The people of El Salvador are known for their warm and welcoming nature. Hospitality is deeply ingrained in their culture, and they take great pride in treating guests with kindness and respect. Whether it's a simple interaction with a stranger or …
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Backpacking El Salvador in 2025
A complete guide for backpacking in El Salvador with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.
Visit El Salvador
Welcome to El Salvador, a backpacker's haven blending vibrant culture, lush landscapes, and rich history. Pros? Immerse yourself in the warmth of locals, explore ancient Mayan ruins, and surf Pacific waves. The country's small size ensures efficient travel. However, safety concerns persist in certain areas, requiring vigilance. For the intrepid backpacker seeking authenticity and off-the-beaten-path adventures, El Salvador's genuine charm and diverse experiences make it a unique gem in Central America, where each moment promises an enriching and unforgettable journey.
Why to go?Why backpacking in El Salvador
People
Cheap
The average costs for backpacking in El Salvador can vary depending on the traveler's preferences and travel style. On average, budget backpackers can expect to spend around $30 to $50 per day. This budget would cover accommodation in budget hostels …
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Scenery
El Salvador offers a diverse range of scenic landscapes to explore. One of the highlights is the Ruta de las Flores, a picturesque route through the country's western highlands. This scenic drive takes you through charming colonial towns, coffee …
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💡 HighlightsTop-5 things to do in El Salvador
- Mayan Ruins of Joya de Cerén: Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves the remains of an ancient Mayan farming village. It provides a fascinating glimpse into the daily life and culture of the Mayan civilization.
- Ruta de las Flores: Embark on a scenic drive through the picturesque towns of the Flower Route. Enjoy the vibrant colors of the blooming flowers, visit local coffee plantations, and indulge in delicious traditional cuisine.
- El Tunco Beach: Relax and soak up the sun on the beautiful black sand beaches of El Tunco. This popular surf spot offers great waves for both beginners and experienced surfers, as well as a lively beach town atmosphere.
- Santa Ana Volcano: Hike to the summit of the highest volcano in El Salvador for breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The challenging trek is rewarded with stunning vistas of the crater and nearby Coatepeque Lake.
- Joyful Pupusas: Delight your taste buds with El Salvador’s national dish, pupusas. These thick corn tortillas stuffed with various fillings, such as cheese, beans, or pork, are a must-try culinary experience that showcases the country’s rich flavors.
But El Salvador offers more...
🌤️ When to go?Best time to go backpacking El Salvador
The best time to visit El Salvador for backpacking is during the dry season, which runs from November to April. This period offers the most favorable weather conditions with less rainfall and lower humidity. It allows for comfortable outdoor activities, such as hiking, exploring national parks, and visiting the beautiful beaches along the coastline.
Risk level: medium (58%)Safety advice for El Salvador
- A State of Exception (graduated emergency measures are in place though it's not yet a State of Emergency) remains in effect in El Salvador. This is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. While the State of Exception has resulted in a reduction in the rate of violent and gang-related crime, there's still a risk of violent crime. Follow the advice of local authorities.
- The risk of violent crime increases at night. Don't travel alone or after dark. While crime rates have reduced, you may still be a victim of gang-related crime in El Salvador. Pay close attention to your surroundings. Ensure your accommodation is secure.
- Petty crime is common around transport hubs and tourist areas. Safeguard your belongings.
- Road travel outside the capital, San Salvador, can be dangerous. Criminals may target highways and the road to the international airport. Plan to arrive or depart the airport during the day. Keep vehicle doors and windows locked.
- Protests and public gatherings can turn violent. Don't take part in any political activities. Authorities may detain or deport you.
- The hurricane season is from June to November. Hurricanes can disrupt essential services. Know where your nearest shelter is.
- El Salvador has active volcanoes. Ask local authorities about safe areas to trek or climb.
source: smartraveller.gov.au
El SalvadorMy tips to get you on the way!Does El Salvador sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.
Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for El Salvador. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. El Salvador may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for El Salvador. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. El Salvador may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into El Salvador, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into El Salvador, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
My personal packing list 🎒
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Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Moneybelt
[Amazon]
“Best way to carry your important documents”
Quick dry pant
[Amazon]
“Nothing beats these quick dry and light pants when traveling”
Light rain jacket
[Amazon]
“Hiking in rainy season? These keep you dry”
Thermo underwear
[Amazon]
“Less weight and volume than bulky sweaters or jackets”
Quick dry towel
[Amazon]
“Normal towels get smelly and heavy when traveling”
Power bank
[Amazon]
“Pick a small and light one, with 10.000mAh or more”
Travel adapter
[Amazon]
“Needed as each country has its own electricity plugs”
Number lock
[Amazon]
“No chance of losing your key; handy for lockers in dormitories”
Packing cubes
[Amazon]
“Keep your wet or dirty clothes separate from the rest”
Travel pillow
[Amazon]
“Light and great for flights and long bus journeys”
last page update: 28 September 2024