Latin America - El Salvador - Country Information

El Salvador is located in Central America and is bordered north and west by Guatemala, north and east by Honduras and south and west by the Pacific Ocean. With 320 kilometres of coastline, volcanoes, mountains, tropical nature preserves and archaeological sites, El Salvador is a unique country to explore.

Visas:

UK and other EU member countries do not need an advance visa, but must purchase a single-entry tourist card for US$10 when entering the country. It is typically good for 30 days, but you can request up to 90 days - be sure to ask when you step up to the immigration counter. You are technically required to have a return or onward ticket, but this is rarely checked.

Health risks:

Heaptitis A, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Hepatitis B, Rabies, Malaria

When to Go:

El Salvador has a tropical climate with only two seasons: verano, or dry season (November to April), and invierno, or wet season (May to October). Almost the entire annual rainfall occurs during the rainy season and at night. Temperatures are based mostly on elevation in El Salvador. The coastal areas are the hottest, averaging between 22°C and 32°C throughout the year; the central areas vary dramatically throughout the year, from 19°C in the coldest months to 38°C in the warmest; and the mountainous areas are always cool, with temperatures averaging between 12°C and 23°C.

The best time of year to visit is at the beginning or end of the dry season, when it doesn't rain every day and the roads are in good shape.