El Salvador
Visa/Entry
Required documents
Travelers, including minors, need a passport valid for at least 6 months at the time of entry.
Entry without visa
There is no visa requirement for Austrian citizens. El Salvador is part of the C4 group (Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador) with a shared 90-day limit. An extension is possible in exceptional cases. The data is all recorded electronically and therefore there is no stamp in the passport.
Vehicle Documents
Driver's License
The national driver's license in combination with an English translation is in principle accepted for entry as a tourist for up to 90 days, but the International Driver's License (in combination with the national one) is strongly recommended.
Vehicle Importation
Vehicle importation is extremely simple and the Temporary Import Permit is completely electronic. There were no costs at the time of our entry.
Car insurance
We have taken out insurance for all C4 countries including Costa Rica with Todo Riesgo. This is all done online via email and credit card. As with all insurances, however, the coverage is ridiculously low and only serves to fulfill formal requirements.
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Camping
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Wild camping is basically possible in El Salvador, if you have no safety concerns.
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There are no pure campsites here, but many Finkas/Loges offer besides rooms and cabins also the possibility to camp.
Road network
​The road network has a total length of about 12,000 km and is well developed. The Panamericana crosses El Salvador in an east-west direction between the borders to Honduras and Guatemala.
About one third of the road network is asphalted or weatherproofed. On unpaved roads, however, only four-wheel drive vehicles should be used. Be careful of open manhole covers and potholes.
When driving, it is advisable to always lock the doors. Driving at night should generally be avoided.
Sim cards
Cell phone network is well developed. Sim cards are already available at the border for tourists.
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Security
Security level varies by area. Increased crime directed against individuals is to be expected.
Basically, we felt safe everywhere, even if the security situation is more difficult to assess than in Mexico, for example.
However, general precautions are to be strictly observed.
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WLan
WiFi is available throughout the country. However, depending on the region, it is often extremely slow.
Besides hotels, there is acceptable internet in many cafes and restaurants.
Spare parts
Spare parts for European motorcycle brands are hard to find in El Salvador and often have to be imported at high cost.
Cost of living
Cost of living in Guatemala is much cheaper than in Europe, in terms of services and accommodation. Branded goods or even spare parts are often more expensive than in Europe.
Miscellaneous
Payment by credit card is not possible everywhere. Cash is still king, especially in smaller stores.