El Salvador: main airports
El Salvador has a single international airport: El Salvador International Airport, located near Santa Clara, the main gateway to Central America's smallest mainland country.
El Salvador: recommended activities
El Salvador: visa and entry requirements
Citizens of over 83 countries, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States and most of Latin America, do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days (Category A, free entry with no additional formalities). Since May 2025, the 12 USD tourist card previously required for US citizens on arrival has been abolished: cash is no longer needed for this purpose, although many online travel guides still report the outdated information. The passport must be valid for the duration of the stay.
El Salvador: safety
El Salvador has undergone a radical transformation on the security front: from one of the highest homicide rates in the world in 2015 (103 per 100,000 inhabitants) to one of the lowest in Latin America in 2025-2026 (under 8 per 100,000), thanks to a very strict security policy. The United States downgraded the country to Level 1 ('exercise normal precautions') in early 2026, the lowest level since the peak of gang violence. It must be said honestly that this improvement is linked to a state of emergency still in force, with some civil liberties suspended: the security perceived by tourists is high, but it is the result of very tight state control, not a spontaneous situation.
El Salvador: health situation
No vaccination is mandatory for those arriving from Europe. Health facilities in the capital, San Salvador, are adequate for common emergencies; travel insurance with medical coverage remains advisable, especially for those visiting more remote volcanic or coastal areas.
El Salvador: currency, payments and connectivity
The official currency is the US dollar (USD), used directly since 2001 (the Salvadoran colón is no longer in circulation); Bitcoin has also been legal tender since 2021, although its practical use among tourists remains limited. Credit cards are widely accepted in tourist areas. Uber operates in San Salvador and some coastal areas. For connectivity, the operators Claro, Tigo and Movistar sell prepaid SIM cards. For driving, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is generally also required alongside the national one.
