Visiting El Salvador: Everything You Have to Know

Visiting El Salvador could be one of a kind experience. An underrated one probably, but… With its abundance of parks, the tiny Central American country that is El Salvador is known for its warm climate, but also for its rather difficult situation. Breathtaking landscapes can be observed as far as the eye can see, giving El Salvador its charm. Although the country is not very developed in terms of tourism, it still has a lot to offer.

Geography

As mentioned earlier, the country is located in Central America. It is the only country on this continent to touch only the Pacific Ocean. By this fact, we can deduce that it is located completely to the west. Two countries are connected to it: Honduras to the east and Guatemala to the north-west. Throughout El Salvador, there are numerous valleys. There are also many volcanoes, some of which are still active. The country’s main river is the Rio Lempa, located mainly in the north.

Know the Climate Before Visiting El Salvador

The first season is the dry season, which runs from November to April. The other one is the wet season, which runs from May to October. It is also known as the rainy season. The ideal time to visit El Salvador is during the dry season, for the simple reason that rainfall is practically non-existent, or almost, unlike the wet season, when it rains daily. During the dry season, it’s pleasant to note that it’s very warm, as it is every other day, but the humidity level is remarkably low. So, it’s nice to stay out in the sun. There is also another good thing about this country : because it’s on the west coast, it’s rarely or never hit by hurricanes. One less danger for those who are there during the season!

How to Enter the Country

For Canadians, the requirements are fairly straightforward: a passport is all you need. There may be different requirements when it comes to different types of stays or countries, such as a temporary passport or an emergency travel document, but there is still a way to enter the country. Other documents, such as visas, are not required for residents of Canada. You can find all the informations you need on your government’s site, it’s usually very clear.

Medication and health

El Salvador is home to a range of diseases that are not necessarily found in northern Canada. In fact, this is a location where hygiene leaves to be desired. The risk of illness is therefore a little higher. According to the Canadian government’s official website, the recommended vaccines for traveling to El Salvador are yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, influenza, rabies and measles. As you can see, some of these vaccines are recommended when traveling almost anywhere, but it’s still important to have them to avoid any risk of getting sick. As far as food and water safety are concerned, these can occasionally contain cholera, typhoid fever or hepatitis A. So, it’s advisable to be on the safe side. Great caution is therefore advised. Traveler’s diarrhea is also common among tourists to this country. Comparing Canada and El Salvador, the food and water are not at all the same. So it’s a good idea to take some medication with you. The same applies throughout Central America and Mexico. The Canadian government is quite clear: it’s best to be very careful not to consume anything that hasn’t been cooked properly and to drink bottled water while exploring El Salvador.

Languages

In this country, the official language is Castilian, or Spanish, as in many of the surrounding countries. On the other hand, the country’s varied ethnicity makes it difficult to preserve. That’s why it’s the government’s duty to protect it. You could compare this to law 101, in Quebec, to protect the French language. For them, Spanish is a means of preserving their culture as well as spreading it.

Currency and economy

El Salvador’s official currency is the US dollar. Currently, 1 Canadian dollar is equivalent to 0.75 US dollars, which is a fairly standard rate. We strongly advise you not to change $50 or $100 bills, as not only are these bills rarely accepted, but they also increase the risk of being robbed. Indeed, this is an ever-present risk, given the level of poverty in El Salvador.

Which Transportation to use while Visiting El Salvador

The primary means of transport, much used by locals, is the bus. Not only is it affordable, it’s also very efficient, for the simple reason that buses go everywhere, even to neighboring countries. Renting a car is also an option. However, you should be aware that some companies may overcharge tourists. You need to be careful to choose a company that won’t do so. If you want to cross the continent, the boat may also be an option to consider. Several times a week, boats run along the Ruta del Golfo waterway, at an affordable price. Finally, as far as air travel is concerned, even local flights are exorbitantly expensive. So it’s not the most attractive option.

Accomodations: Explore El Savador, but Don’t Sleep in their Street

When it comes to spending the night in El Salvador, you can expect anything. Hostels and hotels can be very good, but they can also be very unpleasant. It’s a good idea to find out first. Also, there’s the ever-popular Airbnb, but again, it’s all the same. To sum it up, if you do your homework, you should have a good time. It all depends on what you’re looking for!

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