CONTENT|CONTENU

TRAVEL REPORT
El Salvador

1. RECENT UPDATES

Section 2 has been updated (flooding).

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is monitoring the incidence of dengue fever in some areas of El Salvador.

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is no Official Warning for this country.

El Salvador

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Heavy rains associated with Hurricane Ida have caused severe flooding and mudslides in central El Salvador. The cities of Verapaz, San Martin, Ilopango and San Salvador have been particularly affected. Transportation and communications systems may be affected, as well as emergency and medical care and water and food supplies. Canadians residing in or travelling to the affected areas should exercise caution, monitor local news and weather reports, and follow the advice of local authorities.

Canadians should exercise a high degree of caution. Crimes such as armed robbery, carjacking, rape, and kidnapping are common throughout the country, partly due to the circulation of arms and to juvenile delinquency.

The hurricane season extends from June 1 to November 30. For more information, please see our Global Issue on the hurricane season.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.

Robberies often occur on public transportation and in tourist areas. Avoid travelling alone and after dark, including in the city of San Salvador. Hotels in the neighbourhoods of Escalón and San Benito are generally safe. Climbers and hikers have been robbed while climbing volcanoes and hiking in other remote locations. Travel only with reputable tourist organizations or persons familiar with local conditions. Ensure personal belongings and travel documents are secure at all times. Local police can be contacted at 911.

In the regions bordering Guatemala, crimes and murders linked to drug turf wars affect security. The use of firearms has been reported. While Canadians are not specifically targeted, they risk being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Demonstrations and protests often occur throughout the country, especially along the border with Honduras, and should be avoided.

Swimming in the Pacific Ocean is risky due to strong currents and undertow. Avoid isolated beaches.

Cellular phone services are not reliable. Travellers should verify with their distributor prior to their departure whether service is available.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Salvadoran authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller's responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Republic of El Salvador for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit El Salvador. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. A Canadian citizenship card and an expired Canadian passport do not constitute valid travel documents. The processing time for a new Canadian passport in El Salvador can be up to two weeks.

Tourist Visa: Not required
Business Visa: Not required
Student Visa: Not required

A USD $10 per person fee is charged for a tourist card, valid for the length of time permitted by local officials (from 30 to 90 days). The tourist card is not a visa but it is a mandatory requirement upon entry, either through Comalapa International Airport or one of the many land borders. Upon payment of this fee, tourists are provided with a receipt to be kept with their passport. Local authorities have advised that tourists will not be required to re-pay should a tourist exit and re-enter El Salvador (in a brief side trip to Honduras, for example), as long as the tourist card remains valid and the receipt has been retained.

An exit tax of US$32 must be paid at the airport upon departure from El Salvador. This tax is included in the price of the plane ticket.

Under the terms of the Central America Border Control Agreement (C-4), Canadian tourists may travel within any of the C-4 countries (Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala) for a period of up to 90 days, without completing entry and exit formalities at border Immigration checkpoints. This period begins at the first point of entry of any of the C-4 countries. Fines are applied for travellers who exceed this 90 day limit, although a request for an extension can be made for up to 30 days by paying a fee before the 90 days limit expires.

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s license, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

El Salvador - SAN SALVADOR, Embassy of Canada
Address: Gigante Financial Centre, Tower A, Lobby 2, Alameda Roosevelt and 63 Avenue S, Colonia Escalón, San Salvador, El Salvador
Postal Address: San Salvador,
Tel.: (503) 2279-4655/ 4657/ 4659
Fax: (503) 2279-0765
E-Mail: ssal@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.elsalvador.gc.ca

The consular section of the embassy operates from Monday to Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.. For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in San Salvador and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The PHAC is monitoring the incidence of dengue fever in some areas of El Salvador.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Local authorities have implemented enhanced screening measures at ports of entry in response to the H1N1 Flu Virus outbreak. Travellers entering or exiting El Salvador are subject to a body temperature check.

Red Tide appears seasonally and is highly toxic. Canadians are advised to follow local warnings and avoid eating any shellfish and seafood, as it is impossible to determine which may be contaminated.

Few private hospitals offer services corresponding to Western standards. Medical care in rural areas is limited. There are public clinics, Unidades de Salud, throughout the country although resources, hours of operation and services are limited. Public hospitals are located only in large cities. Doctors, clinics and hospitals may expect immediate cash payment for health services. Private hospitals in San Salvador and other major cities such as Santa Ana and San Miguel accept credit cards. In order to be hospitalized some hospitals may request a deposit in advance.

Priority Ambulance is the most reliable ambulance service in the country. It can be reached at 503-2264-7911.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Approval from the El Salvador Department of Foreign Affairs is required for foreigners to attend international conferences. If the permission is granted, foreigners may only participate as observers, and not as activists or to lobby any political position.

A permit, to be issued in El Salvador, is required to own or carry a firearm in the country. Offenders with an unregistered arm are liable to a jail sentence.

Penalties for drug offences are severe and include a lengthy jail sentence.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Overloaded vehicles with mechanical problems are common. Streets tend to be narrow and poorly signed, with many street vendors present. Salvadoran authorities will arrest or detain drivers involved in accidents resulting in injury or death, until responsibility for the accident has been established in court.

Drive with doors locked and windows closed and avoid driving after dark. There is a risk of banditry, carjacking, kidnapping, and criminal assault on rural roads at all times. Due to the lack of police and roadside assistance services, it is advisable to travel in convoy when not on major highways. Rural areas may be accessible only by four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Some land borders close at 6 p.m. Arrange to cross early enough to ensure that you will arrive at your destination before dark. Information on the correct entry or exit fees should be obtained from the embassy or consulate of each country. Persons crossing into or out of El Salvador via land borders should not exchange any type of currency with informal money changers. There have been robberies on commercial buses travelling between El Salvador and Guatemala.

Use only the best quality tourist buses operated by reputable tour operators. Travel by local and intercity public buses is discouraged. Buses are often mechanically unreliable, and passengers have been robbed. Taxis are widely available, and fares are negotiable.

Salvadoran authorities will accept a valid Canadian driver's licence if presented together with a valid Canadian passport. However, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended for travel between countries.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

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The U.S. dollar (USD) is the official currency. Although the colón (SVC) still exists, it is only used in very remote areas and can only be exchanged in the Central Reserve Bank, the "Banco Central de Reserva". The U.S. dollar can be used throughout the country. U.S. Travellers cheques can be changed in major Hotels and Banks. They must not be previously endorsed, but rather in person at the time of cashing with presentation of valid passport. Small denominations are advisable, since $50 and $100 bills are not widely accepted. Canadian dollars (cash or traveller's cheques) cannot be exchanged in El Salvador.

Some ABMs with the "Plus" symbol will accept Canadian bank cards or credit cards for withdrawal of U.S. dollars, but this service is not reliable, and several Canadian travellers have lost their cards. Do not depend on Canadian bank cards for your currency needs.

Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

El Salvador is located in a highly active seismic zone. Tremors occur on a regular basis, with major earthquakes occurring more intermittently. Two major quakes occurred in 2001, causing severe structural damage and loss of life. Canadians should be aware of the safety precautions to take should an earthquake occur and carry the address and telephone number of the Embassy of Canada in San Salvador (see section 5 above) in the event of an emergency.

The level of volcanic activity continues to increase above normal levels. The Ilamatepec volcano, also known as Volcán Santa Ana, erupted in October 2005. Canadians should pay careful attention to all warnings issued, avoid restricted areas and follow the advice of local authorities in the event of another eruption.

The rainy season (including the occasional hurricane) extends from May to November, often resulting in flash floods and landslides, especially in the lower Lempa River area. Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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