Highlights

• Joya de Ceren archaelogical site
• San Andres archaelogical site
• San Salvador Old town market- very interesting to see the local stalls including lots of US army clothing; however it is not very safe to walk around as a tourist. We drove through to look around
• San Salvador Cathedral
• National Theatre
• National Palace
• Libertad Plaza
• Salvador Del Mundo plaza
• Trying the local food, and being surprised by something different with names that sounded familiar (example: quesadillas)

Before you go

• A visa is not required for stays under 90 days, but you may need to purchase a tourist card for 13 USD upon arrival if it is not included with your airfare.
• Weather in the summer July/August is hot and also rainy so it can be humid
• Some tourist sites close earlier than advertised so ask your driver or tour guide rather than relying on Google maps. However, also try not to be too disappointed if something is closed unexpectedly
• Toilets at tourist sites may be basic so carry hand sanitiser and tissues
• Locals will tell you it is not very safe in San Salvador for tourists so take care and find a trustworthy driver

Transport

• The hotel provided a shuttle but I did not use it since I had hired a driver
• I recommend finding a reliable driver such as Vladimir Gomez, who owns his own company EVGP Transporte

Accommodation

• I stayed at Hotel Villa Florencia Zona Rosa which I booked via Booking.com. It is a 3 star hotel and was comfortable and clean. The staff were friendly and it felt safe. I enjoyed my one night there.

Currency

Although El Salvador has a local currency, the quetzal, the US dollar is the official currency.

I recommend to check the currency conversion just before you leave as this fluctuates

Food

The Salvadoran food was definitely a highlight of my short trip. After sightseeing, Vladimir generously treated me to a traditional dinner at Tipicos Margoth. The place was absolutely packed with locals and finding parking was a challenge.

We tried a little bit of everything and I had horchata, a milky cinnamon drink.

Enchilada is like a tostada with shredded pork, pickled cabbage, cucumber, tomato and a slice of egg, topped with red sauce.

Pastelita are little pastry pies filled with vegetables and chicken 

Empanadas are plantains wrapped around a filling. We had one filled with refried beans and the other with thickened milk.

Fried yucca with pickled cabbage, red sauce, fried pork (chicharron)

Pupusa is like a tortilla pocket filled with beans, cheese and/or pork. These were made very quickly by women and then fried by men in the restaurant. You can try my recipe for pupusa at home!