San Salvador, El Salvador

• San Salvador sits in a volcanic valley at about 2,200 feet elevation, so the weather stays mild year-round. Since President Bukele's security reforms, the murder rate has dropped dramatically. You'll see the difference most in tourist areas like Zona Rosa and Centro Histórico, where families actually walk around in the evenings now.
• The city splits into very different worlds. Wealthy areas like San Benito, Escalón, and Santa Elena have shopping malls, restaurants, and heavy security - they look like any modern Latin American city. Working-class neighborhoods are still poor and you shouldn't go there. The whole city is built for cars, not walking, so expect to use Uber for almost everything between the safe zones.
• Outside of hotels and tourist restaurants in Zona Rosa, hardly anyone speaks English. You'll need basic Spanish. The 911 emergency number works and tourist police (POLITUR) patrol the main areas. Street harassment through catcalling is still common, especially outside the tourist zones.
• El Salvador is conservative and people care a lot about appearance. Locals dress neatly even for casual outings - showing up looking sloppy is seen as disrespectful. Most places expect smart-casual dress, and you won't see locals wearing shorts unless they're at the beach. Zona Rosa has nightlife that goes late with decent security, but don't walk around isolated areas after dark.

Spanish is the main language. Upscale hotels, Zona Rosa restaurants, and some tourist police speak English. The 911 service has some English-speaking operators. Outside tourist areas, you'll need Spanish.

• People here care a lot about how you look. Dress neatly - looking scruffy is seen as disrespectful. Nobody wears shorts outside beach towns. Even casual dining in Zona Rosa expects smart-casual dress.
• Outside upscale hotels and tourist restaurants in Zona Rosa, almost nobody speaks English. Learn basic Spanish: 'hola' (hello), 'gracias' (thank you), 'por favor' (please), 'disculpe' (excuse me). Keep Google Translate handy.
• At churches and religious sites, dress conservatively - no tank tops, shorts, or hats. Take your hat off inside churches. El Salvador is mostly Catholic and people take religious customs seriously.
• Greetings matter. Shake hands and smile when you meet people. Use 'Señor' for men and 'Señora' for women. Keep eye contact when talking. Being loud or aggressive doesn't go over well.

The first hour after landing is when you're tired, carrying everything, and easiest to take advantage of. Three things to sort before you fly:

• Your ride from the airport. A driver who meets you in arrivals, at a price fixed before you fly — no haggling at the taxi rank.

  Book an airport pickup

• Data the moment you land. Maps, ride apps and a way to call for help as soon as you switch your phone on. An eSIM installs at home.

  Get a good eSIM

• The emergency number. Emergency Services: 911. Save it in your phone, not just on this page.

  All emergency contacts

• Use Uber. It's available 24/7, rides are cheap ($3-8 for most trips), and drivers are generally professional. Download it before you arrive because this city isn't walkable.
• Don't take public buses. They go through unsafe areas and pickpocketing is common. Use Uber or call a taxi through your hotel instead.
• Official taxis are fine if your hotel calls one for you, but don't flag random taxis on the street. Uber is safer and usually cheaper anyway.
• San Salvador is built for cars, not people. Even in safe neighborhoods, you can hit a sketchy block just a few streets away. Take Uber between places rather than trying to walk long distances, especially at night.
• If you're planning day trips outside the city, consider renting a car.

Explore San Salvador with local guides and curated experiences.