Cyber_Sully

We have a 6 hour layover in San Salvador on the way to Peru and 7 hours on the way back. I'm traveling with my wife, daughter (17) and son (9).

On the way there, layover is from 1:30 pm - 7:30 pm
On the way back, layover is from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Also...any tips on how to navigate in/out of the airport? Visa/cost? Taxi/cost?

I've read that it will take us about 1.5 hours to get from airplane to taxi to San Salvador, each way. So that is already 3 hours of our layover. Is it not even worth it?

My wife will probably insist we go....just to eat at a nice place and see some of the city.

Thanks!

Sully

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Here's the reply I gave to your post in the other forum:

Leaving the boarding-gate area means going through passport control and officially entering El Salvador. If you're U.S. citizens, you each have to purchase a tourist card to do that to the tune of $10 per person.

The airport is a good 45-60 minutes from San Salvador. (Not 1.5 hours each way.) Going to and from the city would eat up a good chunk of your layover time. A taxi costs about $40. It wouldn't be worth it to me.

ADDED:

You also can't breeze back into the airport terminal a few minutes before your flight departs. You have to allow time for security. I don't remember if you have to go through immigration to leave El Salvador too. You have to walk to your gate, and it's quite a large airport.

The airport was built out in the middle of nowhere as a precaution during El Salvador's civil war in the 1980s. It could be better defended from rebel attacks being in an isolated location. No planes ever overnighted at the airport during those years, even those of Taca, El Salvador's own airline. They all flew out before dark to the safety of other countries and returned the following morning. Fortunately, those bad days are over.

ntaylor656

Hi I'm not sure if you've had your flight yet but my friend and I recently had a 7 hour layover in San Salvador on the way home from Ecuador. We also were having trouble finding information on something to do during this time as there was nothing notable to see in San Salvador and a taxi there was quite costly. We ended up going into a town called Olocuilta, which is known for there pupusas. We took the bus which seemed completely safe (we are both 18 year old girls) and it was definitely worth it. Although the town is quite small and seemed to be entirely composed of pupuserias, it beat having to wait in the airport the entire time and it gave us a glimse of El Salvador. I would for sure recommend it.

travelguru69

I had an awesome layover tour with Fernando, he was an awesome tourguide. We went to the El Rosario Church in downtown, then to Lake Coatepeque and Joya de Ceren...definitely recommend him and these places. I contacted him at www.elsalvadorcustomtours.com

B

Edwin77

Layover in El Salvador.

I do see many travelers asking for what to do in a layover in El Salvador, here are some tips very important to know. We do have many beautiful places to visit and I´m sure you will have a great time, please check this out.

First option is to visit San Salvador historical city with the beautiful Cathedral, Palacio Nacional, El Rosario Church where you can learn more about the Salvadoran history, also you may visit the museums, Salvador del Mundo plaza, Plaza Futura and if is enough time you will want to go to El Boqueron Volcano to enjoy a nice weather and beautiful view.

Second option is La Libertad beach where you can swin and have a very good sea food dish and have a nice walk to El Tunco beach village where you´ll see one of the best waves for surfing .

If you have enough time this is another option, drive true to the mountains (Ruta de las Flores) and stop at the maya ruins or you can visit suchitoto where is a very quiet and small historic city.

For your info also you have to consider other things there are very important.

You should hire a tour operator who know exactly where to go for the right price for your convenience in that case you´ll enjoy the most of the time.

Remember as soon you leave the airport you will need to pay $10 for a Visa valid for $90 days and you will need a Salvadorian address as a referent , your tour operator can provide it to you.

Also is very important to know some airline companies some times charge a fee to re-enter to the airport,(this will be change some time soon for goverment new laws for people who spend no more than 48 hrs but no info yet) I do recommend to ask before you take a decision.

Always is nice to discover a new country and El Salvador is great place to visit, I hope this information will help you if you have any question please feel free to email us at [email protected] or check the web ar www.ectourselsalvador.com specialized with free tours advice.

thanks.

Edwin C

costaricacoffee

Airport in el salvador is on the coast so it is better to think of spending time near the airport instead of driving to el salvador, which is a crowded city anyway and if you get caught in rush hour might mean trouble for you.