El Salvador What to Expect

calm, quiet and beautiful

Despite all the bad press El Salvador has received in years past, it's a great country to travel in. San Salvador along with Panama City are my favourite Central American capitals. We stayed by the MetroCentro (which is the largest mall in Central America) which had several advantages. The first is being so close to an area that had all the western amenities that I'm used to, it was an easy reference point for cab drivers, walking distance to several sights and that there was some cheap and decent places to stay in the area.

Before you start your trip don't forget to change your pin into a 4 number one!
We tried so many atm's. After a long search we could use only the ones in the mall.

A great place to stay in Santa Ana is the Hotel Libertad. It is a bit run down but for only US$ 12 (in 2007) a night for 2 people and being right next to the main cathedral is a great deal. Santa Ana is El Salvador's second city and is the main city in the west of the country. It is a great base to explore the western portion of the country.

Some very nice places to see, but it can be dangerous, specially if you're not acquainted with the city.

calm, quiet and beautiful

Despite all the bad press El Salvador has received in years past, it's a great country to travel in. San Salvador along with Panama City are my favourite Central American capitals. We stayed by the MetroCentro (which is the largest mall in Central America) which had several advantages. The first is being so close to an area that had all the western amenities that I'm used to, it was an easy reference point for cab drivers, walking distance to several sights and that there was some cheap and decent places to stay in the area.

Before you start your trip don't forget to change your pin into a 4 number one!
We tried so many atm's. After a long search we could use only the ones in the mall.

A great place to stay in Santa Ana is the Hotel Libertad. It is a bit run down but for only US$ 12 (in 2007) a night for 2 people and being right next to the main cathedral is a great deal. Santa Ana is El Salvador's second city and is the main city in the west of the country. It is a great base to explore the western portion of the country.

Some very nice places to see, but it can be dangerous, specially if you're not acquainted with the city.

Don't drink any water, have any salads, have ice cubes in your drinks or any uncooked food that may have been washed in water - it gets nasty!

Santa Ana prides itself of having a very large public swimming pool, actually is a large concrete basin where fresh mountain river water flows in on one end, and exits on the oter - feeding a very large facility where people can come take a shower or wash their laundry. Even in Maya times, this location seems to have had a swimmable facility. noadays, the pool also contains fish that will nibble on your toes soon as you stop swimming. very likely, you'll find yourself as the only non-local here, since is not partiularly on the beaten track. easiest to ask a local to bring you there.

Oh, an be sure to be careful about the sanitation of your food and water.  When in doubt, it is best not to order a water unless it's been bottled at a factory.