El Salvador Tours in 2024 & 2025

Visa requirements may change, for the most up to date information we recommend using our Entry Requirements tool. Alternatively, check the El Salvadoran embassy website in your country of departure.

Recommended vaccinations for El Salvador include hepatitis a, tetanus, diphtheria, rabies and typhoid.

As advice can often change, you can check out Entry Requirements tool for the most up-to-date details on vaccination requirements.

The best time to visit El Salvador tends to be the dry season, which runs from November to early March. Temperatures float around the 23°C (73°F) mark, and you’ll avoid the hot and humid conditions of April and May. The rains usually hit in May and last until October, though temperatures tend to rely on altitude more so than time of the year.

If you’re wanting to come for turtle nesting season, then you’ll need to get here during the months of July through to early November. March to November offers the best surf, and to see humpback whales, February to April offer your best bet.

El Salvador has a tropical climate with distinct dry (November to April) and wet (May to October) seasons. Temperatures here tend to depend more on where you are in the country rather than the time of year you visit.

The coast is hot and humid year round, and temperatures tend to reach a maximum of 32°C (89.6°F) and a minimum of 16°C (60.8°F). Mountainous areas like the Ruta de las Flores are noticeably cooler, particularly at night — make sure you pack a jacket! In terms of rainfall, October usually has the most — expect up to 33mm (1.30 inches) on average.

Tipping is fairly common across Latin America, especially in restaurants and bars where 10% is added to the bill. Of course, if you’ve enjoyed a particular other service, then you’re more than welcome to tip!

There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from USD $5-10 USD per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your CEO for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture.

Plus, at the end of each trip if you felt your G Adventures CEO did an outstanding job, tipping is more than appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline USD $5-7 per person, per day can be used.

You’ll find Wi-Fi in most restaurants, hostels, hotels and in some public spaces too in El Salvador. Expect it to be fairly good in most places, but in rural areas expect it to be more limited. As many places here are also run by generators, expect Wi-Fi to often go down during bad weather and downpours.

While ATMs are widely available in towns and cities, they may not be available in rural areas, and there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work here. Check with your bank before you travel. Credit cards and debit cards are very useful for cash advances, and Visa cards are the most widely accepted cards here.

You should be aware that to purchase products or services on a credit card a fee of 5%-10% usually applies. Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money — bring USD in cash too, which is the local currency here anyway.

As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com.

Even though it’s officially legal to be LGBTQ+ in El Salvador, it’s still a relatively conservative country with a predominantly Catholic population, so public displays of affection should definitely be avoided here.

As part of their commitment, all CEOs receive LGBTQ+ inclusion training so every traveller feels respected and welcomed on all of our tours. We commit to making our tours a safe and inclusive place for people to express their authentic selves without judgement, free from any discriminatory language or harassment.

While travelling with G Adventures, all travellers must treat each other with dignity and respect to create an environment that is positive, safe, and where everyone feels welcome. You can find out more via our LGBTQ+ travel page.

The official language of Honduras is Spanish, or Castilian, which is spoken by pretty much all of the population. A very small number (around 500) of indigenous peoples here speak Nawat or Nicarao, and English can also be spoken by some in major cities and towns.

In a word, no — tap water in El Salvador isn’t safe to drink. Bottled water is widely available throughout the country though and is relatively cheap.

Please note however that all drinks provided on our tours are safe to drink (including drinks with ice), as well as the water in most hotels and restaurants visited on tour. If in doubt, please ask your CEO for further info.

El Salvador was widely considered the most dangerous country in Latin America for many years. However, the country has turned a corner recently, and most visits here now are incredibly safe.

However, you should note that the country is still in a declared state of emergency with regards to gang-related activity, so things could change. You should also be aware that there are occasionally earthquakes and hurricanes here — take heed of local warnings.

G Adventures takes all reasonable measures to ensure your safety and enjoyment while travelling with us. All of the included activities are properly vetted and regularly checked by us, and we take great care in choosing the right transportation, stays throughout your trip, and guides to lead your tour. However, there are always inherent risks when travelling — you can find out more via our travel safety page.