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| <<Parks & Protected Areas Guide - El Salvador | |||
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El
Salvador Mini Guide WHY GO? 25 volcanoes, one - Izalco, which can be viewed from nearby Cerro Verde Park - is still smoking! A cloud forest with a stunning view of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras from the Summit. Museum of the Revolution and El Mazote - Arambala Civil War Memorial Massacre sites. 200 miles of unspoiled and uncrowded Pacific Coast beaches, coves and bays; the best surfing in Central America; Colonial and indigenous villages where time has stood still; humungous arts and crafts. Visit several towns dedicated to the making these native crafts, such as La Palma in the North and Ilobasco in the East of the country. You will find throughout all of El Salvador friendly and industrious people, always ready to assist you and to practice their English (almost 60% of El Salvadorians have relatives living and working abroad). Most importantly, El Salvador is an uncrowded, exotic and a surprising destination: no tourist hordes here! WHEN TO GO? Best time of year is the dry season from November through March. The weather is very hot and humid in April and May. Rainy season is late May through October, usually raining during the evenings. The sun shines 350 days a year in El Salvador! Don't go Easter Holy Week (Semana Santa), the first week of August (religious holidays) or mid-December through early January (Christmas-New Years) unless you have family to stay with or prior reservations. GETTING THERE AND AROUND By Plane Direct flights are available from gateway cities in USA: NY/NWK, Chicago, DC, Atlanta, Miami, NO, Houston, DFW, Denver, LA and SF on TACA, Continental, Delta, American or United Airlines. Get a "Coupon Ticket" for Central & South America on TACA (www.taca.com) and stop over in El Salvador northbound from Costa Rica, Panama or South America at no extra charge. El Salvador has the most modern and efficient Airport in all Central America and therefore is the Hub of TACA Central American airlines. The Airport, Comalapa International is located 46 Km.(28 Miles) due south of the Capital City of San Salvador by divided Highway and only 30 Km.(18 Miles) from Beach resort of Costa del Sol on Coastal Highway, meaning Beach vacationers to El Salvador need not even visit the crowded capital city. By Land From Guatemala, Honduras or Nicaragua, take the King Quality Bus Lines to San Salvador, the Pullmantur Bus from Guatemala only and the Nica Bus from Nicaragua only. All Buses are a/c with snacks, video and WC, Prices vary so see a local Travel agent. If going through to Costa rica or Panama take the TICA Bus with overnight stopovers in each capital city. By Auto from Guatemala City go to The Obelisco, Zone 10 and take the "Carretera a El Salvador" best turn off at Km.77 and head 48 more Km. To the Border at Las Chinamas, with Guatemala or other Central American registration formalities will be brief, however with US or Canadian Plates expect a bit of paperwork and fees and 30 day limit on your stay, this applies also in neighboring Honduras and Nicaragua. The drive from the Border to San Salvador is 1.6 Hours on newly paved roads Also from Guatemala is the more scenic Coastal Route, drive some 50 Km. SE from Guatemala City out from Blvd. Aguilar Batres, Zone 12 to the City of Escuintla, then turn left and drive east some 110 Km. To the El Salvadorian Border Post of La Hachadura, where you can take the "Litoral" or coastal highway all the way through to the beach town of Puerto de La Libertad. And beyond that to the International Airport at Comalapa, The Costa del Sol resorts and as far east as La Union, gateway to El Salvador's pristine and remote eastern Pacific Beaches such as El Cuco and Tamarindo. By using the coastal route, one can completely avoid the congested capital city of San Salvador! Getting Around The country is small, less than the size of the State of Maryland in the USA, and most attractions within the country can be visited within 3 to 4 days with rental car or on Tour. A word of advice: El Salvador is not kind to "low budget" backpackers nor independent travelers. Local transport is cheap, but crowded and there are no luggage racks. If traveling around on public transport leave luggage and valuables in hotel. Luxury, first and second class international bus services to and from Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua daily have space for luggage. ATTRACTIONS Montecristo Cloud Forest in Triunfo International Park, with views from the summit of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Orchid Farm. Guides. Camping. Permit required for vehicles 4WD recommended. Best dry season November-April. Cerro Verde National Park, with its view of the smoking cone of Izalco Volacano. See item on ISTU below.Operated by ISTU. Guides and Tourist Police escort available advance notice. Nearby Volcanic Lake Coatepeque has motor launch excursions and charming inns and lodges. In El Salvador are beaches, beaches and more beaches; 300 Km. (200 miles) of them including bays, secluded coves and mangroves. World Class Surfing at La Libertad's Punta Roca, Sunzal and El Zonte Beaches, Deep Sea Fishing (Sailfish, Tuna, Dorado, Marlin) and Deep Sea Diving from Los Cobanos Beach in Western El Salvador and Sun Surf and Fish in Eastern El Salvador as well as from the famed Costa del Sol onwards to El Cuco and the exotic pristine pacific haunts of the "Wild East". UNUSUAL ATTRACTION Museum of the Revolution in Perquin, the former "Rebel Capital" during the Civil Conflict 1980-92. It is located in Northeastern El Salvador near the Honduran border. Tour the Museum, town and nearby massacre sites (1981-1982) of Aramabala and El Mazote, where there is a memorial to the fallen. Guide and 4WD vehicle recommended. ACTIVITIES For the Eco Traveler we recommend El Imposible National Park with Visitors Center-Camping Areas: Nature Trails and Crystal Clear Rivers in a protected environment with guides on site. The guides do not charge fees but work on a basis of tipping from the client. Reservations and permits for each visitor are required in advance. It is recommended for the physically fit. Some trails are steep and involve strenuous activity. TRAVEL NEWS If a little bit nervous about visiting El Salvador for the first time due to it's undeserved reputation and in a group of 3 or more, Central America Language Tours can hook you up with ISTU (Salvadorian Institute of Tourism) with a bi-lingual Guide and Tourist Police escort at no extra charge to either the Nature Preserves of Cerro Verde in Western El Salvador near the volcanic Lake Coatepeque or Walter T. Denninger Tropical Forest at the slopes of the Pacific Ocean with it's amazing bio diversity. There is no mass tourism Costa Rican style here. Reservations ARE required in advance. National Tourist Police escorts are available for ALL groups of travelers ALL YEAR, ANYWHERE in El Salvador, however we must be notified at least 3 weeks in advance of your departure in order to make the arrangements. There is no charge for Police escort, however, tipping is encouraged. PLACES TO STAY For backpackers, try Ximenas Guest House in San Salvador. www.ximenasguesthouse.com Spanish language instruction is available. For moderate travelers, there are dozens of charming Guest Houses and small family run B & B's located in tree lined residential neighborhoods of San Salvador, the capital city. Some have pools. Also countryside and beach hotel/beach house and long term rentals. Rates from $25-$70 Double Occupancy depending services and location. For business and luxury travelers, The San Salvador Marriott 5 Star with a special rate $90 Double if reserving in advance from Central America Language Tours. If coming from Guatemala on the "Pullmantur" Bus which departs the Holiday Inn in Zone 10 of Guatemala City, there is a special $99 per person 2 nights in Marriott plus RT Transportation on weekends. See any Travel Agent in Guatemala and ask for the Pullmantur Special in El Salvador. This is a great way to experience both countries. PLACE TO EAT The Salvadorian "Pupusa" is a must try, Pupusa places are everywhere, the best Pupusas come from "Olocuilta" south of San Salvador and are sold in the city. There are lots of the familiar fast food spots in San Salvador, in Metrocentro and other Malls try KFC, Pizza Hut, McDonalds. Also try the Bohemian Zone near the National University for best specialty restaurants such as La Ventana, the most popular in town. Open late night on weekends to 3 AM. For those with a taste for upscale international fare and late night disco dancing check out Colonia San Benito, San Salvador's "Zona Rosa" patrolled by the PNC Tourist Police day and night. BEST CULTURAL ENTERTAINMENT La Luna Casa de
Arte - Ongoing Art Exhibitions and many, many cultural, artistic and
musical endeavors. Stop by La Luna any night but Sunday to get oriented
or check the Arts, Culture and Entertainment section of the papers and
visit their site for schedules at http://www.lalunacasayarte.com. It
is owned and operated by Salvadorian Women. SHOPPING There are two great arts and crafts markets in San Salvador, The "Ex-Cuartel" a huge crafts bazaar located in downtown San Salvador and the smaller "Mercado de Artesañías" near the San Salvador Fairgrounds (be ready to bargain hard at both locations) along with dozens of towns dedicated to Crafts aound the country, such as Ataco, Ilobasco, La Palma, Nahuazalco and San Sebastian. Knock yourself out! There are several large modern Shopping Malls, with security patrols, such as MetroCentro, MetroSur, Gallerias and Las Cascadas located in and around San Salvador. There are also MetroCentro Malls in the cities of Santa Ana and San Miguel. MONEY AND COMMUNICATIONS The US Dollar, including small change, is now legal tender and circulating in El Salvador since January 2001. All Credit Card transactions are in USD. No need to change money to/from US Cash. ATM Machines give dollars on Cash Advances. The local currency, the Colon, which as of this writing has almost disappeared, is pegged at 8.75 to 1USD Fixed Rate and interchangeable in stores, on transport etc. HEALTH AND SAFETY SAFETY.....AND A SUPRISE! There is no mass tourism in El Salvador as there is in Mexico and Costa Rica. Foreign visitors, especially Women, do attract attention. "Machismo" is only skin deep and you have nothing to fear but perhaps a bruised ego when young men on the street stare and whistle, they feel they are "complementing" you. Simply stare ahead and ignore, they will go away. In situations involving social contact with strangers, do politely decline offers of "dates" or "rides" and never give out your address, hotel room number or planned itinerary to anyone except your Tour Operator, Travel Agency and Guide. While on tour, leave your Passport (carry a photocopy with you), credit cards and other valuables in the hotel safe. Carry enough cash for small purchases in the countryside and in general use common sense. If there are any disputes of any kind on tour with locals, let your guide or driver handle them. America and includes Adventure and Eco Tours such as Volcano climbing. This used to be so dangerous in the past because of frequent assaults on climbers. Some two years ago, in reaction to assaults on some tourists in remote areas the government of El Salvador instituted a special program whereby all foreign visitors in groups of 2 or more people, either renting vehicles or hiring registered local tour operators, are entitled to a uniformed Salvadorian National Tourist Police escort of 1 or more officers depending upon group size from dawn until dusk anywhere with in the borders of El Salvador at no charge. If officers, of course, must stay overnight with you, then expenses of food and lodging are paid. Tipping is encouraged at end of tour. This service is unique in Central America. El Salvador is the most densely populated nation in the Western Hemisphere and, as a result, 97% of the country has been deforested in the last 30 years. Litter and garbage abound on highways, roads and in slum areas. Salvadorians are hard working and aggressive people, some cases of rudeness have been reported in the crowded and very densely populated capital city of San Salvador. However, the traveler will find the people in the countryside exceptionally friendly and courteous, eager to please and practice their English. If heading to Beaches to relax, the Comalapa International Airport is located on the newly paved Littoral (Coastal) Highway less than an hour from La Libertad and Costa del Sol Beach points, so visitors need not even transit the capital city of San Salvador if they desire. Take caution when driving a rental vehicle here, as there are many cases of hit and run in minor accidents (fender benders) especially scrapes in crowded parking areas. Most motorists in Central America drive uninsured and one has an $800 deductible upon your rental contract, which means you pay for any minor damages to the vehicle on report to the rental car company. It is often better to form a group and take a Tour in an insured vehicle with a driver, as then the company has liability. Contact Central America Language Tours. We contract with several Transportation Companies based in El Salvador and Guatemala with fully insured Coasters and Mini-Buses able to transport you from El Salvador to Guatemala and Belize north and west or Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica south and east from their base near El Salvador's international airport. Also, King Quality Transport of Guatemala offers air conditioned luxury Buses for both International Transport (Guatemala - El Salvador - Honduras - Nicaragua - Costa Rica) and pre arranged excursions for large groups. We thank Donald Lee, Manager of Central America Language Tours for this Mini Guide to El Salvador. Contact him at: info@centralamericalanguagetours.com |
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