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El Salvador
Country Specific Information
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January 27, 2010
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: 
El Salvador is a democratic country with a developing economy. Tourism facilities are not fully developed. The capital is
San Salvador, accessible by El Salvador's International Airport at Comalapa. The U.S. Dollar is the primary currency in El
Salvador and the economy is fully dollarized. Americans traveling with U.S. Dollars should not exchange them for Colones.
Read the Department of State Background Notes on El Salvador for additional information.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: U.S. citizens living or traveling in El Salvador are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the Department of State's travel registration page in order to obtain updated information on local travel and security. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register
directly with the Embassy. Registration is important; it allows the State Department to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency.
Local embassy information is available below and at the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates.
U.S. Embassy San Salvador
Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur,
Urbanizacion Santa Elena, Antiguo Cuscatlan,
La Libertad
Telephone 011-503-2501-2999,
Fax 011-503-2278-5522,
E-mail: CongenSansal@state.gov
The Consular Section is open for U.S. citizens’ services from 8:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. weekdays, excluding U.S. and Salvadoran holidays. After business hours, the Embassy can be contacted by telephone at 011-503-2501-2316 or 011-503-2501-2253.
ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS: To enter the country, U.S. citizens must present a current U.S. passport and either a Salvadoran visa or a one-entry tourist
card. The tourist card may be obtained from immigration officials for a ten-dollar fee upon arrival in country. U.S. travelers
who plan to remain in El Salvador for more than thirty days can apply in advance for a multiple-entry visa, issued free of
charge, from the Embassy of El Salvador in Washington, DC or from a Salvadoran consulate in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston,
Las Vegas, Long Island, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, or San Francisco. Travelers may contact the Embassy of El Salvador at 1400 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036, tel. (202) 265-9671, 265-9672; fax (202) 232-3763; or visit the Embassy of El Salvador web site. When applying for a visa, travelers may be asked to present evidence of U.S. employment and adequate finances for their
visit at the time of visa application or upon arrival in El Salvador. For passengers departing by air, El Salvador has an
exit tax of $32.00 which is usually included in the price of the airline ticket.
Travelers should be aware that El Salvador's entry requirements vary in accordance with agreements the country has with foreign
governments. Citizens of several countries in addition to the United States may enter El Salvador with a current passport
and either a visa or tourist card. Citizens of many other countries, including many Latin American and western European nations,
may enter with only a current passport. However, citizens of most nations are required to present both a current passport
and a visa to enter El Salvador. Non-U.S. citizen travelers are advised to contact a Salvadoran embassy or consulate to determine
the entry requirements applicable to them.
In June 2006, El Salvador entered into the “Central America-4 (CA-4) Border Control Agreement” with Guatemala, Honduras, and
Nicaragua. Under the terms of the agreement, citizens of the four countries may travel freely across land borders from one
of the countries to any of the others without completing entry and exit formalities at immigration checkpoints. U.S. citizens
and other eligible foreign nationals, who legally enter any of the four countries, may similarly travel among the four without
obtaining additional visas or tourist entry permits for the other three countries. Immigration officials at the first port
of entry determine the length of stay, up to a maximum period of 90 days. Foreign tourists who wish to remain in the four-country
region beyond the period initially granted for their visit must request a one-time extension of stay from local immigration
authorities in the country where the traveler is physically present, or they must leave the CA-4 countries and reapply for
admission to the region. Foreigners “expelled” from any of the four countries are excluded from the entire CA-4 region.
In isolated cases, the lack of clarity in the implementing details of the CA-4 Border Control Agreement has caused temporary
inconvenience to some travelers and has resulted in others being fined more than one hundred dollars or detained in custody
for 72 hours or longer.
Airlines operating out of El Salvador International Airport require all U.S. citizen passengers boarding flights for the United
States (including U.S.-Salvadoran dual nationals) to have a current U.S. passport. U.S. citizens applying for passports at
the U.S. Embassy in San Salvador are reminded that proof of citizenship and identity are required before a passport can be
issued. Photographic proof of identity is especially important for young children because of the high incidence of fraud
involving children. Since non-emergency passports are printed in the United States, and not at the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador,
citizens submitting applications in El Salvador should be prepared to wait approximately one week for receipt of their new
passports.
The U.S. Embassy in El Salvador reminds U.S. citizen travelers that their activities in El Salvador are governed by Salvadoran
law and the type of visa they are issued. Under Salvadoran law, all foreigners who participate directly or indirectly in
the internal political affairs of the country (i.e. political rallies, protests) lose the right to remain in El Salvador,
regardless of visa status or residency in El Salvador.
HIV Info: The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS restrictions for temporary visitors. Salvadoran Immigration Law
does not specifically refer to HIV/AIDS but persons wishing to apply for residency must undergo a medical exam and be certified
free of communicable diseases.
Visit the Embassy of El Salvador website for the most current visa information.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page .
In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These
often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal
guardian if not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure. Minors
traveling on Salvadoran passports and who are traveling alone, with one parent or with a third party must have the written
permission of the absent parent(s) or legal guardian to depart El Salvador. A Salvadoran notary must notarize this document.
If the absent parent(s) or legal guardian is (are) outside of El Salvador, the document must be notarized by a Salvadoran
consul. If a court decree gives custody of the child traveling on a Salvadoran passport to one parent, the decree and a passport
will allow the custodial parent to depart El Salvador with the child. Although Salvadoran officials generally do not require
written permission for non-Salvadoran minors traveling on U.S. or other non-Salvadoran passports, it would be prudent for
the parents of minor children traveling on U.S. passports to provide similar documentation if both parents are not traveling
with their children.
For any questions concerning U.S. visas for either temporary travel to or permanent residence in the U.S., please contact our regional U.S. Visa Information Center. From El Salvador, the Visa Information Center may be reached by calling 900-6011 from any landline operated by Telecomm, or by purchasing a VISAS-USA calling card from any location that sells Telefonica phone cards. Calling instructions are on the back of the card. Calls using the 900 number cost approximately $2.15 per minute and will be charged to the caller's telephone bill. The Telefonica phone card costs $15.00 and permits a seven-minute call. From the U.S., the Visa Information Center can be contacted by dialing 866-730-2089 and charging the call to a Visa or MasterCard credit card.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Most travelers to El Salvador experience no safety or security problems, but the criminal threat in El Salvador is critical.
Random and organized violent crime is endemic throughout El Salvador. U.S. citizens have not been singled out by reason of
their nationality, but are subject to the same threat as all other persons in El Salvador. See the section below on Crime
for additional related information.
Political or economic issues in the country may give rise to demonstrations, sit-ins or protests at any time or place, but these activities occur most frequently in the capital or on its main access roads. U.S. citizens are cautioned to avoid areas where demonstrations are being held and to follow local news media reports or call the U.S. Embassy for up-to-date information.
Strong undertows and currents can make swimming at El Salvador's Pacific Coastal beaches and country’s lakes extremely dangerous
for even strong and experienced swimmers. During the preceding 12 months five Americans drowned while swimming in Salvadoran
waters. For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State’s
Bureau of Consular Affair's website which contains current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution,.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling a regular toll line,-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s extensive tips and advice traveling safely abroad.
CRIME: The State Department considers El Salvador a critical crime-threat country. El Salvador has one of the highest homicide
rates in the world; violent crimes, as well as petty crimes are prevalent throughout El Salvador, and U.S. citizens have been
among the victims. The Embassy is aware of at least seven American citizens who were murdered in El Salvador during the last
year.
Extortion is on the rise and U.S. citizens and their family members have been victims in various incidents. Violent, organized
gangs are a major factor in the crime situation and are often behind extortion attempts. Some areas of El Salvador are effectively
controlled by gangs. Many gangs have access to military-style hardware, including automatic weapons and hand grenades.
Extortion tactics have included indiscriminate grenade attacks on buses, businesses and restaurants, resulting in the death
or injury of dozens of people, including children. These types of attacks are unpredictable and the U.S. Embassy advises
its personnel to remain alert to their surroundings and to minimize risk to themselves.
Many Salvadorans are armed, and shootouts are not uncommon. Foreigners, however, may not carry guns even for their own protection
without first obtaining a firearms license from the Salvadoran government. Failure to do so will result in the detention
of the bearer and confiscation of the firearm, even if it is licensed in the United States.
Armed holdups of vehicles traveling on El Salvador's roads are common American citizens are encouraged to remain aware of
their surroundings and to drive with their doors locked and windows up. If confronted, do not resist the armed assailant(s).
Travelers should remain in groups and avoid remote or isolated locations in order to minimize their vulnerability. Travelers
should also avoid displaying or carrying valuables in public places. Passports and other important documents should not be
left in private vehicles. Armed assaults and carjackings take place both in San Salvador and in the interior of the country,
but are especially frequent on roads outside the capital where police patrols are scarce. Criminals have been known to follow
travelers from the international airport to private residences or secluded stretches of road where they carry out assaults
and robberies. Armed robbers are known to shoot if the vehicle does not come to a stop. Criminals often become violent quickly,
especially when victims fail to cooperate immediately in surrendering valuables. Frequently, victims who argue with assailants
or refuse to give up their valuables are shot. Kidnapping for ransom continues to occur, but has decreased in frequency since
2001. U.S. citizens in El Salvador should exercise caution at all times and practice good personal security procedures throughout
their stay.
The U.S. Embassy warns its personnel to drive with their doors locked and windows raised, to avoid travel outside of major
metropolitan areas after dark, and to avoid travel on unpaved roads at all times because of criminal assaults and lack of
police and road service facilities. Travelers with conspicuous amounts of luggage, late-model cars or foreign license plates
are particularly vulnerable to crime, even in the capital.
Travel on public transportation, especially buses, both within and outside the capital, is risky and not recommended. The
Embassy advises official visitors and personnel to avoid using mini-buses and buses and to use only radio-dispatched taxis
or those stationed in front of major hotels.
U.S. citizens using banking services should be vigilant while conducting their financial exchanges either inside local banks
or at automated teller machines. There have been several reports of armed robberies in which victims appear to have been
followed from the bank after completing their transactions. Credit-card skimming is also a problem.
Visitors to El Salvador should use caution when climbing volcanoes or hiking in other remote locations. Armed robberies of
climbers and hikers are common. Mine-removal efforts ceased several years ago, but land mines and unexploded ordnance in
backcountry regions still pose a threat to off-road tourists, backpackers, and campers. The Embassy strongly recommends engaging
the services of a local guide certified by the national or local tourist authority when hiking in backcountry areas, even
when within the national parks.
In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you are the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the U.S. Embassy. A list of U.S. Embassies
and consulates can be found at Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates. The Embassy staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and
explain how funds may be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of crime are solely the responsibility of
local authorities, consular officers can help you understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if
needed.
Victims of crime should bear in mind that law enforcement resources are limited and judicial processes are uneven in El Salvador.
Many crimes in the country go unsolved and the likelihood for redress through the judicial system is limited.
The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in El Salvador is also 911.
Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly
from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties
for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offences. Persons violating El Salvador’s laws,
even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs
in El Salvador are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct
with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.
Guns: El Salvador has strict laws requiring a locally obtained license to possess or carry a firearm in the country. The Embassy
strongly advises persons without a Salvadoran firearms license not to bring guns into the country or use a firearm while in
El Salvador. During a three-month period in 2006, three U.S. citizens were arrested in separate incidents for firearms violations.
In each instance, the individuals complied with airline procedures, declared the firearm on a Customs form upon arrival at
El Salvador's Comalapa International Airport, and were allowed to depart the airport without hindrance. However, when the
individuals returned to the airport and declared the weapons to airline employees, they were arrested by Salvadoran police,
not for violating aviation regulations but for having carried an unlicensed firearm while in El Salvador. The Embassy cannot
intervene in the judicial process when a U.S. citizen is charged with a firearms violation. Conviction for possessing an
unlicensed firearm can carry a prison sentence of three to five years.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: There are a few private hospitals with an environment that would be acceptable to visiting Americans. The Embassy recommends
that these hospitals be used only for emergency care, to stabilize a condition prior to returning to the U.S. for definitive
evaluation and treatment. Private hospitals and physicians expect up-front payment (cash or, for hospitals, credit card)
for all bills.
Priority Ambulance (503-2264-7911) is the only private ambulance service with a fleet of vehicles in San Salvador that has
trained personnel and medical equipment to manage emergencies. The response time is often less than ideal because of the
heavy traffic in San Salvador. Therefore whenever possible, it is recommended that people transport themselves directly to
the hospital by private vehicle.
Pharmacies are plentiful but not all medicines found in the U.S. are available in El Salvador. Medicines often have a different
brand name and are frequently more expensive than in the U.S.
No specific vaccinations are required for entry into El Salvador from the United States. Travelers coming from countries where
yellow fever is endemic must have had a yellow fever vaccination in order to enter the country. For more information, visit El Salvador’s Immigration web site.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the infectious diseases section of the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it covers emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. It may be possible to purchase supplemental coverage for travel. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. Separate insurance should be obtained for medical evacuation, as it may cost in excess of $50,000. Many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas, including emergency medical services and even transportation of remains, in the event of death. Please see our information on medical insurance overseas page.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United
States. The information below concerning El Salvador is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate
in a particular location or circumstance.
Major highways and thoroughfares are among the best in Central America, but road conditions throughout El Salvador are not
up to U.S. standards. Road travel at night is particularly dangerous outside the capital as there are few road lights and
many vehicles lack adequate safety lighting or reflectors. The Embassy advises against driving outside the capital during
night time or periods of low visibility. Mini-buses, buses, and taxis are often poorly maintained. Drivers are often not
trained, and generally do not adhere to traffic rules and regulations.
Because of inconsistent enforcement of traffic laws in El Salvador, drivers must make an extraordinary effort to drive defensively.
Passing on blind corners is commonplace. Salvadoran law requires that the driver of a vehicle that injures or kills another
person must be arrested and detained until a judge can determine responsibility for the accident. This law is uniformly enforced.
Visitors to El Salvador may drive on their U.S. license for up to thirty days. After that time, a visitor is required to
obtain a Salvadoran license.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Also, we suggest that you visit the web site of El Salvador’s national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety. Further information on traffic and road conditions is available in Spanish from Automovil Club de El Salvador, at telephone number 011-503-2221-0557.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of El Salvador’s Civil Aviation Authority as being
in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of El Salvador’s
air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: El Salvador is an earthquake-prone country. Flooding and landslides during the rainy season (June to November) also pose a risk. In November of 2009, heavy and constant rain over a four-day period caused severe flooding and triggered landslides that severely damaged roads, bridges and houses. Almost 200 people died and 14,000 more were left homeless. General information about natural disaster preparedness is available from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Additional information in Spanish about earthquakes (sismos ) in El Salvador can be found on the Government of El Salvador’s web page.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
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This replaces the Country Specific Information for El Salvador dated January 5, 2010, to update the format and section on Crime and Victims of Crime.
