El Salvador..an exotic destination

Anyone wishing to visit and explore El Salvador 'in depth' should purchase a copy of On Your Own In El Salvador, as well Footprint's Mexico and Central America and Lonely Planet Central America as well before departure. Visit amazon.com :
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1929377061/103-8087514-2193453?n=283155 (or try your local bookstores - travel section)
Editorial Reviews
Midwest Book Review
On Your Own In El Salvador is the first traveler's guidebook to cover the country inside and out. It's the book of choice for exploring El Salvador, whether you're going on your own, passing through, or just thinking about visiting. On Your Own In El Salvador includes an in-depth, clearly-written historical and cultural sections. Comprehensive travel information for cities and towns across El Salvador are included along with 47 clear and detailed street and regional maps. Dozens of culture boxers that examine every aspect of Salvadoran life, from politics to mythology. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
On Your Own in El Salvador is the most comprehensive guidebook to El Salvador, a reference for travelers and anyone interested in the history and life of this fascinating country, however the book has become a bit out of date. Thorough and easy-to-follow guides to lodging, transportation, museums, shopping, and entertainment are couple with detailed and insightful descriptions of El Salvador's history and culture. Includes practical information a traveler might need regarding safety, visas, and vaccinations. No other publisher, including Lonely Planet, Moon, and Fodor's has a guidebook to this country.
Product Details
Paperback: 290 pages
Publisher: On Your Own Publications; 2nd edition (October 1, 2001)
Language: English
I have known the author, a long term resident and his wife, a native of El Salvador for many years..the only guidebook just for and about El Salvador..no 'back burner' pages here!

EL SALVADOR

..Central America's Hidden Gem...An exotic destination..so discover the undiscovered heart of Central America.

WHY GO?
25 volcanoes, one-Izalco-which can be viewed from nearbyCerro Verde Park - is still smoking!: A cloud forest with a stunning view of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras from the Summit: Museum of the Revolution and El Mazote-Arambala Civil War Memorial Massacre sites: 200 miles of unspoiled and uncrowded Pacific Coast beaches, coves and bays; The best surfing in Central America; Colonial and indigenous villages where time has stood still; humungous arts and crafts, visit several towns dedicated over to the making of these native crafts, such as La Palma in the North and Ilobasco in the East of the country; You will find throughout all of El Salvador friendly and industrious people, always ready to assist you and to practice their English(almost 60% of El Salvadorians have relatives living and working abroad). Most importantly, El Salvador is an uncrowded, exotic and suprise destination: no tourist hordes here!

WHEN TO GO?
Best time of year is the dry season from November through March. The weather is very hot and humid in April and May. Rainy season is late May through October, usually raining during the evenings. The sun shines 350 days a year in El Salvador! Don't go Easter Holy Week(Semana Santa), the first week of August(religious holidays) or mid-December through early January.(Christmas-New Years) unless you have family to stay with or prior reservations.

GETTING THERE
By Plane
Flights are available from gateway cities in US: NY,DC, Atlanta, Miami, NO, Houston, Denver, LA and SF on TACA, Continental, Delta, American or United Airlines. Get a "Coupon Ticket" abroad for Central & South America on TACA www.taca.com and stop over in El Salvador from Guatemala, Honduras ,Costa Rica, Mexico or South America at no extra charge. El Salvador has the most modern and efficent Airport in all Central America and therefore is the Hub of TACA Central American airlines. Also first class and luxury bus services from Tapachula, Mexico via Guatemala City daily (TICA BUS and TRANS-GALGOS)from the south KING QUALITY, TRANS-NICA & TICA BUS ply daily from San Jose, Costa Rica via Managua/Granada, Nicaragua or Tegucigalpa, Honduras to San Salvador.

GETTING AROUND
The country is small, 21,500 K2, about the size of the State of Massachusetts in the USA, and most attractions within the country can be visited within 3 to 4 days by bus with early departure, with rental car or driver or on Tour. Local transport is cheap, but generally very crowded and there are no luggage racks. Avoid public transport during 'horas picas' 6-9AM & 4-7PM weekdays if possible, also Saturday noon and Sunday evenings. If traveling around on public transport leave luggages and backpacks secure in hotel. Carry only a photocopy of passport and leave valuables at home. If you'll be here here for a while learn the city and intercity bus systems, all buses (outside remote rural areas) run normally every few minutes from 0430 to 2000 hours daily, less frequent weekends. Luxury, first and second class international bus services to and from Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica daily with space for luggage. View: http://www.ticabus.com/

BEST ATTRACTIONS
Montecristo Cloud Forest in Triunfo International Park, with views from the summit of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Orchid Farm. Guides. Camping. Permit required for vehicles 4WD recommended. Best dry season November-April.
Cerro Verde National Park, with its view of the smoking cone of Izalco Volacano. See item on ISTU below. Nearby Volcanic Lake Coatepeque with boat excursions and charming lodges.Beaches, Beaches and more Beaches. 300 Km.(200 miles) Of them including Bays, secluded coves and Mangroves. World Class Surfing at La Libertad’s Punta Roca, Sunzal and El Zonte Beaches, Deep Sea Fishing (Sailfish, Tuna, Dorado, Marlin) and Deep Sea Diving from Los Cobanos Beach in Western El Salvador and Sun Surf and Fish in Eastern El Salvador also from the famed Costa del Sol onwards to El Cuco and the exotic pristine pacific haunts of the “Wild East”.

BEST UNUSUAL ATTRACTION
Museum of the Revolution in Perquin, the former "Rebel Capital" during the Civil Conflict 1980-92. Located in Northeastern El Salvador near the Honduran border, tour the Musuem, Town and nearby massacre sites(1981-1982) of Aramabala and El Mazote, where there is a memorial to the fallen, Guide and 4WD vehicle recommended. The area is a 4 hour drive one way from El Salvador, so if planning a day trip best to leave at dawn and return before dark.

BEST ACTIVITY AND GUIDE
For the Eco Traveler we recommend El Imposible National Park with Visitors Center-Camping Areas-Nature Trails and Crystal Clear Rivers in a protected enviroment with guides on site. The guides do not charge fees but work on a basis of tipping from the client. Reservations and permit for each visitor required in advance. Camping and cabins at visitor center for overnight stays.

BEST ALTERNATIVE
If a little bit nervous about visiting El Salvador for the first time due to it’s undeserved reputation and in a group of 3 or more persons, the author can hook you up with ISTU (Salvadorian Institute of Tourism) with a bi lingual Guide and Tourist Police escort at no extra charge (tipping is expected as guides receive minimum salary) to either the Nature Preserves of Cerro Verde in Western El Salvador near the volcanic Lake Coatepeque or Walter T. Denninger Tropical Forest at the slopes of the Pacific Ocean with it’s amazing bio diversity. No mass tourism Costa Rican style here enjoy but reservations ARE required in advance. National Tourist Police escorts are available for ALL groups of travelers ALL YEAR, ANYWHERE in El Salvador, however we must be notified at least 3 weeks in advance of your departure in order to make your arrangements. No charge for Police escort, however tipping is encouraged.

BEST EATS
• The Salvadorian "Pupusa" is a must try, Pupusa places are everywhere, the best Pupusas come from “Olocuilta” south of San Salvador and are sold in the city.
• There are lots of the familiar fast food spots in San Salvador, but try the Bohemian Zone near the National University for best specialty restaurants such as La Ventana, the most popular in town. Open late night on weekends to 3AM. For those with a taste for upscale international fare and late night disco dancing check out Colonia San Benito, San Salvador’s “Zona Rosa” patrolled by the PNC Tourist Police.

BEST CULTURAL ENTERTAINMENT
La Luna Casa de Arte- Ongoing Art Exhibitions and many, many cultural, artistic and musical endeavors. Stop by La Luna any night but Sunday to get oriented or check the Arts, Culture and Entertainment section of the local news papers. The "Bohemian District" is near the National University take city bus 44 or 30 or 30B by day and taxi it by night. City buses are few and far between after 8PM and walking alone any distance at night not recommended. Take taxi back to lodging places.

BEST LOCAL HAUNTS
La Ventana near the National University. With a European cafe atmosphere, they do not mind if you sit and chat, nursing a beer. Located in the heart of San Salvador’s “Bohemian” district. For a listing of bars, restaurants and other entertainment in and around San Salvador check out the El Salvador section of the ‘Revue’ Magazine (English) go to: http://www.revuemag.com/

BEST SHOPPING
There are two great arts and crafts markets in San Salvador, The “Ex-Cuartel” a huge crafts bazaar located in downtown San Salvador and the smaller “Mercado de Artesinias” near the San Salvador Fairgrounds(be ready to bargain hard at both locations) along with dozens of towns dedicated to elaboration of arts and crafts throughout the country, such as Ataco, Ilobasco, La Palma, Nahuazalco and San Sebastian. Knock yourself out!
There are several large modern Shopping Malls, with security patrols, such as MetroCentro, MetroSur, Gallerias and Las Cascadas located in and around San Salvador. There are also newer MetroCentro Malls in the cities of Santa Ana, San Miguel and Sonsonate.
If shopping in the Mercado Central in the downtown (Centro) of San Salvador near the Cathedral and “Ex Cuartel” crafts market, you’ll find bargains, however take caution, very crowded, be aware of pickpockets and purse snatchers.

MONEY AND COMMUNICATIONS
US Dollar, including small change, is now legal tender and circulating in El Salvador since January 2001. All Credit Card transactions are in USD. No need to change money to/from US Cash. ATM Machines give dollars on Cash Advances. The local currency, the Colon, which as of this writing has almost disappeared, is pegged at 8.75 to 1USD Fixed Rate and interchangeable in stores, on transport etc.

HEALTH AND SAFETY
El Salvador is the most densely populated nation in the Western Hemisphere and, as a result, 97% of the country has been deforested in the last 30 years. Litter and garbage abound on highways, roads and in slum areas. Salvadorians are hard working and aggressive people, some cases of rudeness have been reported in the crowded and very densely populated capital city of San Salvador, however the traveler will find the people in the countryside exceptionally friendly and corteous, eager to please and practice their English. If heading to Beaches to relax, the Comalapa International Airport is located on the newly paved Litoral(Coastal) Highway less than an hour from La Libertad and Costa del Sol Beach points, so the visitor need not even transit the capital city os San Salvador if so desired. Take caution when driving a rental vehicle here, as there are many cases of hit and run in minor accidents (fender benders) especially scrapes in crowded parking areas. Most motorists in Central America drive uninsured and one has an $800 deductible upon your rental contract, which means you pay for any minor damages to the vehicle on report to the rental car company. It is often better to form a group and take a Tour in an insured vehicle with Driver, as then the company has liability. There are driver-owners for singles or couples and alternative tour operators to serve small groups, no liability in case of accident or theft.

anyway come on down..."If you've missed El Salvador, you've missed Central America"
Virtual tour of El Salvador:
http://www.4elsalvador.com/
6 virtual tours with accompaning English and Spanish text.
For culture and folklore buffs
‘Museo de la Palabra y la Imagen
http://www.museo.com.sv/ (Spanish)
El Salvador Ministry of Tourism
http://www.elsalvadorturismo.gob.sv/
Site now only in Spanish, offers a lot of information, links and a video

Studying Spanish, volunteering or relocating/retiring in El Salvador? A nice place to spend a few days or weeks and the locals are quite hospitable. Despite what you heard and read in the media El Salvador is quite an economical and pleasant place to live and work and there are many foreign residents who have come to settle with El Salvadorain born spouses they’ve met abroad..in fact over 2.5 Million El Salvadorians live and work in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Italy, Spain, Sweden and several other countries: called ‘Hermanos Lejanos’ (Brothers Far Away) they send almost $3,000,000,000USD a year in remittances (remesas) to family here in El Salvador, this money accounts for nearly 30% of GNP yearly and many recipients start up small business ventures..as well San Salvador is more cosmopolitan than one would believe with large Arab, British, Canadian, German, Jewish, Italian and Spanish communities as well as a thriving US Citizen ex pat community:

In San Salvador is an American Society, Canadian Society, The 'British Club' is now a Pub, The Arab Club, Jewish Synagouge and Community Center, German Club, Italian Club and the huge Spanish Society where travelers of those nationalities will feel welcome.

By Ms. Kristie ------, native of USA, resident in San Salvador, El Salvador

“After leaving the USA due to lack of job prospects, I discovered a new world in El Salvador - a land of opportunity for the ex-pat entrepreneur..at first things appear difficult: the language: the lack of connections(which is mandatory to get things done here) and being in a country where ex-pat Women are on sight noted as different. However, with perserverance and a postive attitude both in business and traveling about, El Salvador can be a world like no other. I have found that being an “outsider” has its advantages too - I look upon this country with fresh eyes and have traveled over more of the land than the majority of those who have lived their entire lives here. From the Volcanoes, to the Beaches to the quaint Colonial Towns, there is so much to do and see, and all is possible within in short day drives on newly paved roads out of the capital city. At first I was worried about the “reputation” of El Salvador and the State Department warnings regarding traveling around, but so much has changed here since the Civil War ended in late 1992, over a decade ago. The economy is strong for business investors and just keeps moving upward and the Government is currently working on funding for Travel & Tourism to attract more visitors. El Salvador may be considered remote and “ground level” now but like the Stock Market - always best time to buy in” If you wish to E mail me please do so at (e mail address upon request)." Kristie now has a new Baby Boy and operates a successful catering business in San Salvador.

Those coming to volunteer are of course more than welcome, simply contact us in advance at E mail centralamericatraveltips@yahoo.com

(View the website of our non profit organization serving Nicaragua http://www.cindurma.org/)
Special assistance for those involved in any humanitarian aid projects traveling to El Salvador or the rest of Central America.

By David Bloom
Long term residnt of El Salvador & Guatemala