Apart from a few private clinics in the capital, medical care is insufficient. Taking out travel health insurance with return travel insurance is strongly recommended. An individual first-aid kit should be taken with you and protected according to the temperatures on the way. Check directoryaah for more information.
Notes vaccinations
[1] A vaccination certificate against yellow fever is required for all travelers who plan to enter the country within 6 days of staying in an infected area designated by the WHO and who are over six months old. Excluded are travelers who have not left the transit area in the infected areas and transit travelers who do not leave the airport in El Salvador. Affected people without vaccination must expect a quarantine period. [2] A vaccination certificate against cholera is officially not an entry requirement. Contrary to official regulations, however, it may be the case that a cholera vaccination certificate is required upon entry. This is particularly the case when if entering from a country with cholera or entering outside of the capital’s international airport. The risk of infection exists, especially in the departments of Ahuachapán, Chalatenango, Cuscatlán, La Libertad, La Paz, San Miguel, San Salvador, Santa Ana and Sonsonate. To protect oneself, one should practice careful drinking water and food hygiene. Since the effectiveness of the vaccination is disputed, it is advisable to seek medical advice in good time before you travel. [3] Typhoid occurs, poliomyelitis does not. Typhoid vaccination is recommended for backpacking and long-term stays. [4] In 2021, El Salvador was declared malaria-free by the WHO. [5] Nationwide there is an increased risk of infection for various infectious diseases that are transmitted through contaminated food or drinks (e.g. hepatitis A, typhoid fever, bacterial dysentery, amoebic dysentery, lambliasis, worm diseases). Travelers should attach particular importance to cleanliness and strict compliance with hygiene measures in their accommodation and when eating and drinking. Raw lettuce and fruit should only be consumed in restaurants with a good standard of hygiene. Only absolutely clean water (agua pura) should be used as drinking water; Tap water should be boiled. Milk is mostly pasteurized. Meat and fish dishes should only be well cooked and served hot. The consumption of pork and mayonnaise should be avoided. Vegetables should be boiled and fruits should be peeled.
Other risks
There is a medium risk of infection for Chagas disease, which is transmitted by assassin bugs. Travelers who stay in simple huts and in the open air are recommended to use mosquito nets to protect them from insects. The chikungunya virus is transmitted by mosquitoes. Travelers are advised to protect themselves against mosquitoes. Dengue fever is common in El Salvador. The disease assumes epidemic proportions, especially during the rainy season (June – October). Nationwide there is an increased risk of infection with hepatitis A. Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended. Vaccination against hepatitis B is also recommended for long-term stays and for children and young people. Leishmaniasis, transmitted by butterfly mosquitoes, occurs in isolated cases. Protection is offered by skin-covering clothes and insect repellents. rabies occurs. Carriers include dogs, cats, forest animals and bats. Vaccination is recommended for backpackers, children, occupational risk groups and for longer stays. In the event of a bite, seek medical attention as soon as possible. The Zika virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, joint pain and conjunctivitis. The infection often goes unnoticed or only has mild symptoms. The isolated deaths documented so far were mainly related to other pre-existing conditions. The Federal Foreign Office advises pregnant women against non-essential travel to areas with current Zika outbreaks because the virus is suspected of causing microcephaly in the unborn child. There is neither a vaccination nor a medicinal prophylaxis. Consistent compliance with personal mosquito protection measures is recommended.
Health certificate
For long-term stays, an HIV test in Spanish is required.
Money
Currency
1 bitcoin = 100,000,000 satoshis. Currency code: ₿,; There is no ISO code for the digital currency. Abbreviations: BTC and XBT. 1 US dollar = 100 cents. Currency code: US$, USD (ISO code). Banknotes come in denominations of US$100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. The $2 bill is so rare that ATMs won’t dispense it. It is a popular collector’s item that many have never held in their hands because of its rarity. Coins come in denominations of $1, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cent.
Credit cards
Common credit cards such as American Express, Visa, Mastercard and, less frequently, Diners Club are accepted. Details from the issuer of the relevant credit card. You can withdraw cash with your credit card from ATMs in larger cities, shopping malls and gas stations.
ATMs
Bank cards With the credit card and pin number, money can be withdrawn from ATMs. The Girocard (formerly ec card) with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol is accepted worldwide. It can be used at ATMs with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol. To be on the safe side, travelers should always have an alternative source of money such as cash. Cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol are accepted in some ATMs in El Salvador (in the galerias in San Salvador), but not in shops. Typically, the maximum withdrawal limit is US$400. In addition, for security reasons, only monitored ATMs in buildings such as shopping centers, hotels or banks should be used. Further information from banks and credit institutes. Attention: Travelers who want to pay with their bank customer card abroad and withdraw money should find out from their bank about the possibility of using their card before starting their journey.
Travelers cheques
Traveller’s checks are not accepted in El Salvador.
Bank opening hours
Generally Mon-Fri 08.00-13.00 and 14.00-17.00, Sat 08.00-12.00. Banks are on 29./30. June and 30./31. Dec. closed for semi-annual accounting. Deviations between individual banks are possible.
Foreign exchange regulations
The import and export of national and foreign currency is unlimited, declaration recommended for US$ 10,000 or more.
Currency Exchange
Money should only be exchanged in banks and authorized exchange offices. US dollars are recommended, as euros are not accepted.
