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Bookmark & shareHiking, surfing, history - and hardly another tourist in sight.
Its name still evokes images of the brutal civil war fought throughout the 1980s, but the bloodshed is long over - the volcanic landscape remains the most turbulent aspect of El Salvador. Friendly locals like to chat, diverting your gaze from the gangs and refugees to beautiful broad valleys.
El Salvador has rich forests and craggy mountains that make for great hiking. But the people of El Salvador are surely its richest resource, and the best reason to come. Direct, friendly and unjaded by mass tourism, most Salvadorans are genuinely happy to chat or help you out if you're lost.
Travel Warning: Crime Warning
Roads and highways can be subject to criminal activity; travelers should exercise caution, particularly on public buses. Avoid any travel at night.
Travel to regions bordering Guatemala can be risky, due to local drug turf wars. While foreigners are not targeted, they may be unlucky enough to caught up in the violence.
severity: Mid-level alert
Fast Facts
Country Full Name
República de El Salvador/Republic of El Salvador
Population
6,700,000
Currency
Name: US Dollar
Code: USD
Symbol: US$
Electrical Plugs
115V 60Hz
Languages Spoken
Official: Spanish
Time Zones
GMT/UTC -6
Country Dialing Code
+503
Weights & Measures
Metric
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El Salvador - A New Start
podcast by Carolyn McCarthy, July 2007
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Disclaimer: We've tried to make the information on this web site as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety, customs and transportation) with the relevant authorities before you travel.
