When To Go

The Pacific coast has a tropical climate all year round with temperatures hovering around 30°C. The dry season is Nov-Apr. The rainy season, May-Oct, is characterised by mostly evening and nocturnal showers.  El Salvador is an important area for the the endangered Eastern Pacific hawksbill.  Nesting months are May and October. Leatherback turtles can also be seen between October and January.

For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.

Language

Spanish

Getting Local Currency

El Salvador uses the US dollar. The former local currency (colon) was phased out in 2003. You can obtain US dollar cash locally in banks and exchange houses and may be able to obtain cash advances from a couple of ATMs in Suchitoto among other large towns and cities. You should authorise your bank first, and withdrawals may be limited.

Time Difference

GMT -6 hrs.  

Combines With

A visit to the lovely colonial town of Suchitoto, or Antigua in Guatemala; similarly a centre for the arts (6-7hrs by road crossing the land border at La Hechadura); the Ruta del las Flores (112km by road to Juayúa, 1hr 45mins). 

Getting There

The area of Costa del Sol is only a 1.5hr drive from San Salvador

Key Events

Gastronomic festival of seafood in La Libertad in May.