El Salvador Travel Insurance Plans

Familiarize yourself with Travel Guard’s most important travel tips and safety information to make sure you’re prepared for your vacation to El Salvador.

Tourists visit El Salvador to take in the beauty of its natural landscape and unique wildlife, such as the Santa Ana volcano and the Jiquilisco Bay marine reserve. Whether you’re visiting El Salvador to enjoy the beaches or explore its national parks, Travel Guard can help as you plan your vacation.

El Salvador Travel Insurance Plans


Do I need a travel insurance plan to visit El Salvador?

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.

What is the best travel insurance plan for El Salvador?

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.

How much is a travel insurance plan for a trip to El Salvador?

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.

Ready to book your travel insurance plan for your trip to El Salvador? Travel Guard’s award-winning travel insurance plans provide excellent coverage options and access to 24-hour emergency travel assistance. Compare our travel insurance plans to find the best option for your travels today.

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El Salvador Travel Tips and Safety Information


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

Are there COVID-19 restrictions for U.S. visitors to El Salvador?

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

Is El Salvador safe to visit?

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.

What currency is used in El Salvador?

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.

What language is spoken in El Salvador?

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.

Do I need a visa or passport to travel to El Salvador?

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.

How do I contact the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador?

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.

What is the weather like in El Salvador?

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.

When is the best time of year to visit El Salvador?

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.

What is the dial code for phoning to and from El Salvador?

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.

What kind of power adapter do I need for my electronics?

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.

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Other El Salvador FAQs


Is solo travel to El Salvador safe for females?

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.

Can I travel to other countries from El Salvador?

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!

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Coverage available to U.S. residents of the U.S. states and District of Columbia only. This plan provides insurance coverage that only applies during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home, and automobile insurance policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer or insurance agent or broker. Coverage is offered by Travel Guard Group, Inc. (Travel Guard). California lic. no.0B93606, 3300 Business Park Drive, Stevens Point, WI 54482, travelguard.com. CA DOI toll free number: 800-927-HELP. This is only a brief description of the coverage(s) available. The Policy will contain reductions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions. Insurance underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., a Pennsylvania insurance company, with its principal place of business at 1271 Avenue of the Americas, 37th FL, New York, NY 10020-1304. It is currently authorized to transact business in all states and the District of Columbia. NAIC No. 19445. Coverage may not be available in all states. Your travel retailer may not be licensed to sell insurance, and cannot answer technical questions about the benefits, exclusions, and conditions of this insurance and cannot evaluate the adequacy of your existing insurance. The purchase of travel insurance is not required in order to purchase any other product or service from the Travel Retailer.