Volume · Central America
El Salvador
Surf towns, Maya ruins, volcano trails, and colonial streets, all within a short drive of each other.
Time Zone
UTC−6 (CST year-round)
Language
Spanish; Nawat
Currency
U.S. dollar (USD); Bitcoin accepted at some businesses
Best Season
November–April (dry season)
Visa
U.S. citizens: no tourist visa required for stays up to 90 days (shared across Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua); requirements vary by nationality
Overview
El Salvador is small, but it holds more than most visitors expect. Most people stick to Surf City, and it’s easy to see why, but the country has a lot more to offer: Maya ruins, volcano hikes, coffee villages, colonial towns, and calmer beaches, all within easy reach of each other. We spent a week here on vacation. One of us has been many times, and for the other it was a first visit, so this guide covers both views. Our home base was the Escalón neighborhood in San Salvador, which put most of the country within a day trip.
Points of interest in El Salvador
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