San Salvador

Understand

San Salvador lies in the "Valle de las Hamacas" (literally "Valley of the hammocks", as it was called by the Pipil, due to its intense earthquake activity) at the foot of the San Salvador volcano. It covers an area of 600 km² and is home to nearly 2 million people. It is home to one-third of El Salvador's population and one-half of the country's wealth. The downtown area is filled with shops and modern buildings, but unfortunately earthquakes have damaged or destroyed many of the city's historic buildings.

The people of San Salvador are generally friendly, though as in any large city, less inclined to engage in conversations with strangers on the street as opposed to other parts of the country. The wealthy live in exclusive suburbs behind tall security walls or luxury condominium buildings. Wealthier areas such as San Benito, Colonia Escalon, Colonia San Francisco, Colonia Maquilishuat, Santa Elena (where the US embassy is located) and Ciudad Merliot have tree-lined avenues, the biggest malls in Central America, bars, clubs, gyms, restaurants, luxury hotels, modern high-rise buildings, plazas, boutiques, cafes, luxury salons, jewelry stores, etc. Some of these neighborhoods are in the hills surrounding the city and have breathtaking views. A number of new gated housing communities complete with parks, swimming pools, fitness facilities and tight security are popular with middle class families. Most of the city's hotels can be found in these suburbs. There are middle class neighborhoods and residential areas close to the wealthy neighborhoods. Poorer areas are in the northern and eastern districts, along with an abundance of shanty towns sprawling along the city's fringes. San Salvador's climate is tropical, although the weather can vary; the nights may be cool (especially in December), however, most of the time it is sunny and warm. Wearing t-shirts, jeans, and possibly a light rain jacket is usually sufficient. The city has a long history, with origins dating back to the Spanish conquest of the Pipil tribes. Whilst parts can seem like a maze of confusion, rich vs poor, modern vs dilapidated, cars vs pedestrians, the city has played a major role in defining and shaping the rest of this small yet intruiging country, once at the forefront of the Cold War. To understand this polarized country, it is essential to understand its political, cultural and social headquarters.

Visitor information El Salvador Travel

Getting there

By plane 1 San Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez International_Airport (SAL IATA or "Aeropuerto Internacional de El Salvador"), Carretera Comalapa Km 42, San Luis Talpa (near San Luis Talpa, 40 km or a 45-minute drive south of the capital city). where visitors traveling by plane usually arrive Avianca (formerly Taca, Aviateca & Lacsa) is the national airline of El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala & Colombia. Volaris El Salvador serves as budget carrier to rival the national airline listed in the above, under the Salvadorian flag. It is a subsidiary brand of Volaris Airline of Mexico, as a separate corporation from El Salvador's Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez International Airport to Cancún, Chicago–O'Hare, Guatemala City, Houston–Intercontinental, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Miami, Oakland, Ontario (CA), San Pedro Sula, Washington–Dulles. Travel from additional cities will require transit through Cancun, Guadalajara, Mexico City and/or San Jose, Costa Rica on Volaris. A US$32 departure tax must be paid upon departure. Depending on the airline, the full amount or part of the tax may already be included in the price of your ticket and the amount you must pay will vary from US$0 - US$32. Other airlines that fly into San Salvador include:

Aeromexico Connect (Mexico City). Air Transat (Montreal) Arajet (Santo Domingo) American Airlines (Miami and Dallas) Copa (Panama City) Delta (Atlanta) Frontier (Atlanta) TAG (Guatemala City, Roatan) Iberia (Madrid) Spirit Airlines (Spirit Airlines ceased operations as of 5/2/26 Contact +1 971 715-2831) United (Houston, Newark, and Los Angeles) Volaris and Volaris Costa Rica (Cancun,Mexico City, New York JFK and San José de Costa Rica). Volaris Costa Rica is a subsidiary of Volaris (Mexico) to offer direct flights from San Jose, Costa Rica (as a hub), as a Costa Rican flag carrier, to the U.S., Central America and Mexico. From the airport Taxi Acacya, ☏ +503 2271-4937, +503 2222-1202. offers limited colectivo services up into several major hotels in San Salvador. At other times they offer a private taxi to a destination of the passenger's request. The other is Taxis Acopacific - Aeropuerto, ☏ +503 2339-9360. to provide airport transfers into town. The nearest public bus stop is the #138 bus between Comalapa and San Salvador's Terminal Sur bus station just south of San Salvador. To get to the 2 Microbus Aeropuerto (public bus #138) go across the parking lot in front of the airport terminal to the other building on the other side (Airport Monseñor Romero Mall). Go through the building's breezeway (or open corridor

Getting around

If driving, rental car agencies include Budget, Alamo, and Hertz. Buses and taxis also provide good ways of getting around. Negotiating the cost of your taxi, Before you step in, is common practice and expected. Carry small denominations of money and have exact change for your taxi fare. If you do not have exact change, taxi drivers will try to convince you to make the change a tip instead. Distances between sights make walking an unpopular option, as does the street layout in the city; San Salvador is not a square city but has long avenues that are straight and streets that are not. That said, in some areas walking is a great option, such as from Zona Rosa to Las Terrazas (Sheraton hotel) which are close together and within sight of one another.

See

Boulevards San Salvador has wide avenues and boulevards, including the two widest boulevards in Central America: Boulevard de los Proceres and Boulevard de los Heroes. Other important boulevards include Alameda Roosevelt, Paseo General Escalon, Av. Jerusalem, Boulevard Constitucion and Av. Juan Pablo Segundo.

Monuments San Salvador has many beautiful monuments, some of them dating back to the early 20th century, while others are more modern. Some of the most important monuments include the National Palace, Plaza Gerardo Barrios, Plaza Morazan, Water Clock, Monument to the Sea, Atlacatl Monument and the Proceres Monuments (it has 10 monuments). One of the most recognizable monuments in El Salvador is the Monumento al Divino Salvador del Mundo, or "Monument to the Saviour of The World".

1 Metropolitan Cathedral Of San Salvador (Catedral Metropolitana de San Salvador), Calle Ruben Dario. Open 8AM-Noon, 2PM-5PM daily. Includes the tomb of Monsignor Saint Oscar Romero (enter from right-side entrance), (updated Oct 2018) 2 National Palace (Palacio Nacional), Avenida Cuscatlan. (updated Oct 2018) 3 Monument to the Divine Savior of the World (Monumento al Divino Salvador del Mundo). Consists of a statue of Jesus Christ standing on top of a global sphere of planet Earth. (updated Jul 2021) 4 Monument of Memory and Truth (Monumento a la Memoria y la Verdad). Inaugurated in 2003, this 85 metre long wall made of black granite contains 25,000 engraved names of victims of the Salvadorian Civil War. (updated Jun 2022) 5 Rosario Church. A striking modernist Church famed for its unassuming exterior and breathtaking interior filled with rainbow-colored light streaming through its arched concrete structure. (updated Mar 2026)

Museums San - Salvador has many museums, the two most important are "Museo David J Guzman" and "Museo de Arte MARTE". David J Guzman National Museum of Anthropology contains a variety of Mayan and Pipil artifacts, while Museo de Arte MARTE displays an extensive collection of international art. Both are in the Zona Rosa district. There is also a children's museum, the Tin-Marin museum, where kids can experience the world in a fun way. The old national palace is being restored to house the "National Archives," and the "National Museum." Also a new display of early mammal fossils, including a giant sloth, mastodon and more than twenty other species is being set up in the "Museo de Historia Natural," or "Natural History Museum" situated in the SE section of Saburo Hirao park by the National Zoo. Close to the zoo is the "Museo Militar," or Milita

Do

Theaters

San Salvador has many theatres, including the beautiful Teatro Presidente (near Zona Rosa), where the symphony regularly performs expensive and inexpensive concerts, and the Teatro Nacional (downtown), which has been restored to its full splendor. Here you can step back and experience the grandeur once reserved for the city's elite in the early 1900s.

1 National Theatre of El Salvador (Teatro Nacional de El Salvador), Calle Delgado. (updated Oct 2018) 2 Teatro Presidente, 33 Ave Norte. (updated Oct 2018)

Buy

La Casita. Locations in both Centro commercial multiplaza, San Benito and Centro commercial Plaza San Benito. La Ceiba, Galerias, Col.Escalon Av. Paseo Gral.Escalon. There are Many other la ceiba stores in the city.

Malls Some of the shopping malls include: Loma Linda, Multiplaza, Las Fuentes, Galerias (elegant), Metrocentro (said to be the largest in Central America), El Paseo (expensive), Plazamundo, Plaza Merliot, La Gran Via (a lifestyle center / "city walk"), Las Cascadas, Basilea (unique), Plaza San Benito, Villas Españolas and many more. These malls have luxury boutiques, the latest in international fashion, specialty stores, large foodcourts (some even have 3 food courts) and many other amenities.

Local crafts 1 Mercado Nacional de Artesanias, Avenida Manuel Enrique Arujo, ☏ +503 2130 6315. Daily 9AM-5PM. Artisan crafts market. (updated May 2022) For local arts and crafts, visit the Ilopango markets east of the city. Test your bargaining skills and take home some unique, handmade goods. For cheap souvenirs such as hammocks and other local crafts try the Mercado Cuartel. A good hammock can be yours for under $15 US, depending on bargaining skills.

Department stores San Salvador and some Mexican cities are the only cities in Latin America with Sanborns (restaurant and store chain) and Dorians (or Sears). Other department stores include Siman, Carrion and Almacenes Europa.

Supermarkets and other retail stores Despensa Familiar Discount store. has 63 stores in El Salvador. Maxi Despensa has 16 stores in El Salvador. Walmart Supercenter has 6 stores in El Salvador. Super Selectos. has 99 stores in El Salvador. La despensa de Don Juan has 17 stores in El Salvador. Pricesmart (Costco in the U.S.A.), Blvd. De los Heroes and Santa Elena. Dolarcity Discount store. has 100 stores in El Salvador.

Eat

The restaurant scene in San Salvador is influenced by many different cultures. Food options include Italian, Korean, Japanese, Thai, French, Chilean, American, Peruvian, Mexican, Spanish, Middle Eastern, German, Chinese, Argentinian and others. Local food options include Tipicos Margot where one can purchase the famous Salvadoran Pupusas. Perhaps the biggest indictment against the quality of the San Salvador restaurant scene however is the sheer number of chain restaurants referenced in this article.

Budget When you are in El Salvador you won't have to worry about finding a place to eat, there is food everywhere you go.

Mid-range La Panetière, ☏ +503 2-263-8792, fax: +503 2-264-1759. San Benito, Zona Rosa. There are many other La Panetière in all San Salvador. (updated Jan 2019) Punto Literario. In El Museo de Arte Marte col. San Benito. Zona Rosa. Sal y pimienta, Bulevar Del Hipodromo 572, ☏ +503 2263 8005. Focus on nutrition with detox drinks and stuff, but also regular breakfast and dinner and wine options. Restaurante Pasquale, CP 1101, Paseo General Escalón #3931, ☏ +503 2263 1693, fax: +503 22635445. Paseo Gral. Escalón, Col. Escalón frente a Galerías shopping center. Italian food. Tre fratelli, Km. 15.5 Carretera a El Salvador, ☏ +502 6634 5094. Italian Food. Al Pomodoro, Ave. La Revolución y, Calle Circunvalacion 184, ☏ +503 2243 7888. Italian food. Dynasty, Bulevar del Hipódromo 738-B, ☏ +503 2263 9955, fax: +503 22638615. Chinese food that you can spin around on one of those glass turntables at your table so that everyone can have a bite. Sushi-Itto, Bulevar Del Hipodromo 407 (in Zona Rosa, 2nd location in La Gran Via), ☏ +503 2243 1166, fax: +503 22982676. Zona Rosa Restaurante Pueblo Viejo, CC Metrosur, Boulevard de los Heroes y, Avenida Los Andes, ☏ +503 2261 1253. A popular Salvadoran buffet/restaurant that got consumed in a fire but is being rebuilt. Los Balcones Buffet, R-5 at km 40.5, south of San Salvador towards airport, ☏ +503 7170 7254. Buffet or menu with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Royal, 87 Avenida Sur. Chinese food. +503 2264 0051 Restaurante Club Campestre, ☏ +503 22633555. Av. masferrer, Col Escalón 550 M from de Redondel Masferrer. Buffet and à la carte. San Martín Multiplaza and El Paseo. Bakery. Benihana inside El Paseo - International Japanese steak house Bennigans inside La Gran Via - International - Irish 168 Chinese Restaurant, ☏ +503 2264-1168, +503 2264-6168. 89Av. Nte y 9a calle poniente #4612 Col. Escalon. Chinese food.

Splurge Cervecería La 20 Zona Rosa, Calle La Reforma local #225,

Drink & nightlife

San Salvador is well-known for its nightlife. Clubs and bars can be found in the Zona Rosa, Basilea Mall, La Terraza (Sheraton Hotel), Las Terrazas (Multiplaza Mall), Boulevard de Los Heroes, Temptation Plaza, and the bars and restaurants area in La Gran Via (mall and night lifestyle center). These places have many bars, discos, restaurants, DJ centers and boutiques. Visit the laidback bohemian bars (university crowd) around Calle San Antonio Abad to meet interesting locals or head to the Zona Rosa/Multiplaza Mall area to dance the night away with the city's style-conscious upper class youth.

Bars and clubs La Taberna, Beer House 79 Ave Sur y Calle La Mascota, Lotes #7 y 8. Bar and grill. +503 2519 4374 Scape (Gay),Centro Comercial Juan Pablo Segundo, Local 311A, Prolongacion Juan Pablo Segundo, San Salvador. Large events and conventions are generally held in the Feria Internacional [1].

Sleep

Budget Hostal Esencia Nativa, ☏ +503 2301-4322, +503 7737-8879, [email protected]. Surf lessons, laundry service, English spoken. Rooms with A/C and private bath available. Doubles from $15. International Guest House, 35 Avenida Norte 9. Breakfast, internet, laundry, safety box. $16-26. Hotel Tazumal House. The, 35 Avenida Norte, Casa 3. A/C, cable TV, free internet use. From $10 to $40. Ximenas Guest House, Calle San Salvador 202, ☏ +503 2260-2481, +503 7981-4517 (Cell), [email protected]. A small guesthouse open for over 25 years in a quiet residential area in the Blvd. de Los Heros district. It is within walking distance to malls, banks, pharmacies, post offices, coffee shops, bars and restaurants. The building is well-lit with a tranquil, homey atmosphere with a common area with cable TV, as well as a roof-top terrace with sparse vegetation. Services available include book exchange, modest cafe/restaurant, laundry service, safe deposit lockers, luggage storage and free tourist information. Wireless internet is also available, but there is a small one-time charge to obtain the access code. Computers are also available for $2/hr. Dorms $7, $9 w/hot shower, privates $18-35, varying by AC, number of beds, hot water, TV. Hostal Cumbres Del Volcan Flor Blanca, 6-10 Calle Poniente #1937 Colonia Flor Blanca, ☏ +503 626-6285194, [email protected]. bunk bed in a mixed dormitory room. free wifi, washing machine, Lockers, baggage storage, tour desk, 24 hour front desk, garden, terrace, sun deck, shard kitchen, speaks English. $8 per person. (updated Sep 2021)

Mid-range The staff of all the hotels speak English and Spanish, but there are also others who speak other languages. All the hotels include room service.

Ramada Inn, 85 Av. Sur y calle Juan Jose Cañas, ☏ +503 2263 9852, fax: +503 2263-4099. 85 Ave. Sur y Calle Juan José Cañas, Col. Escalón San Salvador. The hotel includes air conditioning, king size beds, double bed rooms, restaurant, bar and many other amenities. Quality Real Hotel Aeropuerto San Salvador, ☏ +503 2366-0000, fax: +503 2366-0001. Check-in: Noon, check-out: 4PM. KM 40.5 Carretera Al Aeropuerto de El Salvador. Just 3 minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from the sandy beaches of Costa del Sol. In house restaurant. Room service, business center, bar and pool. Hotel Happy House, Avenida Los Sisimiles, #2951, Colonia Miramontes, ☏ +503 2563 1729, fax: +503 22 60 15 68, [email protected]. Hotel includes air conditioning, double bed rooms and free wireless internet access. Holiday Inn, Ur

Go next

You can get out of Comalapa International Airport or rent a plane for a moderate fee in Ilopango Airport to give you a ride to other of the countries important cities. The rent a plane service is available to go to Santa Ana, San Miguel and La Union (on Tamarindo, near the Gulf of Fonseca where you can board a ferry to take you to the other Islands). If you are looking for an excursion out of the city, check the classified section of the newspaper El Diario de Hoy ("Asesores de Viaje y Excursiones" heading) for any reasonably priced tours that may be departing soon.