El Salvador Flag
"Pulgarcito de America" (Tom Thumb of the Americas) & "The Ireland of Central America"
Why visit El Salvador?
Offers travelers the opportunities to enjoy birdwatching, coastal scenery, colonial towns, culture, fishing, gray sand beaches, handicrafts, hiking, lakes, mountains, national parks, nightlife, ruins, surfing, tropical forests, villages, and volcanoes.
Lago de Coatepeque, Caldera, El Salvador. Photo Credit: ckaye/Pixabay
At a Glance
- Souvenirs to Buy: Carvings, ceramic dolls, clay crafts, hammocks, leather goods, paintings, weavings, and woven bedspreads.
- Local Cuisine to Try: Chorizo (pork sausage). Gallo en Chicha (rooster soup). Loroco (edible flower). Maria Luisa (dessert). Mariscada (seafood soup). Panes Rellenos (stuffed hot sandwich). Pupusas (flatbread/griddle cake). Salpicón (minced beef). Sopa de Pata (tripe cow). Viejitas (coffee biscuits).
- Local Drink to Try: Cadejo (microbrew beer). Pilsener (beer). Suprema (local beer). Tamarindo Juice. Tic Tack (liquor). Vinagre de Piña (fermented pineapple).
Santa Ana Volcano, El Salvador. Photo Credit: Andrea Santana Tellez/Pixabay
Fun Facts
- In 1524, became colonized.
- In 1821, became independent from Spain.
- In 1998, Hurricane Mitch caused widespread flooding.
- In 2001, adopted the U.S. dollar as its official currency.
- In 2001, a earthquake measured 7.7 on the Richter Magnitude Scale.
- Smallest and least densely populated country in Central America.
- One of the world's largest coffee producers, accounting for roughly 90% of their export earnings.
- Approximately 70% of the countries water is from Lempa River and their only navigational body of water.
- Similar immigration is compared to China.
- The only Central American country with no Caribbean coastline.
- Has over 300 rivers.
- Lake Güija is their largest natural lake.
- Mountain Cerro El Pital divides the country into two physiographic regions.
- Eight species of sea turtles exists in the world, four reside on the coast (green sea turtle, leatherback turtle, hawksbill, and olive ridley).
- Public Schools average 50 students per classroom.
- Ninth grade students choose a two-year high school (college preparation) or a three-year high school (for workforce/vocational career).
- Cojutepeque (Capitol) is the birthplace of Xuc (folk dance).
Surfing, El Salvador. Photo Credit: fanocetti/Pixabay
Special Holidays/Occasions
- Annual Events: (May) Panchimalco Flower & Palm Festival, (July) Fiesta Julias, (August) Balls of Fire Festival, Festival of Corn, Fiestas Agostinas, (November) Festival of Hammocks, Fiestas Patronales, and San Miguel Carnival.
- Holidays: New Year's Day, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Labour Day, Mother's Day, Father's Days, El Salvador Independence Day, All Souls Day, and Christmas Day.
Puerta del Diablo (Devil's Door), Panchimalco, El Salvador. Photo Credit: Gerson Rodriguez/Pixabay
Good to Know
- Visible exposed elements of natural disasters, poverty and war.
- Gang-related violent crime, high rates of poverty, and inequality are present.
- Coffee picking season is October - November.
- In the Gulf of Fonesca offers the best deep sea fishing.
- La Libertad attracts surfers from around the world.
- Restaurants/shops tend to close early afternoon for "siesta".
- Postage stamps are only sold at post offices.
- Access to sanitation, water supply, and water pollution pose issues of concern.
- Strong currents and undertows along the Pacific Coast beaches is considered dangerous even for experienced swimmers.
- Demonstrations and protests occur, avoid them!
- Shootouts between rival criminal gangs and police are common.
- Avoid isolated and remote locations.
- Do not travel on public bus transportation.
- Credit card fraud (cloning) is common.
- LGBTI is prone to widespread discrimination.
- Private and public hospitals do not meet our standards. Most care providers only accept upfront cash payments.
- Prevalent diseases are: Chikungunya, Dengue, Tuberculosis, and Zika.
- Local drivers are often unlicensed and do not adhere to traffic rules.
- Local Law requires all parties in a vehicle accident to stay at the scene until the police respond.
Photo Credit: Oswaldo Martinez/Unsplash
This international destination requires:
- A valid passport and one blank page for entry stamp.
- Tourist VISA not required for visits under 90 days; however a entry Tourist Card is required.
- Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $10,000USD.
Subject to earthquakes, hurricanes, landslides, severe flooding, and volcanic activity.
- Best Time to Visit: November - April
- Coldest Month: December
- Hottest Months: November - April
- Peak Season: August - December
El Imposible National Park (The Impossible National Park), El Salvador. Photo Credit: Gerson Rodriguez/Pixabay
Your Must-See & Do
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Joya de Cerén
Cathedral of Santa Ana, Santa Ana, El Salvador. Photo Credit: Erick Chang/Pixabay
Ready to embark on custom and personalized services, your journey begins with Louvet Travel?
Your one stop source: Accommodations I Air I Car Rentals I Cruises I Disney I Excursions I Tours I Transfers I Travel Insurance I Villa Rentals
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" ~ Saint Augustine
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.
No comments:
Post a Comment