Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for El Salvador depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for El SalvadorEmergency Numbers
- General
- 911
Currency
- Name
- US Dollar
- Code
- USD
- Symbol
- $
El Salvador uses the US Dollar (and since 2021, Bitcoin is also legal tender). No currency conversion needed. ATMs in San Salvador and tourist areas; carry cash in smaller towns and villages.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type A, Type B
- Voltage
- 120V
- Frequency
- 60Hz
Time Zone
CST (UTC−6) — no daylight saving
Best Time to Visit
November–April is the dry season — best for the Pacific coast surf breaks, Suchitoto's colonial charm, and Ruta de Las Flores villages. May–October is wet season; mornings are often fine. Cerro Verde (volcano hiking) is enjoyable year-round on clear days.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10% | Some tourist restaurants add a cubierto service charge |
| Taxis | Round up | Uber operates in San Salvador; agree fare for non-app taxis |
| Surf instructors | $5–10 USD per lesson | — |
| Tour guides | $5–10 USD per tour | — |
Dress Code
- Casual and tropical
- Modest in churches and rural towns
- Surf attire at the Pacific beaches
Social Etiquette
- El Salvador has undergone a dramatic security transformation since 2022 — homicide rates have plummeted under President Bukele's crackdown on gangs
- Salvadorans are warm and proud of their country's turnaround — engage with genuine curiosity
- Pupusas (thick corn tortillas stuffed with cheese, beans, or chicharrón) are the national dish — always eat them
- Bitcoin City is planned near the Conchagua volcano — El Salvador is the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- The security situation has improved dramatically but check current travel advisories — some areas still require caution
- Bitcoin is legal tender — some vendors accept it; USD remains more practical
- Drug offences carry serious sentences
- LGBTQ+ activity is not criminalised but social attitudes are conservative; legal protections are limited
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hola / Buenas | OH-lah / BWEH-nahs |
| Thank you | Gracias | GRAH-syahs |
| Pupusa (the food) | Una pupusa, por favor | OO-nah poo-POO-sah por fah-VOR |
| Friend (Salvadoran slang) | Cipote / Bicho | see-POH-teh / BEE-choh |
| Cool / nice (slang) | A toda | ah TOH-dah — Salvadoran expression of approval |
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