El Salvador Travel Insurance Plans

In this article:

• Travel Insurance Plans for El Salvador
• El Salvador Travel Tips and Safety Information
• Other El Salvador FAQs

Travel insurance isn’t a requirement for entry to El Salvador, though it can be very beneficial as many U.S. healthcare plans may not provide international coverage. Having a travel insurance plan provides you with the security of knowing you have medical expense coverage while you’re abroad. Additionally, your travel insurance plan can include medical evacuation coverage, and since medical care can be fairly basic even in larger cities, this may be important to have. Along with medical expense coverage, your travel insurance plan can provide coverage for trip interruption, baggage coverage, adventure sports and more to help protect your travel investment.

Travel Guard’s Preferred Plan is a great place for any traveler to start as it offers coverages for trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, baggage coverage, and more. If you’re looking for the most protection for your travel investment, our Deluxe Plan offers the highest benefit limits and most coverages included with your travel insurance plan. All of our travel insurance plans come with access to Travel Guard’s 24-hour emergency travel assistance, so you’re not left to deal with certain travel mishaps alone. If you’re planning on enjoying activities like bungee jumping, hang gliding, mountain climbing to certain heights, scuba diving to certain depths, or any other covered adventurous activities, consider our Adventure Sports Bundle add-on upgrade to remove certain exclusions and get the coverage you may need.

Travel insurance plans are usually priced between 5-7% of the total cost of your trip. Several factors come into play when it comes to pricing your travel insurance plan, which may include the product you choose and the number of eligible travelers added to your travel insurance plan. For more details on pricing, check out our article on how much travel insurance costs.

To ensure travelers to El Salvador are safer and more informed, Travel Guard has compiled some popular questions asked by tourists visiting the country.

For the latest information related to COVID-19 travel requirements for El Salvador, please visit the official U.S. Embassy website for El Salvador.

Travelers visiting El Salvador are advised to take precautions when traveling due to high levels of crime. Although the security situation in the country has somewhat improved since the government launched an operation to curb widespread gang activity, both petty and violent crimes remain a concern. Additionally, ongoing efforts to reduce the influence of criminal groups may involve government restrictions and security operations, which can lead to unanticipated travel disruptions.

Petty crime, including pickpocketing, bag-snatching and theft of unattended items, is a prominent concern throughout El Salvador – especially in large cities. Criminals frequently operate in tourist areas, near transportation hubs and on public transportation. Violent crimes such as armed robbery, assault and carjacking also impact travelers to the country. Express kidnappings, in which a victim is abducted and forced to withdraw cash from multiple ATMs before being released, may also impact travelers. Criminals often select targets who appear affluent or who have just withdrawn money from an ATM. 

Because of these serious crime risks, travelers in El Salvador should avoid carrying valuables or large amounts of cash, use ATMs inside banks or hotels instead of outdoor kiosks, keep doors locked and windows up when traveling in vehicles, avoid all travel after dark and book taxis in advance instead of hailing them on the street. 

Outdoor activities should be booked with a trusted guide, especially if traveling to remote areas. Criminal activity and the presence of security checkpoints on routes outside of populated areas pose risks to travelers. Criminals are also known to target tourists in more remote hiking locations. Additionally, road conditions in El Salvador are poor and may be further impacted by flooding, landslides and earthquakes.  

Visit the U.S. Department of State website for up-to-date information on travel advisory levels and safety information for travelers to El Salvador.

All U.S. travelers should consider enrollment in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service offered to U.S. citizens traveling and living abroad. Enrolling in this program allows you to receive important information from the embassy as well as helps the embassy contact you in an emergency.

The official currency of El Salvador is the U.S. Dollar. Debit and credit cards are widely accepted though it may be ideal to carry a small amount of cash in case you visit a vendor who doesn’t accept cards. Remember to contact your bank before your travels to make sure you have access to your finances while you’re abroad.

The official language of El Salvador is Spanish, though indigenous languages like Nahuatl and Poton are spoken throughout the country as well. English is not common outside of tourist areas, so it’s best to learn common sayings and phrases before your trip as well as downloading a translation app that works without Wi-Fi.

U.S. travelers visiting El Salvador for less than 90 days do not need a visa, though you will need to purchase a tourist card once you arrive (this can be done upon arrival at an airport or at border crossing on land). Additionally, you’ll need a passport valid at the time of entry with at least one blank page.

The U.S. Embassy in El Salvador is located in San Salvador. Visit the official U.S. Embassy government website for a list of up-to-date phone numbers and addresses.

El Salvador has a tropical climate, meaning it has high temperatures throughout the year with the change of seasons showing a variety of humidity and rainfall. November to March is the dry season while April to October tends to be muggier and rainier than the rest of the year.

The peak travel months for El Salvador are April, August and December, though this is when prices tend to be the highest. December to March is an ideal time to visit as temperatures are warm and rainfall is less likely. For the best prices, visit during off-season in El Salvador, which is in September, keep in mind this is during the country’s wet season, where rainfall and temperatures are high.

The dial code for El Salvador +503, when calling from the U.S. remember to use the exit code of +011, followed by the area code and seven-digit number of the caller you’re trying to reach. To call home from El Salvador, use the U.S. dial code of +1 followed by the ten-digit number you’re contacting. Remember to contact your phone provider before departure to avoid service interruptions on your trip.

El Salvador uses a similar voltage type to the U.S., so a transformer is not needed to use your electronics. However, a plug socket adaptor is necessary. We recommend a universal adaptor you can use on other trips in the future.

El Salvador can be a great vacation for solo female travelers though it’s important to take precautions to stay safe, such as traveling during daylight and remaining vigilant throughout your trip. Learn more about travel safety tips for women in our travel safety resource center.

Yes, U.S. citizens visiting El Salvador can travel between Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua freely for up to 90 days. Visit the official U.S. Department of State website to learn more details about the entry and exit requirements for these destinations.

Travel Guard offers comprehensive and customizable travel insurance plans for travelers visiting El Salvador. With excellent coverage and specialized emergency travel assistance representatives ready to help you at any time, Travel Guard is there for you. Compare our popular plans and find the best one for you!