| The best way to get around El Salvador is by bus . Short distances (the
longest journey you're likely to take in one stretch, from San Salvador
to La Palma for example, is around four hours), and relatively good main
highways mean that the few internal flights that do exist (on private or
military flights) are far more trouble than they're worth.
Buses
Hundreds of companies operate buses to everywhere from everywhere every
few minutes during daylight hours, although very few buses depart after
dark. Buses are brightly painted, and all have their route number and
the name of their final...
Hundreds of companies operate buses to everywhere from everywhere every
few minutes during daylight hours, although very few buses depart after
dark. Buses are brightly painted, and all have their route number and
the name of their final destination emblazoned across the front. On the
back roads you do have to plan ahead a little to avoid getting stuck in
the middle of nowhere for hours (or even overnight). Though ideally you
should confirm what time buses leave as soon as you get to a place,
printed timetables - if they exist at all - are only adhered to if the
weather is good. If roads are bad because of rain, everything gets
delayed. Except for routes to the cities in the east there is only one
class of bus - and everyone travels on it. It's much easier to cope if
you have small bags; larger luggage gets thrown in a heap at the back or,
occasionally, on the roof. Buses can be hailed at the side of the road
and you can get off at virtually any point. Tickets are bought on board
(retain your ticket as it may be checked during the journey); at bus
stations, simply turn up a few minutes before it's due to leave, earlier
if you want to guarantee a seat. Buses are extremely cheap : from San
Salvador to Santa Ana (2hr 30min), costs just US$0.80, while San
Salvador to Santa Rosa de Lima by fast bus (around 3hr 30min) will cost
around US$2.20.
Virtually every town has departures to San Salvador; if you're trying to
reach somewhere small from the capital, however, it's usually quicker to
go to the nearest major town and change. Heading east to San Miguel,
Santa Rosa de Lima and La Unión the direct (" directo ") buses are
marginally more comfortable and make fewer stops, knocking about an hour
off the standard journey.
Finding your way around El Salvador's cities
Orientation in Salvadorean cities is initially confusing but logical.
Streets running north-south are avenidas ; those running east-west are
calles . The main avenida and calle will have individual names (along
with a few of the...
Orientation in Salvadorean cities is initially confusing but logical.
Streets running north-south are avenidas ; those running east-west are
calles . The main avenida and calle will have individual names (along
with a few of the others) and the heart of any city is at their
intersection. North or south of this intersection avenidas are Norte or
Sur, while east or west calles are Oriente or Poniente. Avenidas lying
to the east of the main avenida are numbered evenly, rising the further
out you go; west of the main avenida, the numbers are odd. Similarly,
calles have even numbers south of the main calle and odd numbers to the
north. Named avenidas/calles sometimes (though not always) change name
either side of the intersection.
Addresses can be given either as the street name/number, followed by the
building number, or as the intersection of two streets. So: "12 C Pte
#2330, Col Flor Blanca" is number 2330, 12 Calle Poniente in the
district ( colonia ) of Flor Blanca, while "10 Av Sur y 3 C Pte" is the
intersection of 10 Avenida Sur and 3 Calle Poniente.
Taxis
Taxis in El Salvador are yellow, painted with black numbers and a "taxi"
sign. They can be hailed anywhere on the street - in fact, they usually
see you and honk before you see them - and also tend to congregate in
the main square and...
Taxis in El Salvador are yellow, painted with black numbers and a "taxi"
sign. They can be hailed anywhere on the street - in fact, they usually
see you and honk before you see them - and also tend to congregate in
the main square and around bus stations in towns and cities. Fares
should be agreed before you set off (be prepared to bargain). Expect to
pay US$2-5 for most city trips, and anything upwards of US$30 for a half-day
driving around the countryside (a good way to see some of the remoter
spots if you're in a hurry). Tipping is not usual unless you've rented
the taxi for the day.
Driving and hitching
Driving in El Salvador is relatively straightforward on the major roads
and a perfect way to reach some of the more inaccessible beaches along
the Pacific coast. There are filling stations in every town and at most
major highway...
Driving in El Salvador is relatively straightforward on the major roads
and a perfect way to reach some of the more inaccessible beaches along
the Pacific coast. There are filling stations in every town and at most
major highway junctions, and no road is so long that you should have to
worry about running out of fuel. Finding parts for US and Japanese
models is not usually a problem if you have your own car. However, some
back roads become impassable at times during the rainy season, even to
4WD; ask locally about conditions before you set off. More worrying is
the recent increase in armed hold-ups of private cars on quieter roads,
especially in the northern departments of Chalatenango - it will be
automatically assumed that foreigners have something of value to steal.
Keep an eye on the latest news and, if in doubt, seek police advice. In
cities, thefts - particularly of newer-model cars - are common, and it's
wise to leave your car in a guarded or locked car park. Car rental
prices are on a par with those in the West: from US$40 a day for a small
car to US$90 and upwards for a jeep. Take great care if driving on
Sunday afternoons or public holidays as drink-driving-related road
accidents tend to increase at these times.
Hitching is common in remote areas and around La Libertad, where the
lack of regular bus services means that any passing vehicle is fair game.
Having said that, hitching carries obvious risks, and we do not
recommend it. If you do hitch, it's polite to offer payment - about the
same as the bus fare - for the journey.
Cycling
Cycling is an extremely common way of getting around, and even the
smallest of places usually has a repair shop. Mountain bikes, in
particular, can take you to places that even the buses don't reach. The
main highways, however, can be more than...
Cycling is an extremely common way of getting around, and even the
smallest of places usually has a repair shop. Mountain bikes, in
particular, can take you to places that even the buses don't reach. The
main highways, however, can be more than slightly nerve-racking for
those on two wheels; you might want to consider putting them on top of a
bus for sections of your journey. Unfortunately there are no formal
places to rent bicycles from; your only option is to do a private deal
with someone local.
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