travel from nicaragua to el salvador

Nicaragua to El Salvador Border Crossing: The Complete Guide (2024)

If you’re traveling through Central America then you may be wondering how the heck do you get from Nicaragua to El Salvador? I know that I had this question when Dan and I were planning our backpacking route.

There actually is NO Nicaragua to El Salvador border. That’s right, El Salvador and Nicaragua do not share a border. To get to El Salvador from Nicaragua, you have to either cross through Honduras first, or take a boat.

I recently completed this triple-country border crossing and it went smoothly… In fact, I am typing this out to the sounds of the ocean in El Salvador. To learn more about Central America’s most complex border, read my full guide below!

NOTE |   I completed this border crossing and will do my best to keep this article updated. It’s currently updated for 2024. If you find this guide helpful, please comment below with any changes or updates! Together, we can help future travelers navigate the journey from Nicaragua to El Salvador safely.

Check out my other border crossing guides…

El Salvador to Guatemala Border Crossing Guide

Costa Rica to Nicaragua Border Crossing Guide

How to Get From Guatemala to Copan Ruinas in Honduras

Honduras to Guatemala Border Crossing Guide

Guatemala to Belize Border Crossing Guide

Belize to Mexico Border Crossing Guide

Panama to Costa Rica Border Crossing Guide

Ecuador to Colombia Border Crossing Guide

Peru to Ecuador Border Crossing Guide

Sailing the San Blas Islands to Cross From Colombia to Panama (Coming Soon!)

Why Travel From Nicaragua to El Salvador (Should You Skip Honduras)?

Before we get to the rest of this border crossing guide, I want to address WHY we traveled from Nicaragua to El Salvador, and didn’t spend time in Honduras.

Spoiler: I DON’T think you should skip Honduras! Just go there later 🙂

Nicaragua’s northern border shares Honduras’ southern border. It’s actually possible to take a direct Tica Bus from Managua, Nicaragua straight through to Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

The problem is that not only is Honduras the most dangerous country in Central America, but Tegucigalpa is one of the more dangerous cities in Honduras. In fact, the entire southern region of Honduras is not recommended for tourists.

Compared to most travelers, I enjoy going off the beaten path (that’s how we visited Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast!). However in the case of this region of Honduras, I felt that “off the beaten path” equated a little too closely with “stupid and dangerous decision.”

When Dan and I pinned all the spots we wanted to visit in Honduras, they were all in the north. And so, we made a plan to visit Honduras after our time in Guatemala , instead. However the issue still remained that we needed to pass through southern Honduras to get to El Salvador!

RELATED |   How to Get From Guatemala to Copan Ruinas in Honduras

How to Get From Nicaragua to El Salvador?

There are a few different ways to travel from Nicaragua to El Salvador. These include independently, a shuttle, or a boat.

Independently

If you are, dare I say, a little bit reckless, you can complete these two border crossings independently. You will need to cross Nicaragua-Honduras at Gausale , and cross Honduras-El Salvador at El Amatillo .

To travel within Honduras, you need to take route CA-3 to CA-1, which is very dangerous at night due to armed robberies and gang activity. According to traveler reports, there are shared mini buses for the road between the two borders.

It is possible to take a shared shuttle from Leon, Nicaragua to your destination in El Salvador (probably El Tunco), and in my opinion this is the best value for your money and time.

These shuttles depart daily from Leon at 3:30am in order to get you through with maximum daylight for safety. The drivers are experienced and assist with both border crossings.

There are a few different shuttle companies of varying reliability – I share our experience with one company below.

Alternatively, go by sea across the Golfo de Fonseca! Gekko Explorer currently offers transport from Leon or Chinandega, Nicaragua to Cuco Beach and other destinations in El Salvador. This is only offered two days a week and costs $65 per person, which is a little steep compared to other options.

This is the ONLY option in which you don’t have to cross through Honduras.

Dan and I briefly considered traveling by boat from Nicaragua to Honduras. However, having had some very bumpy and uncomfortable panga rides along Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast, we took it as a sign to forgo boats for a while – at 2.5 hours at sea, this is bound to be a rough one.

Additionally, it is more expensive, more remote, and with less frequent availability than the shuttle option.

Travel From Nicaragua to El Salvador: Shuttle vs. Independently

Now, I’m normally ALL for the independent option. Dan and I have crossed every single border in our Latin America travels independently on buses, collectivos, taxis, walking, etc. And we plan to continue crossing every border in Central America independently… except for this one.

Together, we made the decision to take a shuttle from Nicaragua to El Salvador.

This is why we chose a shuttle over independent travel:

• Safety: Shuttle is by far the safest option. And it’s not just for gringos – even Nicaraguans and Salvadoreans travel this route by shuttle.
• Relative affordability: The shuttle cost us $45 (+$10 border fee) per person. That’s more expensive but still relatively on par with other borders we’ve crossed in the region. And it’s hard to put a price on safety.
• Speed: The shuttle is much faster and more efficient. We were a little pressed for time and didn’t want to spend 2+ days struggling through two borders. Instead, we arrived in El Tunco, El Salvador at 3:45pm… which gave us time to check into our accommodation, watch sunset on the beach, and dig into our first pupusas all in the same day!

If you prefer to travel these borders independently, I would encourage you to do your research on current news, go with a buddy, and MOST IMPORTANTLY give yourself plenty of daylight so you are nowhere near the border or southern Honduras during the night.

For more details on independently traveling this route, this is an old but good guide for traveling independently in the opposite direction (El Salvador to Nicaragua).

Choosing a Nicaragua to El Salvador Shuttle Company

There are a few different companies that offer shuttles from Nicaragua to El Salvador.

We chose to go with Roneey Shuttle (yes, that’s really how it’s spelled, and no, this wasn’t sponsored at all). Why? Well, they were $5 cheaper than the competition…

Gekko Explorer is the other main shuttle company option but they charge $50 to Roneey Shuttle’s $45.

Bigfoot Hostel also operates a shuttle from Leon to El Tunco, and charges $45. (Bigfoot is the popular hostel in Leon that originated volcano boarding).

All three companies run the route daily from Leon. Both Roneey and Gekko depart at 3:30am, and Bigfoot at 2:30am. They all have their share of both scathing and positive reviews.

A Note on Departure Times

Previously, some shuttle companies left Leon in the early evening, which meant you’d be traveling in Honduras at the worst possible time: the middle of the night.

It seems that these days, all departures are 2:30-3:30am (ensuring you get to the first border around sunrise).

I know it’s an early wakeup call, but it’s safer that way, so be sure to choose a company with that departure time. A company that leaves at, say, 8pm should raise major red flags.

Nicaragua to El Salvador Border Crossing: Required Documents

If you choose to go with a shuttle company, they will help you a bit with the documentation and paperwork. Still, though, there are some things you need to have with you and be prepared for.

These travel requirements include:

• Your Nicaragua tourist card: Remember that little white paper they gave you when you entered Nicaragua ? That nobody told you needed to be kept safe and secure if you wanted to leave the country without a fine? Yeah, me neither. Luckily, I found my Nicaragua tourist card tucked at the back of my passport. You need to show this when you exit Nicaragua, or you’re subject to undisclosed fines (at the discretion of your immigration officer – I was told this is often $20+++).
• Completed Honduras Pre-Check Form: To enter Honduras, you need to provide a completed “pre-check” form. Here is the official link to fill it out online. Roneey shuttle provided the forms for us when we got to the border, so we didn’t have to worry about this at all. If you’re traveling independently, you’ll need to come prepared with it.
• Exact Cash in USD: Both borders have fees and only take USD payment in exact change. You need $10 for the Nicaragua-Honduras border and $3 for the Honduras-El Salvador border. Roneey shuttle actually provided the $3 fee for us, included in the price we paid. Nice!
• Six-months passport validity:  It’s always good to have a minimum of six months of passport validity and at least two empty passport pages before you cross any international border. Some countries turn you away without this.
• Check entry requirements:  It’s different for every nationality, so check on your government website. Note that, like Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador are part of the  CA-4 visa agreement , meaning you have 90 days to be in any of these countries (plus Guatemala).
• Check health requirements:  As you probably know, things are constantly changing regarding COVID-19 travel rules and you should check your country’s embassy page for the most up-to-date information. Don’t trust a travel blogger on that 😉

Below, I’m sharing exactly how our border crossing experience went on the long, long day from Nicaragua to El Salvador!

Nicaragua to El Salvador Border Crossing by Shuttle: Our Experience

1. buy the shuttle ticket.

First thing’s first: you need to buy your shuttle ticket in advance. Each of the shuttle companies I mentioned above let you book your shuttle online ahead of time.

However, if you’re going to be in Leon for a few days then I recommend booking your shuttle in person. This is what we did at Roneey Shuttle’s office , which is just two doors down from the popular ViaVia Hostel and nearby Kiss Me Ice Cream.

By booking your shuttle in person, you avoid paying any extra PayPal fees. You do have to pay in cash, but there is a BAC ATM nearby.

Cost:  $45 USD per person

2. Pick Up at Accommodation in Leon, Nicaragua

Border crossing day rolled around and our alarm was set for 3am. We were told to be ready for pickup any time between 3:15-3:45am.

At 3:41am, we got a knock on the door. The shuttle had arrived! After piling our big backpacks onto the roof of the van, we climbed into the shuttle.

We were surprised that we were only the second couple in the van. Turns out, the driver was already running late. We spent the next half an hour driving a convoluted route across Leon, picking people up until the van was full.

Around 4:15am, it was finally time to leave Leon!

Cost:  –

Time:  1 hour

3. Drive to Nicaragua – Honduras Border at Gausale

We left Leon at 4:15am and sped off into the darkness. And I mean sped. Our shuttle’s odometer clocked about 150km/h (~93 mph).

Well, at least that’s what Dan told me… I was passed out! Give me my favorite eye mask and a little dramamine and I’m out like a light. And that’s the nice thing about traveling this route by shuttle… you can actually fall asleep without being worried!

Time:  1 hour 15 minutes

4. Exit Nicaragua

We arrived to Gausale, the Nicaragua-Honduras border, around 5:30am.

At this point, our driver passed us all the Honduras Pre-Check form to fill out, which I did very groggily.

We then all gave our driver our passports plus our Nicaragua tourist cards (the little white paper that they gave you when you entered Nicaragua… yes, you were expected to keep that… yes, probably nobody bothered to mention that).

Quite a few people struggled to find their Nicaragua tourist cards. One couple only had one tourist card between them and the border agents decided not to charge them a fee. They got lucky, but again, it’s up to the agent’s discretion so come prepared with extra cash if you can’t find your card.

Our driver left with our passports and cards, and came back about 10 minutes later. We then had to pay the $10 USD border fee to leave Nicaragua.

Cost:  $10 USD

Time:  15 minutes

5. Enter Honduras

We then drove a couple minutes across “no man’s land” until we reached the Honduras immigration building. All of us piled out of the van and into the building where we would enter Honduras.

First, we had to do a “temperature check” on the left-hand side of the entryway. I put that in quotations because they didn’t even take our temperature… they just wrote a normal temperature on a piece of paper and handed it to us. Yikes.

Then, we had to wait in line on the right-hand side to get our passports and vaccine cards checked, as well as get our fingerprints taken. Once at the border agent we also had to pay a $3 USD Honduras entry tax but the driver provided this money to us in exact change, which he said was included in our shuttle fee, which was nice!

This whole process took ages. I checked my watch and we arrived at the building at 5:45am and left at 8:15am… that’s 2.5 hours!

That the downside of traveling in a shuttle – you have to wait for everyone in your party to be processed. According to our driver, entering Honduras always takes a long time and is the longest wait of the day.

Change Currency

While you’re waiting, this is a good time to change any remaining Nicaraguan Cordobas into USD (the currency used in El Salvador). There were plenty of people at the border willing to take our NIO in exchange for USD and shockingly they gave us an extremely good rate – 36.9.

Cost:  $3 USD

Time:  2.5 hours

6. Drive to Honduras – El Salvador Border at El Amatillo

We (finally) left the Honduras border at 8:15am. This portion of the drive is supposed to be the least safe, however that’s mostly for travel at night. It was full on daylight at this point so we were good to go 🙂

The drive was relatively uneventful. We switched our driver around 10am which went smoothly, and I caught some sleep the rest of the time!

Time:  2 hours 15 minutes

7. Exit Honduras

After just over two hours cruising through southern Honduras, we arrived to the El Amatillo border around 10:30am.

Our first step was to exit Honduras. We all (once again) piled out of the shuttle and went into the Honduras immigration office. We showed our passports, took fingerprints again, and had our entry stamps checked.

The agent didn’t ask me any questions, and we were all out of there in about 20 minutes!

Time:  20 minutes

8. Enter El Salvador

Next, we drove across the “no man’s land” bridge (it was quite pretty) to enter El Salvador!

This time, we didn’t have to get out of the shuttle. A Salvadorean immigration officer came out to our shuttle and checked our passports there. He wrote down our passport numbers, stamped our passports, and then we were good to go!

Time:  10 minutes

9. Drive to El Tunco, El Salvador

By 11am, we had officially entered El Salvador! I’d say that’s a productive morning. All we had to do next was sit back and relax as we drove the length of El Salvador up toward El Tunco, on the coast.

The drive took 4 hours 45 minutes and we arrived to El Tunco around 3:45pm. That’s including one 30 minute gas station break (for bathrooms and snacks) and a bit of traffic along the way.

Dan and I jumped out of the shuttle near our accommodation, and waved goodbye to our shuttle companions, who were all heading on toward Antigua, Guatemala.

Honestly, I think they all got one look at the beautiful ocean in El Salvador and wished they were getting off there, too. And that’s why you don’t skip El Salvador, kids!

Time:  4 hours 45 minutes

Onward Travel Within El Salvador

So, you’ve made it to El Salvador! What’s next?

If you took a shuttle like we did, chances are you arrived in El Tunco . This beachy surf town is the most tourist-visited place in El Salvador. For good reason!

When we first arrived, it was a bit too popular for my liking. However, El Tunco grew on me. It is a great place to base yourself for day trips in El Salvador, like the Santa Ana volcano hike, famous rainbow slide, or Conchagua Volcano hike – especially if you want to avoid staying in bigger cities like Santa Ana or San Salvador .

El Zonte is a smaller, quieter, and more chilled alternative to El Tunco. Your shuttle can easily drop you off here, or you can take any bus heading west from El Tunco (they’re about 15 minutes apart).

Other destinations in El Salvador include:

• Ruta de las Flores

For more onward travel plans,  Rome2Rio  is my go-to free tool to figure out travel routes.

Nicaragua to El Salvador Border Crossing Overview

Everyone’s border crossing experience will be different. Ours is based on taking a shuttle from Leon, Nicaragua to El Tunco, El Salvador.

Total time:  12 hours

Total cost:  $55 USD per person

Final Thoughts

I hope that this guide is helpful when planning your own journey from Nicaragua to El Salvador! We put a lot of research and thought into our decision to take a shuttle, and for us it was 100% the right choice.

As a backpacker, there is a certain “pride” when it comes to taking the most independent, cheapest possible route available. But in the case of this border, I felt I was succumbing to pride rather than sensibility and safety.

In choosing to take a shuttle, I may have spent more money but I got there quickly and safely (and ultimately if you do this border independently you’ll have to pay for an extra night’s accommodation so the prices may rack up similarly!).

If you find this guide helpful for your own border crossing journey, I’d really appreciate it if you leave a comment below. Let me know how your trip went, and any updates or changes from what I’ve written here. I will keep this blog post updated so it remains useful for all of us!

Pin it for later…

Looking for more?

Conchagua Volcano Camping: Everything You Need to Know

How to Go Cliff Jumping in El Salvador with El Salvatours

Juayua Food Festival: Everything You Need to Know

14 comments.

Awesome – just the information I needed – very comprehensive – thank you – only but I’m unclear on is getting El Tunco to Guat. But I think I need to re-read your blog

Hi! Glad the post is helpful. I’m a little confused – are you trying to go from Nicaragua all the way to Guatemala and skip El Salvador? If so, most of the shuttle companies will go all the way to Antigua. (Although I recommend staying in El Salvador ~2 weeks if you have the time!). If you’re looking for how to get from El Salvador to Guatemala, I have a recent blog post about that border crossing, too: https://www.endlessdistances.com/el-salvador-to-guatemala-border-crossing/

I loved the post so much! Thank you for the comprehensive write up! I’m planning to the the opposite – get myself to El Salvador and make my way to Nica. Do you know if these shuttles also take passengers on the return trip? Thanks very much!

My advice would be to click on the shuttle company links and look at their website to see if they do the opposite route! I’m sure there are shuttles that do that – it’s a popular route! Good luck.

This is so helpful, thanks so much for the detailed description!

So glad I could help – have a safe journey and enjoy El Salvador!

Sarah, I’m doing the Tica bus from San Salvador to Managua in a month. Obviously, I need to do the Honduras pre-entry form. Do you know if it goes through the same crossings you mentioned, since you said you left from Lyon? Also, do you know if there are any forms I need to do to enter Nicaragua since I’m arriving there and not leaving? Much appreciated any help you can offer.

I’m not sure sorry as we went the opposite direction, and also used a tourist shuttle company for this crossing. I’d definitely reach out to the shuttle company if you’ve booked one, or post in the Central America Backpackers facebook group – that’s usually a very helpful place.

Thank you so much for this comprehensive description. I really appreciate your effort to help other travelers. I am looking forward to our trip next year. Muchísimas gracias, Leo Hauer

Hi Sarah, Highly informative with so many details. Thanks for that. The only thing i was not clear is the Vaccine card you mentioned ? I live in the UK and don’t have one. + have not had covid vaccine but i have had all the usual other vaccine.

My partner is also from the UK and he has a vaccine card, they are just digital not physical. A lot of countries in Central America require proof of COVID vaccination to enter so you should get one before your trip if it’s required for the countries you’re entering.

Thanks for the guide! Really helpful as I’m doing the trip in a week! Just one question, was there any check on yellow fever vaccines and certificates? Thank you!

Yes, they did check our covid vaccine cards but they did not check our yellow fever certificates (although I’d keep that on hand to be safe).

Just a comment in case anyone uses the Ticabus like I did instead of a shuttle: it was super easy! I felt a bit stressed because I couldn’t find anyone else who’d done this and I was the only gringo on the bus but I can reassure it was totally chill.

I took the bus from Leon to San Salvador, I didnt fill out any forms before I got on, when they asked I said I only had my passport and no one was phased and I never had to fill anything out. Didn’t get scammed at any of the borders, bus staff were really helpful, no one asked for my Nicaraguan Tourist Card (which I’d definitely lost), and I managed to exchange my Córdobas for dollars for the exact exchange rate on google so all in all a great success!

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How to Get from El Salvador to Nicaragua

by Julie | Jun 27, 2022 | El Salvador , Nicaragua , Travel

Are you traveling overland from El Salvador to Nicaragua ? Are you wondering how to do it? What are the requirements for entry into Nicaragua in 2022? In this blog post, I’ll tell you about my experience c rossing the border from El Salvador to Honduras and then crossing the border from Honduras to Nicaragua in March 2022.

I’ve also included updated COVID entry requirements for Nicaragua as of June 16, 2022 . They have changed and you no longer need a PCR test if you are fully vaccinated . However, for the most recent information on crossing the border into Nicaragua, visit that country’s Ministry of Tourism website.

This was THE hardest border crossing I’ve ever done , and I recommend that you don’t attempt the long journey by chicken bus. Instead, sign up with one of the bus companies in San Salvador or the shuttles in El Tunco. I’ll tell you where you can find these companies later in the post.

The whole journey from El Salvador to Nicaragua took 13 hours, and with the COVID test, entry/exit fees, and a bus ticket, it cost me US$159.

Hey! Are you also looking to cross the border from Honduras to El Salvador ? Check out my step-by-step guide on how to do it? I also have guides for Guatemala to Belize and Belize to Guatemala.

Can you do this double border crossing by chicken bus?

If you’re traveling from El Salvador to Nicaragua, you’re going to need to also cross Honduras. Two borders in one day is pretty hard to do. The area of Honduras that you need to cross is one place that you don’t want to spend a lot of time in after dark. Plus, the Honduras and Nicaragua border is a chaotic nightmare that takes FOREVER!

Can you cross from El Salvador to Nicaragua by boat?

Yes, you can. Gekko Explorer does a shared boat shuttle from El Salvador to Nicaragua. By taking the boat, you avoid crossing Honduras. The cost is currently US$65. They can pick you up in San Salvador, El Tunco, El Zonte, and El Cuco.

You can also do the boat crossing on your own. Catch the boat in La Union, El Salvador and take it to Potosi, Nicaragua . The boat leaves every Tuesday and Friday.

Disclosure:  This post may contain affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate and a Bookshop.org Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  Please see this website’s  Disclosure  for more info.

Where to buy your bus ticket in San Salvador?

For those in San Salvador, buy your bus ticket from Tica Bus or Transporte del Sol . I chose the latter because that’s the one my friends took and the hostel recommended.

I recommend staying at La Zona Hostel ( Google Maps ) because it’s close to 2 bus companies that go to Nicaragua. The hostel isn’t that cheap and it’s not the most comfortable place, but it’s located in a safe neighborhood and it’s so convenient for taking the buses to Guatemala and Nicaragua.

Here are the 2 bus companies that go to Nicaragua:

• Tica Bus ( Google Maps ) is across the street together with the Cristobal Colon bus company.

2. Transporte del Sol ( Google Maps ) is a block away near the embassy of Mexico.

You’ll want to first visit the bus company before buying your ticket so that you know what all the current requirements are for entry. It’s very complicated as you’ll see.

Give yourself some time when you buy the ticket because the ticket agent will go through all the documents with you to ensure that you have everything. She will also make photocopies of your documents.

Get more of my detailed guides for crossing the border in Central America:

• How to cross the border from Guatemala to Belize
• How to cross the border from Belize to Guatemala: Tips to help you save money!
• How to cross the border from Honduras to El Salvador

Can you get a direct bus from El Tunco, El Salvador to Nicaragua?

Yes, there is a shuttle that takes people directly from El Tunco or El Zonte to Leon, Nicaragua . It costs around US$50 . I met people who took it and they were very satisfied.

What are the entry requirements for Honduras?

For Honduras, you will need to fill out 2 online forms AND either a COVID test or vaccine proof.

1. Health Form – Ficha Epidemiological

This form asks you for vaccine information and includes some health questions along with typical immigration questions.

This is the online form that I filled out: https://ee.humanitarianresponse.info/x/3LC6FbGX

The English version of this form had a few bugs in it when I last used it. For some of the questions, the English version was not appearing. Therefore, I highly recommend having the Spanish version open on one device and the English version on another.

BEFORE you submit the form, print it and save it to an electronic device .

THEN hit the SUBMIT button.

AFTER you hit the submit button , you’ll get a number at the bottom of the form , you need to take a screenshot of that number or write the number down .

You may be asked for the number at immigration. I’ve crossed the Honduran border twice and I have never been asked.

2. Pre-check Form

The second form you need to fill out for Honduras is the Pre-Check Form. You need to PRINT this form and show it at immigration.

This is the online form that I filled out: https://prechequeo.inm.gob.hn/Index

3. Either full-vaccination OR COVID antigen or PCR test

The next entry requirement for Honduras is proof of full vaccination or proof of a negative test from a COVID antigen or PCR test . Luckily, you can use the PCR test for Nicaragua.

I believe they need a physical paper copy of vaccination proof.

What are the entry requirements for Nicaragua?

There are several requirements for entry into Nicaragua.

1. Apply online for entry into Nicaragua

The first thing you need to do is fill out an online application form for entry into Nicaragua. You are supposed to do this at least 7 days before entry because it supposedly takes that long to get a response. Actually, for me, I submitted the form on a Monday and got my response on a Wednesday .

Here is the online form that I filled out: https://solicitudes.migob.gob.ni/

It’s not an easy form to fill out as the translation is not very clear. Here are some of the tricky questions you’ll be asked:

• your date of entry
• an address of where you’re staying in Nicaragua – I just entered a hostel’s address but I didn’t end up staying there
• where you are crossing the border into Nicaragua . For this one, you will be crossing at Guasaule .
• where you will be exiting Nicaragua . I’m planning on going to Costa Rica after Nicaragua. On Google Maps, it looked like I would be crossing the border at Pena Blanca but that was not one of the choices on the form, so I just chose the only other border crossing for Costa Rica.

2. Proof of Vaccination or PCR Test not more than 72 hours before entry

Nicaragua changed their COVID entry requirements in June 2022. These are the requirements per the United States Embassy website and the Nicaraguan Ministry of Tourism website . I recommend visiting both websites to see the latest information.

You can enter Nicaragua with one of the following (not both):

• Effective June 16, 2022 , travelers arriving in Nicaragua m ust present a digital or physical full COVID vaccination certificate , showing that they received all required doses of a COVID vaccine approved by the WHO or registered in Nicaragua: Sputnik V, Sputnik Light, Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Covishield, Soberana 02, Abdala, Janssen from Johnson & Johnson, Sinopharm, and Coviran.
• All unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travelers, regardless of age , are required to present a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to entry into Nicaragua . Those traveling from Asia, Oceania, and Africa will have to take their test 92 hours before arrival. All unvaccinated travelers must present the results of the tests in digital or printed form upon arrival at the country’s border.

According to the bus company, the Nicaraguan government only accepts test results from 2 labs . Centrolab and another one that I can’t remember.

Now the good news is that if you are staying at La Zona Hostel , Centrolab will come to the hostel and give you your PCR test in the morning and then supposedly give you the results by email in the late afternoon. I didn’t get mine until 7:30 pm and the only reason was that I asked the hostel to help me get my results. To do it at the hostel, it costs US$85.

If you do the tests yourself at Centrolab, you need to travel out to the lab to take the test in the morning and back to your hotel and then back out to the lab to get your results in the late afternoon. Supposedly, they don’t email it to you, which doesn’t make sense given the fact that they emailed the results to me when Centrolab showed up at my hostel. It costs US$80 at Centrolab . If you are taking the Tica Bus, you get US$10 off for a total of US$70.

Also, you NEED to keep your receipt from Centrolab. Don’t lose it! The bus company took a photocopy of mine. I am assuming this is to prevent people from creating fake COVID test results.

Can you get a FREE COVID test in El Salvador?

Someone on the Backpacking Central America Facebook group said she got a FREE test at Unidad de Salud Dr. Diaz Del Pinal ( Google Maps ) in Santa Tecla. Free tests are given from 7:00 – 9:00 am every weekday. Her test result was accepted at the border. Unfortunately, tests are limited and the Facebook poster said the clinic ran out at 8:15 am.

My hesitation in recommending this place is that I don’t think it’s a good idea to take away tests from Salvadorans if tests are limited. I would rather pay the US$85 if my getting a test means a Salvadoran can’t.

3. Email your COVID results to the Nicaraguan Government

After you’ve received your PCR results, send them to the Nicaraguan government . You do this by replying to the email that the Nicaraguan government sent you telling you that you’ve been allowed entry into their country.

You can’t miss this email. Each paragraph uses a different color from the rainbow. Cute! Just reply to THAT email by attaching your PCR test results to it.

My favorite books on Central America:

• A History of Violence: Living and Dying in Central America
• Central America’s Forgotten History: Revolution, Violence, and the Roots of Migration
• Harsh Times: A Novel by Mario Vargas Llosa

What documents do you need at the borders?

These are the documents that you need to gather and prepare BEFORE you leave San Salvador. While on the bus, the bus company will have you fill out additional forms for the border.

Honduras border

• A paper copy of the Pre-Check form that has been filled out
• Proof of vaccination or COVID test results
• US$3 – make sure you have US dollars or Honduran lempiras
• A passport that is valid for at least 6 months
• An immigration form for entry into Honduras and a form for exit – the bus company gave us the forms on the bus
• Make sure you’re Central American visa (90 days total for Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua and not each country) hasn’t expired

Nicaragua Border

• A paper copy of the email the Nicaraguan government sent you allowing you to enter
• A paper copy of your PCR test results from an approved lab
• The receipt from your PCR test
• US$13 – make sure you have US dollars
• 2 copies of your passport info page – I’m not sure why I needed this, but the bus company asked for it
• A passport that is good for at least 6 months
• Address of where you are staying in Nicaragua – I wrote it out on a piece of paper
• An immigration form for entry into Nicaragua – the bus company gave us the forms to fill out on the bus and then collected them
• Make sure you’re Central American visa (usually, you get 90 days total for Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua and not each country) hasn’t expired

How to cross the border from El Salvador to Honduras to Nicaragua

Step 1: leave san salvador.

The bus company told me to arrive at least 40 minutes BEFORE the departure time of 6:00 am .

It’s really important that you take this seriously BECAUSE you need to check in at the transportation office BEFORE you board the bus. The agent will go over all your documents again, making sure you have everything. This is also when you’ll get your seat assignment and your luggage tag(s).

There weren’t that many people on the bus (maybe 10 people total) but it took a long time for the agent to go over the documents for each person and it seemed that EVERYONE except me had some issue with them. That’s why you want to arrive early.

I then checked my bags and the bags were stored under the bus. You need to write your name and phone number on the luggage tag.

Then at 5:55 am we got to board the bus. But BEFORE boarding our documents were checked AGAIN by the bus attendant. I was impressed with how thorough and how conscientious the bus company was.

However, we did not leave until 6:18 as 2 people were late boarding the bus.

Step 2: Crossing from El Salvador into Honduras at El Amatillo

Before we got to the border at El Amatillo, the bus attendant handed out 3 more immigration forms to fill out by hand. One was for arriving in Honduras, another for leaving Honduras, and a third for arriving in Nicaragua. We also had to give her US$3 . I thought it was the fee for entering Honduras, but it turned out not to be the case, and in the end, I never found out why I had to give her US$3.

These were standard forms that you need to fill out for nearly every country. I gave her the forms and I’m not sure what she did with them.

That was sort of the whole day. The bus attendant was constantly collecting documents from us and handing them off to one border or another, trying to get the border-crossing process to go faster.

The El Salvador / Honduras border at El Amatillo reminds me of the Mexico / Guatemala border —not a lot of security, lots of people loitering around, a bit of chaos, and lots of shops and empty buildings. It felt like the border was in the middle of a town.

2.1 Exiting El Salvador

We get to the El Salvador part of the border at 9:45 am .

At the El Salvador border, we didn’t even have to get off the bus. Instead, an immigration agent boarded and examined each person’s passport, recording the information from our documents onto a ledger.

El Salvador has the most laidback system of any Central American country. Check out my post on entering from Honduras to El Salvador.

2.2 Entering Honduras – Health Check

The bus then drove to the Honduras part of the border. At 10:54, we arrived, and everyone got off the bus. We didn’t have to take our luggage with us .

The first step was to get our COVID vaccine cards or tests approved . This took place in a small office. It included a temperature check as well.

I had both a vaccine card and a PCR test.

The health inspector then fills out a small piece of paper with your temperature and a check for whichever proof you have to enter Honduras. You then take that paper with you to immigration.

2.3 Entering Honduras: Immigration

Then you walk 2 or 3 minutes to a larger building that is immigration. The building is divided into two parts: on one side of the room are people entering Honduras and on the other are people leaving Honduras. It is all very organized and quick.

There were only about 10 people in line. There were 4 windows, 3 of which were open.

I showed my pre-check form (I don’t even remember if he looked at it), my paper from the health inspector, and my passport.

I had to get fingerprints done and a photo taken .

No questions were asked.

I had to also pay US$3.

Honduras has the most professional and technologically advanced immigration system of all Central American countries.

It’s 10:17 am when everyone is back on the bus and we can leave the border .

Step 3: Exiting Honduras

The ease of entering Honduras gave me a false sense of comfort. Little did I realize that things would get harder once I tried entering Nicaragua.

We arrive at the Honduras border at 1:00 pm .

The Honduras border wins the prize for THE WORST BORDER CROSSING EVER!

It’s in a small brick building in the middle of a village. The village is poor. It’s a bunch of wooden shacks. There’s trash everywhere and lots of goats, dogs, and chickens. 

The line for immigration was so long and moved glacially slowly. It took 1 hour and 25 minutes for all 10 people on our bus to clear Honduras immigration.

The immigration people are in a bad mood and everyone speaks Spanish quickly. You need to scan your fingerprints and get your photo taken.

They stamped my passport, but the ink was so faded that it was unreadable.

It was 2:25 pm when we finally left.

Step 4: Entering Nicaragua at Guasaule

Before we got to Nicaragua immigration, which was on the other side of a bridge, the bus attendant collected everyone’s passport and PCR test results . I assume she took all of our documents to a health inspection.

We then entered the immigration building and that’s when we got our passports back . But not the PCR test.

Immigration on the Nicaraguan side runs glacially slow as well. The immigration officer needs to fill out forms by hand!

Plus, they are really impatient if you don’t understand what they’re saying.

I handed the immigration agent my passport but no other documents. She never asked for the email from the Nicaraguan government.

She asked me several questions:

• What mode of transport am I using to cross the border? (I didn’t understand her question in Spanish at first, which really seemed to annoy her. – “Que…viajar…?”)
• How many days am I planning to stay in Nicaragua?
• What is my address in Nicaragua? (I had luckily written down my hotel’s address on a piece of paper. This was not the same hotel that I had put on my online application for entry into Nicaragua)
• What is my telephone number?
• What is my profession?

I then had to pay US$13 . Make sure to keep the receipt because you’ll be asked to show it to board the bus again.

I did not get a stamp in my passport . Instead, I got a piece of paper with a stamp on it and another piece of paper that was hand-written with some information on it that I can’t read. Plus, a small receipt.

I should have asked her why there was no stamp, but the officer was so impatient and mean that I forgot to check while still at immigration.

Overall, my experience was rather quick. It seemed that people who were entering independently and not with a bus or shuttle were having a harder time with the immigration agents. There were a couple of foreign backpackers who spent a long time at immigration answering questions and being sent to different lines. They didn’t seem to have U.S. dollars either.

Step 5: Nicaraguan Customs

Once you finish immigration, do NOT go back out the door that you entered .

You need to walk behind the immigration booths to customs .

At customs, EVERYONE had to open their bags and have their bags searched .

Luckily, when the customs official opened up my bag, the first thing he saw was my toiletry bag with my hairbrush and he just gave up and didn’t continue searching my bag as he did for everyone else.

It was 3:30 pm by the time I finished immigration and customs.

The 2 backpackers accidentally missed customs. While waiting for the bus to show up, I saw them being escorted back into the immigration building and then into customs. Then I saw them get their bags searched for the longest time. It looked like they had gotten in trouble for doing that.

Step 6: Leaving Immigration

Unfortunately, we had to wait until 4:45 pm for our bus to show up and to board the bus . Then when we finally boarded, we needed to show their receipt from immigration to an immigration official.

However, we still didn’t leave Nicaraguan immigration until 5:15 pm.

Where can you exchange money at the border?

I assumed there would be people exchanging money at the border of Nicaragua, but I didn’t see anyone and the bus attendant was in such a hurry. People who crossed independently told me they saw money changers, though.

Make sure to exchange money at the border !

Step 7: Arriving in Leon, Nicaragua

We arrived in Leon at 7:30 pm . The bus dropped me and 2 other people off at a gas station on the highway (Google Maps) outside of Leon.

I had no Nicaraguan money (cordoba) for a taxi. None of the taxis would accept my US dollars.

Probably, the gas station had an ATM inside. I didn’t check because the people who picked up the 2 women who got off the bus with me offered to drive me to my hotel.

Where to stay in San Salvador

When choosing a place to stay in San Salvador, try to get somewhere near the bus company that you’ll be using to take to Nicaragua. I usually use booking.com to book hotels and hostels in El Salvador.

La Zona Hostel

• COST: US$17 – $20 for a bed in a dorm room | US$50 – $60 for a private room
• LOCATION: Google Maps
• BOOK YOUR STAY: Booking.com | Agoda

This is the perfect budget place to stay if you need to take a bus from El Salvador to Nicaragua or from El Salvador to Guatemala. It’s near 2 long-distance bus stations: Tica and Transporte del Sol. The hostel is also in a very safe neighborhood and within walking distance of 2 museums.

It should cost you about US$5 to take an Uber from the Terminal Occidente.

Plus, they can arrange for Centrolab to come to the hostel to administer your COVID test.

Some advice:

Whatever you do, ask for a top bunk. The bottom ones have a mattress on the floor (a perfect opportunity for critters and bed bugs).

I preferred the third-floor dorm room . Each cubicle had its own fan and the room was larger with more storage space so you’re not crawling over everyone else’s backpack.

The second-floor dorms are smaller and have air conditioning , but it’s not turned on until 9:00 pm. The first night the air conditioning was set to 21 degrees (it was FREEZING!) and the next night it was set to 26 degrees (it was TOO HOT!). If you do stay on the second floor, ask for the top bunk bed by the window!

Where to stay in Leon, Nicaragua

When choosing a place to stay in Nicaragua, I usually used Booking.com . If you book through their App on your phone, you can sometimes get even cheaper prices than from your laptop.

Casa de Los Berrios

• COST: US$14 for a private room with a bath but no aircon; if you want aircon, you can pay extra

This is a fabulous place to stay if you don’t want to do a hostel and you’re on a budget. Quiet and full of character. The family who owns the place is just wonderful.

There is a lovely courtyard with rocking chairs that you can relax in in the morning and evening when it’s not so hot out.

Poco a Poco Hostal

• COST: US$10

This hostel was highly recommended by friends of mine who also stayed at Bigfoot Hostel. It’s got great reviews on Booking.com and the dorm rooms look spacious and well-ventilated.

Where to stay in Granada, Nicaragua

I stayed for over 2 weeks in Granada and stayed at 5 different hotels and hostels. Here are my recommendations (all based on my experience) for the best places to stay in Granada. If you can swing it, try staying at Hotel Boutique Adela . It’s sublime!

Best Hostels in Granada

Oasis Hostel ( Booking.com | Agoda ), Hostel de Boca en Boca ( Booking.com | Agoda ), and Selina Hostel ( Booking.com | Agoda )

These are the 3 most popular hostels in Granada. I’ve stayed at all 3 of them, and they all have their pluses and minuses. All of the places are centrally located and are very good at organizing activities for their guests. Oasis and Boca include a free breakfast of pancakes, and their prices for tours and dorm rooms are much cheaper than Selina’s . However, you can sometimes get a good deal on dorms and private rooms at Selina , which include air conditioning.

If I had to choose one hostel out of the 3 I stayed at, I’d choose Boca . It’s cheaper than Selina and Oasis , and their bathrooms and showers are cleaner than Oasis’s . Plus, they’ve got a nice social atmosphere. They also have 4-person dorms that are inexpensive and almost as good as a private room.

If money is no object, and you like to party, then go for Selina .

Hotel El Arca de Noe

• COST: US$16 – $25 for a private room

This lovely family-run hotel is a sweet deal for those who want some peace and quiet and their own room. You get free breakfast as well as access to make your own food in their kitchen. The owner gives you a free tour of the city in his car.

Hotel Boutique Adela

• COST: US$60 – $80

THIS hotel is absolutely divine! With just 4 rooms in the whole place, it feels like you’re in your own private villa . Price is fantastic for what you get: US$60 – $80. If you book on booking.com , you can often get a free upgrade to the King Suite. You can sometimes get a cheaper price on your phone than on your laptop.

I hope you’ve found this guide on getting from El Salvador to Nicaragua. The El Salvador and Honduras border is pretty easy. It’s the Honduras and Nicaragua border that is the slow and difficult one. But if you go with a bus company like Tica or Transporte del Sol , your journey will be much smoother than if you go on your own.

If you have questions about the trip, feel free to leave them in the Comment Section below.

For those of you who’ve done the bus trip or boat trip, I’d love to hear about your experience.

If you’ve found this info useful and helpful, I’d love it if you could share the love on social media.

Thank you and safe travels!

PRO TIP: No one likes to think about insurance, but accidents do happen. I highly recommend getting travel insurance. During my travels over the past 2 years, I’ve been using SafetyWing for my insurance. They’re very affordable for all ages, and digital nomads can use their insurance long-term.

Are you on Pinterest?

Hey! How about saving one of these pins to Pinterest to read for later?

And feel free to follow me on Pinterest, where you’ll find lots of travel articles for everywhere around the world.

MORE INFO ON TRAVELING IN CENTRAL AMERICA?

• Get inspired and informed about visiting one of the best markets in Guatemala –   Chichicastenango Market
• Check out this practical   guide on crossing the border from Belize to Guatemala
• Here’s another   guide on crossing the border from Guatemala to Belize . 
• Don’t miss this guide on crossing the border from Honduras to El Salvador
• Central America travel planning: A guide to finding an affordable and charming place to stay in Antigua.

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Home / Destinations / Honduras / How to Go from Nicaragua to El Salvador via Honduras

How to Go from Nicaragua to El Salvador via Honduras

Find the ride you need in.

The complete guide on how to successfully navigate from Nicaragua to El Salvador via Honduras. Learn all the details to make it easy.

Backpackers traveling through Central America constantly seek the easiest and most reliable information about getting from Nicaragua to El Salvador. It is no wonder.  Nicaragua  and  El Salvador  are two stunning countries with friendly locals, charming towns, and plenty of delicious food.

From the gorgeous architecture in Granada, Nicaragua, to the laid-back surfer towns in El Salvador, this route truly has something for every type of traveler. 

Despite each country’s natural beauty and charming locals, this route tends to get a bad rap. Because there is no border between Nicaragua and El Salvador, travelers have to make their way through Honduras or spend quite a bit more money on flights or a boat.

Not to worry, though! There are a few ways to safely navigate the Nicaragua-El Salvador crossing and save money for an extra  pupusa  or two along the way.

• Crossing from Nicaragua to El Salvador

There are a few ways for you to cross from Nicaragua to El Salvador.

Your first option is to fly from Managua to San Salvador. The flight only takes 55 minutes, but this will be the most expensive option by far. 

It is also much less convenient, especially since you will probably want to head to El Salvador’s stunning coast as soon as possible. If you don’t plan to stay in San Salvador, or if you want to save your money, traveling by air isn’t the best choice.

Option two is to take a boat from León or Chinandega, Nicaragua, to Cuco Beach, El Salvador. The ferry operates on Tuesdays and Fridays and costs about $65 per person.

This is the only option that allows you to completely bypass Honduras. 

Your next option is to attempt to cross the borders yourself or on a chicken bus. This will definitely work out to be the cheapest option, but it will also take you 2+ days to complete. If you are feeling bold, the steps are listed below.

And lastly, the most popular option is to cross from Nicaragua to El Salvador via a tourist shuttle. These transfers are the easiest way to navigate all three borders. There are several options to get you from León, Nicaragua, to El Tunco, El Salvador, two highly popular tourist spots, or from  Managua to San Salvador  if you like to stick near the capitals.

Here’s a quick overview…

Exiting Nicaragua

Pay your $10 departure tax. Immigration officials will also ask you for your Nicaraguan Tourist Card—the white, stamped piece of paper you were given when you entered the country. 

Entering Honduras

Show your passport and have your fingerprints taken. Be sure to complete your  pre-check  form online before going through the border crossing. Pay the $3 entry fee. Keep this receipt to avoid being scammed later.

Exiting Honduras

There is no fee to leave Honduras. However, some officers will ask for your entrance fee receipt. If you don’t show them the receipt, they may charge you the $3 again. This is a common scam, so hold on to your paperwork to avoid double payment. 

Honduran officials will check your passport and scan your fingerprints again. 

Entering El Salvador

There is no entry fee. Once your passport is stamped, you are ready to go on your way!

More details below:

• A step-by-step guide to crossing from Nicaragua to El Salvador

• Buy your shuttle ticket. Booking early ensures you’ll have a seat, and you can organize hotel pick-up.

2. Get picked up from your accommodation in León or Managua. You may drive around for about an hour collecting travelers from other hotels. This is very common, so don’t worry that you will be late or that you’re on the wrong shuttle.

3. Drive to the Nicaragua-Honduras Border at Guasaule.

4. Exit Nicaragua . You will complete an exit form provided by the bus driver and hand over your passport. 

You will also need to provide the white tourist card given to you upon arrival in Nicaragua. It is a small, stamped piece of paper that an official  may  have told you to keep. If you do not have it, immigration officers may demand that you pay a fee to exit the country.

At this point, you will also need to pay your $10 exit fee. 

5. Enter Honduras . The bus will drive you across no-mans-land and drop you at Honduran immigration. All they need to check here is your passport. As of March 2023, Honduras no longer requires Covid-19 information upon arrival.

Next, a Honduran official will take your fingerprints, and you will pay the $3 exit fee.

Wait times for this part of the process can take 2-3 hours, depending on how many people are traveling on your tourist bus. This is a great time to exchange any leftover Nicaraguan cordoba for USD, the currency used in El Salvador. There are usually several people hanging around at the border willing to exchange money for you, and you can typically get a reasonable rate.

6. Drive to the Honduras-El Salvador border at El Amatillo . The ride will take about two hours and fifteen minutes. 

7. Exit Honudras at El Amatillo. Here, you will go to immigration and once again show your passport and have your fingerprints taken. It doesn’t matter that you have only been in the country for a few hours, and the immigration officials are pretty thorough in checking your entry stamp.

8. Enter El Salvador. Again, you’ll drive through no-mans-land until you cross into El Salvador. Rather than getting off the bus, though, a Salvadorean immigration officer will step onto the shuttle bus and check each passport. Once they have written down your information and stamped you in, you’ll be ready for the final step!

9. Drive to El Tunco or San Salvador . The rest of your trip will take four hours and 45 minutes to El Tunco or about four hours to San Salvador. Once there, you’ll be ready to enjoy El Salvador!

During this portion of the journey, the bus will likely stop at least once for a 30-minute break. You’ll want to stretch your legs and use the bathroom during this stop.

The borders are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Due to safety concerns, though, you do not want to cross the border at night, especially in Honduras. 

You may also find that hours of operation at the banks are limited, and you won’t be able to cross if you don’t have exact cash. Money changers are usually available during the day. Still, you can’t count on them hanging around if you are crossing the border after dark. 

Overall, the trip from Nicaragua to El Salvador will take about twelve hours, door to door. The cost will be about $60.

• Traveling from El Salvador to Nicaragua

The info is pretty much the same as above, except in reverse. 

Exiting El Salvador

There is no exit fee. Take the bus from your accommodation to the Honduras border.

Hand over your  Pre-check form  and pay the $3 entry fee. Be sure to keep your receipt to avoid being scammed when you leave. You will also have your passport examined, and your fingerprints will be taken. 

To leave Honduras, you do not need to pay an exit fee. Just remember that some officers may ask you for a receipt. If you’ve lost it, they could charge you $3 again. Not the end of the world, but definitely keep your slips to avoid this scam. 

Entering Nicaragua

Before entering Nicaragua, you are required to fill out an online customs form. You can find a link to the document  here . There is also a $12 entrance fee. 

Officials request that this is completed at least 7 days before arrival. However, if you did not complete the information in time, you can fill it out at the border. This will take longer, though.

The form asks for the following information: 

• Your date of entry into Nicaragua
• An address of where you’re staying in Nicaragua, such as your hostel
• Where you plan to cross the border, which is Guasaule
• When and where will you exit Nicaragua

Officials will give you a white piece of paper instead of a passport stamp. KEEP THIS WITH YOU! This is the Nicaraguan Tourist Card. You must show it when leaving the country. If you misplace it, officials charge a fine at their discretion. 

You will also have to have your bag searched once you finish at immigration. Customs officers will ask you to open your bag and will typically send you on your way quickly. 

You can take a shuttle from  San Salvador to Managua  just as easily as you did from Leon to El Tunco.  Transporte del Sol  offers safe, reliable service along this El Salvador to Nicaragua route. You can expect this journey to take about ten and a half hours, and the reputable drivers will help you navigate all the borders. 

• Crossing from El Salvador to Nicaragua on a Chicken Bus

It is also possible to cross the border on your own by taking public transportation (chicken buses) or driving.

If this land crossing sounds like the option for you, follow these steps:

• Make your way to San Miguel, El Salvador. Every road in El Salvador leads here, and this is the best jumping-off point to the border. If you are coming from El Tunco, public buses operate from 8 a.m. each day. 
• Once you arrive in San Miguel, take the 330 bus to El Amatillo.
• The bus driver will let you out, and you can walk across the border on foot. You’ll notice that several tuk-tuk drivers are waiting in the wings to escort you across. You do NOT need to take them up on the offer—crossing by foot is completely fine. However, if you prefer a ride, you can negotiate a price before getting in.
• Exit El Salvador . From here, you will exit El Salvador and walk across the no-man’s-land to Honduras.
• Enter Honduras . Fill in your paperwork, and pay the $3 fee.
• Leave Honduran immigration . Take a minivan to the Honduras-Nicaragua border. This ride will take about two hours.
• Cross the Honduras-Nicaragua border on foot . Here, you’ll pay $12 to enter. Be sure to keep your receipt! This is called the Nicaraguan Tourist Card, and you must show this piece of paper when you leave Nicaragua. If you lose it, you may be subject to a fee of $20 or more.
• What You Need for the Nicaragua-El Salvador Crossing

Disclaimer: Note that all information is as up-to-date as possible. However, checking with your embassy to ensure you have the most accurate information before you travel is always a good idea. 

Passport : To enter Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador, you need a valid passport with 6+ months validity and two blank pages for your visa stamps. 

Visa : Travelers from the USA, EU, and UK will automatically receive a free 90-day visa on arrival, valid for all CA-4 countries—Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. Your 90 days cover all four of these countries, so if you plan to travel around the region, you need to do so within the 90 days or plan a trip to a neighboring country, such as Costa Rica, to re-start the visa. 

Completed immigration forms : You must complete the  Pre-Check form  for Honduras, even though you are only passing through. You are also required to fill out an  immigration form  for Nicaragua. Note that officials ask you to complete this 7 days before arrival. There are no forms to complete to enter El Salvador.

Entry fee : There is a $3 fee to enter Honduras and $12 to enter Nicaragua. It is best to have USD and exact change. There is no fee for El Salvador.

Exit fee:  There is a $10 exit fee in Nicaragua. Honduras and El Salvador do not have an exit fee.

Cash : Get plenty of USD for your time in El Salvador. You can easily change Nicaraguan cordoba for USD at the border.

Proof of exit : Yes. Because Nicaragua and El Salvador are part of the CA-4 visa agreement, officials must keep track of when you enter and exit each country. Your 90 days is cumulative of your time in all four countries. Officials will look closely when you enter and exit each location to ensure you don’t overstay your visa.

Proof of onward travel : While not officially required, proof of onward travel is always a good idea if they ask. 

Safety tips : Avoid traveling through Honduras at night. Taking shuttles that depart El Salvador or Nicaragua at 2:30 or 3:00 a.m. is best because they will provide the most daylight travel time. Drivers are experienced with these roads and the dangers that may be present.

Covid-19 restrictions : To enter Nicaragua, you must present your Covid-19 vaccine or a negative PCR test within the past 72 hours. 

As of March 2023, Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted to enter Honduras. All people are required to wear a mask in medical facilities, though. 

There are no Covid-19 restrictions in place in El Salvador. You should, however, carry your vaccine card with you just in case anything changes. 

• Map of El Salvador/Honduras/Nicaragua

Guasaule, Nicaragua, and El Amatillo, El Salvador, are the most popular land border crossing locations for this route. If you drive or take a shuttle, you will pass through these posts to earn your next passport stamp.

• Final Thoughts on Traveling from Nicaragua to El Salvador 

Both Nicaragua and El Salvador are unique places to visit. Regardless of how you choose to travel, you’re bound to have an epic adventure. 

Who knows? Maybe you’ll even start planning your  El Salvador to Guatemala  trip next!

In total, you should pay about $60 to cross the border. It costs $10 to exit Nicaragua, $3 to enter Honduras, and $45-50 for a shuttle ticket. 

No, there is no minimum stay. However, it’s important to check the visa requirements for your particular situation to ensure you can enter and stay in each country for your desired length of time.

Proof of exit (such as a plane or bus ticket) is technically required to enter El Salvador. However, even though it is not always enforced, having proof of exit for both Nicaragua and El Salvador is a good idea.

If you take a shuttle, crossing the border is fairly easy and hassle-free. You do have to complete three border crossings, though, which takes a lot of time. 

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El Salvador

Travel Advisory July 17, 2023

El salvador - level 3: reconsider travel.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Reconsider travel to El Salvador due to  crime.

Country Summary:  In March 2022, the Government of El Salvador (GOES) declared a “State of Exception” in response to an increase in homicides. The declaration remains in effect. The State of Exception grants authorities power to arrest anyone suspected of gang activity and suspends several constitutional rights, including the normal protections of criminal procedure such as the right to a speedy trial. Prison conditions are harsh. Several U.S. and other foreign citizens have been detained under the State of Exception, some in a reportedly arbitrary manner. Under its Territorial Control Plan, the GOES also may, without prior warning, restrict access via checkpoints to areas suspected of gang activity. U.S. citizens are advised that access to and freedom of movement within these areas may be limited.

Though there has been a significant reduction in gang-related activity, violent crime remains a concern throughout significant portions of the country. Crime rates vary among departamentos (states) and municipios (municipalities), and areas witnessing higher crime rates are often located in close proximity to lower crime areas or must be crossed in moving between lower risk areas. Local authorities may lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents, although the concentration of resources in resort areas means these areas tend to be better policed than urban areas.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to El Salvador.

If you decide to travel to El Salvador: 

• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Do not walk outside after dark. Do not drive to unfamiliar and/or remote locations after dark.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
• Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
• Engage local guides certified by the national or local tourist authority when hiking in back country areas.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for El Salvador.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel. 

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Passport must be valid at time of entry.

At least one blank page.

A visa is not required for stays under 90 days, but you must purchase a tourist card for 12 USD upon arrival. The card is valid for 90 days. If your U.S. passport shows you were born in El Salvador, you do not need the tourist card.

None, check recommendation in Health Section.

Currency in excess of 10,000 USD must be declared.

Embassies and Consulates

U.s. embassy san salvador.

Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur, Urbanizacion Santa Elena, Antiguo Cuscatlan, La Libertad San Salvador, El Salvador Telephone: +(503) 2501-2999 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(503) 2501-2999 Fax: +(503) 2278-5522 Email:   [email protected]

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

You need a U.S. passport and either a Salvadoran visa or a one-entry tourist card to enter El Salvador.

• You may obtain a tourist card when you arrive at the airport or seaport from immigration officials for a $12 fee. The card is valid for 90 days.
• If you plan to remain in El Salvador for more than 90 days, you must apply in advance for a multiple-entry visa, issued free of charge, from the Embassy of El Salvador in Washington, D.C. (202-595-7500) or from one of the 18  Salvadoran consulates  in the United States.

In June 2006, El Salvador entered into the “Central America-4 (CA-4) Border Control Agreement” with Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Under that agreement, U.S. citizens who legally enter any of those four countries may travel freely among the other three countries for up to 90 days.

If you wish to remain in the CA-4 region for more than 90 days, you must request a one-time extension from local immigration authorities in the country where you are present. If you are, “expelled” from one of the four countries, you are expelled from the entire CA-4 region.

Minors:  A U.S. citizen minor present in El Salvador for  more  than one year is considered a  resident  of El Salvador. To depart El Salvador, a minor resident needs written consent from any parent listed on the child’s birth certificate that is not traveling with the minor. The consent form must be notarized by a Salvadoran notary.  The process to obtain parental travel consent that is accepted by Salvadoran immigration can be lengthy. Plan ahead if you intend to have your minor child travel without both parents after being present in El Salvador for more than one year .

HIV/AIDS Restrictions:  The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any specific HIV/AIDS entry restrictions or regulations for visitors or for foreign residents of El Salvador. Antiretroviral medication with a prescription can be imported for personal use and for the duration of stay. 

Dual Nationality and International Parental Child Abduction:  Information about  dual nationality  and the prevention of  international child abduction  can be found on our website.

Customs:  For information about customs regulations, please read our  Customs Information page .

Volunteers, Mission Groups, and Non-Profits:  Groups bringing donated supplies, equipment, or medicine may experience difficulties with customs. To avoid potential problems, clear all donated material with the appropriate Salvadoran government office before arriving in El Salvador. To import donated medicines: Contact the Dirección Nacional de Medicamentos (National Directorate of Medications) via email at  [email protected]

Safety and Security

The crime threat level in El Salvador is critical and our  Travel Advisory  warns U.S. citizens of the high rates of crime and violence. See below for additional information on crime.

Dial 911 for emergency assistance in El Salvador.

Protests:  Demonstrations, sit-ins, and protests may occur at any time or place, but are most frequent in and around the capital San Salvador. Avoid demonstrations, because even apparently peaceful ones may turn violent. Follow local news media reports or contact the U.S. Embassy for up-to-date information.

Crime:  El Salvador has a high level of homicides and crimes such as extortion, assault, and robbery are common.

Typical crimes in El Salvador include extortion, mugging, highway assault, home invasion, and car theft. Gangs have traditionally controlled a majority of the space in El Salvador, even if their presence is not visible to outsiders, and exist by extorting money from businesses, travelers, residents and others living in or passing through their territory. Non-compliance or resistance to gang demands often results in violence. This activity can occur even in wealthy and relatively peaceful areas. Home invasions and/or burglaries of residences during broad daylight occur in areas of San Salvador; in some cases, gangs simply expel residents from their homes and take over the property for criminal use.  U.S. citizens who visit El Salvador for extended periods may be at higher risk for extortion demands.

El Salvador has tens of thousands of known gang members from several gangs including Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and 18th Street (M18). Gang members have been known to frequently engage in violence or use deadly force if resisted. The gangs, or “maras,” customarily have concentrated on extortion, violent street crime, carjacking, narcotics and arms trafficking, and murder for hire.  Extortion is a common crime in El Salvador.

Many suspected gang members have been detained since March 27, 2022 under a State of Exception.  Reported crimes have reduced since that time, but crime in El Salvador remains at critical levels.

U.S. Embassy personnel are advised to walk only in known, lit, well-secured locations. Criminals may be active even in popular parks with a security presence.

Exercise caution at all times and practice good personal security procedures throughout your stay.

• Always travel in groups.
• Avoid remote or isolated locations.
• Avoid displaying or carrying valuables in public places.
• Avoid stopping at tourist overlooks, which may be targeted by criminals.
• Never leave passports and other important documents in vehicles.
• In public, remain alert and avoid the use of cell phones and earphones. These reduce your self-awareness and provide easy targets for crimes of opportunity.
• Do not travel on public transportation, especially buses.
• Use only radio-dispatched taxis, taxis stationed in front of major hotels, or internet-based rideshare services.
• Choose banks or ATMs inside secure, guarded areas and remain alert.
• Remain vigilant even in well-known restaurants, hotels, and retailers within San Salvador.
• Credit card cloning and similar fraud can occur; keep your card in sight.
• Be aware of your surroundings when traveling by car. Navigation apps seeking the quickest routes may direct you off safer routes into dangerous areas.
• Drive with your doors locked and windows raised.
• Avoid travel outside of major metropolitan areas after dark and on unpaved roads at all times because of hazardous road conditions and criminal activity.
• Criminals who threaten violence typically use violence without hesitation if victims do not comply instantly. Conversely, the Embassy has no reports of serious injury or worse among victims who comply.

Armed robberies of climbers and hikers in El Salvador’s national parks can occur. Engage the services of a local guide certified by the national or local tourist authority when hiking in back-country areas and within the national parks. The  tourist police force (POLITUR)  provides security and assistance to tourists. Officers are located in 19 tourist destinations. Beware of hikes and guides in locations without an official guide service or police presence, regardless of advice found on the Internet. 

A majority of serious crimes in El Salvador are never solved. The Government of El Salvador lacks sufficient resources to properly investigate and prosecute cases and to deter violent crime. 

Do not purchase counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are counterfeit goods subject to seizure upon entry in the United States, but if you purchase them, you may also be exposed to legal liability in El Salvador.

Victims of Crime:  If you or someone you know becomes a victim of crime, report it to the local police by calling 911 and to the U.S. Embassy. Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

The U.S. Embassy can:

• Replace a stolen or lost passport
• Help you find appropriate medical care
• Guide you on how to report a crime to police
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• Explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• Provide a list of local attorneys
• Provide information on  victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Watersports:  Strong undertows and currents make swimming at El Salvador's Pacific Coast beaches extremely dangerous even for experienced swimmers. Government lifeguards are generally present at most public beaches but are not always present at private beaches. Follow all instructions of any lifeguard, and do not enter the water at any location at which red warning flags are displayed to signify dangerous conditions. In addition, El Salvador’s search and rescue capabilities are limited, and access to medical resources in beach areas is inadequate. Carefully assess the potential risks of recreational water activities and consider your physical capabilities and skills. Be aware that drinking alcohol and swimming can be a deadly combination.

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

State of Exception: In March 2022, the Government of El Salvador declared a 30-day “State of Exception” in response to an increase in homicides; the State of Exception has been extended several times since, and it continues today. The State of Exception suspended several constitutional rights, including the normal protections of criminal procedure such as the right to a speedy trial, among others. Several U.S. and other foreign citizens have been detained under the State of Exception, some in a reportedly arbitrary manner. The number of all detainees has increased significantly, and prison conditions are harsh.

Criminal Penalties:  While in El Salvador, you are subject to local laws. Your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest. Remember your activities are limited by the type of visa you have. If you violate Salvadoran laws, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in El Salvador are severe. (Please note that any items containing THC, even certain CBD products that are legal and widely available in the United States, are illegal in El Salvador) . Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Some offenses committed overseas can be prosecuted in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see the  U.S. Department of State website  and the  Department of Justice website  on crimes against minors abroad.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the  U.S. Embassy  immediately.

Prison and detention center conditions in El Salvador are harsh and dangerous. Overcrowding constitutes a serious threat to prisoners’ health and lives. In many facilities, provisions for sanitation, potable water, ventilation, temperature control, and lighting are inadequate or nonexistent.

Guns:  You must have a locally obtained license to possess or carry a firearm in El Salvador. Convictions for possessing an unlicensed firearm can carry a prison sentence of three to five years. The U.S. Embassy cannot intervene on your behalf.

Disaster Preparedness:  Preparation for natural disasters is essential in El Salvador, which has 21 active volcanoes, constant seismic activities, and a rainy season that produces severe flooding and mudslides.

Find information about natural disaster preparedness on the  U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)  website. Find information in Spanish about earthquakes (sismos) and other natural disasters in El Salvador on the  Government of El Salvador’s web page . Learn more on our  webpage about crisis and disaster preparedness .

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

LGBTQI+ Travelers:  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTQI+ events in El Salvador. There is, however, widespread discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, access to health care, and identity documents. Public officials, including the police, have reportedly engaged in violence and discrimination against LGBTQI+ persons. For more detailed information about LGBTQI+ rights in El Salvador, you may review the  State Department’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2018 . For further information on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTQI+) travel, please read our  LGBTQI+ Travel Information  page.

Travelers with Disabilities:  Salvadoran law prohibits discrimination against persons with physical and mental disabilities in employment, education, access to health care, or the provision of other state services. The government, however, does not allocate sufficient resources to enforce these prohibitions effectively. There are few access ramps or provisions for the mobility of persons with sight and hearing disabilities.

For emergency services in El Salvador, dial 911. 

Private and public hospitals do not meet U.S. standards. The U.S. Embassy recommends that private hospitals be used only for emergency care to stabilize a condition prior to returning to the United States for definitive evaluation and treatment. Private hospitals and physicians expect up-front payment (cash or credit card). They do not bill U.S. insurance companies. 

Ambulance services are: 

not widely available and training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards 

• not equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment 

The Department of State does not pay medical bills. U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance. 

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpa ge for more information on insurance coverage overseas. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas. 

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation. 

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the Government of El Salvador to ensure the medication is legal in El Salvador. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. 

The following diseases are prevalent: 

• Chikungunya
• Diarrheal illness

Vaccinations:  All  routinely recommended immunizations  for the U.S. should be up-to-date.

• Measles, mumps, rubella ,  tetanus, pertussis  and  chickenpox  are much more common than in the U.S., especially among children.
• Hepatitis A  and  typhoid   immunization is recommended for all travelers.
• Hepatitis B  vaccine is recommended for all those who may have sexual contact, tattoos or require medical treatment while in El Salvador.
• Yellow Fever : Travelers coming from countries where yellow fever is endemic must have had a yellow fever vaccination in order to enter the country. For more information,  visit El Salvador’s Immigration website .
• Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in El Salvador. For further information, please consult the  CDC’s information on Tuberculosis .

You can find detailed information on vaccinations and other health precautions on the following websites:

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• World Health Organization (WHO)

Travel and Transportation

Major highways in El Salvador are among the best in Central America, but road conditions throughout El Salvador are not up to U.S. standards. Even within the city of San Salvador, it is common to see missing manhole covers and large objects in the roadway marking the danger.

Avoid driving during nighttime hours or periods of low visibility as slow-moving vehicles are common, and vehicles without taillights are often on the road. Mini-buses, regular buses, and taxis are poorly maintained. Drivers are frequently unlicensed and generally do not adhere to traffic rules and regulations. You can expect to find pedestrians walking on the roadways and, in rural areas, it is common to encounter livestock on the road.

Traffic Laws:  Drive defensively as traffic laws are not enforced. Passing on blind corners or cutting across several lanes of traffic is commonplace. Two lane traffic circles are common and are especially dangerous to navigate.

If you are in an accident, call the police. The law requires all parties involved in a vehicle accident to stay at the scene and not move the vehicles involved until the police respond, and you should do so unless you reasonably suspect that remaining at the scene presents a danger . Leaving the scene could lead to future legal complications, but always maintain your personal safety. When police arrive, be prepared to share your name, address in the country, vehicle registration and insurance, and driver’s license information. Be aware there are legal consequences to admitting fault.

Hit and run accidents are common. Salvadoran law requires the detention and arrest of a driver involved in an accident that injures or kills another person if the driver is under the influence of alcohol or does not possess a proper driver’s license.

You may drive with a U.S. driver’s license for up to 30 days. After that time, you must obtain a Salvadoran license.

If you want to apply for a Salvadoran driver’s license, you must present an authenticated copy of your U.S. driver’s license to Salvadoran authorities. Requests for an  apostille or authentication certificate  are generally submitted in writing to your state’s Notary commissioning authority (usually the Secretary of State’s office.)

Public Transportation:  Please refer to our  Road Safety page  for more information. Visit the website of El Salvador’s  national tourist office  and the  national authority responsible for road safety . Further information on traffic and road conditions is available in Spanish from  Automovil Club de El Salvador (ACES) .

Aviation Safety Oversight:  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of El Salvador’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of El Salvador’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel:  Mariners planning travel to El Salvador should also check for  U.S. maritime advisories and alerts . Information may also be posted to the  U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the  NGA broadcast warnings .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in El Salvador .  For additional IPCA-related information, please see the  International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA )  report.

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Golfo de Fonseca

The most scenic border crossing, duration: at least 2 days, stay: hotel y restaurante brisas del golfo.

Getting from Nicaragua to El Salvador can be quite a ride if you travel by bus via Honduras . Luckily we stumbled upon the most scenic and relaxed way to cross borders: A boat ride via Golfo de Fonseca. Golfo de Fonseca is a gulf on the Pacific coast bordering Nicaragua , El Salvador , and Honduras making it the most convenient way to cross borders between the countries (if the waters are calm). Golfo de Fonseca is home to a large number of islands, the majority of which are uninhabited. Isla del Tigre is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the gulf. Golfo de Fonseca is also an important fishing ground, especially for shrimp. It is possible to leave Potosi in the morning and be in El Salvador by noon, a stop on Isle del Tigre is worthwhile!

Nicaragua has been fantastic. But we have long been excited to visit El Salvador . Even though we do not mind bus rides in Central America , going by public bus from Nicaragua to El Salvador seemed like a long journey.

Of course, we were excited to learn that there is a supposedly more effortless way to get from Nicaragua to El Salvador by boat via Potosi.

How to get to El Salvador from Nicaragua by boat

• 1st stop: Chinandega
• 2nd: Crossing from Potosi to La Union
• Good to know

Chinandega - the hub to El Salvador& Honduras

Our first stop Chinandega surprised us with its liveliness and vibrant flair. Just about 2 hours outside of Léon, the city functions as a gateway to Honduras and El Salvador as well as beautiful landscapes of the northwest of Nicaragua. Chinandega may not be one of Nicaragua’s most popular travel destinations, but it startled us with its authenticity and lively market. You can visit the nearby Cosiguina Volcano National Park from Chinandega and enjoy various activities, such as hiking, biking, and horseback riding. 

After strolling around the authentic town, we squeezed into the fullest chicken bus of our journey.

From Potosi, Nicaragua to La Union, El Salvador

Stacked over each other, we traveled to Potosi, a small village lying at the feed of the impressive volcano Cosigüina. A relatively easy hike of 3,5 hours rewards visitors with stunning views not just of the volcanic lake, but also of the Golf de Fonseca and the neighboring countries El Salvador and Honduras.

Our host advised us to just head to the border and wait there around 10 am. So, we did what we were told. The next morning we headed to the border. Unlike other Central and South American borders, the immigration office is nestled in a tranquil and idyllic location close to the sea.

We were the only people who seemed to be leaving or coming in. After getting our immigration papers, we waited by the sea.

We didn’t mind the wait. It was an excellent opportunity to dip into the ocean for the first time during this journey.

Isla Meguera

Isla Meanguera is a small island located in the Golfo de Fonseca, and even though it has almost no touristic infrastructure, however it is the most visited island in the Gulf. The former Lenca settlement offers incredible views of the gulf and the neighboring islands of Conchagüita and Zacatillo.

Where to stay on Isla Meguera:

• Homestay: Vicente Osorio (tel. 2648-0083)

Practical travel tips Golfo de Fonseca

How much does the border crossing cost.

After talking to several other travelers, passing through Honduras by bus is not much cheaper, takes a lot longer, and lacks the beautiful and relaxing vibes of crossing borders by boat. We paid $60 per person plus some dollars for chicken buses. Our captains, Mario, and his father were so kind and helpful.

How long does the border crossing take?

Expecting a rough 5 hours ride to La Union, El Salvador, we were surprised by the calm sea surrounded by small volcanic islands. We were lucky: the ride took about 2,5 hours. It goes by way too quick. Add some hours for "waiting" though. The islands are worth a visit, so if you can bring some extra time

Exit and entry fees from Nicaragua to El Salvador

Nicaragua charges an exit fee of $2, so bring small bills.

Driving is an excellent option if you plan on visiting other areas, such as Manuel Antonio, Uvita, and Dominical. The most popular way to get to the peninsula is by plane . Sansa Air is a domestic airline that makes the hour-long trip between San José and Puerto Jimenez.

Can I drink tap water in El Salvador?

Do not drink tap water in El Salvador; bring your water filter or self-cleaning bottle instead! While water from the National Water Company (ANDA) is generally safe, you never know the water source the restaurant, hotels, and so on may use.

What's the biggest challenge for the conscious traveler?

Trash : As anywhere in Latin America, a lot of street food is served in plastic or one-way containers. Make sure to bring your foldable food container with you. Don't forget to bring your water filter, too.

Sunscreen: Protect Costa Rica's marine life and wear reef-save sunscreen.

Packing Central America

Central America is super diverse and offers plenty of things to do. Check out our packing list, and get ready for an incredible adventure!

Find everything from eco-friendly toiletries to the only travel shoes you’ll ever want to exciting travel gadgets!

Traveling El Salvador?

Places to visit in el salvador.

Do not skip El Salvador! It’s one of the most amazing countries to visit in Central America!

Beaches in El Salvador | Central America’s hidden germs

Central America , El Salvador | Adventure , Beach , Nature , Party

We’ve talked a lot about why El Salvador should absolutely be on your travel list, and today, we’re focusing on one of its absolute gems: the stunning beaches.

San Salvador | a resilient capital, rich in history, scars and hope

El Salvador , Central America | City , Mountain , Party

San Salvador, El Salvador’s resilient heart. The capital bears deeps scares, many of them still visible at Centro Histórico and in the hearts and memories of its inhabitants. Its heartache was omnipresent, yet the city’s fierce determination for a better future, its hopes and aspirations are infectious and the reason why San Salvador is our favorite capital in Central America.

El Cuco & Playa Las Flores | Surfing & Turtles

El Salvador | Beach

El Cuco is a sleepy little village. It’s busier on the weekends as many El Salvadorians come to enjoy the stunning beaches. El Cuco is winged by two impressive beaches on either side, Playa Esteron, a remote white-grey sand beach, and Playa Las Flores, which boasts world-class waves for surfing.

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Boat crossing from La Union, El Salvador to Potosi, Nicaragua

Last updated Dec 20, 2018 | 13 comments

Boat crossing from El Salvador to Nicaragua is one of the most enjoyable ways we’ve ever crossed the borders. We enjoyed the beautiful day on the ocean and were warmly welcomed in La Union, El Salvador and Potosi, Nicaragua which don’t see many visitors.

If you would like to make a border crossing an adventure, getting from El Salvador to Nicaragua by boat is the best way to go. Rather than dragging through several borders wasting the whole day, you’ll be traveling through the former pirate waters and see Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador from the ocean at the same time!

Plus, you can explore lesser known places such as La Union in El Salvador and Potosi in Nicaragua – starting and finish point of the boat ride.

Crossing borders in Central America is usually a very tedious process. It’s hot, uncomfortable and takes a long time, sometimes 12 hours. That sounds horrific if you ask me, but there are a few exceptions where you can avoid it and actually enjoy the border crossing.

One of them is crossing the Mexico–Guatemala border by boat and then through the jungle. The other is from El Salvador to Nicaragua, which is not crossing per se. It’s a boat ride that takes 1,5h instead of a 6-12hour bus ride and hassle at El Salvador-Honduras border and then Honduras-Nicaragua border.

Would you like to know how do we find cool adventures like this one? Read our post: 19 smart travel tips for planning your next trip

Getting to La Union, El Salvador

We arrived in La Union from Santa Ana. First, we took a bus from Santa Ana to San Salvador where we caught a bus to La Union. I was intrigued by the capital and its very friendly and helpful locals. San Salvador is the most dangerous city in El Salvador which used to be the murder capital of the world but lost it to Honduras.

It’s not as bad as it sounds. Most of the incidents happen between the gangs and visitors are advised to avoid these areas of the city. We had to ask several times on the street of San Salvador how to find our bus station and were met with smiles, curiosity, and help from locals. Once we found it, a local man noticed our confusion at the busy terminal and directed us to the right bus without even asking for help. These are the real Salvadorians.

By this time we were accustomed seeing guards with rifles everywhere we go . However, this bus station took it to another level. It was guarded by policemen with rifles dressed in bulletproof vests and balaclavas.

Boat hunt in La Union

3 hours later we arrived in La Union. It was Friday afternoon and we hoped to find a boat that leaves on Saturday morning. We left our bags in the first hotel we found and went for a “boat hunt”. There are two boat options how to go to Nicaragua, either with a fisherman or with a private boat. We only had to go to the port and ask around.

Border control officer gave us a phone number for Mario to ask about the boat transfer. We didn’t understand who Mario was, but apparently someone who could help us. As much as we tried, our Spanish was not perfect. The hotel receptionist refused to allow us a phone call to a cell number (only landlines were allowed, weird), we were left with no options to call.

So we went to the port again and asked everyone who was around – fishermen, policemen and random locals. These are the answers we got: there is no boat on Saturday to Nicaragua; there might be a boat on Sunday; maybe on Saturday at 7:30 or 8:30 am. We went to the border control officer again and were told that boats usually leave at 6:30 am.

We decided to go for a dinner and buy some snacks for the journey we were hoping for the next day. The only thing we could do at this point was going to the port in the morning and ask fishermen.

Are we leaving El Salvador?

Timeline of our morning:

5:30 alarm went off. It was dark and hot outside.

6:00 arriving at the port, there was no boat…maybe we were late?

6:05 border control officer said the boat leaves at 6:30. Which boat? We didn’t see any. So we waited.

6:45 a local man came saying he could take us for 100USD per person. No, thank you.

7:00 whatever boats were there probably left before we came to the port. Michal went back to our hotel for wifi to check if the private boat could take us to Nicaragua. Despite the cost 65USD per person, we would take it.

7:15 the WhatsApp call didn’t work so Michal sent a message. I bought some fruit from the street vendor to freshen up the hot day.

7:40 an old lady arrived with a cooler but said she wasn’t going to Nicaragua. Border control officer came out and said the cooler was for Mario. Ok, so Mario, whoever that is, is coming. Maybe he could take us to Nicaragua.

7:50 I was so bored that I made a new friend from El Salvadorian military .

8:10 the local man came again and tried to convince us there is no boat leaving for Nicaragua and he could take us for only 100USD per person. No, thank you.

8:20 a man whom Michal sent a message to came and said we were lucky because they usually don’t do transfers to Nicaragua on Saturdays. He left to clean the boat. We waited who comes back sooner – the man with the private boat or Mario.

8:50 Mario, who we found out was a boat captain, came and said he could take us to Nicaragua. As it turned out, the man with the private boat and Mario are working together on the same boat providing transfers. Without any haggling effort, they offered us a better price – 55USD per person.

9:00 we went to the border control officer again, for the last time. He browsed our passports for a while and gave us an exit stamp from El Salvador.

10:00 our boat with 4 men crew, one American passenger and us, finally heading to Nicaragua .

Gulf of Fonseca – boat ride through the pirate waters

Enjoying the ocean breeze on the boat and seagulls flying over us, we waved El Salvador goodbye. We left with wonderful memories from this tiny Central American country. Where waste management needs improvement, people are poor but have big smiles and typical relaxed life attitude “if you miss this bus, the next is coming” – meaning there is no need to rush, you will get where you want to go even if it takes some time. Something that western cultures could learn from.

The ocean was calm and the ride smooth. Some of the crew spoke English and we could give our brains a break from Spanish. We learned about the presence of pirates in the past and the dispute over the little islands we passed.

Just 1,5h later we were near the Nicaraguan shore with dock a little too high for our boat. No problem, shoes off and hop off the boat. I haven’t even realized when my feet touched the water it was so warm. Hard to say if the ocean was warmer or the air.

Black sand beach made from volcanic ashes was filled with grazing goats. And few horses were grazing near the immigration office . We watched the horses while immigration officer reviewed our immigration cards. We paid a fee of 684NIO (22USD) for visas. Boom, stamp in the passports and we were officially in Nicaragua. What a day! And it wasn’t over yet.

Read our story about Potosi, a little town that tourists don’t visit, why it is a real shame and what it can offer to its visitors.

Are you heading to Nicaragua or El Salvador? Contact Ruta del Golfo for once in a lifetime border “crossing” experience.

You can go from El Salvador to Nicaragua or vice versa either by private shuttle bus or public transport for about 30USD. It will take you from one touristy place to another and the transport can take anywhere from 6 to 12hours.

Or you can enjoy off the beaten path places such as La Union in El Salvador, Potosi in Nicaragua and travel by boat through Gulf of Fonseca for 65USD in about 2 hours. Cheaper is not always better. Your choice, happy travels!

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13 Comments

Hi there, Just to help his business along, your boat driver (Mario) is the kindest, best connected, most responsive and generous person on the planet. For anyone reading this, they do not need to go and hang around La Union and ask for Mario. He is on facebook, and instagram now and his direct mobile number (he uses whatsap) is ‭+503 7282 4362‬. You can arrange the crossing directly with him. He also does all sorts of excursions from La Union. His facebook is: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008709961671 . instgram not yet fully up as he has just set it up and I am helping him load the photos! He can get you a driver to La Union from wherever you are in El Salvador (usually it’s Jesus but it may be someone else – very reliable and excellent driver) and on the Nicaragua side too (usually its Julio but it may be someone else – again reliable and excellent). He will literally hand you into your car on the other side of the boarder whichever direction you are travelling after speeding you through customs where he is friends with everyone. Truly a pleasure and someone worth helping.

Thanks so much Jane for your update. I realize that not all travelers want to go to La Union and just wing it from there like we did. This is great information for anyone looking for a unique experience and I hope it will help lots of travelers. I agree that Mario is very kind and helpful – he helped us translate with border officer in El Salvador and also did not leave when we came to Nicaragua border control until our passports were stamped and we could leave the “border”.

Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience I am from Meanguera del Golfo and my grandfather use to tell me that in the 60 and 70s there was a ferry that travel from La Union to Nicaragua often. I think Bukele will reinstate the ferry on this route which would make it easier ans more enjoyable for people to travel.

Ferry would be wonderful. Thanks for sharing. All the best, Evereth.

Maya and Michael, after all the adversities I hope you had a great experience traveling in El Salvador and Nicaragua. I am from El salvador and living in NY for many years. Thanks for your good comments about our people. In general, our locals are very generous and respectful to tourists, even protectors and helpful, that’s part of our culture. hope you visit us again, when Mr. Bukele modernizes all the transportation lines from El Salvador thru Costa Rica. He’s also building a new airport in La Union. saludos.

Thanks for the update, Sam. We had a wonderful time both in El Salvador and Nicaragua and hope to visit again one day.

Wow, what a amazing trip 🙂 We also want to go to Nicaragua by boat from La Union. We are traveling with a baby – what do you think, is the boat safe? Do you have some contact details from Mario?

The boat ride was very smooth in my opinion and I wouldn’t hesitate to bring my baby on board. However, I’d still check with Mario, you can find his contact details in the comment above.

That sounds fantastic. May I ask you about visa on arrival at the Potosi port. You have mentioned paying visa fee at the immigration, is it visa on arrival fee or tourist card? I am a Thai passport holder which is not visa exempt but can do visa on arrival. Since ferry crossing is not a popular means of transport, I have concern if the immigration can issue visa on arrival. I have called the embassy but they cannot confirm

Hi Nat, the fee we paid was for the tourist card as we didn’t need visas (I see that my wording above is not correct). I’d recommend reaching out to Mario directly, I’m sure he can ask and let you know.

Hey Maya, by reaching out to Mario you mean using the above-stated cell phone number or Facebook link (see the message by Jane)? Or do you have another way of contacting Mario? Thank you. Kind regards, Mike

Hey Nat, I would love to know how you guys did. Did you contact Mario? Did you go by boat? If yes, can you share details, please?

Hi Mike, I was unable to reply directly to your comment above, but regarding contacting Mario, why not try both? Hopefully, his contact details are still correct.

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How to get from El Salvador to Nicaragua by boat

Requirements and details to travel by boat from La Union to Potosi  ​

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Boat plus shuttle from El Salvador to Nicaragua

$ 60.00 + Shuttle

Seamless boat and shuttle transport from El Salvador to Nicaragua with border assistance and lifejacket included.

This shared boat plus shuttle service offers a comfortable and efficient way to travel from El Salvador to Nicaragua. Border assistance and lifejackets are included, ensuring a smooth journey.

Schedules, Pick up places, Drop off Places:

Departures from various locations in El Salvador, including Santa Ana, San Salvador, La Libertad, San Miguel and La Union, with pickups as early as 1:00 AM. Arrival times in Nicaragua range from 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM, depending on the destination. The service operates on Fridays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays. Estimated travel duration includes a 3-4 hour boat ride and additional shuttle times.

What is Included:

Included in the service are border assistance, a lifejacket for the boat trip, and a shared shuttle transport to your Nicaraguan destination.

What to Bring:

Travelers should bring small snacks, water, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to stay comfortable and protected throughout the journey.

Luggage Allowance:

Passengers are allowed to bring one backpack and one handbag without incurring additional charges, ensuring a hassle-free travel experience.

Extra Luggage:

For those needing to bring more, extra luggage options are available: surfboards at $5.00, bikes at $20.00, and an additional backpack at $5.00.

Required Travel Documents:

A valid passport with an expiration date greater than 6 months is required. Additionally, passengers must submit an online pre-verification form at least one day before travel.

COVID Restrictions:

As of July 21, Nicaragua has lifted all COVID-19 restrictions for incoming travelers.

Estimated Border Fees:

Passengers should carry approximately $12 – $15 in cash (USD only) to cover any border taxes per person.

Pets are welcome at no extra cost, provided they are in a cage and accompanied by a vaccination card and passport for international services.

Updates and Cancellations:

Changes or cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before the scheduled service.

Weather-Related Cancellations:

This service may be cancelled due to weather conditions for passenger safety. In such cases, departures will be rescheduled for the next day with suitable weather conditions for navigation.

Refunds and Cancellations Policy Summary:

- Refunds: For monetary refunds, an 80% refund is applicable, excluding the 20% processing fees. Customers opting for a Store Credit Code instead of a direct refund can receive 100% of the amount paid, including processing fees, provided the cancellation is made within the permitted timeframe as per the specific service's full refund policy. This Store Credit Code is valid for one year and can be used to book any other service available on the website.

- Late Cancellations: Cancellations made outside the allowed notice period are not eligible for a refund. Customers should refer to the specific terms outlined in their reservation confirmation or on the service’s webpage for details.

- Cancellation Requests: Requests for cancellations and refunds must be made through the Online Forms on the Gekko Trails Explorer website.

- Processing Time: The processing time for change requests in reservations is typically between 12 to 24 hours. Customers are advised against making last-minute changes to avoid potential service disruptions.

- Last-Minute Requests: Change or cancellation requests received less than 24 hours before the service start time will not be processed, to prevent inconveniences and ensure the quality and availability of the service for all customers.

You may also be interested in these other services:

Shuttle Leon to San Juan del Sur

Efficient shared shuttle service from Leon to San Juan del Sur with convenient stops.

Shuttle Leon to San Jorge

Reliable shared shuttle service from Leon to San Jorge with convenient stops.

Shuttle Leon to La Ceiba

Efficient shared shuttle service from Leon to La Ceiba with comfortable amenities.

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El Salvador Tours & Vacations

Good things come in small packages and nowhere more so than El Salvador.

The volcanoes, cloud forests and quiet colonial towns will capture your imagination, while the surf coast will unleash your inner grommet.

Our El Salvador trips

Let's create an exclusive trip for your group.

El Salvador tour reviews

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Nicaragua & Beyond

Heart of Central America

6 unique experiences you can have in El Salvador

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30 photos that will inspire you to visit Central America with Intrepid Travel

How to have a perfect day in Suchitoto, the cultural capital of El Salvador

Why I love El Salvador, a country with a story to tell

I’ve been to every country in Central America; here’s why El Salvador is my favourite

El Salvador at a glance

Capital city.

San Salvador (population 2.4 million)

6.4 million

(GMT-06:00) Central America

CALLING CODE

Electricity.

Type A (North American/Japanese 2-pin) Type B (American 3-pin)

Learn more about El Salvador

Best time to visit el salvador.

The coast can be hot all year round making it a haven for sun lovers. To cool down, head inland to higher altitudes where the climate is milder, but rarely cold. The dry season (November to April) is an ideal time to explore. For spectacular afternoon storms, come during the wet season (May to October).

Geography and environment

The home of the point break, El Salvador’s biggest natural attraction is its beaches. Drag yourself away from the waves of the Pacific and you’ll find volcanoes, lakes and cloud forest aplenty. El Salvador is bordered by Honduras and Guatemala .

Top 5 places in El Salvador

1. cerro verde national park.

This is volcano country. Take a hike through the cloud forest for incredible views of volcanic peaks.

2. Suchitoto

This sweet colonial town boasts colorful houses, cobbled streets and a relaxed old-world charm.

3. Lago Suchitlan

Not far from Suchitoto, this lake is a haven for thousands of migrating birds.

4. El Imposible National Park

Hike, camp and spot pumas in one of Central America’s most remote national parks.

5. Pacific Ocean

Even from the misty peaks of the north you can see the impressive breaks of the Pacific Ocean. Jump on a board or just enjoy the view from the beach.

Further reading

El salvador travel faqs, do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Do I need a visa to travel to El Salvador?

EL SALVADOR: Australia: Not required Belgium: Not required Canada: Not required Germany: Not required Ireland: Not required Netherlands: Not required New Zealand: Not required South Africa: Yes - in advance Switzerland: Not required United Kingdom: Not required USA: Not required

Whilst for most nationalities a visa is not required, you may be required to purchase a tourist card on arrival, costing approximately US$10. If you do require a visa, please obtain this in advance from your local embassy or consulate.

Is tipping customary in El Salvador?

A service charge will be included in restaurant bills. A small tip for hotel staff may be expected.

What is the internet access like in El Salvador?

Internet cafes are available in most places but wi-fi is only just becoming available.

Can I use my cell phone while in El Salvador?

Reception is good in most urban areas. Ensure you have global roaming activated with your carrier if you wish to use your phone.

What are the toilets like in El Salvador?

It's likely that you’ll encounter different types of toilets while traveling in El Salvador. Western-style flushable toilets are commonly found in high-end resorts, hotels and restaurants, while squat toilets are common in rural areas and homes. Be prepared by carrying your own supply of toilet paper and soap, as these aren't always provided.

What will it cost for a…?

Bottle of soft drink = $0.80 Beer in a bar or restaurant = $1.50 Simple lunch = $3 Three-course meal = $15 Short taxi ride = $6

Can I drink the water in El Salvador?

Drinking tap water in El Salvador isn’t recommended. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water. It's also advisable to avoid ice in drinks and peel fruit and vegetables before eating.

Are credit cards accepted widely in El Salvador?

Credit cards are widely accepted.

What is ATM access like in El Salvador?

There’s good access to ATMs in nearly all towns and cities.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before traveling?

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

What public holidays are celebrated in El Salvador ?

• 1 Jan New Year's Day
• 13 Apr Holy Thursday
• 14 Apr Good Friday
• 15 Apr Easter Saturday
• 1 May Labor Day 
• 17 Jun Father's Day *
• 6 Aug Feast of San Salvador
• 15 Sep Independence Day
• 2 Nov All Souls' Day
• 25 Dec Christmas Day

*Subject to change

Please note these dates are for 2017. For a current list of public holidays in El Salvador click below.

How do I stay safe and healthy while traveling?

From Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to:  Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to:  UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to:  Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to:  US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Does my trip support The Intrepid Foundation?

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners, Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Eden Reforestation Projects

Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations from our trips support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries around the globe. Find out more or make a donation World Bicycle Relief

World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilize school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most. Find out more or make a donation

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Find cheap flights to El Salvador from $49

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from the united states to el salvador departing on 4/29. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to el salvador.

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Best El Salvador Flight Deals

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours

Good to know

Faqs - booking el salvador flights, is it possible to find direct flights to el salvador.

Traveling from the United States, it’s possible to find nonstop routes to the Central American country of El Salvador. These direct flights arrive at El Salvador Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAN) in San Salvador, the country’s capital. There are year-round nonstop flights with Avianca Airline and others, from Los Angeles Airport (LAX), San Francisco Airport (SFO), Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Washington DC, among others.

What are the common stopover options for flights from the US to El Salvador?

Most flights from the US to El Salvador have one or two layovers en route. The layover options for these flights vary depending on your departure city and airline. If you’re flying from New York (JFK) to SAL with American Airlines, you will have your stop in Miami (MIA) while those flying with Delta should expect a stop in Atlanta (ATL). Other airlines flying this route have a common layover in Tocumen Panama City (PTY). Most airlines flying from San Francisco (SFO) have common stops in Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), PTY, and San Jose (SJO).

Do you need a visa to travel to El Salvador?

As a U.S. citizen, you are not required to obtain a tourist visa prior to your trip to El Salvador as long as your visit does not exceed 90 days. However, all U.S. citizens not born in El Salvador must purchase a tourist card upon their arrival at El Salvador Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAN) in San Salvador. You can expect to pay about $12 for the tourist card.

Is Salvador Saint Oscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport accessible?

Yes, El Salvador International Airport is an accessible facility. All airlines flying through the airport run their wheelchair assistance program. You can request wheelchair assistance services from your airline by visiting its check-in counters or using any airport assistance phone to call them. The airport also offers accessible restrooms, stair-free options, and accessible ground transportation options to ensure passengers with reduced mobility get equal and easy travel through the airport. We recommend reserving these special assistance services at least 48 hours before your travel to avoid any inconveniences.

Which airport should I arrive at to visit Cerro Verde National Park?

Cerro Verde National Park is a large park known for housing three volcanoes. El Salvador, in general, is known as the land of volcanoes and this fact attracts plenty of visitors. The closest commercial airport to Cerro Verde National Park is El Salvador Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAN) in San Salvador. The popular park is just about a 2h drive from the airport.

What is the best way to San Luis Talpa city center from El Salvador International Airport?

The distance from El Salvador Saint Oscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport to San Luis Talpa city center is just about 3.5 miles. One of the most recommended options for getting to the city center from El Salvador Airport is using a taxi. Taxis are available 24/7 and are a great option if you're traveling with lots of luggage. Alternatively, you can get a rental car from the airport.

What child seat laws exist in El Salvador?

For those traveling to El Salvador with children who plan on renting a vehicle, it may be best to bring a child seat with you from the United States. In El Salvador, there aren’t any defined laws as to child restraints or seats, only that children under the age of 12 cannot sit in the front seats. Nonetheless, travelers can check beforehand with their car rental agency to see if they have child seats available.

What is the best airport to fly into El Salvador for flights from the US?

El Salvador International Airport and Ilopango International Airport are the two airports that serve most of the international flights to El Salvador. Of the two airports, consider flying into El Salvador Airport as the other airport serves fewer commercial flights and majorly serves as a military base. Flying into SAL will give you more flight options, including direct flights from various cities in the US.

How long is the flight to El Salvador?

An average nonstop flight from the United States to El Salvador takes 6h 32m, covering a distance of 1902 miles. The most popular route is Los Angeles - San Salvador with an average flight time of 4h 47m.

What is the cheapest flight to El Salvador?

The cheapest ticket to El Salvador from the United States found in the last 72 hours was $36 one-way, and $137 round-trip. The most popular route is from Los Angeles to San Salvador and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $154.

Which airlines fly to El Salvador?

Avianca, United Airlines & Air Canada fly the most frequently from the United States to El Salvador.

What is the most popular destination in El Salvador?

Based on KAYAK flight searches, the most popular destination is San Salvador (100% of total searches to El Salvador).

How does KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a given destination and date is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to El Salvador

• Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest El Salvador flight deals.
• When looking to book tickets to visit El Salvador, you’ll want to look for flights arriving at El Salvador Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAN) in San Salvador. This is the commercial airport serving the whole country.
• Most flights from the US to El Salvador usually land at Salvador Saint Oscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAL). It has a massive, single terminal that serves both international and domestic flights. Getting around the airport is quite easy.
• To find more affordable flights to El Salvador, look for tickets with a layover in between. There are cheaper routes, for instance, stopping in Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) and operated by Spirit Airlines.
• If you're looking for a free space where you can relax upon arrival at Salvador Airport, we recommend trying the Observation Deck on the Third Floor. This spot is usually peaceful and quiet and has chairs fitted with armrests.
• If you wish to rent a car during your visit to El Salvador, the airport has car rental agencies onsite. This way you won’t need to worry about finding a ride to pick up your car rental.
• Ilopango International Airport (ILS) was the main international airport that served the city of San Salvador until it was replaced by the more modern SAL. Whenever you find flights from the US to ILS, consider them as this will help you avoid the long queues at SAL.
• Fly into the main El Salvador Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAN), southeast of San Salvador, and you’ll be near some of the top attractions in the country. The airport is near the coast and just a half-hour away from the popular Costa del Sol Beach.
• If you’re planning to travel with your pet or service animal, you will be happy to learn that Salvador Airport is a pet-friendly facility. You can travel with your pet through the airport provided you keep it in a pet carrier when within the airport.
• All U.S. citizens must travel to El Salvador with a valid passport with at least one blank page for any entry or exit stamps.
• Ilopango Airport is ideal for exploring Lake Ilopango, a volcanic caldera located on the borders of La Paz, San Salvador, and Cuscatlán. You can fly from the US to SAL and then connect using a domestic carrier to this airport.

Top 5 airlines flying to El Salvador

On my way home I had a layover. The flight from ATL to CLT was amended 5x while I was waiting. I could have driven home sooner. Overall from Dallas, Tx to Charlotte, NC I started my trip at 4:30pm, I didn’t get home until past midnight. I know things happen, but 5x to make me run back and forth in an airport from different terminals is excessive. I also upgraded to comfort + , I didn’t feel it was worth it. There was no benefit

On my way home I had a layover. The flight from ATL to CLT was amended 5x while I was waiting. I could have driven home sooner. Overall from Dallas, Tx to Charlotte, NC I started my trip at 4:30pm, I didn’t get home until past midnight. I know things happen, but 5x to make me run back and forth in an airport from different terminals is excessive.

They did a fine job. Can't wait to use Delta in the future.

There was a loud squeaky sound the whole time we were flying.

Had a broken tray in business class. Crew just shrugged it off.

Seat back monitors and outlets were dead and not working.

Everything was great except for the seat. The backrest would not stay in the upright position.

I usually have a positive experience with Delta. Complimentary upgrades are always nice!

Flight delayed about 2 hrs so it made it a VERY late night

The crew, food, and entertainment were all good. But my screen had some sort of bug where if I turned it off, it would turn back on after 2-5 minutes. At full brightness. It made it very hard to get any shut-eye on the overnight flight. Also, the older Boeing plane, while nicely cared for (and no doors fell off 😅👏) doesn't have the nice air quality of newer planes. So I felt a bit greasy by the time we landed in Sweden.

No water for a 5 hour flight entertainment not working seats with little room for knees when person in front of me reclined kept bumping my knees.

I don't think anyone actually reads these comments, so I won't spend much time on this submission. If you want to talk, you know how to reach me. The D/FW manager of Avianca (self-identified), Juan Calderon, insisted I buy an onward ticket from San Salvador even though I have diplomatic status in El Salvador and live here. It cost me $1,393 and Mr Calderon would not let me make the ticked flexible so I could get a refund. He went out of his way to be rude to me. He gave me seat 32K -- windowless window seat in the last row and did not offer to let me upgrade even though there were plenty of seats. I have flown well over a million miles in my life and this is the worst experience I have ever had. I would like a refund on the ticket I was forced to buy. Just awful!

This is the Spirit of Latino travel. And don’t even get me started on customer service.

Awful. I checked in online and there was no option to pay for baggage, at the airport when I checked in my baggage was received and Iwas not charged. When I got to LA during the boarding process I was told I didn't pay for baggage, the crew resolved I was let in the plane. When I got to my final destination my baggage was not there. It took me two days to receive my baggage. Bad service ever!

There was no food or drink service, couldn’t even get a glass of water for free. It was a long and expensive flight to not offer food or beverage on the plane.

It is better at the jfk than my home country. It was very easy and everything was on time.

There is no food. There is no in-inflight entertainment. The seats are cardboard. The airline is a living hellscape.

My experience was amazing! They helped my elderly mother board on early through a wheelchair and were accommodating to have us sit together since our seats were in different locations. When landing at the airport in GUA they were very helpful with full of hospitality.

They could offer food and drink without having to pay extra for it,

No complimentary snacks food, beverage (not even water), pillow and blanket on a 6 hours long flight (including economy comfort). A low form of nickeling an diming. Lost a recurring passanger over a soda. Avianca never again.

Friendly staff at all very easy check in and organize process

Horrible airline, upgraded to sit on seats made of stone. Staff were rude and on top of it they charge an arm and a leg for luggage 🧳 never again

The seats are the worst I upgraded to premium big mistake and it seems like no one likes there job very unpleasant

they don’t have TV Seat to Type in space

Due to one crew member not showing up to work, our flight was significantly delayed causing us to miss our connecting flight in Houston to Mississippi causing us to be delayed by more than 6 hours and missing our event all together. Very disappointing. All because ONE crew member called in sick. United did grant us a $15 meal voucher, which was a small but appreciated concession that I wasn’t able to use because I ordered my lunch and paid for it before applying the concession, and the staff said it was too late to use it. Ugh! We also had a TWO delay coming back from Mississippi, but that was on American Airlines and it was due to weather, so not their fault. Anyway, not at all impressed with United’s handling of our flight and the HUGE disappointment of missing our important family event for our 90 year old mother. All that money and all that stress and emotions for nothing. Having to wait the hour to bring an employee from LAX seemed like something that should not have happened. Why don’t you have a local back-up? Santa Ana is not a little airport in a rural area.

Flight delayed from Cape Town to Washington then got diverted to miami and in miami we had to fend for ourselves , im still trying to get to Shreveport now

delay several times and wait extra long to board. no entertainment service because there are problem for some rows. always encounter some delays for the last flight of the day.

I just wrote a text which was supposed to be for the flight from Denver to spokane not Frankfurt to Denver.

On time every leg of the journey and exceptional staff at counter, gate, and on board. I haven’t travelled in US for a long time and was genuinely surprised how pleasant this was.

Hated every minute of it. This flight should have only taken 1.5hrs but was delayed over 10hours. Now I am being told I cannot be compensated or refunded my ticket price or extra leg room, which I purchased but did not receive, because the airline is throwing the blame on the 3rd party I purchased tickets through and 3rd party putting the blame on airline. No one wants to help. They received their money and that's all they care about. Im going on 3 days of still trying to get to my final destination, had to cancel car rental, car insurance and hotel. Currently staying in airport until hotels open up. Thank you Lufthansa, Kayak, Underpricer and United for making this trip the worst ever.

The delays (5 hrs) were a comedy of errors, and the multiple safety issues encountered were very concerning.

flight delays, staff only communicating when pushed, food service lasting a grand total of 7 minutes, stuck in seat from 45mins into flight until landing

Crew was great and did their best to make us comfortable and captain came out at the beginning to announce why the flight was delayed, weather situation up ahead, and kept us updated throughout the flight.

the flight from Tampa departed with a delay. The food on board was poor, usually on international airlines alcoholic beverages are offered free of charge , but here it was for a fee, the cutlery was wooden, there were no hot drinks (tea, coffee). Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures of the portions of food, but it wouldn't have been enough for a child either.And in the future, I will try not to use the services of this airline

This flight is frequently delayed. The connections seemingly are more frequently delayed. I’ve missed connections as a result twice on the same route to charlotte then Charleston. Final destination arrival has been the next day, twice in a row. No pilots, no crew. Too many excuses. Unfortunately, my days with American are over.

Entertainment was okay not because anything was wrong but it is a short flight so having no wifi is annoying but understandable. Crew was outstanding as usual

It was spectacular. I had basic Economy and was given so much space and their seats lean back so far. Staff was superb, food was superb, everything was superb, Finnair is Fantastic.

Those seats were way too narrow. I had the middle seat, one person was a very skinny person and we still couldn’t avoid touching each other anytime one of us moved. The other person was larger and we were basically sitting in each others lap the entire flight. There was zero entertainment. The flight was long enough to justify tvs, but no. Gotta sit there in your infant seat and twiddle your thumbs.

The Flight attendant had an attitude and didn't allow anyone any time to prepare for landing despite being absent throughout the entire trip

Flight boarded without pilots. Sat on plane for 3 hrs. after over an hour late boarding. Plane never took off. Had to deplane near midnight. Line for rebooking was 3 hours + long. I had to leave.

The flight was great but board was a nightmare. The gate was changed 4 times during the layover period

The experience was great and much better than the flight going out. of course I was in first class but the service was excellent

Cold air blew constantly on my legs almost making me numb.

Ac was broken so we deplaned, waited 2 hours, taxiing for takeoff they said the plane would not fly so we went back to the gate and got a new plane which took another hour. In all a 4 hour delay for an 80 min flight.

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Los jesuitas viven un “duelo” por el cierre de universidad en Nicaragua

“Creo que la tragedia que está viviendo la comunidad (universitaria) la está padeciendo el estudiante y el personal buscando trabajo” lo cual se les dificulta por tener el “estigma de proceder de la UCA”, lamentó su exrector.

Por AFP | Abr 25, 2024- 11:49

Los jesuitas viven un “duelo” desde que el gobierno de Daniel Ortgega cerró la Universidad Centroamerica (UCA) de Nicaragua, tras ser acusada de “centro de terrorismo”, aseguró este miércoles en San Salvador su último rector.

“Yo digo que estamos como comunidad universitaria todavía en duelo”, declaró el exrector de la UCA el sacerdote Rolando Alvarado, al hablar en público por primera vez desde el cierre de su alma mater con estudiantes en San Salvador.

En agosto de 2023, la UCA anunció la suspensión de todas sus actividades luego que un tribunal ordenara la confiscación de sus bienes y fondos tras acusarla de ser un “centro de terrorismo”.

La UCA en su momento señaló que la medida fue adoptada por “infundados” señalamientos de que en 2018 habría funcionado como centro de las protestas que dejaron más de 300 muertos, según la ONU.

Con el cierre hace ocho meses de la UCA, todavía los estudiantes buscan “retomar sus estudios” donde les permitan porque fuera del país “es una minoría cualificada” la que lo ha logrado, explicó.

En el momento que “descabezaron” la UCA, según Alvarado, la institución tenía 5.000 estudiantes y 435 personas laborando.

“Creo que la tragedia que está viviendo la comunidad (universitaria) la está padeciendo el estudiante y el personal buscando trabajo” lo cual se les dificulta por tener el “estigma de proceder de la UCA”, lamentó.

“Lo menos que está funcionando del 2018 para acá es la inteligencia. El cierre de la UCA fue inaudito, cerraron la primera universidad de gestión privada en el siglo XX en Centroamérica”, resume.

Patrocinado por Taboola

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Nicaragua, Russia Reject US & EU Sanctions

Russia and Nicaragua signed a declaration on Monday rejecting sanctions from the United States and the European Union and are seeking measures to “counteract, mitigate and repair the adverse impacts.”

Both countries face economic sanctions from the United States and the European Union. Russia for its war in Ukraine and Nicaragua because President Daniel Ortega has been re-elected in questioned elections and has repressed his critics.

“The recourse by any State to unilateral coercive measures is unlawful, contrary to the Charter of the United Nations and international law,” says the declaration signed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Nicaraguan presidential adviser and head of affairs with Russia, Laureano Ortega Murillo.

“Any foreign judgment arising from the application of national laws, orders and regulations imposing unilateral coercive measures on other States should not be recognized,” adds the declaration signed in Moscow and published in Nicaragua’s official media.

Both countries agreed to “develop a roadmap to reduce dependence on international trade on national currencies that tend to be used to apply coercive measures,” in reference to the U.S. dollar.

Nicaragua and Russia reactivated their economic and military cooperation relations in 2007 with the return to power of Ortega, a former ally of Moscow after the Sandinista revolution of 1979 until 1990.

“Efforts will be made to create regional or other interstate financial institutions to strengthen their bilateral and multilateral financial relations and eliminate unequal practices and processes,” the declaration adds.

Laureano Ortega Murillo is the son of the President of Nicaragua and his wife and Vice President Rosario Murillo.

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eBird Centroamérica: Resumen para el 2021

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• Macaulay Library

El 2021 fue un año emocionante para eBird en Centroamérica y, de hecho, para todo el mundo.

Crecimiento de eBird en Centroamérica

El crecimiento de eBird en Centroamérica, tanto en términos de usuarios como de listas, no mostró signos de detenerse en el 2021. De hecho, ¡durante el 2021 superamos el sorprendente hito de un millón de listas completas! El número de listas creció un 12% en comparación con el año pasado, mientras que el número de eBirders creció un 3%. El mayor crecimiento se mostró en El Salvador, donde el número de listas creció en un 79% y el número de eBirders en un 44%. El top eBirder centroamericano en términos de listas ingresadas durante el 2021 fue Gilberto Flores-Walter de Honduras, quien ingresó la asombrosa cantidad de 3,760 listas el año pasado. ¡Un promedio de más de 10 listas al día, y más del doble del esfuerzo que realizó en el 2020, cuando también fue el top eBirder por listas! Guillermo Saborío Vega de Costa Rica obtuvo el primer lugar para la región en términos de especies vistas en el 2021, Guillermo terminó con la impresionante cifra de 772 especies, es decir, dos tercios de todas las especies reportadas por todos nosotros en la región en el 2021.

Listas y usuarios de eBird para Centroamérica.

Crecimiento de Merlin en Centroamérica

El uso de Merlin también creció en Centroamérica. Hubo más de 120,000 usuarios activos de Merlin en la región en el 2021, un aumento del 20% con respecto al año pasado. Esta aplicación gratuita para la identificación de aves ayuda a los observadores de aves a familiarizarse con las aves que los rodean y proporciona una práctica referencia de bolsillo con vocalizaciones, imágenes, mapas y pistas clave para la identificación. Es una aplicación súper útil cuando visitas lugares donde no estás familiarizado con las aves. Merlin Sound ID, el componente de Merlin que te ayuda a identificar aves en tus grabaciones, se agregó en el 2021. Por el momento, los sonidos de aves que Merlín identifica bien en Centroamérica son en su mayoría de aves migratorias norteamericanas, pero actualmente un equipo de voluntarios expertos está etiquetando grabaciones de sonidos de aves centroamericanas para ampliar la cobertura a especies residentes. Estas etiquetas «enseñarán» a los algoritmos de Merlín a identificar las vocalizaciones de las aves. Busca actualizaciones de Merlin en el 2022 para experimentar esta cobertura ampliada de Merlin Sound ID.

Usuarios activos de eBird y Merlin en Centroamérica.

Nuevas características de eBird

En el 2021, eBird agregó una nueva y emocionante función llamada Reportes de viaje a su cartera de productos. Los Reportes de viaje te permiten resumir y compartir una visión general de tu viaje de observación de aves, por ejemplo, todas las listas que junto a tus compañeros enviaron durante uno de los Grandes Días Mundiales, durante un recorrido de observación de aves de 10 días con clientes, o durante un viaje pelágico donde dividiste el viaje en listas más cortas, para proporcionar información más precisa.

Estado y tendencias de eBird

eBird Estado y tendencias (que puedes encontrar en eBird Ciencia) es donde tus observaciones de eBird y el modelaje de ultima generación se unen para producir modelos de distribución precisos de aves en el espacio y el tiempo. Estos modelos son increíblemente útiles para la conservación, ya que señalan con notable precisión dónde se encuentran las aves durante todo el año. Las asociaciones de hábitat también se modelan a través del tiempo y el espacio. Para Centroamérica, se han modelado 445 especies hasta el momento, y cada año se agregan más especies.

Durante la temporada no reproductiva, más de dos tercios (72%) de la población mundial de Golden-cheeked Warbler se encuentra en Honduras. Una conclusión lógica es que las medidas de conservación efectivas para proteger a esta especie en peligro de extinción en las zonas de invernada deben incluir colaboraciones con organizaciones para la conservación en Honduras, tantos gubernamentales como no gubernamentales.

Nuevas especies

Muchos de nosotros estábamos encantados de ver especies que no habíamos visto antes, mientras que algunos de nosotros incluso encontramos especies nunca reportadas de la región. En el 2021, hubo tres avistamientos de este tipo, lo que elevó el número total de especies para la región reportadas en eBird a 1245. (Tenga en cuenta que este número incluye especies como African Collared-Dove, que es un ave comercializada como mascota y que probablemente escapó). Las tres adiciones a la avifauna centroamericana fueron Rufous-backed Robin de Nicaragua, Greater White-fronted Goose de Costa Rica y Yellow-nosed Albatross de Panamá. Continúa leyendo para conocer cuales especies fueron nuevas para eBird en cada uno de los siete países centroamericanos en el 2021.

Nuevos registros para Guatemala

Gray-capped Cuckoo , una especie del noroeste de América del Sur que se ha vuelto regular en Panamá en los últimos años fue un hallazgo espectacular el 12 de marzo cerca de Puerto Barrios en la costa caribeña de Guatemala. Foto © Guatemala Quest / Biblioteca Macaulay.

Dos semanas más tarde, el 26 de marzo, un macho adulto de Surf Scoter también fue registro inesperado cerca de Tecojate en la costa del Pacífico. Después de un registro para El Salvador en el 2017, este es el primero para Guatemala y el segundo para Centroamérica.

Los registros de Ruff , una especie euroasiática, han aumentado constantemente en Norteamérica en los últimos años, y esta tendencia también está comenzando a hacerse visible en Centroamérica. Un macho estaba en Finca Mayasal el 27 de abril en la costa del Pacífico de Guatemala, a unos 10 km de la frontera con El Salvador. Foto © Varinia Sagastume / Macaulay Library.

Black-banded Woodcreeper ha sido reportado varias veces antes desde Guatemala, pero era nueva especie para eBird Guatemala. Foto © Gabriel Cordón / Macaulay Library.

Nuevos para eBird Guatemala, aunque no son nuevos para el país, son un Black-banded Woodcreeper reportado el 27 de junio en la Sierra de las Minas, y un Eastern Whip-poor-will del 7 de octubre en Tayasal en el Petén.

Nuevos registros para Belice

Belice también agregó Ruff a su lista nacional este año, dejando solo a El Salvador, Honduras y Nicaragua sin esta especie en la región. Un individuo fue observado en Wildtracks Lagoon, en el extremo norte del país, el 18 de enero.

Dark-billed Cuckoo , ampliamente distribuido en Suramérica, es raro en cualquier lugar de Centro y Norteamérica. Después de un avistamiento en Nicaragua en el 2017, este reporte de Belice del 7 de marzo en los campos de arroz de Spanish Lookout es el primero para ese país y el segundo para la región. Foto © Leslie Penner / Macaulay Library.

Un hallazgo notable fue un Band-rumped Storm-Petrel en la playa de Half Moon Caye frente a la ciudad de Belice el 7 de abril. Poco común pero regular durante la migración en la mayor parte de la región, Baird’s Sandpiper , era muy esperado para Belice. Un individuo fue encontrado el 28 de abril en la Laguna de Vida Silvestre de Agua caliente en Toledo.

Brown-chested Martin , una especie sudamericana a veces reportada en el sur de Centroamérica, fue un excelente hallazgo el 13 de junio en el puente Mussel Creek cerca de la ciudad de Belice. Foto © Jorge Eduardo Ruano / Macaulay Library.

Nuevos registros para El Salvador

Un escaso visitante de invierno en las tierras altas del norte de Centroamérica, Cassin’s Kingbird era nuevo pero no inesperado para El Salvador el 16 de enero, cuando uno fue encontrado y bien descrito desde el volcán El Boquerón cerca de San Salvador. También esperado, dos  Cerulean Warblers eran un primer reporte de país el 29 de agosto en el Ecoparque El Espino, cerca de San Salvador. En el penúltimo día del año, un grupo de cuatro eBirders encontraron dos nuevas especies para El Salvador, ambas especies pelágicas que normalmente se encuentran en aguas más frías: Black-legged Kittiwake y Sooty Shearwater .

Este Sooty Shearwater fue nueva especie para El Salvador el 30 de diciembre de 2021. Foto © Andrés Choussy / Macaulay Library.

El mismo viaje pelágico que condujo al primer reporte de Sooty Shearwater también permitió encontrar a esta gaviota del (sub-)Ártico: Black-legged Kittiwake. Foto © Andrés Choussy / Biblioteca Macaulay.

Nuevos registros para Honduras

La «nueva frontera» hondureña en la observación de aves es, sin duda, las Islas de la Bahía, de donde provienen la mayoría de los primeros registros de país en los últimos años, después de que la relativamente remota Moskitia y el anteriormente poco pajareado Golfo de Fonseca, produjeran regularmente nuevos registros hace cinco o diez años. Tres de los cuatro registros de 2021 destacados aquí como nuevos para eBird en Honduras provienen de las Islas de la Bahía. Dos Couch’s Kingbirds fueron vistos y grabados en Roatán el 29 de enero, proporcionando el primer registro para el país.

Un hermoso macho Cinnamon Teal deleitó a los observadores de aves el 7 de abril en las lagunas de oxidación de Puerto Cortés. Conocido solo por registros históricos, la especie era nueva para Honduras en eBird. Foto © Roberto Downing / Macaulay Library.

Clay-colored Sparrow , nuevo para Honduras, fue un buen hallazgo en la isla de Guanaja el 6 de noviembre, donde fue visto en compañía de tres White-crowned Sparrows. Es solo la segunda vez que se reporta White-crowned Sparrow en Honduras.

Bonaparte’s Gull , Roatán, era nueva especie para Honduras el 14 de diciembre de 2021. Foto © Joel Amaya / Macaulay Library.

Nuevos registros para Nicaragua

Bonaparte’s Gull también era nueva especie para Nicaragua casi un año antes, cuando una fue avistada en la playa de Masachapa, en la costa del Pacífico, el 3 de enero. Foto © Danilo Moreno / Macaulay Library.

Una semana después, el mismo observador encontró un Lark Sparrow cerca de San Francisco Libre el 12 de enero. Esta especie ciertamente se esperaba en Nicaragua, el último país de Centroamérica en agregarla a su listado nacional.

Rufous-backed Robin , una atractiva ave endémica de México conocida por sus apariciones irregulares en Estados Unidos, fue toda una sorpresa el 12 de marzo cuando uno fue documentado en el Puente Las Cruces en el noroeste de Nicaragua, a unos 10 km de la frontera con Honduras. Foto © Manuel Aguilar / Macaulay Library.

Nuevos registros para Costa Rica

Costa Rica comenzó el 2021 agregando Northern Mockingbird , cuando uno fue encontrado en la costa caribeña cerca de Colorado el 3 de enero. Foto © Ricardo Rojas / Macaulay Biblioteca.

Crimson-backed Tanager , que se encuentra en todo Panamá, posiblemente se esperaba que ocurriera en Costa Rica algún día también. Curiosamente, el registro del 2021 que se agregó a eBird Costa Rica fue ingresado el 25 de octubre desde una distancia de al menos 80 km de la frontera panameña, cerca de Ojochal en Puntarenas. Foto © Walter Sanchez / Macaulay Library.

Residente en gran parte del norte de Centroamérica, Chipping Sparrow fue nuevo para Costa Rica en el 2021, cuando se encontró uno el 7 de noviembre en Finca Kebla cerca de El Jardín, San José. El ave se quedó al menos hasta diciembre. Foto © Fernando Burgalin Sequeria / Macaulay Library.

Greater White-fronted Goose llega el centro de México en invierno, pero un grupo de 5 que aparecieron en los trópicos de Costa Rica fue una gran sorpresa el 29 de noviembre en Guanacaste. Foto © Guillermo Saborío Vega / Macaulay Library.

El 18 de diciembre, Costa Rica fue el último país centroamericano en agregar White-faced Ibis a su listado nacional en eBird. Foto © Giovanni Delgado / Macaulay Library.

Nuevos registros para Panamá

Panamá agregó mas aves que cualquier otro país centroamericano este año. Algunos de estos eran de especies no migratorias que son regulares en otras partes de la región; uno era de una especie que típicamente inverna más al norte, y dos eran sorpresas pelágicas del hemisferio sur.

Expandiéndose lentamente hacia el sureste, era solo cuestión de tiempo antes de que Red-billed Pigeon también se encontrara en Panamá, lo que sucedió el 23 de abril en Bocas del Toro. Foto © Roger A. Morales-Flores / Macaulay Library.

Markham’s Storm-Petrel , endémico de la Corriente de Humboldt frente al oeste de Suramérica, era el segundo registro para Panamá, y el primer para eBird Panamá, el 8 de mayo (Día Grande Mundial), cuando uno fue fotografiado y descrito de manera convincente en un viaje pelágico frente a El Arenal. Foto © Jan Cubilla / Macaulay Library.

Un macho adulto de Brown-headed Cowbird fue inesperado en las Islas Secas a unos 20 km de la costa del Pacífico de Panamá el 14 de junio. Foto © Beny Wilson / Biblioteca Macaulay.

Un Double-striped Thick-knee justo al otro lado de la frontera de Costa Rica, pero en la costa del Caribe, fue un emocionante primer registro para Panamá el 12 de julio. Foto © Roger A. Morales / Macaulay Library.

Siempre cerca de la frontera con Costa Rica, y también en Bocas del Toro, esta vez el 11 de octubre, fue de donde provino otro primer registro para Panamá de un ave que es común en Costa Rica: Hoffmann’s Woodpecker . Foto © Roger A. Morales / Macaulay Library.

Nuevo, no solo para Panamá, sino para toda Centroamérica fue este (Western o Atlantic) Yellow-nosed Albatross , un hallazgo emocionante frente a la costa atlántica del centro de Panamá el 21 de octubre. Foto © Enrique Untiedt / Macaulay Library.

Los reportes centroamericanos de Red-breasted Merganser han aumentado en los últimos años, por lo que tal vez era solo cuestión de tiempo que Panamá registrara su primer avistamiento. Un grupo de cinco individuos de esta especie deleitaron a los observadores en Bocas del Toro el 30 de noviembre. Foto © Korinna Kochinke / Macaulay Library.

Estos son algunos de los hallazgos más emocionantes en Centroamérica para el 2021. ¿Qué aves aparecerán en Centroamérica en el 2022? ¿Cuáles son tus objetivos de observación de aves para el nuevo año? ¡Veamos!

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