San Salvador Getting there & around

Getting around

Public transport

Public transportation

San Salvador's extensive bus network, from large smoke-spewing monsters to zippy microbuses, can get you just about anywhere you need to go. Fares cost US$0.17 to US$0.23.

Buses run frequently from 5am to 7:30pm daily; fewer buses run on Sunday. Between around 7:30pm and 8:30pm they become less frequent and finally stop; the microbuses run later, until around 9pm. After 9pm you'll have to take a taxi.

In the city center, it may be faster to walk a few blocks away from Plaza Barrios to catch your bus, as traffic in the city center is hopelessly snarled most of the time. But if you have bags, it's safer and easier to get on a bus as soon as possible.

Key routes include the following:

Bus 9 Goes down 29a Av Norte alongside the Universidad de El Salvador, then it turns east toward the city center, heading past the cathedral and up Independencia past Terminal de Oriente.

Bus 26 Passes Plaza Barrios and Parque Zoológico on its way to Terminal de Sur (Terminal San Marcos).

Bus 29 Goes to Terminal de Oriente via the city center. Pick it up at the large stop between Metrocentro and Metrosur.

Bus 30 Heads downtown and is the best way to get to and from bus 138 to the airport. Pick it up behind Metrocentro or at Parque Libertad in the city center.

Bus 30B A very useful route, especially from Blvd de los Héroes. The bus goes east on Blvd Universitario, by Universidad Nacional, then southwest down Blvd de los Héroes to Metrocentro. From there, it goes west along Alameda Roosevelt, past the El Salvador del Mundo monument and continues west along Paseo General Escalón past Galerías Escalón. It turns south at 79a Av and continues along Blvd del Hipódromo to Av La Revolución, passing through the Zona Rosa and near the art and anthropology museums, then returns on Alameda Araujo, Roosevelt and 49a Av Sur back to Metrocentro.

Bus 34Runs from Terminal de Oriente to Metrocentro then down to the Zona Rosa, turning around right in front of the Museo de Arte de El Salvador (MARTE). Passes Terminal de Occidente on its return.

Bus 42 Takes you to the anthropology museum and La Ceiba de Guadalupe. The bus goes west along Calle Arce from the cathedral and continues along Alameda Roosevelt. At El Salvador del Mundo, it heads southwest along Alameda Araujo, passing the Mercado Nacional de Artesanías and Museo Nacional de Antropología David J Guzmán, and continues down the Carr Panamericana, passing Iglesia La Ceiba de Guadalupe.

Bus 44The bus to take to the Terminal de Occidente and Universidad Centroamericana José Simeon Cañas (UCA). The route heads southwest on Blvd de los Héroes past Metrocentro and continues south on 49a Av Sur. For the Terminal de Occidente, get off at Av Venezuela and walk a few blocks west. The bus continues along a roundabout route, eventually passing the lower and then upper entrances to UCA - the latter, on Calle de Mediterráneo, is more convenient. The bus turns around, passing the upper UCA entrance again before turning at Iglesia La Ceiba de Guadalupe and heading up Alameda Araujo, past Metrosur and continuing downtown.

Bus 52 Has two different routes - one heads straight down Paseo General Escalón, the other cuts up Calle del Mirador, passing the Raddison before turning left down Av Alberto Masferrer Norte. Both return along Paseo General Escalón and can be picked up at Metrosur.

Bus 101 Goes from Plaza Barrios in the city center, past Metrosur, past the Museo Nacional de Antropología David J Guzmán, past Iglesia La Ceiba de Guadalupe and on to Santa Tecla.

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Car & motorcycle

Exploring San Salvador by car is no more difficult or dangerous than doing likewise in any other busy Central American city. The roads are mostly well maintained, and stoplights and street signs are generally obeyed, at least on major roads. Be aware that many streets are one way, indicated by a street sign or an arrow painted on the pavement. Avoid driving through the city center area - the traffic is unreal during the day and it's unsafe at night. In general, it's quicker to take the large thoroughfares, even if the distance is greater, than to cut through narrow city streets where you may get mired in traffic or street markets. Bus, microbus and taxi drivers are notoriously aggressive - give them a wide berth.

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Local transport

Taxi

Taxis are plentiful in San Salvador, though they're not metered, so negotiate a price before you climb in. Fares are cheap - a ride around the city should cost US$3 to US$4 during the day and US$4 to US$5 at night. Be sure the license plate of the taxi begins with an 'A, ' indicating it's a registered and licensed taxi (as opposed to a guy who has just painted his car yellow). Licensed drivers are not only trained but, in theory, can be held accountable for any problems that arise. If you don't spot a taxi passing by at the moment you want one, try calling Taxis Acacya (2271 4937) or Acontaxis (2270 1176).

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