Once considered the most dangerous country in the world, I found El Salvador to be an inviting, friendly, colorful country to visit.
Home to over 100 volcanoes, the Central American nation is affectionately known as the land of volcanoes. Some people refer to it (translated) as ‘hammock’s belly’ because of the frequent number of earthquakes. (In one week there, I experienced one 5.1 magnitude quake.)
After scrutinizing maps while trying to decide where to go between Christmas and New Years Day, I landed here– curious about how El Salvador differs from nearby countries.
Bordered by Guatemala and Honduras, this became my last Central American country to visit. I’ve been waiting for the ‘right time.’
It’s a far different place than it was 10 years ago. Many locals I spoke with credited the current President, Nayib Bukele, who transformed the world’s murder capital into a place where families gather in city parks, playgrounds and at street festivals long after sunset. One of my Uber drivers told me that eight to 10 years ago, it was impossible to walk on city streets holding your cell phone for fear of being robbed. He said, “We have a new country.”
Flights into San Salvador, the nation’s capital, are relatively easy. There are direct flights from DFW, IAH and other major airports across America.
The San Salvador airport is quite impressive– and not at all what I imagined for a small, central American country. The airport is modern, clean, with a variety of restaurant and bar options and an extensive Duty Free selection.
As a U.S. citizen, I paid a $12 (cash) fee for a one-entry tourist visa to enter the country at customs.
I imagine that with continued political stability, El Salvador’s inviting climate, black sand beaches, surf cities and stunning volcanic landscapes will make it a rapidly growing, popular tourist destination in months and years to come.
Reasons why El Salvador makes an Easy Addition to your Travel List:
- USD is the official currency.
- UBER is an easy and affordable mode of transportation.
- American hotel chains like Hyatt & Hilton are safe, modern & located within walking distance of shopping malls and restaurants in San Salvador.
- You can find conveniences like Starbucks or Subway if you or your travel companion requires comforts of home.
- There is no VISA requirement for U.S. citizens with a valid U.S. passport. You can easily make this a last minute trip– either packed full of adventure or quietly tucked into nature’s spectacular folds.
Where to Stay in El Salvador:
- Hyatt Centric San Salvador
- Travel Hoppers: Casa 1800
- Romantic Getaway: Glamp at the Kafen Hotel
- Beachy Vibes: Mizata AntiResort
Where to Eat in El Salvador:
I’m not a foodie, but did enjoy fresh fruit juices, hearty breakfasts and tons (and I mean tons) of seafood and particularly, ceviche.
Cajamarca Bistro: Delicious food with a gorgeous view! This is an event venue with an adjacent open-air restaurant. Ask about their coffee tours and tastings. (*If you UBER here, finding a taxi or Uber back down the volcano is challenging– but not impossible. If your driver speaks English and is willing to wait for you, pick you up at a certain time or arrange other sightseeing stops, I highly suggest booking them for more than a drop-off here.)
Pupusería Suiza: Pupusas are a must when in El Salvador! My dietary restrictions had me worried that I wouldn’t be able to try them, but this place catered to my needs. You can get vegetarian and vegan styles on corn — which are incredible. I was really hungry — and felt stuffed after finishing two. This is a chain, so there are multiple locations. I spent a grand total of $4.95 for my meal which included a bottle of water.
Street Food: stop at fruit stands along the roadways and spend a couple of bucks to taste local snacks and sweets! Ducking into local eateries is a memorable and meaningful part of travel.
The boutique hotels where I stayed offer easy access to incredible food. One of my favorite food memories from the entire trip was starting the day with a Tipico (breakfast) complete with eggs, beans, plantains and a slice of their local cheese.
Things to Do in El Salvador:
From waterfall hikes to coffee plantation tours, there is something for everyone! I didn’t have a chance to explore everything I wanted this time, but will be back next year to see and do even more!
Visit El Boquerón National Park: A stratovolcano located just outside of San Salvador, you’ll pay a $2-3 entrance fee and get to walk 20-25 minutes on a paved and marked trail for breathtaking views of the crater
Centro Histórico: In the heart of this renovated square, take in the Metropolitan Cathedral, National Library & National Palace. I paid $5 to tour the National Palace and had the opportunity to watch a nighttime holiday Opera performance in the open air courtyard!
Stop at the National Craft Market: I like this place because it’s colorful, easy to get to, and offers a contained and efficient shopping experience if you want to leave with a few souvenirs and contribute to the local economy. There is parking, Wifi and vendors accept cash– so take USD!
Santa Ana Volcano: A 4.2 mile (out-and-back) trail near Santa Ana. Generally, this is considered a challenging route and can be harder on windy days. It takes an average of 3 hours to complete. It has a small, sulfurous lake in its crater called Lake Coatepeque, a popular recreation area.
Izalco Volcano Hike: You can hike here from Cerro Verde National Park. This is a strenuous hike that can be done as part of a guided tour. Take plenty of water, snacks and be sure to wear proper hiking boots with ankle protection for the uneven, rocky, and in some parts slick and steep terrain. From the top, you can see the Santa Ana volcano and walk the perimeter of the crater’s rim to experience steam coming from the (active) volcano’s belly. Prepare for a 4–5 hour experience.
Some of the most popular beaches to visit & try a surf class:
El Zonte (chill, hippie vibes),
El Tunco (party vibes),
Mizata (black sand beach)
Recommended Beaches from locals:
Los Cobanos in Sonsonate,
La Costa del Sol in La Paz,
El Espino in Usulutan.
