Social ConventionsVisitors should not point their finger or their foot at anyone. First names should not be used to address someone unless invited to do so. Conservative casual wear is acceptable. Men and women who already know each other greet with a kiss on the cheek. A handshake is always offered as a greeting. Siesta is still a tradition from around 1200-1400.
Photography: Sensitive (eg military) areas should not be photographed.
International Travel:Getting There by AirThe national airline is
TACA (TA) (website:
www.taca.com).
Departure TaxUS$22 (transit passengers
proceeding within six hours, and infants under two years of age are exempt) and an immigration tax of US$2.65.
Main AirportsSan Salvador (SAL) (El Salvador International) (website:
www.aeropuertoelsalvador.gob.sv) is 62km (38 miles) from the city.
To/from the airport: Minibuses and taxis to the city are available (journey time – 40 minutes).
Facilities: Restaurants, shops, car hire, banks, hotel reservation desk, left luggage and Wi-Fi Internet access.
Getting There by WaterMain ports: Acajutla,
La Unión and
La Libertad on the Pacific coast.
Getting There by RailThere are no longer rail links to Guatemala.
Getting There by RoadTransportes Mermex (tel: 2279 3676; website:
www.transmermex.com.sv) operates
buses between El Salvador and Guatemala.
Pullmantur buses (tel: 2243 1300; website:
www.pullmantur.com) travel from Guatemala City and from Tegucigalpa (Honduras) to San Salvador.
Transnica (tel: +505 270 3135, in Nicaragua; website:
www.transnica.com) runs bus services between Managua (Nicaragua) and San Salvador.
Tica Bus (tel: 2222 4808, San Salvador bus terminal; website:
www.ticabus.com) runs buses from Tapachula (Mexico) to Guatemala and on to San Salvador; buses from San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa (Honduras) to San Salvador; and buses from Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua to El Salvador.
OverviewThe following goods may be imported into El Salvador without incurring customs duty:
• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars.
• 2l of alcoholic beverages.
• Up to six units of perfume.
• Other goods to the value of US$500.
Note: There are restrictions on import and export of fruit, vegetables, plants and animals; meat products: ham and sausage are only allowed if sterilized by heat, boneless and hermetically canned.
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirThere are no scheduled domestic flights.
Getting Around by RailSan Salvador’s railways are managed by
FENADESAL (Ferrocarriles Nacionales de El Salvador) (website:
www.fenadesal.gob.sv). However, there are no passenger services at present.
Getting Around by RoadTraffic drives on the right. Road conditions vary. Rebuilding of roads following the 2001 earthquakes is nearly complete. Car-jackings are frequent in El Salvador (especially in the cities) and drivers are advised to travel only by day and with the doors locked at all times. New cars, particularly with foreign license plates, are frequent targets.
Automóvil Club de El Salvador (tel: 2231 5555; website:
www.aces.com.sv) has reciprocal agreements with some international motoring organizations and can provide further information on driving in El Salvador.
Bus: A good service exists between major towns, although there can be delays if the weather is bad. Buses can be hailed. Pickup trucks are an alternative method of transport to remote areas.
Car hire: Available in San Salvador and from the airport from international and local firms.
Regulations: Seat belts must be worn. Speed limits vary from region to region.
Documentation: A national or International Driving Permit is required for 30-day visits, after which visitors need to obtain a Salvadoran license.
Getting Around Towns and CitiesBus: City buses offer a good service, but are often crowded.
Taxi: Plentiful but not metered, so it is advisable to agree the fare beforehand. Taxis are yellow and can usually be found cruising the streets looking for pick ups. Alternatively, head to the town square (or similar), where taxis usually congregate between fares. Many large hotels have their own taxi services. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, except when the taxi has been hired for the day.
Journey TimesThe following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from
San Salvador to other major cities/towns in El Salvador.
| Road |
| Costa del Sol | 1.30 |
| Santa Ana | 1.15 |
| San Miguel | 3.00 |
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