El Salvador travel tips: money, weather, airport, and getting around

The fun parts of an El Salvador trip — the surf, the food, the volcanoes — are easy. The logistics are where first-timers have questions. Here are the practical answers, from people who handle them every week on the coast. For the big picture, start with our El Salvador travel guide.

Money: El Salvador uses the US dollar

This is the single most useful thing to know. El Salvador’s official currency is the US dollar, so travelers from the US don’t need to exchange money at all. Cards are accepted at established hotels, restaurants, and surf shops, but carry small cash for pupuserías, local comedores, markets, and the La Libertad seafood pier. Bitcoin is legal tender too, though in practice most coastal businesses run on dollars.

Best time to visit

• Dry season (November–April): the most popular window — consistent sun, dry roads, easy day trips. Book ahead around the holidays.
• Green season (May–October): hotter and more humid, with short, often-evening rain showers and lush scenery. Fewer crowds, and the season of the biggest Pacific swells — prime time for surfers who don’t mind the occasional downpour.

The ocean is warm year-round, so wetsuits aren’t needed. Daytime temperatures on the coast typically sit in the high 20s to low 30s °C (80s °F).

Arriving: SAL airport

International flights land at San Óscar Romero International Airport (SAL), southeast of San Salvador. The coast is closer than the capital from the airport — the El Sunzal / Surf City beaches are about 50 minutes away via the coastal highway. Many guests pre-arrange a transfer so they go straight from baggage claim to the beach; we can point you to options when you book.

Getting around

• Private transfer: simplest for airport runs and first-trip peace of mind.
• Rental car: the most flexible way to do coastal hopping and inland day trips (the volcano, Ruta de las Flores). Drive in daylight on your first days, and use GPS — the turn into Cerromar is easy to miss after dark.
• Rideshare/taxi: works within and between the beach towns.

Because the country is small, you rarely face long drives. El Sunzal, El Tunco, and El Zonte are all within ~15 minutes of each other — see our best beaches guide.

Connectivity & SIM cards

Local prepaid SIMs (Tigo, Claro) are inexpensive and easy to pick up; an eSIM bought before you fly is the most painless option. On the coast, mobile data is generally solid in the towns. If you’re working remotely, choose lodging with real fiber wi-fi — our units run on stable fiber so you can take a call after a morning surf.

Safety, briefly

The coast is calm and used to visitors; just travel with the usual sense and check your government’s current advisory before you go. We cover this properly in is El Salvador safe?.

What to pack

• Reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard — the sun is strong and the reef thanks you.
• Water shoes for rocky point breaks like El Sunzal.
• Light, quick-dry clothing; a light layer for cooler highland evenings if you do a coffee-country day.
• A refillable water bottle — drink filtered/bottled water rather than tap.
• Cash in small bills for comedores and markets.

Where to base yourself

A central coastal base saves you the most time. Our four units in Cerromar / El Sunzal sit minutes from the water and the towns: Cresta, Ceiba, Cueva Studio 1, and Cueva Studio 2. For help choosing, see where to stay in Surf City — or book direct when you’re ready.