How Much Money Do I Need To Go To El Salvador

Republic of el salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America. Somewhat bypassed on the tourist trail every bit information technology's tucked away from the master route people have through Central America, this country is filled with natural beauty, forests, beaches, and even the opportunity to view some archaeological sites.

El Salvador is the perfect place to experience the cracking outdoors without the crowds as you lot make your way around Primal America. Everyone is super friendly and generally happy to have visitors.

This travel guide to El Salvador tin assistance you plan an affordable and enjoyable trip here!

Superlative 5 Things to See and Do in Republic of el salvador

ane. Visit the Montecristo Cloud Forest

The deject forest has a diverse swath of flora and fauna including ferns, orchids, mosses, spider monkeys, and anteaters. Hike to the highest point, El Trifinio, where the borders of Republic of el salvador, Honduras, and Republic of guatemala converge. There'due south a limit to how many people can visit the park each twenty-four hour period, so it's all-time to arrive bright and early.

2. Hang out in El Tunco

One hour outside of San Salvador is this backpacker'south paradise. Cheap hostels, $1 USD pupusas, a not bad party scene with bars featuring both live music or DJs and world-class surfing wait in this beachside town.

3. Go to Puerta del Diablo

Also known as the Devil's Door, El Salvadorians accept since reclaimed the area as a spotter with sprawling views over San Salvador and the surrounding mountains. Accept the bus from San Salvador for less than $1 USD, and and so it's a quick walk to the boulders.

iv. See the Cihuatán Ruins

Cihuatan was founded after the collapse of the Mayans around 900 C.Eastward. and quickly became a regional capital. It lasted for 100 years earlier unknown invaders burned the city in the 10th century A.D. You tin visit the ruins and the museum explaining the history of the expanse as a day trip from El salvador. Admission is $3 USD.

v. Visit La Libertad

La Libertad is a popular embankment boondocks alternative to El Tunco, with Punta Roca offering huge waves for surfing. If you want a existent taste of the local life, visit the busy daily fish marketplace on the waterfront. Otherwise, this identify is all about relaxing, enjoying reggae music, and soaking up the sun.

Other Things to See and Practise in El Salvador

1. Hike the volcanoes

El Salvador has its share of volcanoes to explore, and the all-time place to see several of them is Cerro Verde National Park. This park is home to Cerro Verde, Izalco, and Ilamatepec. The trails all allow you to get up close to the volcanoes, including a walk around the Cerro Verde crater, where you lot'll find a deject forest full of tropical birds and plant life. Ilamatepec is the highest point in the park, at 2,381 meters at the summit. There are lots of tours from San Salvador starting from virtually $lxx USD, or yous can show up and pay the $1.50 USD entrance fee.

ii. Visit Joya de Cerén

Joya de Cerén is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that tells a story about the everyday lives of the Mayans. Once a small Mayan farming settlement, the town was buried under volcanic ash in Advertising 595 when the Laguna Caldera Volcano erupted. The site includes a Temezcal (sauna), and other important buildings like storehouses, a kitchen, and a religious building meant for communal events. There'southward also an excellent preserved shaman'southward home and a collection of agronomical tools. This site is the Mayan version of Pompeii. Information technology's $3 USD to visit.

iii. Become cultural in San Salvador

Although near people don't spend a lot of time in San Salvador, at that place are a few highlights to see. Almost of the city's activity centers around the Plaza el Salvador del Mundo, where you'll run across the iconic Savior of the World statue (with Jesus standing on a globe). Walk effectually downtown, attempt some pupusas (delicious El Salvadorian flatbreads stuffed with cheese, pork, squash, or refried beans), and visit the domed Metropolitan Cathedral filled with colorful stained glass. At the National Palace, peruse the erstwhile authorities rooms and the courtyards for $3 USD. If you desire to do some souvenir shopping, head to the National Handicrafts marketplace for some local artwork. (Note: Sometimes downtown San Salvador is a victim of gang violence. Read our safety department to learn how to proceed yourself rubber.)

4. Get diving

El Salvador has some of the best diving in Fundamental America. The warm waters of Los Cóbanos (a resort embankment area on the w side of Republic of el salvador) incorporate reefs, underwater stone formations, and even shipwrecks. If yous're a beginner, you tin learn to dive in volcanic crater lakes similar Coatepeque and Ilopango, where the freshwater provides mild conditions for anyone who isn't gear up to tackle the open waters. There's not a lot of marine life to run into in the lakes, only visibility is clear and the azure waters of the lakes are stunning. Look to pay around $75 USD for a ii-swoop trip and around $350 USD for an Open H2o certification course.

5. Visit El Imposible National Park

This is the largest park in Republic of el salvador and is named for its deep gorge. It'due south part of the Apaneca Ilamatepec mountain range, with mangrove forests and a total of eight rivers, and plenty of waterfalls. You might see pumas, anteaters, antelopes, and fifty-fifty wild boars while here. Due to the delicate nature of the park, you'll need to have a guide to explore information technology. You're not allowed to hike alone. It'south $6 USD for the park entrance fee, then you can request a guide (it's commonly virtually $10 USD for a group). You can too practise a solar day trip from San Salvador with Impossible Tours for $117 USD.

6. Spend a twenty-four hours at Los Chorros

Los Chorros is a nature park equanimous of a series of natural swimming pools that cascade from overhanging volcanic cliffs, ready against a properties of ferns, flowers, and moss. It's 20 minutes outside of San Salvador. For simply $3 USD to visit, it'south one of the nigh scenic ways to shell the heat!

7. Shop at La Gran Via

Located in the heart of San Salvador, this is an outdoor shopping center filled with restaurants, motion picture theaters, music, bars, live shows, and more. This is a squeamish identify for an afternoon out, and at night it's where the locals come up for drinks and clubbing.

viii. Visit the Museum of Popular Art

This museum is domicile to some of the country's most valuable Salvadoran works from over 177 artists, including paintings, sketch drawings, and sculptures from Rosa Mena Valenzuela and Salarrué (the most well-known author and painter in El salvador). It besides has a huge showcase of miniature pottery, wood carvings, weaving, and jewelry, hence the nickname "The Greatness of Miniature." It's a quirky, family-friendly place to visit. There are oft craft-making sessions which you're invited to join. Admission is only $one.50 USD and the museum is open from Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-6pm.

9. Wander through colonial Suchitoto

Suchitoto ("Suchi") is a modest colonial town located on Lake Suchitlan in the mountainous northern region. Well-known around the country for its artistic community, most weekends draw hordes of Salvadorans from San Salvador (and other neighboring towns) looking to visit the many galleries and markets. There are like shooting fish in a barrel looped walking trails all around Suchi that volition accept yous to the lake, diverse waterfalls, and even caves—just find a trailhead and outset walking.

ten. Hang out on the Coatepeque Caldera

If you lot're not learning how to dive hither, spend at least a day on the caldera simply enjoying the still, bright blue lake and its quiet village of El Congo in western El salvador. You tin can hire a boat to take yous around, go for a swim, or visit some of the village'south small restaurants.

eleven. Take the Ruta de Las Flores

The "Route of the Flowers" is a popular twenty-four hour period trip from San Salvador, where y'all tin can visit modest colonial towns and villages as well as coffee plantations. Interruption in colorful towns similar Nahuizalco, Apaneca, Juyayua, and Ataco, where the main squares are decorated with cafes and markets, and the buildings are covered in murals. Apaneca and Ataco are home to some of the best-known coffee plantations, like the El Carmen Manor, and if you're visiting between November and February you'll come across the java beans flowering. You tin exercise the route on your own, or take a tour from the urban center for around $xc USD.

Republic of el salvador Travel Costs

Hostel prices – During peak season, a bed in 8-ten bed dorm costs from $8-12 USD anywhere in the country. Free Wi-Fi is standard and many hostels also include gratis breakfast. Private rooms with an ensuite bath cost effectually $25 USD per nighttime (there is no real difference in prices during the high or low flavor).

Budget hotel prices – Nightly rates for a budget two-star hotel room get-go at $xxx USD in superlative season. Yous'll pay about $fifty USD for a place on the embankment, or a place with a pool

There are lots of Airbnb options in El Salvador. A shared room (like a bed in a dorm) start at $eleven USD per night, while a individual room is almost $thirty USD per night. A full apartment averages about $100 USD per dark.

Nutrient – Food in El Salvador is very, very cheap! Like most Key American countries, yous can find large plates of rice and beans for $three USD. Breakfasts of eggs and plantains are also $3 USD. Fill upward on the pupusas (the national dish of thick flatbread blimp with cheese, chicharrón, refried beans, etc.) for less than $1 USD each.

Mid-range meals of pizza or a fried fish dinner are about $8 USD. A vegetarian meal is about $5 USD. A burger and fries is $x USD. A beer to become with it will merely cost between $1.50-3 USD.

In that location are some "high-cease" dining spots around El Salvador, but nigh dining is pretty coincidental. You lot tin can find seafood dishes like ceviche between $15-19 USD, while a prissy steak dinner ranges from $16-24 USD. Pasta dishes are between $12-15 USD.

Overall, the food is very cheap here, so accept reward of it when you can! If you do programme on cooking your own meals await to spend around $28-35 USD per week, depending on your diet.

However, that said, given how few places have kitchen facilities, I wouldn't purchase a lot of groceries if I was here. I'd merely get the inexpensive local eats!

Backpacking El Salvador Suggested Budgets

If you're backpacking El Salvador, you'll spend every bit little every bit $30-35 USD per day. This budget will cover a hostel dorm, buses, a few groceries, and some cheap local eats. You'll need to limit your drinking; however, you will be able to visit some attractions such as museums and national parks.

A mid-range budget of about $70 USD will cover staying in a budget ii-star hotel, the occasional taxi, a few beers at the bar, and eating out for all your meals. You lot'll be able to visit more museums, ruins, or parks per day, or practise some guided hikes.

On a "luxury" budget of $160 USD or more than per 24-hour interval, you can practise what y'all want! Y'all can stay in a hotel, eat whatever meals you want, enjoy as many drinks as y'all want, take taxis to get effectually, and do lots of tours. This corporeality of money goes a long way in a country like this and you'll want for absolutely nothing if y'all're coming here for luxury. The country is your oyster if y'all're spending this or more than!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you demand to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Go along in mind these are daily averages – some days you'll spend more, some days you'll spend less (you might spend less every mean solar day). We just want to requite you a full general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in USD.

Adaptation

Food

Transportation

Attractions

Boilerplate Daily Toll

Backpacker

$x

$10-15

$v

$5

$thirty-35

Mid-Range

$30

$20

$10

$10

$70

Luxury

$100

$80

$25

$55

$160

Republic of el salvador Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Republic of el salvador is one of the cheapest countries in Central America, so you lot'll find information technology piece of cake to save money hither without much try. Regardless, here are some means to salvage coin in El Salvador:

• Snack on fruit – Fruit in Central America costs just pennies. You lot tin choice up a bag of mangos for effectually $0.fifty USD at any roadside stall or market vendor, and even smoothies will cost less than $3 USD. Consume healthily and save money!
• Bear witness up without reservations – Information technology's easy to just show up in a town like La Libertad or El Tunco and merely barter for a room. If at that place'south availability, you could get your room for a fraction of what you'd be paying past booking online. A lot of accommodations don't even have online reservation systems, and so showing up and bartering for a room is the only way to do it in some cases. If you get in in the evening, you're more probable to get a cheaper rate.
• Go camping – While hostels are pretty cheap, you lot tin can camp at many of them for one-half the price (so as little equally $vi USD per night). Bring your gear and sleep under the stars!
• Couchsurf – Zero'due south cheaper than free. Couchsurfing connects you with locals who will not simply give y'all a complimentary identify to stay but too serve as a local tour guide and introduce you to the cool stuff only locals know about in boondocks!
• Bring a reusable water bottle – Visitors are encouraged to avoid the tap h2o here. Instead of wasting money on unmarried-apply plastic bottles, bring a reusable water bottle and a filter. LifeStraw has a congenital-in filter so you can ensure your water is always make clean and safe to drinkable.

Where To Stay in Republic of el salvador

Republic of el salvador is cheap! And so are its accommodations. If y'all don't see a hostel in this list for the area where you're going, it'southward easy to just bear witness up and barter for a room somewhere. Here are my recommended places to stay in El Salvador:

• Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca (San Salvador)
• Hostel Casa Verde (Santa Ana)
• Pelicano Surf Order (La Libertad)

How to Get Around El Salvador

Motorbus – Buses are the primary way to become effectually Republic of el salvador'south cities too as the land as a whole. You can get just about anywhere in one of Republic of el salvador's brightly painted school buses. Cities and towns will often have designated autobus depots that cost about $0.thirty-0.35 USD. You tin can easily motility between towns for most $2 USD (it's $2 USD to travel between San Salvador and Both La Libertad and El Tunco). San Salvador to Suchitoto is $i USD. Fares may become up by 25% on the weekends due to more traffic.

Minivans – In virtually touristy areas in Republic of el salvador you lot'll observe small tour offices that sell seats on minivans or minibuses. They'll take you only about anywhere yous demand to go in the country (and onward into neighboring countries). These minivans cost more than the regular buses, but yous still shouldn't take to pay more than than $10 USD wherever you're going. You can also barter prices in this case, and if you lot can round up people from your hostel/accommodations to volume as a grouping, you'll save even more money.

Taxi – Taxis are piece of cake to come by in El salvador, although in smaller towns they have the class of tuk-tuks. Well-nigh are unmetered, so make sure you negotiate your price beforehand. Tuk-tuks are the cheapest option, and y'all can go a few blocks for less than $1 USD. A taxi from the airport to San Salvador or El Tunco is between $25-30 USD.

Intendance rental – You need to be 21 in order to rent a machine here. Rentals start at $20 USD per mean solar day. Driving here is relatively rubber compared to other Central American countries equally the roads are much improve maintained.

Hitchhiking – I wouldn't hitchhike here just some people practise. For the nigh up-to-date data, use Hitchwiki.

When to Become to El salvador

Like the rest of Central America, El Salvador'southward dry season is between Nov and April, while the rainy season is between May and October.

The dry season is peak season, with travelers escaping the common cold temperatures from upwards north. Information technology averages about 37°F (30°C) daily hither, and it rarely ever dips below 50°F (10°C). This is definitely the best time to visit. Prices don't fluctuate much in the off-season, and so yous have no real reason to visit during the rainy season. On the other hand, Apr to October is the all-time time for serious surfers.

How to Stay Safe in Republic of el salvador

Unfortunately, El Salvador has a loftier rate of gang violence. Although it's rarely targeted at foreigners, you should avoid certain areas. Most of that offense takes place in San Salvador, so avoid parts of Soyapango, Apopoa, and Mejicanos at all costs. Also, avoid the area around the Tica motorcoach station in San Salvador, equally there sometimes attacks at that place confronting tourists. Y'all're not likely to spend a lot of time in these neighborhoods, nonetheless, and the more touristy places are patrolled by policemen.

La Libertad, Soyapango, and Usulutan also accept some gang activity. Like San Salvador, law heavily patrols the touristy areas.

In any destination, don't be out on the street (or embankment) alone later dark. Avoid traveling at night in general, every bit hijackings or muggings are known to happen.

You lot might encounter picayune crime, similar theft, particularly on public transportation. Do not flash whatever of your valuables around, or continue them at all. Credit card skimming is also a problem here, so try to utilize only ATMs at shopping malls, hotels, or banks.

You tin more about the 14 major travel scams to avoid when you travel.

Always trust your gut instinct. If a taxi driver seems shady, stop the cab and become out. If your hotel is seedier than you thought, motion. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID.

If you wouldn't exercise information technology at dwelling house, don't do it when y'all're in El Salvador.

The almost important slice of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance volition protect you confronting disease, injury, theft, and cancellations. It's comprehensive protection in example annihilation goes incorrect. I never proceed a trip without it as I've had to utilize it many times in the past. Y'all can employ the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Republic of el salvador Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the all-time deals, offering world-grade customer service and neat value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the about and are e'er the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small-scale websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the all-time hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The all-time all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they've e'er had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Intrepid Travel – If yous desire to do group tours, become with Intrepid. They offer expert small group tours that employ local operators and leave a pocket-sized ecology footprint. And, as a reader of this site, you'll go exclusive discounts with them too!
• Go Your Guide – Become Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options bachelor in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safe Fly offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, nifty customer service, and an like shooting fish in a barrel-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.

El Salvador Gear and Packing Guide

If y'all're heading on the route and demand some gear suggestions, here are my tips for the best travel backpack and for what to pack!

The Best Backpack for Travelers

What's the best backpack for traveling long-term? I recommend the REI Flash 45 Pack. It's light and comfortable, top loading, and fits perfectly in an plane'due south overhead bin.
Size: 45-47L
Straps: Thick and cushy with pinch technology that pulls the pack'south load upward and inwards so it doesn't experience every bit heavy.
Features: Removable top chapeau, pocket at the front, hydration compatible, contoured hip belt

If you lot want something different, refer to my article on how to choose the all-time travel haversack for tips on picking a pack and other backpack suggestions.

What to Pack for Your Trip

Clothes

• 1 pair of jeans (heavy and not easily stale, only I similar them; a good culling is khaki pants)
• i pair of shorts
• 1 bathing suit
• 5 T-shirts (Unbound Merino is my preferred company. If you're a fellow member of NM+, you can get xv% off your purchase)
• 1 long-sleeved T-shirt
• 1 pair of flip-flops
• 1 pair of sneakers
• six pairs of socks (I always stop up losing half)
• 5 pairs of boxer shorts (I'chiliad non a briefs guy!)
• 1 toothbrush
• 1 tube of toothpaste
• i razor
• 1 bundle of dental floss
• 1 modest bottle of shampoo
• 1 modest bottle of shower gel
• 1 towel
• Deodorant

Small Medical Kit (safety is important!!!)

• Band-Aids
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Antibacterial foam
• Earplugs
• Tylenol
• Hand sanitizer (germs = ill = bad vacation)

Miscellaneous

• A key or combination lock (safety first)
• Zip-lock bags (keeps things from leaking or exploding)
• Plastic bags (great for laundry)
• Universal charger/adaptor (this applies to everyone)
• LifeStraw (A water canteen with a purifier)

Female Travel Packing List
I'g not a woman, so I don't know what a woman wears, just Kristin Addis, our solo female person travel guru, wrote this list as an addition to the nuts to a higher place:

Clothing

• i swimsuit
• one sarong
• 1 pair of stretchy jeans (they wash and dry easily)
• ane pair of leggings (if it's common cold, they can go under your jeans, otherwise with a wearing apparel or shirt)
• 2-3 long-sleeve tops
• 2-3 T-shirts
• 3-4 spaghetti tops
• one light cardigan

Toiletries

• i dry out shampoo spray & talc powder (keeps long hair grease-free in between washes)
• 1 hairbrush
• Makeup you employ
• Pilus bands & pilus clips
• Feminine hygiene products (you tin opt to buy there too, just I adopt not to count on it, and virtually people accept their preferred products)

For more on packing, check out these posts:

• What I Pack For My Travels
• The Ultimate Listing For Female Travelers
• How to Choose and Buy the Right Backpack

El Salvador Travel Guide: Related Manufactures

Want more than info? Bank check out all the articles I've written on Primal America travel and continue planning your trip:

Source: https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-guides/el-salvador-travel-tips/

Posted by: fowlerfortall.blogspot.com

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