elsalvador

No restrictions in this travel advice

Avoid all but essential travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all but essential travel to whole country

Avoid all travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all travel to whole country

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

• There is no British Embassy in El Salvador. The British Embassy in Guatemala City has overall responsibility for El Salvador. In the event of an emergency you can contact the British Honorary Consul in San Salvador for assistance. See General - Consular representation.
  
  
• In October 2011 the El Salvadorian Government declared a “State of Emergency” for the entire country due to heavy rains and floods caused by Tropical Depression 12E.  Much of the country remains affected by the damage caused.  Click here for official information (in Spanish) on the response to this emergency.
  
  
• The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in El Salvador in 2010 was for replacing lost and stolen passports as a result of pickpocketing.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See General - Insurance.
  

Safety and Security - Terrorism
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see our Terrorism Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Crime
El Salvador has one of the highest crime rates in Latin America. You should take care if you need to travel in downtown San Salvador and on roads outside major towns and cities at night. There have been several attacks on tourists in recent years including robberies, car-jackings and assaults. Since December 2010 there have been reports of gang-related incidents involving grenade attacks in downtown San Salvador at night: these attacks are not targeted at tourists, but you should be aware of this security threat in the city centre. Petty crime is a problem. You should be particularly careful of your belongings at bus stations, airports, tourist places and on public transport.

Foreign visitors and residents can be targeted by scam artists. The scams come in many forms, and can pose great financial loss to victims. If you or your relatives or friends are asked to transfer money to El Salvador you should make absolutely sure that it is not part of a scam and that you have properly checked with the person receiving the money that they are requesting it.

Despite the high levels of crime most visits to El Salvador are trouble-free. However, you should take steps to mitigate the risk. The following advice may help:

• You should take great care travelling at night. You should take particular care if you need to go to downtown San Salvador, other towns or cities, or travel on roads outside of major towns and cities after dark. Some areas within San Salvador are safer than others at night, although you should still exercise caution. These areas include Escalón, San Benito, Zona Rosa, Maquilishuat, La Grand Via and Multiplaza.
• You should take care travelling alone. When travelling to remote areas it may be safer to travel with others or take part in a tour with a reputable company. The same applies to walking on remote trails, as there have been reports of attacks on tourists walking alone.
• Keep your valuables, including your passport, locked away in a safe or keep them on your person when travelling. Carry a photocopy of your passport for identification purposes.
• Avoid displaying items of value. This is particularly important when arriving at the airport. There have been several instances of foreigners being targeted when leaving the vicinity of the airport. Do not wear expensive jewellery and only carry minimal amounts of cash when travelling in El Salvador.
• It is safer to withdraw money from ATMs in shopping centres or change money in hotels or banks. It is wise not to withdraw too much money at one time. There have been attacks on foreigners after they have withdrawn money from ATMs. You should avoid withdrawing money at night.
• You should be aware that victims of robbing have been killed and injured resisting attack.
• There have been instances of armed attacks on vehicles travelling in El Salvador. Avoid travelling on unpaved roads as you are at greater risk of attack in remote areas with fewer police patrols. The road between El Salvador and Guatemala has seen such attacks. See the Local Travel section for more information.
• For shorter trips within towns and cities it is safer to take radio or hotel taxis rather than public buses or unofficial taxis.
• We advise against travel on public buses (i.e. repainted US school buses) for security reasons. Private inter-city buses are generally safer, although attacks can also occur on these.
• The risk of kidnapping in El Salvador still exists, despite success by the National Police in tackling the problem in recent years. Kidnap gangs generally target rich Salvadorians rather than visitors.

For more general information see our Victims of crime page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel
Should you have any questions on security or local travel; you can call the local tourist police on +503 22989984 or visit the POLITUR website.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - R oad Travel
You can use your UK Driving License to drive in El Salvador for visits under three months. However, you are recommended to hold an International Driving Permit.

Driving standards are variable and you should expect the unexpected. Adequate car insurance is essential. If you are involved in an accident you should contact the National Police or the fire brigade by dialling 911. If you are involved in an accident you should normally wait for the police to arrive.

When travelling by car, it is generally safer to travel on main roads between major cities and tourist destinations. Quieter routes and poor road conditions, with fewer Police patrols, increase the risk of attack. Take simple precautions such as locking doors and keeping windows closed whilst travelling. Travelling in a convoy of more than one car may be safer.  

Roads between the main tourist locations in El Salvador are of an acceptable standard. In more isolated locations, roads are unpaved and four-wheel drive vehicles are advisable.

You should exercise particular caution when travelling to/from the border with Guatemala and when travelling this road by car, especially in vehicles with El Salvador number plates. You should use only reputable coach companies when travelling to/from Guatemala. There have been reports of violent attacks on vehicles, particularly on the Guatemalan side of the border. Vehicles with El Salvador number plates are often targeted. It is often better to cross borders in the morning as borders sometimes close in the early evening. It also allows time for you to reach your destination before dark.

There have been recent reports of attacks on vehicles travelling in Santa Ana and on the route between Comalapa airport and San Salvador.

There remains unexploded ordnance such as landmines in the countryside.  Those going off-road should be aware of these potential dangers when visiting the more remote locations.  You should take local advice and avoid travel to such areas if advised. 

See our Driving Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Swimming

Swimming on El Salvador’s Pacific coast can be dangerous due to strong undertows. The currents around La Bocana de San Diego are particularly treacherous. Several people have drowned in recent years. The number of lifeguards is limited and you should avoid swimming on isolated beaches.

Safety and Security - Political Situation

El Salvador Country Profile

Demonstrations occur in El Salvador from time to time and can do so with little warning. They can become violent and disrupt movement. You are advised to avoid large gatherings or demonstrations. The El Salvador Constitution prohibits political activities by foreigners, and participation in activities such as demonstrations may result in detention and/or deportation. You should avoid large gatherings or demonstrations, and leave the area should you become caught up in one.

For general information for different types of travellers see our Your trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas

UK passport holders can enter El Salvador as tourists or business visitors for up to 90 days without a visa. This can be extended on application to the Salvadorean immigration department, Centro de Gobierno, San Salvador; Tel: (503) 2221 2111.

Entry Requirements - Passport validity

You must hold a valid passport to enter El Salvador. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into El Salvador.

Entry Requirements - Central America Border Control Agreement

El Salvador is party to the Central America Border Control Agreement (CA-4).  Under the terms of this agreement, British tourists may travel within any of the CA-4 countries (Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala) for a period of up to 90 day, without completing entry and exit formalities at border Immigration checkpoints. This period begins at the first point of entry of any of the CA-4 countries. Fines are applied for travellers who exceed this 90-day limit, although a request for an extension can be made for up to 30 days by paying a fee before the 90 days limit expires.  If you are expelled from any of the four countries you are also excluded from the entire CA-4 region.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries required documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Embassy of El Salvador.

There is no in-country Swine Flu quarantine policy but screening equipment has been installed at airports to check incoming passengers.  

Medical facilities outside the capital, San Salvador, are generally basic. State-run hospitals are on the whole under-staffed, under-funded and ill-equipped. You should use private clinics whenever possible. Some hospitals in El Salvador may be reluctant to provide treatment until they are satisfied that you have medical insurance. You should therefore carry a copy of your insurance cover at all times.

Water is not generally safe to drink outside the better hotels in the main towns but bottled water is widely and cheaply available.

Dengue Fever is endemic to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. There have been confirmed cases of Dengue Fever this year throughout El Salvador.  Dengue Fever is a viral disease spread to humans by mosquitoes.  Protective measures against mosquito bites are recommended. There is no vaccine to prevent Dengue Fever, which has severe flu-like symptoms and can sometimes be fatal (Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever). If you do fall ill you should seek immediate medical advice.

In the 2010 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 32,000 adults aged 15 or over in El Salvador were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage was estimated at around 0.8% of the adult population compared to the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see our HIV and AIDS page.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to El Salvador and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the  NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

Please also see Entry requirements – visas section above on new vaccination requirements.

See our Travel Health page

Natural Disasters - Volcanoes  
El Salvador has a number of active volcanoes. The last notable eruption was the Santa Ana (Ilamatepec) volcano which erupted on 2 October 2005.
 
You should seek local advice before climbing any volcanoes in El Salvador and monitor local media for any updates on increased volcanic activity. When climbing volcanoes or walking in remote areas, it is safer do so in daylight hours, and to go with others and hire a guide or take part in a tour with a reputable company.

For further information on volcano warnings please check with the Humanitarian Early Warning System.

Natural Disasters - Rainy Season

The rainy season in El Salvador normally runs from June to November, coinciding with the hurricane season in the Caribbean. Mountain areas are particularly vulnerable to landslides in the rainy season. Much of the country remains affected by the damage caused by torrential rain during the 2011 rainy season. Many roads have seen landslides and flooding and local travel disruptions are possible. You should monitor local media for specific advice on local travel. Click here for official information (in Spanish) on the response to this emergency.

You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation and the US National Hurricane Centre.   Please also see our Tropical Cyclones page for more detailed information about what to do if you are caught up in a hurricane.

Natural Disasters - Earthquakes
El Salvador is subject to frequent minor earth tremors and occasional earthquakes. 

You should ensure that you know what action to take should an earthquake occur. If staying in a hotel read their earthquake instructions.  Further advice may be found at American Red Cross - Earthquake.

General - Insurance

You take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  For more general information see our Travel Insurance page.

If things go wrong when overseas, please see our When Things Go Wrong page.

General - Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

Alternatively, you can register with the British Embassy in Guatemala on arrival in El Salvador. You can do this in person, via e mail: consular.guatemala@fco.gov.uk or through the Embassy website at www.ukinguatemala.gov.uk.

General - Consular Representation
There is no British Embassy in El Salvador. The British Embassy in Guatemala City has overall responsibility for El Salvador.  In the event of an Emergency you can contact the British Honorary Consul:

Mr George Chippendale, 17 Calle Poniente No. 320, San Salvador; Tel:  +503 2236 5555; Fax:  +503 2271 1026; e-mail: George.Chippendale-HonCon@fconet.gov.uk

Honorary Consul Office Hours: Local Time:  Mon-Fri:  08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:00; GMT:  Mon-Fri:  14:00 to 18:00 and 19:00 to 23:00.

Passports should be left in a hotel safe/deposit box. You should carry a photocopy of your personal details page for identification purposes. You should ensure that your passport has sufficient validity and a plentiful supply of unused pages before you travel.

From El Salvador, applications for British passports should be sent to the UK Passport service for the Americas and Caribbean at the British Embassy in Washington. Details of the process can be found at their website www.ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/passports. The process may take up to 10 working days. If a courier is used, the cost will be borne by the applicant.

In certain circumstances, the British Honorary Consul in San Salvador and the British Embassy in Guatemala City may be able to issue an emergency passport.  This document is only available if you have held a full passport previously.  It is restrictive and only allows for one nominated journey.  It is not valid via the United States.

General - Money
The American Dollar is the official currency in El Salvador. Although some prices are still quoted in the Salvadoran Colon, payment is expected in Dollars. The exchange rate is fixed at US$1.00 = 8.75 Salvadoran Colón.
 
It is very difficult to change Pounds sterling anywhere in El Salvador, so you should bring a mixture of cash and travellers’ cheques in US dollars. You are advised to bring some low denomination US dollar notes as US$50 and US$100 notes may not be accepted in many smaller restaurants and shops, in bars and by taxi drivers.
 
ATMs allowing withdrawals using debit and credit cards are widely available in El Salvador. For advice on using ATMs, please refer to the Crime section above.