Our El Salvador travel guide covers everything we learnt in more than three weeks in this fantastic country.
We loved El Salvador’s heritage, people, beaches and forests. Lots of travellers still skip it because of its old reputation, so you’ll find uncrowded beaches, charming small towns and plenty of hiking trails.
Updated October 2026: before you go
- Safety and official advice: gang violence and murders have fallen dramatically since 2022. The US now rates El Salvador Level 1 (exercise normal precautions). Ireland’s DFA and Australia’s Smartraveller both say exercise a high degree of caution. The UK FCDO does not advise against travel, but warns that robberies and carjackings of tourists still happen.
- State of exception: the emergency measures brought in in March 2022 are still in force. Police have extra powers, and arrests sometimes happen with little evidence. Always carry a copy of your passport photo page, and stay away from demonstrations: political activity by foreigners is banned.
- Entry (Irish, UK, Australian and EU passports): no visa needed for a holiday. Your passport should be valid for 6 months from arrival. The USD 12 tourist card that some nationalities used to buy on arrival was scrapped in 2025.
- CA-4 limit: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua share a single 90-day limit that starts in the first country you enter. You can ask for a 30-day extension before it runs out.
- Money: El Salvador uses the US dollar. Bitcoin is still legal, but since a 2025 law change businesses don’t have to accept it, so don’t rely on it. Use ATMs in shopping centres or banks, in daylight, or bring US dollars. British pounds are almost impossible to change.
- Getting around: the FCDO advises against the public “chicken” buses because of petty crime. Use private intercity shuttles, Uber, or radio or hotel taxis.
- Big change since our trip: the coast around El Tunco is now marketed as “Surf City”, and it’s busier and more developed than when we visited.
Top places to visit in El Salvador
San Salvador makes a great base for exploring nearby attractions. The city itself is busy, with constant traffic and people rushing everywhere, so you may soon want to escape the noise.
Before you do, take a look around the historic downtown, with the National Palace, the National Theatre, the Cathedral and Plaza Libertad.
We highly recommend a quick visit during your trip.
Santa Ana Volcano
Santa Ana (Ilamatepec) is El Salvador’s biggest and most active volcano. The climb gives you beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding towns.
The highlight of the whole hike is the turquoise lake in the centre of the crater.
The hike starts from the Cerro Verde area (now part of Parque Nacional Los Volcanes), and a guide is compulsory. When we did it, the guided round trip to the crater took about 4 hours.
In 2026, guided groups leave in the morning from about 7:30, places are limited, and park entry for foreigners was about USD 6. Arrive early. Rangers can close the trail if the wind or volcanic gas is bad.
If you don’t have a car, a Santa Ana volcano tour from San Salvador or El Tunco takes care of transport.
Los Planes de Renderos and Puerta del Diablo
About a 20-minute drive from San Salvador is the Devil’s Door. The rocky lookout was formed by heavy rainfall in the 1700s and attracts lots of visitors for its spectacular views.
The view through the doorway is a must for anyone exploring this beautiful country. Entry to the park is free; there’s a small fee for the guided climb up the rocks.
El Boquerón Volcano
In Parque Nacional El Boquerón, at around 1,800 metres, you get an impressive view into the crater of the dormant San Salvador volcano.
It’s much cooler up here, so bring a jacket.
Bring cash for the small entry and parking fees (in July 2026, USD 2 for foreigners and USD 1 to park a car).
La Pampa restaurant
On the road up to El Boquerón, La Pampa sits on a hillside with beautiful views over a lake and the city.
The menu features Argentinian dishes and an extensive wine list.
The chain has other restaurants in great locations, so check those out too.
If you’re not hungry, stop just to admire the views.
El Tunco
This coastal town is popular with surfers, backpackers and Salvadorans alike. We spent a week here and loved it.
It can get hectic, but it has a beautiful black-sand beach and great surf.
Our favourite places to eat were the restaurant at Roca Sunzal and the many pupuserías. You can’t visit El Salvador without trying pupusas, stuffed with cheese, beans, vegetables or meat.
Linda Vista Gardens
Linda Vista Gardens, also on the road up to El Boquerón in Santa Tecla, has beautiful views over San Salvador from its terraces and little restaurants.
Come on a clear evening for the best views.
It’s easy to get there by taxi, Uber or hire car.
El Imposible National Park
El Imposible is one of El Salvador’s largest national parks.
It lies south-west of the Ruta de las Flores and is perfect for keen hikers. We recommend a local guide to explore the hills and the El Imposible gorge.
You now need to arrange your visit in advance with the Ministry of Environment (MARN). In late 2025, entry was USD 6 for foreigners, with arrivals between 7:30 and 9am.
Suchitoto
Suchitoto is a small colonial town in the hills, with cobblestone streets and old colonial buildings.
You’ll find independent shops, handicrafts and souvenirs, so take your time to explore. In the wet season, visit the waterfall just outside town.
We highly recommend two places to stay that make the most of the unspoilt nature: Hotel El Tejado and Los Almendros de San Lorenzo.
Ruta de las Flores
The Ruta de las Flores winds through hilly villages full of art, colourful murals and lovely restaurants.
Concepción de Ataco was the highlight for us, with the best restaurants we found in El Salvador.
It’s easiest to explore by car at your own pace, or with one of the many tour companies that cover the route.
Lake Coatepeque
This crystal-blue crater lake formed more than 70,000 years ago. Much of the shoreline is privately owned, which keeps it peaceful and perfect for relaxing.
The 6 km wide caldera is a dramatic sight and well worth a visit. You can get onto the lake by hiring a boat, or through lakeside hotels such as Hotel Cardedeu.
Tazumal
Tazumal is El Salvador’s best-known Maya site, dating back to pre-Columbian times. We visited by car.
The ruins are awe-inspiring and tell a fascinating story. In 2026 it was open Tuesday to Sunday, and entry for foreigners was USD 5.
Afterwards, explore the street markets or grab a pupusa from one of the street stalls.
Los Chorros
These natural pools are about a 20-minute drive from San Salvador and best on a hot, sunny day. You can spend the day relaxing in the cool spring-fed pools.
It’s very cheap, so lots of locals come here. Go on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
In 2026, roadworks on the nearby highway closed the park on some weekends, so check it’s open before you go.
Where to stay in El Salvador
There’s plenty of accommodation in El Salvador, from cheap hostels to five-star hotels.
We stayed at Roca Sunzal in El Tunco for the first few days, then moved to San Salvador to explore the rest of the country.
San Salvador is an excellent, central base for sightseeing.
We mostly booked through Booking.com and Airbnb. Where you stay really depends on your budget.
When we visited, hostel dorms cost from about USD 5 a night, private rooms about USD 10 to 15, and a nice hotel room with a private bathroom from about USD 30. Expect to pay more today.
We also got better rates by walking into hotels and asking at reception for a discount.
Safety in El Salvador
Before we got to El Salvador, we were honestly very worried about our safety.
Once we arrived at the airport and took a taxi to El Tunco, we saw how seriously the authorities took tourist security.
We felt very safe for our whole stay. We recommend taking guided tours where possible, travelling in daylight and using the same common sense you would anywhere new.
The country has changed a lot since our trip. Gang violence has fallen sharply under the state of exception, but police powers are much wider. Carry a copy of your passport, don’t get involved in any political activity, and read the latest FCDO safety advice before you go.
How to get around El Salvador
When we visited, an average local bus trip cost as little as USD 1, and longer trips USD 10 or more. Today the FCDO advises visitors not to use public buses because of petty crime, so stick to private shuttles and taxis.
We paid USD 35 for a private taxi from San Salvador airport to El Tunco, and about USD 15 from San Salvador to the airport. Uber now operates at the airport and in the main towns, and is usually the easiest option.
We also hired a car for four days at USD 35 a day, including full insurance. You can compare prices on DiscoverCars.
We visited Suchitoto, Tazumal and the places near San Salvador above by car. It’s a great way to explore the country on your own; just avoid driving between cities after dark.
Average daily budget
When we visited, we spent on average USD 50 per person per day, including accommodation and eating out.
Our hotels had no kitchens, so we ate out most of the time.
On a tight budget, you can bring that down by staying in hostels and cooking for yourself.
Best time to visit El Salvador
The dry season runs from November to April, and the wet season from May to October.
The busiest times are Holy Week before Easter Sunday, August, and mid-December through Christmas.
Expect higher accommodation prices in the main tourist towns at those times.
December is popular with backpackers, as the rains have ended and the surf is great for learners.
Entry requirements for El Salvador
When we first wrote this guide, many visitors had to buy a tourist card (USD 10 at the time) at the airport. That card was abolished in 2025, and Irish, UK, Australian and most EU citizens don’t need a visa for a holiday.
El Salvador is part of the CA-4 agreement with Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. You get a single 90-day limit across all four countries, starting when you enter the first one.
Don’t overstay, as fines apply. If you need longer, request a 30-day extension from immigration before your 90 days are up.
We were also asked for our exit date from El Salvador, so have your onward plans ready.
Check the latest rules for your passport with the UK FCDO or the Irish DFA.
If you’re heading to Nicaragua next, read our 20 favourite things to do in Nicaragua.
Planning your El Salvador trip?
- Booking.com: hotels and hostels in El Tunco, San Salvador and Suchitoto
- DiscoverCars: compare car hire
- Santa Ana volcano tour
- Airalo: an eSIM so you have data (and Uber) from the moment you land
- True Traveller: the travel insurance we use
- Fast Cover: travel insurance for Australian residents
Steve and Sabina
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