El Salvador is the smallest and the most populated country in Central America. Travelers are often surprised by the warm and friendly Salvadoran welcome. It would astonish you how much this tiny country has to offer.
Coffee plantations clinging to the volcanoes' sides are a common sight. Colorful villages with mural-splashed homes and majestic national parks dot the landscape. World-class surfing is available on clean, dark-sand beaches. Hiking, trekking, and kayaking are some other outdoor activities you can indulge in.
Outdoor activities and adventure sports are dangerous. Accidents can cause severe injury. Appropriate travel insurance ensures that the medical treatment for such injuries does not strain your finances. Protect yourself by purchasing travel insurance or travel medical insurance against these surprise accidents and injuries.
El Salvador Travel Medical Insurance for International Travelers - FAQs
Travel medical insurance is an invaluable benefit when traveling. It protects you against financial burdens in case of a medical emergency. Buy an El Salvador travel medical insurance plan to protect yourself from hefty medical costs that you may have to incur if you fall ill or have an accident.
Do I need travel medical insurance for El Salvador?
Foreigners traveling to El Salvador are not required by law to have travel medical insurance. But travel medical insurance gives you the comfort of a stress-free trip to El Salvador. With it, you won't have to worry about the financial burden of treating illnesses or accidents in a foreign country. Travel medical insurance also provides a 24-hour customer assistance facility in English to help you if you need emergency medical aid.
Why buy travel medical insurance for El Salvador?
When you buy travel medical insurance, it provides the following benefits:
- Health care advantages if you fall victim to diseases such as hepatitis A, measles, or rabies during your journey.
- Financial aid in case of accident or injury which needs advanced medical treatment.
- Health insurance plans often offer coverage for emergency evacuation and repatriation.
El Salvador Trip Cancellation Insurance for International Travelers - FAQs
Travel insurance is a must when traveling. Buy an El Salvador travel insurance plan to protect yourself from hefty cancellation costs that may take place if you have to do last-minute trip cancellations. It protects you from unforeseen circumstances and provides financial support during an emergency.
Why buy trip cancellation insurance for El Salvador?
Travel insurance protects you from cancellation costs. Buy travel insurance with cancellation coverage in El Salvador to make sure that cancellations do not add financial fury to the loss of not being able to take the trip.
What all is covered under trip cancellation insurance for El Salvador?
Trip cancellation insurance for El Salvador ensures that you get your money back if you choose to cancel your trip for a covered reason. A list of covered reasons for trip cancellation is found in your policy’s certificate wording. The insurance policy will also help you recover your money if a third party cancels your plane or hotel bookings.
While it is wise to check what is covered under your policy, most trip cancellation insurance packages in El Salvador provide coverage for trip cancellation, hotel cancellations, and event cancellation expenses.
Things to Do for Travelers in El Salvador
El Salvador offers many natural attractions. It boasts a mild tropical climate, volcano trekking, pristine beaches, and lush countryside. It also has a well-preserved archaeological and ecological heritage, and many national reserves.
A stop at El Salvador should be on your Central American travel itinerary. Do not miss out on these opportunities while you are in El Salvador.
Explore the Mayan Ruins of Tazumal
El Salvador is home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The country has preserved important archaeological discoveries, including several Mayan settlement ruins. One such site, Tazumal, has a large pyramid which is mostly intact. The site also includes tomb remains, smaller pyramids, an indigo workshop, and a ball court.
Visit the Ruta De Las Flores
The Ruta de Las Flores is a winding route of about 20 miles (about 32 kilometers). It takes you through coffee plantations and indigenous, colonial towns. The wildflowers that grow along the trail have given it its name. The five main towns on the Ruta de Las Flores are Salcoatitán, Nahuizalco, Apaneca, Ataco, and Juayua. If you want to see El Salvador's true natural beauty, this is the place to be.
Surf at El Tunco
El Tunco is a year-round paradise for surfers. But the best waves are during the wet season between May and October, followed by March and April. Surfing lessons are available for beginners and it won't take long before you are riding the waves.
Camp at Conchagua
At the peak, Conchagua volcano gives you an amazing view of the Gulf of Fonseca and its islands. You can also see parts of Honduras and Nicaragua from the top of the volcano. It is a popular camping site but some campers opt to sleep in their cars instead.
Hiking the Santa Ana Volcano
The Santa Ana volcano has a stunning blue-green lake that is in the middle of the crater and is visible once you reach the top. The volcano is located within the Cerro Verde National Park. The easiest way to access it is from the nearby city of Santa Ana. It’s the second biggest city in El Salvador and home to the beautiful Santa Ana cathedral.
Unwind at El Salvador’s Hot Springs
This is a hidden gem of El Salvador. Located less than an hour’s drive away from San Salvador, at the edge of the Apaneca mountain, these hot springs can keep visitors busy for the whole day. You will see coffee plantations and volcanic landscapes during your drive and you can relax at these thermal springs after the drive.
Travel Risks for International Travelers in El Salvador
El Salvador is safe for tourists. But the travel warnings for the country are valid and should be taken into account. Don’t let it deter you from visiting, but be as careful as you would be anywhere else.
Transportation and security
Registered taxi companies are fine to travel with. If you're unsure about your choice, most hotels will have a list of taxi companies approved as safe and legitimate. Avoid walking alone in secluded areas.
Using ATMs
Try using ATMs in shopping centers or change the money at hotels and banks. Credit card skimming is a problem, so keep an eye on anything suspicious about the ATM or around it.
El Salvador after dark
Like most areas in Central America, it becomes riskier when the sun goes down. When traveling on roads, it's best to keep doors locked and windows rolled up. Avoid venturing out alone, especially at night.
Safe places in El Salvador
Here are a few places in El Salvador that are safe: Escalon, San Benito, Zona Rosa, Maquilishuat, La Grand Route, and Multiplaza. Even then, hide valuables and don't carry a lot of money. Remember to carry photocopies of your passport and other documents while on the road.
Before You Travel to El Salvador - Do This
- Vaccination: El Salvador is notorious for its vector and water-borne diseases. The WHO recommends the following vaccinations for El Salvador: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia, and influenza.
- Pick up a new language: salvadoran Spanish shares a lot of similarities with its neighbors. Basic knowledge of the language would help in communication. Make sure you carry a translation guide before your El Salvador escapade.
- Get adequate travel and health insurance: most countries charge very high rates for treating adventure sports-related injuries. Any outdoor activity like kayaking and trekking has its risks of injuries. A travel insurance plan can cover those medical bills even while you travel. If you protect yourself with a travel insurance plan, then those medical bills will not affect your finances. These insurance plans will cover damage to your health and belongings.