El Salvador Overview Country Overview El Salvador is located in Central America and is bordered by Guatemala, Honduras and the Pacific Ocean. Most of the country is volcanic uplands, along which run two almost parallel rows of volcanoes. Situated 680m (2240ft) above sea level, San Salvador, which is the second largest city in Central America, is the capital. The city is a blend of modern buildings and colonial architecture, broad plazas and monuments, amusement parks and shopping centres. Standing within short distances of each other are the Cathedral, the National Palace, the National Treasury and the National Theatre. The amusement park on San Jacinto Mountain can be reached by cable car and gives a panoramic view of the city. Trips to a number of interesting archaeological sites from the Maya civilisation can also be organised. El Salvador has a 320km (200-mile) Pacific Coast with resort hotels, unspoiled beaches, fishing villages and pine views. The best resorts tend to be found along the Costa del Sol, easily accessible via a modern highway. The food market in San Salvador is one of the largest in Latin America and its stalls sell all manner of produce. Restaurants serve a variety of international cuisines including Mexican, French and Chinese. San Salvador has a few nightclubs and cocktail lounges with dinner and dancing, some of which require membership. Cinemas (some showing English films with subtitles) are very popular. General Information Area: 21,041 sq km (8124 sq miles). Population: 6,276,000 (official estimate 2000). Population Density: 298.3 per sq km. Capital: San Salvador. Population: 415,346 (1992). GEOGRAPHY: El Salvador is located in Central America and is bordered north and west by Guatemala, north and east by Honduras and south and west by the Pacific Ocean. Most of the country is volcanic uplands, along which run two almost parallel rows of volcanoes. The highest are Santa Ana at 2365m (7759ft), San Vicente at 2182m (7159ft) and San Salvador at 1943m (6375ft). Volcanic activity has resulted in a thick layer of ash and lava on the highlands, ideal for coffee planting. Lowlands lie to the north and south of the high backbone. Government: Republic. Head of State and Government: President Francisco Flores Pérez since 1999. Language: The official language is Spanish. English is widely spoken. Religion: 88 per cent Roman Catholic and some other Christian denominations. Time: GMT - 6. Electricity: 110 volts AC, 60Hz. Telephone IDD available. Country code: 503. IDD is available to Europe, the USA and certain international ports. Outgoing international code: 0. Mobile telephone GSM 900 network. Network operators include CTE Telecom Perosnal SA de CV and Digicel SA de CV. Fax Large hotels have facilities. Internet Internet access is readily available throughout El Salvador. ISPs include NetSat Express (website: www.netsatx.net) and Pointe Communications (website: www.telscape.com). Post Airmail to Europe takes up to seven days. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1600. Press Six daily newspapers are published in San Salvador, including El Diario de Hoy and La Prensa Gráfica. There are several provincial papers. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 15.19 12.10 6.195 5.975 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 13.79 9.455 6.130 5.995 Passport/Visa   Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required? British Yes 1 Yes Australian Yes Yes Yes Canadian Yes Yes Yes USA Yes Yes Yes OtherEU Yes 1 Yes Japanese Yes 1 Yes PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least six months after day of departure required by all. VISAS: Required by all except the following: (a) 1. nationals of Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (Rep), Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Uruguay; (b) nationals of the UK for stays of up to 90 days; (b) transit passengers continuing their journey within 12 hours by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport. Note: Nationals of Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Burundi, Central African Republic, China, Congo (Rep), Cuba, Egypt, India, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Korea (Dem Rep), Libya, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestinian Authority, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syrian Arab Republic and Sudan need authorisation from the immigration authorities in El Salvador and their visa processing time can therefore take up to three weeks. Applicants should apply in plenty of time. Types of visa and cost: Tourist and Business: US$30. Fees payable in US Dollars only. Validity: Tourist and Business: up to 90 days. Visas can be renewed at the Immigration Office in El Salvador. Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section. Application requirements: (a) Completed application form. (b) One passport-size photo. (c) Valid passport. (d) For tourist visas, a photocopy of the return ticket is necessary or, if the tickets have not yet been purchased, an original letter from travel agency stating that the tickets are being purchased. (e) Fee. Payable in cash. Visa fees are non-refundable. (f) For business visas, a company letter and photo should accompany the application form. Working days required: Tourist and Business visas are normally issued within 24 hours. If authorisation from the Immigration Department in El Salvador is needed, processing time is approximately 21 days. Temporary residence: Apply to Ministry of Interior in San Salvador. Money Currency: Colón (¢) (colloquially ‘Peso’) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of ¢200, 100, 50, 25, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of ¢1, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 centavos. Due to the introduction of the US Dollar into the country, dollars have been accepted as dual currency since January 2001 and will eventually completely replace the Colón. Note: Visitors should reconvert all unspent Colónes before entering Guatemala or Honduras, as they are neither exchanged nor accepted in these countries. Note: Most banks are closed for balancing on 29-30 Jun and 30-31 Dec. These dates may vary for individual banks. Currency exchange: Visitors are advised to change currency only at banks and official bureaux de change. Credit & debit cards: American Express, Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted, whilst Diners Club has more limited use. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Travellers cheques: These may be cashed at any bank or hotel on production of a passport. Currency restrictions: No restrictions on import and export of local currency. Import of foreign currency is unlimited, but declaration is advised. Export of foreign currency is unlimited but limited to the amount declared on import for larger amounts. Exchange rate indicators The following figures have been included as a guide to the movements of the Colón against Sterling and the US Dollar: Date May ’02 Aug ’02 Nov ’02 Feb ’03 £1.00= 12.75 13.30 13.83 13.93 $1.00= 8.75 8.75 8.75 8.75 Banking hours: Generally Mon-Fri 0900-1300 and 1345-1600; Sat 0900-1300. Duty Free The following goods may be imported into El Salvador without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars; 2l of alcoholic beverages; up to 6 units of perfume; gifts to the value of US$500. Note: There are restrictions on import and export of fruit, vegetables, plants and animals. Public Holidays Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Apr 16-20 Holy Week. May 1 Labour Day. Jun 30 Balance Day. Aug 4 Transfiguration Bank Holiday. Aug 5-6 Festival El Salvador del Mundo (San Salvador only). Sep 15 Independence Day. Nov 2 All Souls’ Day. Nov 5 Cry of Independence Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 31 New Year’s Eve. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Apr 7-11 Holy Week. May 1 Labour Day. Jun 30 Balance Day. Aug 4 Transfiguration Bank Holiday. Aug 5-6 Festival El Salvador del Mundo (San Salvador only). Sep 15 Independence Day. Nov 2 All Souls’ Day. Nov 5 Cry of Independence Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 31 New Year’s Eve. Health   Special Precautions Certificate Required Yellow Fever No 1 Cholera 2 No Typhoid and Polio 3 N/A Malaria 4 N/A 1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over six months of age coming from infected areas. 2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry into El Salvador. However, cases of cholera were reported in 1996 and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. 3: Typhoid is common. 4: Very low malaria risk, predominantly in the benign vivax form, exists all year in Santa Ana Province and in rural areas of migratory influence. Food & drink: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is recommended, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products that are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Other risks: Dengue fever (including dengue haemorrhagic fever) is reported to be on the increase. Travellers should ask their doctor for advice before travelling. Visceral leishmaniasis occurs in this country, as well as cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmanisis. Hepatitis A occurs and precautions should be taken. See the Health appendix for further information. Rabies is widespread, particularly in dogs and bats. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For persons at high risk of exposure on a continuing basis, it may be advisable to have a course of rabies vaccine. Persons taking animals to El Salvador should be certain that the animals are immunised against rabies. Health care: There are about 50 state-run hospitals with a total of more than 7000 beds. Health insurance is essential as there is no reciprocal health agreement with the UK. Travel - International AIR: El Salvador’s national airline is GRUPOTACA (TA). American Airlines operates daily flights from London Heathrow to El Salvador via Miami and via Washington. United Airlines operates flights from London Heathrow to El Salvador via Washington. Other airlines include Continental, COPA, Delta, Aerolineas Argentinas, Air France and Air Italia. Approximate flight times: From San Salvador to London, excluding stopover time in USA (usually overnight), is 10 hours 20 minutes. International airports: San Salvador (SAL) (El Salvador International) is 45km (28 miles) from the city. Coaches to the city operate 0600-1900 (travel time – 30 minutes). Taxis to the city are also available. Airport facilities include a restaurant (0600-1900), duty-free shops (0600-2000), car hire, disabled facilities, pharmacy (0800-1730), bank/bureau de change (0700-1900), tourist information (Mon-Fri 0930-1830) and left luggage (0600-2200). Departure tax: US$24.65 (including a US$2.65 Immigration Tax). Children under two years are exempt, but do need to pay the Immigration Tax. SEA: The principal ports are Acajutla, La Union and La Libertad on the Pacific coast. RAIL: There are currently no rail links to Guatemala. Contact the Embassy for passage details. ROAD: There are frequent buses from San Salvador to Guatemala City and Tegucigalpa. If arriving at the border during off-duty hours (from Mon-Fri 1200-1400, 1800-0800 and Saturday from 1200 to Monday 2000) a duty must be paid. Travel - Internal AIR: Services are available from San Salvador to San Miguel, La Unión and Usulután. RAIL: There are over 600km (372 miles) of railways, linking San Salvador with Acajutla, Cutuco, San Jerónimo and Angiuatu. ROAD: Traffic drives on the right. There are more than 12,000km (7440 miles) of roads around the country; a third of this network is either paved or improved to allow all-weather use. Car hijacking and burglaries are frequent in El Salvador (especially in the cities) and drivers are advised to travel by day only and with the doors locked at all times. New cars, particularly with foreign licence plates, are frequent targets. Bus: A good service exists between major towns. Car hire: Available in San Salvador and from the airport. Documentation: A national or International Driving Permit is required. A vehicle may remain in the country for 30 days, and for a further 60 days on application to the Customs and Transport authorities. URBAN: Bus: City buses offer a good service, but are often crowded. Taxi: Plentiful but not metered, so it is advisable to agree the fare beforehand. Large hotels have their own taxi services. TRAVEL TIMES: The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from San Salvador to other major cities/towns in El Salvador. Road Costa del Sol 1.30 Santa Ana 1.15 San Miguel 3.00 Accommodation The main hotels are in the capital, and accommodation should be booked in advance. Due to a high crime rate, foreign visitors should seek advice from the Embassy before leaving. Lake Coatepeque is a popular resort in Western El Salvador which has good hotels, restaurants and lodging houses. Grading: Hotels in El Salvador can be classified into three groups: deluxe, first-class and budget hotels. Introduction Note: El Salvador’s infrastructure was badly affected by the earthquake in Jan 2001. Consult Government travel warnings for up-to-date information on conditions in the country. SAN SALVADOR: Situated 680m (2240ft) above sea level, the capital, San Salvador, is the second largest city in Central America, with a population of over 600,000. Founded by the Spaniard Pedro De Alvarado in 1525, the city is a blend of modern buildings and colonial architecture, broad plazas and monuments, amusement parks and shopping centres. The most important public buildings are downtown. Standing within a short distance of each other are the Catedral Metropolitana (metropolitan cathedral), the Palacio Nacional (national palace), the National Treasury and the Teatro Nacional (national theatre). Among the many beautiful colonial churches to be seen are St Ignatius Loyola (once the shrine of the ‘Virgin of Guadelupe’) with a traditional Spanish colonial façade, the Juayua and the Suchitoto. The amusement park on San Jacinto Mountain can be reached by cable car and gives a panoramic view of the city. Balboa Park, 11km (7 miles) from the capital, and the 1200m (3900ft) rock formation, the Puerta del Diablo (devil’s doorway), just south of Balboa Park, also give a bird’s-eye view of San Salvador. Excursions: From San Salvador, excursions can be made by road to Panchimalco, 15km (9 miles) south of the capital, around which live the Pancho Indians (pure-blooded descendants of the original Pipil tribes), who retain many of their old traditions and dress. The village of San Sebastian, approximately one hour by car from San Salvador, is known for its beautiful woven materials. The village is situated near Lake Ilopango, the largest of El Salvador’s lakes, surrounded by volcanoes and mountains, and is a popular destination for outdoor and watersports’ enthusiasts. The mountain village of Ilobasco, northeast of the capital, is renowned for its beauty and its craftwork. ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES: El Salvador has a number of ancient archaeological sites from the Maya civilisation, some dating back to the third century BC. The Mayan village of Joya de Cerén was buried under volcanic ash 1400 years ago and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also close to the capital is the San Andrés region, where fertile soil once housed Mayan settlements and where the architectural jewel, the acropolis, is a highlight. El Salvador’s earliest people lived between 300 BC and AD 1200 at Chalchuapa in the Tazumal region, 78km (46 miles) from San Salvador. During this period, five important ceremonial centres were built: Pampe, El Trapiche, Las Victorias, Casablanca and the beautiful ruins at Tazumal, which boasts structures over 30m (90ft) high and a ball court where the Maya practised an unusual sporting rite. Other interesting sites include the pre-Columbian Tehuacán site near San Vicente; the monumental Santa Letìcía sculptures near the town of San Miguel; and the pre-Columbian village of Quelepa, also in San Miguel. VOLCANOES & PARKS: There are more than 25 volcanoes in El Salvador, only three of which – the Izalco, San Miguel and Santa Ana (the largest) – are still considered active. The extinct San Salvador volcano is within close proximity of the capital. Another extinct volcano, the easily accessible Cerro Verde in the west, is located within the Cerro Verde National Park, also home to the popular and beautiful Lake Coatepeque, which sits on top of a volcanic crater. The nearby Santa Ana volcano, which is still active and last erupted in 1966, is located near the town of Santa Ana, whose cathedral is the most famous in El Salvador. Also within the area is the El Imposible National Park, the country’s most important ecological reserve, where varied vegetation and fauna offers a refuge for numerous bird and wildlife species, including the rare Black Hawk Eagle. THE COAST: El Salvador has a 320km (200-mile) Pacific Coast with resort hotels, unspoiled beaches, fishing villages and pine views. Beaches include Los Cóbanos, El Sunzal, La Barra de Santiago, El Cuco and El Tamarindo. The best resorts tend to be found along the Costa del Sol, easily accessible via a modern highway. For details on sports and activities that can be pursued on the coast and elsewhere in El Salvador, see the Sport & Activities section. Sport & Activities Watersports: The eastern coast is renowned for having the most attractive beaches, the best of which include El Icacal and El Tamarindo. Surfing is popular, with the biggest waves rolling in at Punta Roca and Los Cóbanos. Boat excursions on the Gulf of Fonseca, a large stretch of water shared by El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, are also possible, including stopovers at the many volcanic islands dotting the Gulf. For an inland resort, the western region of Lake Coatepeque at the foot of the Santa Ana volcano is recommended and offers a range of watersports. It also has several good hotels, restaurants and lodging houses. Canoeing and whitewater rafting are possible on some of the rivers, notably the Tortola. Visitors can also practise fishing, sailing and boat racing, which is available in private clubs only. Other: Organised cultural tours to El Salvador’s archaeological sites as well as hiking and trekking expeditions to the volcanoes, lakes and parks can be booked through private operators. Ecological tours to study the fauna and wildlife in the parks and nature reserves are also available. For details, contact CORSATUR (see Contact Addresses section). Social Profile Food & Drink: There are numerous Chinese, Mexican, Italian, French and local restaurants, plus several fast-food chains. The food market (one of the biggest and cleanest in Central and Latin America) has many stalls selling cheap food. Nightlife: San Salvador has a few nightclubs and cocktail lounges with dinner and dancing, some of which require membership. There are many cinemas, some showing English-language films with subtitles; there are also some ‘juke box’ dance-halls and theatres. Shopping: Various goods can be bought at the Mercado Cuartel crafts market, including towels in Maya designs. Other shopping centres can be found at Metrocentro, Galerias Escalón, Villas Españolas, Metrosor and Basilea. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1200 and 1400-1800. Special Events: For full details of special events and festivals in El Salvador, contact the National Tourism Institute or Embassy (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of events that occur annually in 2003: Jan Sugar Cane Fair, Cojutepeque; Street Festival of Ahuachapán. May Flower Fiesta, Panchimalco. Jul July Festival, Santa Ana. Aug August Festival (El Salvador del Mundo), San Salvador. Oct Balm Festival, Santa Tecla. Nov Straw Festival, Zacatecoluco; Carnival, San Miguel. Social Conventions: Visitors should not point their finger or their foot at anyone. First names should not be used to address someone unless invited to do so. Conservative casual wear is acceptable. Photography: Sensitive (eg military) areas should not be photographed. Tipping: Ten per cent in hotels and restaurants; 15 per cent is appropriate for smaller bills. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, except when the taxi has been hired for the day. Business Profile Economy: The long-running civil war caused a significant decline in El Salvador’s mainly agricultural economy. Although there has been a steady recovery since the political settlement (see History and Government section) took hold, El Salvador remains one of the poorest economies in the region. The economy is also still vulnerable to the vagaries of the regional climate – hurricanes, floods and drought. The principal commercial crop is coffee, which is the country’s major export earner. Other important crops are cotton, sugar, maize, beans and rice; in addition, shrimps and honey have become important export commodities. There is a sizeable manufacturing sector – the largest in Central America – producing footwear, textiles, leather goods and pharmaceuticals. Hydro-electricity and imported oil are the main sources of energy. Tourism is the main service industry. Although exports have grown strongly since the mid-90s, El Salvador still runs a large trade deficit. This is offset to some extent by remittances from Salvadoreans working abroad. El Salvador, which is a member of the Central American Common Market, relies heavily on US aid and loans from the International Monetary Fund. The USA is the country’s largest trading partner, followed by Guatemala, Germany and Japan. Business: Businesspeople are expected to wear suits. Although some local businesspeople speak English, a good knowledge of Spanish is important. Visiting cards are essential. The best months for business visits are September to March, avoiding the Christmas period. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1230, 1430-1730. Commercial Information: The following organisations can offer advice: Cámara de Comercio e Industria de El Salvador, Apartado 1640, 9a Avenida Norte, San Salvador (tel: 771 2055; fax: 771 4461; e-mail: camara@camarasal.com); or Banco Central de Reserva de El Salvador, CENTREX, Alameda Juan Pablo Segundo, Entre 15 y 17Avenida Norte, San Salvador (tel: 281 8087; fax: 281 8086; e-mail: comunicaciones@bcr.gob.sv; website: www.bcr.gob.sv). Climate Hot, subtropical climate affected by altitude. Coastal areas are particularly hot, with a rainy season between May and October. Upland areas have a cooler, more temperate climate. Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and rainwear during the wet season in coastal areas. Waterproof clothing is advisable all year round. Warm clothing should be taken for higher altitudes. History and Government History: The Pipil tribe who occupied the region that is now El Salvador put up strong resistance to the 1524 Spanish expedition led by Pedro de Alvarado. By the following year, however, the Spanish had prevailed and established a settlement named San Salvador, near the Pipil capital of Cuscatlan. The territory of El Salvador became part of the captaincy-general of Guatemala. When the independence of Guatemala was accepted by the Spanish in 1821, El Salvador accepted its new status but strongly objected to the Guatemalans’ plan to incorporate it into the Mexican empire. In 1824, after a brief war and having established its own constitution, El Salvador became one of the United Provinces of Central America (later the Federal Republic of Central America). Nonetheless, it was several decades before El Salvador was able to rid itself of the overwhelming influence of Guatemala. This came about largely through the influence of the country’s coffee barons whose substantial economic clout was converted into effective political control and who dominated the country until the 1920s. At this point, the military entered the political arena – by virtue of successfully putting down a farm workers’ revolt led by Augustin Farabundo Marti – and has retained a central role ever since. The repressive nature of military government and the alliance formed between senior army officers and the land-owning families who controlled the economy, caused growing discontent among workers and, gradually, the Catholic clergy, which had traditionally sided with the ruling classes. Economic problems grew throughout the 1950s, 60s and 70s, with a brief diversion provided by the 1969 ‘Soccer War’ with Honduras (essentially a border dispute, despite its title). A disputed election in 1972, won by a Conservative military candidate, triggered widespread political violence. But it was the 1980 assassination of Archbishop Romero – a leading critic of civil rights abuses – by right-wing elements, which accelerated the country’s plunge into civil war. There was a sharp increase in recruitment to the various guerrilla organisations that had been gradually organising throughout the 1970s. As the war spread throughout the country during the 1980s, the Government received huge amounts of US military and civil aid (a consequence of the ‘Reagan Doctrine’ of rolling back communism) with which it fought a brutal and fairly effective counter-insurgency campaign against leftist guerrillas of the Faribundo Marti Liberation Front (FMLN). Peace talks began in earnest in 1989, after a major offensive by the guerrillas persuaded the Government that there would be no outright military victor. Cajoled by President Alfredo Cristiani of the right-wing ARENA party, formed in 1981 to represent landowning interests, hard-line factions of the military reluctantly accepted the need for a settlement. A formal ceasefire, under UN auspices and supervised by a joint forum of the two sides entitled the National Commission for the Consolidation of Peace (COPAZ), came into force at the beginning of 1992. Since then, ARENA has dominated domestic politics as the FLMN tried to find its feet in the new political environment. It was not until the March 2000 legislative poll that the party became the largest in the Asemblea Nacional (National Assembly), although ARENA continues to control the Government with the support of smaller right-wing parties. The presidential election 12 months earlier had returned ARENA’s Francisco Flores Perez by a substantial majority. Political differences were temporarily set aside in January 2001, when the country was struck by a massive earthquake, which killed several thousand and left tens of thousands homeless. The reconstruction period has been overshadowed once again by the legacy of the civil war. There have been repeated clashes over compensation, between ex-fighters and security forces, while in 2002, several former generals in exile in the USA have been convicted in US courts of human rights abuses. Abroad, El Salvador’s sole territorial dispute – with Honduras, over the ownership of three islands in the Gulf of Fonseca – was finally resolved in January 1998. This will ease plans that are currently on the drawing board for further regional economic integration linked to the US-dominated NAFTA trade bloc. Government: Executive power in the Republic of El Salvador is vested in a President, elected by universal adult suffrage every five years. He is assisted by a Vice President and a Council of Ministers. Legislation is formulated by the 84-member Asamblea Nacional, elected by universal adult suffrage every three years. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.