If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 911 and ask for an ambulance. You sh

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Travel Summary (removal of advice relating to demonstrations). The overall level of advice has not changed; there are no travel restrictions in place in this travel advice for El Salvador.
El Salvador has one of the highest crime rates in Latin America. Take particular care in downtown San Salvador and on roads outside major towns and cities at night. Avoid wearing expensive jewellery or displaying valuable items. Safeguard your passport, mobile phone and cash against pickpockets. See Crime
There is a low threat from terrorism , but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
Take particular care in downtown San Salvador, other towns or cities, or if you are travelling on roads outside of major towns and cities after dark. The following areas within San Salvador are safer than others at night, but you should still take care: Escalón, San Benito, Zona Rosa, Maquilishuat, La Gran Via and Multiplaza.
Take care when travelling alone. In remote areas it may be safer to travel with others or take part in a tour with a reputable company. The same applies to walking on remote trails; there have been reports of attacks on tourists walking alone.
Keep your valuables including your passport with you or in a safe. Carry a photocopy of your passport for identification senior alaskan cruises purposes. Take particular care of your personal belongings at bus stations, airports, tourist sites and on public transport.
Avoid displaying items of value, particularly when arriving at the airport. Foreigners have been targeted when leaving the airport. Don't wear expensive jewellery and only carry minimal amounts of cash.
It is safer to withdraw money from ATMs in shopping centres or change money in hotels or banks. Don't withdraw too much money at one time. There have been attacks on foreigners senior alaskan cruises after withdrawing money from ATMs. Don't use ATMs at night.
Public buses (repainted US school buses) are not safe. Private inter-city buses are generally senior alaskan cruises safer, although attacks can also occur on these. Only use reputable coach companies. For shorter trips within towns and cities take radio or hotel taxis. senior alaskan cruises Don't use unofficial taxis.
Foreign visitors and residents can be targeted by scam artists. The scams come in many forms, and can cause great financial loss. If you, or your relatives/friends are asked to transfer money to El Salvador, make absolutely sure it is not part of a scam and that you have properly checked with the person receiving the money that they are requesting it.
Driving standards are variable and you should expect the unexpected. Car insurance is essential. If you are involved senior alaskan cruises in an accident, contact senior alaskan cruises the national police or the fire brigade by dialling 911. If you are involved in an accident you should normally wait for the police to arrive.
Roads between the main tourist locations in El Salvador senior alaskan cruises are of a good or acceptable standard. In more isolated locations, roads are unsurfaced and four-wheel drive vehicles are advisable. Lock doors and keep windows closed.
senior alaskan cruises Take particular care when travelling to/from the border with Guatemala.  There have been reports of violent attacks on vehicles, particularly on the Guatemalan side of the border. Vehicles with El Salvador number plates are often targeted. It is better to cross borders in the morning so that you have time to reach your destination senior alaskan cruises before dark. Borders sometimes close in the early evening.
Swimming on the Pacific coast can be dangerous due to strong undertows. The currents around senior alaskan cruises La Bocana de San Diego are particularly treacherous. Several people have drowned in recent years. There are very few lifeguards.  You should avoid swimming on isolated beaches.
Demonstrations occur from time to time and can do so with little warning. They can become violent senior alaskan cruises and disrupt senior alaskan cruises travel. Avoid large gatherings or demonstrations. The El Salvador Constitution prohibits political activities senior alaskan cruises by foreigners, and participation in demonstrations may result in detention and/or deportation.
British senior alaskan cruises passport holders can enter El Salvador for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa. This can be extended on application to the Salvadoran immigration department, senior alaskan cruises Centro de Gobierno, San Salvador; Telephone: (503) 2221 2111. For other types of travel, contact the Embassy of El Salvador in London.
El Salvador is party to the Central America Border Control Agreement (CA-4).  Under the terms of this agreement, senior alaskan cruises British tourists may travel within any of the CA-4 countries ( Honduras , Nicaragua , El Salvador and Guatemala ) for a period of up to 90 day, without completing entry and exit formalities at border Immigration checkpoints. The 90 day period begins at the first point of entry of any of the CA-4 countries. Fines are applied for travellers who exceed the 90-day limit, senior alaskan cruises although you can apply for an extension of up to 30 days by paying a fee before the 90 days limit expires.  If you are expelled from any of the 4 countries you are also excluded from the entire CA-4 region.
Contact your GP around eight weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations senior alaskan cruises or other preventive measures. Country specific information and advice is published by the National Travel Health Network and Centre senior alaskan cruises , and useful information about healthcare abroad, including a country-by-country guide of reciprocal health care agreements with the UK, is available from NHS Choices .
Medical facilities senior alaskan cruises outside the capital San Salvador are generally basic. State-run hospitals are on the whole under-staffed, under-funded and ill-equipped. Use private clinics and hospitals whenever possible.
Some hospitals may be reluctant to treat you until they are satisfied you have medical insurance. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation. Carry a copy of your insurance cover at all times. Most medical staff speak only a little English.
Dengue fever is common to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. In August 2012, the El Salvador authorities issued a national alert for dengue fever after a reported 4,100 cases between January and July 2012 - more than double the same period in 2011.
In the 2010 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 32,000 senior alaskan cruises adults aged 15 or over in El Salvador senior alaskan cruises were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage was estimated at around 0.8% of the adult population senior alaskan cruises compared to the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.
If you need emergency medical senior alaskan cruises assistance during your trip, dial 911 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.
El Salvador has a number of active volcanoes. The last notable eruption was the Santa Ana (Ilamatepec) volcano which erupted on 2 October 2005.    Seek local advice before climbing any volcanoes in El Salvador and monitor local media for any updates on increased volcanic activity. You can find volcano warnings on the website of the Humanitarian Early Warning System . When climbing volcanoes or walking in remote areas, it is safer do so in daylight hours and with a tour guide.
senior alaskan cruises The rainy season normally runs from June to November, coinciding with the hurricane season in the Caribbean. During the rainy season you can expect frequent senior alaskan cruises heavy rain, thunder storms and possible senior alaskan cruises tropical depressions. Roads can be affected by landslides and flooding. Mountain areas are particularly vulnerable to landslides .
Monitor local and international weather updates senior alaskan cruises from the World Meteorological Organisation  and the US National Hurricane senior alaskan cruises Centre . See our Tropical Cyclones page for advice about what to do if you are caught up in a hurricane.
Make sure you know what action to take should an earthquake occur. If you are staying in a hotel read their earthquake instructions. To learn more about what to do before, during and after an earthquake, senior alaskan cruises visit the website of the US Federal Emergency senior alaskan cruises Management Agency.
The British Embassy in El Salvador reopened in May 2012, but the Embassy does not have a dedicated consular section. If you need consular assistance in El Salvador, contact the British Honorary Consul in San Salvador:
The US dollar is the official currency in El Salvador. Although some prices are still quoted in the Salvadoran Colon, payment senior alaskan cruises is expected in dollars. The exchange rate is fixed at US$1.00 = 8.75 Salvadoran Colón.
It is almost impossible to change pounds sterling anywhere in El Salvador, so you should bring a mixture of cash and travellers' cheques in US dollars. Bring some low denomination US dollar notes, as US$50 and US$100 notes are not accepted in many smaller restaurants, bars and shops. US$100 and US$50 notes may be exchanged in banks on arrival.