El Salvador
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From Drive the Americas
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[edit] Basic Facts
- Population: 7,100,00
- Capital: San Salvador
- Fun fact: From March till October, nearly every beach boasts consistent 6-foot-plus surf.[1]
Smaller than the US state of Massachusetts, El Salvador still has plenty to offer, including awesome surfing, emtpy beaches, and beautiful highland villages. It's small size makes it a very manageable and accessible country to explore if vacation time is at a premium.
[edit] Border Crossing Information
[edit] Entry Requirements
[edit] Necessary documents
 El Salvador Fumigation Receipt |  Honduras Vehicle Import Permit |  Application for El Salvadorian Vehicle Import Permit |  El Salvador Vehicle Import Permit Canceled |
- Passport (2 copies)
- Vehicle title (2 copies)
- Registration (2 copies)- may also be requested
[edit] Costs
- $3 fumigation
[edit] Procedure
At some crossings, you may pay $3 (US) to have your car fumigated. For immigration purposes, you will need to show your passport, but you will not get a new stamp in your passport due to the C-4 agreement. Then you will fill out some paperwork to receive a Salvadoran vehicle import permit, and someone will briefly inspect your vehicle. The permit should not cost anything.
[edit] Exit Requirements
[edit] Necessary documents
- Passport
- Vehicle Import permit (1 photocopy)
[edit] Procedure
A quick and easy border crossing. After showing your vehicle import permit and passports, you will surrender the original import permit, and keep a copy bearing their original stamp and signature indicating that you have taken the car out of the country. You will need to show this as you enter Honduras, and presumably Guatemala as well. You should not have to pay anyone anything.
[edit] Individual Experiences
People's experiences vary depending on crowds at the border, corrupt or honest border officials, and rules can also change. People's individual experiences are included here.
[edit] Roads and Driving
[edit] Military Checkpoints and Police
The police set up periodic road blocks, and if your car seems unusual or they can tell you are a tourist, you will likely be asked to pull over. They will examine your documents, ask you some simple questions, and you can proceed on your way. If you are pulled over and you don't believe you did anything wrong, see the scams and shakedowns section for techniques to avoid paying bribes.
[edit] Gas Prices
Gas prices are expressed in the units of the specific country.
12/20/08:
Price is in US dollars per gallon
Regular: $2.29/gallon
Premium: $2.49/gallon
Diesel: $2.65/gallon
Conversion: 1L=0.26 gallons
[edit] Camping and Hotels
[edit] Western El Salvador
La Palma
Hotel La Palma has a gated parking area, a decent restaurant, and clean bright rooms for $25/night. If you're heading from south through La Palma, the hotel is on the left at the outskirts of town. 335 9012.
[edit] Pacific Coast
Playa El Tunco Hostal La Manch is a associated with Roca Sunzal, the hotel across the street. Roca Sunzal has a reasonable beachfront restaurant and a great pool. If you stay there, all food at the restaurant is 10% off, and for longer stays they may give you a break on the room rate. The hostel costs around $15/night for nice simple rooms, with a shared kitchen and cold-water bathroom, and you can us the hotel's pool. Rooms at the hotel start at $40/night. Drive toward the beach and it's right by Erica's restaurant. They have secure, gated parking at the hotel. 2389-6126
Playa El Sunzal Surfers Inn has camping for $5/person/night or rooms for $10-$12/night. There is a nice shared kitchen, and if you want to pay a little more, you can get a private bathroom.
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[edit] Notes
- ↑ Wet Sand website accessed Jan. 14, 2009
