning about these practicalities before one travels will greatly aid the enjoyment of one's trip.

 

14. Travel with different forms of currency and money (cash, traveler's checks and credit cards) in anticipation that venues may not accept one or another form of money. Also, ensuring that one's financial resources are not contained in one location, or by one person (if one is traveling with others) can be a useful measure, in the event that one loses a wallet or purse.  Contact your credit card companies ahead of departure to notify them of your travel plans and be on the lookout for suspicious activity.

 

15. Find out about transportation in the destination country. In some places, it might be advisable to hire a local driver or taxi guide for safety reasons, while in other countries, enjoying one's travel experience may well be enhanced by renting a vehicle and seeing the local sights and culture independently. Costs may also be prohibitive for either of these choices, so again, prior planning is suggested. If you plan to drive "in country," as indicated above, ensure you have proper international driving permits. 

 

16.  Be aware that other countries use different voltage.  Travel with a voltage adaptor pack if you will need to power up a laptop, phone, or medical device. It is also advisable to think in terms of power supply, and be sure to find backup power or other ways that will sustain your device or equipment during a power outage.


Tips for Travelers

A current passport and a one-entry tourist card are required to enter El Salvador. The tourist card may be obtained from immigration officials for a ten-dollar fee upon arrival in country. Travelers who plan to remain in El Salvador for more than thirty days can apply for a multiple-entry visa, issued free of charge, from the Embassy of El Salvador from a Salvadoran consulate. An exit tax must be paid, either in Salvadoran colones or U.S. dollars, when departing El Salvador from Comalapa International Airport in La Paz. Airlines will not accept Certificates of Naturalization or birth certificates in lieu of a passport, and information to the contrary should be disregarded.

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry and exit points.

These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry or departure. Minors traveling on Salvadoran passports must have the written permission of both parents to depart El Salvador. This restriction does not apply to minors traveling on U.S. passports, but it may be prudent for minors doing so to include a notarized statement from a parent or guardian as a precaution.

You should drive with your doors locked and windows raised, to avoid travel outside of major metropolitan areas after dark, and to avoid travel on unpaved roads at all times because of random banditry, carjackings, kidnappings, criminal assaults and lack of police and road service facilities. Most fatal traffic accidents or robberies and assaults occur during the evening or early morning hours. Travelers with conspicuous amounts of luggage, late-model cars or foreign license plates are particularly vulnerable, even in the capital.

Demonstrations, sit-ins or other related protests may occur at any time and anywhere in the country, but most frequently in the capital or on the main access roads.

Foreign citizens are cautioned to avoid areas where demonstrations are being held and to follow local news media reports or call your embassy for up-to-date information.

Many Salvadorans are armed and shootouts are not uncommon. Foreigners, however, may not carry guns even for their own protection without first procuring a firearms license from Salvadoran officials. Failure to do so will result in detention and confiscation of the firearm, even if it is licensed in the United States.

Mine removal efforts ceased several years ago, but land mines and unexploded ordnance in backcountry regions still pose a threat to off-road tourists, backpackers and campers.

Visitors to the beach areas of El Salvador should use caution when swimming in the Pacific Ocean due to strong undertow currents along much of the coast.

Violent and petty crime are prevalent throughout El Salvador and foreign citizens are often victims. Travelers should avoid carrying valuables in public places. Armed assaults and carjackings take place both in San Salvador and in the interior of the country, but are especially frequent on roads outside the capital where police patrols are scarce. Criminals have been known to follow travelers from the international airport to private residences or secluded stretches of road where they carry out assaults and robberies. Criminals often become violent quickly, especially when victims fail to cooperate immediately in surrendering valuables. Frequently, victims who argue with assailants or refuse to give up their valuables are shot.

Kidnappings for ransom are an ongoing problem.

Be vigilant and cautious while conducting financial exchanges either inside local banks or at automated teller machines. There have been several reports of armed robberies of people who appear to have been followed from the bank after completing their transactions.

Visitors to El Salvador should use caution when climbing volcanoes or hiking in other remote locations. Armed robberies of climbers and hikers are common.
The loss or theft abroad of a passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest appropriate embassy or consulate.

Medical care is limited. Emergency facilities, even in San Salvador, are very basic. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Most hospitals accept credit cards for hospital charges but not for doctors' fees.

The dengue virus is a significant public health concern in El Salvador, as the rate of infection increased from 1.6 per 100,000 in 1999 to 33 per 100,000 in 2000. Dengue in its hemorrhagic form is potentially fatal, particularly for young children. The highest rates of infection occur in urban areas where the mosquito that transmits dengue breeds in small pools of water. As a result, incidence of the disease is higher in the rainy season (May - October) than in the dry season (November - April). In September 2000, the Government of El Salvador announced a national dengue emergency that is still in effect. Travelers to El Salvador should take all appropriate precautions to avoid exposure. They include, but are not limited to, wearing appropriate clothing to cover one's body and using mosquito repellant containing "deet" to diminish the risk of contracting the disease.

While in a foreign country, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in your country. The information below concerning El Salvador is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstances.

Safety of public transportation: Poor
Urban road conditions/maintenance: Fair
Rural road conditions/maintenance: Poor
Availability of roadside assistance: Poor
Mini-buses, buses and taxis are often poorly maintained. Drivers are often not trained and generally do not adhere to traffic rules and regulations.

Because of a near complete lack of enforcement of traffic laws in El Salvador, drivers must make an extraordinary effort to drive defensively. Traffic signals are often ignored, and passing on blind corners is common. Nevertheless, local authorities uniformly enforce a Salvadoran law that requires the arrest or detention of a driver who injures or kills another person until a judge determines responsibility for the accident.

Information on traffic and road conditions is available in Spanish from Automovil Club de El Salvador, telephone 011-503-221-0557.

While in a foreign country, you are subject to that country's laws and regulations. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in your country for similar offenses. Persons violating El Salvador's laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in El Salvador are strict, and convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. The Salvadoran constitution prohibits foreigners from participating in domestic partisan political activities, including public demonstrations. To do so is a violation of visa status, punishable by detention, fines and/or deportation.

El Salvador is an earthquake-prone country. There is also the risk of flooding and landslides.

Note: This information is directly quoted from the United States Department of State Consular Information Sheet.

Sources: United States Department of State Consular Information Sheet


Business Culture: Information for Business Travelers

Salvadoran business relationships and meetings are, at first, formal. You should use proper titles, shake hands before and after your meeting, and not use a person's first name until a relationship has been solidified. Salvadorans commonly use titles such as Licenciado (meaning a college graduate), Ingeniero (engineering graduate), or Doctor (used both for physicians and lawyers). These are followed by the person's last name. El Salvador tends to be very much a business card society and it is important upon first meeting someone to exchange business cards with him or her; cards should be printed in Spanish.

Breakfast meetings are common and begin about 7:30 a.m. Lunches and dinners can become lengthy affairs (2-3 hours), so do not plan too tight a schedule around them. Dinners start at 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. Lunch is usually at 12:30 p.m.

Sources: United States Department of State Commercial Guides

For more general information on etiquette in El Salvador see our Cultural Etiquette page.


Online Resources Regarding Entry Requirements and Visas


 
Foreign Entry Requirements for Americans from the United States Department of State
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html
 
Visa Services for Non-Americans from the United States Department of State
http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html
 
Visa Bulletins from the United States Department of State
http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html
 
Visa Waivers from the United States Department of State
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html - new
 
Passport and Visa Information from the Government of the United Kingdom
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/
 
Visa Information from the Government of Australia
http://www.dfat.gov.au/visas/index.html
 
Passport Information from the Government of Australia
https://www.passports.gov.au/Web/index.aspx
 
Passport Information from the Government of Canada
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/preparation_information/passport_passeport-eng.asp
 
Visa Information from the Government of Canada
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/preparation_information/visas-eng.asp
 
Online Visa Processing by Immigration Experts by VisaPro
http://www.visapro.com
 
Sources: United States Department of State, United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Government of Australia: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Government of Canada Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
 
 
Useful Online Resources for Travelers
 
Country-Specific Travel Information from United States
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html
 
Travel Advice by Country from Government of United Kingdom
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/
 
General Travel Advice from Government of Australia
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/General
 
Travel Bulletins from the Government of Australia
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/
 
Travel Tips from Government of Australia
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/tips/index.html
 
Travel Checklist by Government of Canada
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/preparation_information/checklist_sommaire-eng.asp
 
Travel Checklist from Government of United Kingdom
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/staying-safe/checklist
 
Your trip abroad from United States Department of State
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1225.html
 
A safe trip abroad from United States Department of State
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html
 
Tips for expatriates abroad from United States Department of State
http://travel.state.gov/travel/living/residing/residing_1235.html
 
Tips for students from United States Department of State
http://travel.state.gov/travel/living/studying/studying_1238.html http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1219.html
 
Medical information for travelers from United States Department of State
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1185.html
 
US Customs Travel information
http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/travel/
 
Sources: United States Department of State; United States Customs Department, United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Government of Australia; Government of Canada: Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
 
 
Other Practical Online Resources for Travelers
 
Foreign Language Phrases for Travelers
http://www.travlang.com/languages/
http://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/index.htm
 
World Weather Forecasts
http://www.intellicast.com/
http://www.wunderground.com/
http://www.worldweather.org/
 
Worldwide Time Zones, Map, World Clock
http://www.timeanddate.com/
http://www.worldtimezone.com/
 
International Airport Codes
http://www.world-airport-codes.com/
 
International Dialing Codes
http://www.kropla.com/dialcode.htm
http://www.countrycallingcodes.com/
 
International Phone Guide
http://www.kropla.com/phones.htm
 
International Mobile Phone Guide
http://www.kropla.com/mobilephones.htm
 
International Internet Café Search Engine
http://cybercaptive.com/
 
Global Internet Roaming
http://www.kropla.com/roaming.htm
 
World Electric Power Guide
http://www.kropla.com/electric.htm
http://www.kropla.com/electric2.htm
 
World Television Standards and Codes
http://www.kropla.com/tv.htm
International Currency Exchange Rates
http://www.xe.com/ucc/
 
Banking and Financial Institutions Across the World
http://www.123world.com/banks/index.html
 
International Credit Card or Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Locator
http://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/global/
http://www.mastercard.com/us/personal/en/cardholderservices/atmlocations/index.html
 
International Chambers of Commerce
http://www.123world.com/chambers/index.html
 
World Tourism Websites
http://123world.com/tourism/
 
 
Diplomatic and Consular Information
 
United States Diplomatic Posts Around the World
http://www.usembassy.gov/
 
United Kingdom Diplomatic Posts Around the World
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-the-fco/embassies-and-posts/find-an-embassy-overseas/
 
Australia's Diplomatic Posts Around the World
http://www.dfat.gov.au/missions/
http://www.dfat.gov.au/embassies.html
 
Canada's Embassies and High Commissions
http://www.international.gc.ca/ciw-cdm/embassies-ambassades.aspx
 
Resources for Finding Embassies and other Diplomatic Posts Across the World
http://www.escapeartist.com/embassy1/embassy1.htm
 
 
Safety and Security
 
Travel Warnings by Country from Government of Australia
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/
 
Travel Warnings and Alerts from United States Department of State
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1766.html
 
Travel Reports and Warnings by Government of Canada
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/menu-eng.asp
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/updates_mise-a-jour-eng.asp
 
Travel Warnings from Government of United Kingdom
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/?action=noTravelAll#noTravelAll

Sources: United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the United States Department of State, the Government of Canada: Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Government of Australia: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
 
Other Safety and Security Online Resources for Travelers
 
United States Department of State Information on Terrorism
http://www.state.gov/s/ct/
 
Government of the United Kingdom Resource on the Risk of Terrorism
http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1044011304926
 
Government of Canada Terrorism Guide
http://www.international.gc.ca/crime/terrorism-terrorisme.aspx?lang=eng
 
Information on Terrorism by Government of Australia
http://www.dfat.gov.au/icat/index.html
 
FAA Resource on Aviation Safety
http://www.faasafety.gov/
 
In-Flight Safety Information for Air Travel (by British Airways crew trainer, Anna Warman)
http://www.warman.demon.co.uk/anna/inflight.html
 
Hot Spots: Travel Safety and Risk Information
http://www.airsecurity.com/hotspots/HotSpots.asp
 
Information on Human Rights
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/hr/
 
Sources: The United States Department of State, the United States Customs Department, the Government of Canada, the Government of United Kingdom, the Government of Australia, the Federal Aviation Authority, Anna Warman's In-flight Website, Hot Spots Travel and Risk Information