El Salvador - Country Information

Film Commissions

General Information

Location: Central America
Local Time: GMT -6
Capital City: San Salvador
Population: 7 million
Area: 20,742 square km, 12,889 square miles.
Language(s): Spanish, English is widely spoken
Dialling Code: 503
Emergency: Police: 121 & 911. Fire: 271 2227/1244. Ambulance: 222 5155
Directory Enquiries:
TV Standard:
Driving: Driving is on the right. National licence or International Driving Permit required valid for 30 days
Electricity: 110V AC 60Hz

Business & Currency

Currency: US Dollar (USD 1 = 100 Cents)
Notes: USD: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100
Coins: Cents: 1, 5, 10, 25

Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Major credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted

Opening Hours
Bank: 0900-1700 Mon-Fri, 0800-1200 Sat
Office: 0900-1730 Mon-Fri, 0800-1200 Sat. Government offices: 0800-1600 Mon-Fri
Shops: 1000-1900

Public Holidays
2008
Jan 1 New Years Day, Mar 21-23 Easter, May 1 Labour Day, Aug 3 Fiesta de San Salvador, Aug 4-6 Fiestas Patronales, Sep 15 Independence Day, Nov 2 All Souls Day, Dec 24 Christmas Eve, Dec 25 Christmas Day, Dec 31 New Years Eve

Business/Social Hints: Business is conducted in Spanish, some executives speak English. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants or clubs, arrive on time and dress as for business meetings unless suggested otherwise

Tipping: Around 10% in restaurants & hotels. Taxi fares usually include tips

Health

Reciprocal health:

Compulsory vaccinations: Yellow fever certificate if arriving from infected areas. Exempt infants under 6 months.

Recommended immunisations: Diphtheria*, hepatitis A, hepatitis B*, malaria, TB*, tetanus, typhoid, rabies
* recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month.

Risks: Malaria risk is very low all year in Santa Ana Province, in rural areas of migratory influence from Guatemala. Rabies.

Airports

Passport & Visa

The following details relate to holders of adult normal passports (requirements for children may be different), if any other type of passport or travel document is held, entry requirements should be checked with the relevant embassy or consulate

Passports

Required by all

Passport Validity: Passports must be valid for 6 months

Passport Notes:

Visas

The following DO NOT require a visa:
1) Nationals of El Salvador
2) For max stay up to 3 months
3) British subjects being `Citizen of the United Kingdom & Northern Ireland'
4) Nationals of Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Rep, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland Rep, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Korea (south), Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malta, Marshell Islands, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, San Marino, Sao Tome & Principe, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Island, South Africa, Spain, St. Kitt-Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican City & Venezuela

Air Transit

Required by all except those as noted above and:
1) Persons continuing their journey to a third country on the same day without leaving the airport, provided holding confirmed tickets & documentation

Exit Permits

Required for all passengers

Special Notes

Climate

The Pacific coastline has a hot tropical climate with dry season between Oct-Apr and rainy season between May-Sept. The higher regions experience cooler temperatures and rainfall is governed by altitude with a noticeable dry period between Nov-Jan

Clothing

Light cotton with a sweater or light jacket for evenings and the highlands

Charts for San Salvador

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Max Temp (C) 30 30 32 32 31 30 30 30 29 29 29 30 Min Temp (C) 16 17 18 19 20 20 19 19 19 19 18 17 Humidity am (%) 81 80 79 79 86 89 88 89 91 88 80 81 Humidity pm (%) 45 43 44 50 60 66 61 62 69 66 56 50 Rainfall (mm) 10 0 10 40 150 150 120 131 168 220 40 10

Temperature (C) Rainfall (mm) Humidity (%)

Representative

UK Tourist Office
Information via www.elsalvadorturismo.gob.sv

Embassy
Embassy of El Salvador
8 Dorset Square
London
NW1 6PU
tel: +44 20 7436 8282
fax: +44 20 7436 8181
hours: 0900-1600 (Mon-Fri) consular