Why go
- Capital of El Salvador.
- Served by Ilopango International Airport (ILS).
History
San Salvador is the capital and largest city of El Salvador and of its eponymous department. It is the country's largest agglomeration, serving as the country's political, cultural, educational and financial center. The municipality of San Salvador has 525,990 inhabitants (2024). The Metropolitan Area of San Salvador, which comprises the capital itself and 13 of its municipalities, has a population of 2,404,097. The urban area of San Salvador has a population of 1,600,000 inhabitants.
Where to stay
Boulevard De Los Heroes And Avenida Sisimiles San Salvador, 0544, El Salvador · ihg.com
Calle 2 Edificio #8, San Salvador 1101, El Salvador · thediamondhotel.com.sv
Avenida Antiguo Cuscatlan 11C, San Salvador 1502, El Salvador · arboldefuego.com
Bulevar Del Hipodromo, San Salvador, El Salvador · barcelo.com
Calle Circunvalacion 236, San Salvador 1101, El Salvador · casaluminahotel.com
Bulevar Del Hipodromo 605, San Salvador, El Salvador · ilbuongustaiosv.com
Calle Circunvalacion 298, San Salvador, El Salvador · hotelcitlallisv.com
Av. De La Revolucion 175, San Salvador, El Salvador · hotelterrabella.com
Final 35 Av. Norte Reparto Santa Fe#3, El Salvador · hoteltazumalhouse.com
Alameda Juan Pablo II, San Salvador, El Salvador · hotelgardeniainn.com
Calle El Mirador y, 95 Avenida Norte, San Salvador, El Salvador · miradorplaza.com
39 Avenida Nte. #111, San Salvador, El Salvador · oasis.com.sv
y, C. El Mirador, San Salvador, El Salvador · hotelvillaterra.com
Calle Circunvalacion, Colonia San Benito # 46 San Salvador SAN SALVADOR CP, 1101, El Salvador · hotelvillaserena.com.sv
y, Urb. y, Blvr. Sta. Elena, San Salvador, El Salvador · ihg.com
15 Calle Poniente 4319, San Salvador, El Salvador · hotelmediterraneoplaza.net
Av. La Revolución y, C. Las Palmas 262, San Salvador, El Salvador · hotelvillaflorencia.com
87 Avenida Norte y Pasaje Dordelly #4425, San Salvador, El Salvador · hotels.cloudbeds.com
PQ57+MQH, 79 Avenida Nte. 723, San Salvador, El Salvador · windsorplaza.com.sv
PQ2X+VX7, 3a Calle Poniente Shafik Handal, San Salvador, El Salvador · hotelbellaluzcentrohistorico.wordpress.com
89 Av Norte y 11 Calle Poniente Colonia Escalon, San Salvador, 1101, El Salvador · hilton.com
Sergio Paz Ave Corner With El Pedregal St Las Cascadas Shopping Center, C. el Pedregal, Cd Merliot, El Salvador · hyatt.com
Centro Comercial Centro de Estilo de Vida La Gran Via, Calle 2 Contiguo A, San Salvador, El Salvador · marriott.com
Avenida De La Revolucion, San Salvador, El Salvador · marriott.com
85 Avenida Sur &, Calle Padres Aguilar 437, San Salvador, El Salvador · bestwestern.com
Calle N. 1, Antiguo Cuscatlan, Colonia, San Salvador, El Salvador · alldaysinnandout.com
Edificio fenix, 2a Avenida Sur, San Salvador, El Salvador · cardedeuhotels.com
Av. Las Magnolias #226, San Salvador, El Salvador
Calle Circunvalacion 318, San Salvador, El Salvador
Av. La Capilla 110, San Salvador 1101, El Salvador
3 Avenida Norte 110, San Salvador, El Salvador
Condominio Residencial Los Laureles, Avenida Las Laureles 1, San Salvador, El Salvador
Indoor
Bulevar Del Hipodromo, San Salvador, El Salvador · hotelsuiteslaspalmas.com
Zona Rosa, Calle No. 2, #280, entre Calle Loma Linda y Calle La Reforma. Col. San Benito, San Salvador, El Salvador
Restaurants & places to go
Pizza, Fast Food · C'est un restaurant de pizza faite dans un four artesanal. Opening hours: Mo-Sa 08:00-20:00 · pizzerialaclasica.com
Coffee, Dessert, Cafe, Sandwich, Cafe · Specialty coffee shop in El Salvador. 100% El Salvador Coffee. Worldwide shipping. Lightning Network bitcoin payments.… · thegoodbeans.com
SalvadoreñA, Restaurant · Comida típica salvadoreña, antojitos, desayunos, cenas, bebidas, panaderia, entre otros. · 16 Avenida Norte, Santa Tecla · tipicosmargoth.com
Regional, Steak House, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-23:00 · 4-A Calle al volcan, Santa Tecla · lascarnitassv.com
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Fr-Sa 07:00-22:00; Mo-Th 07:00-21:30; Su 07:00-21:00 Features: takeaway · Calle a San Marcos, San Marcos · domicilio.mcdonalds.com.sv
Sandwich, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-20:00 Features: takeaway · Calle Zacamil · subway.com
Asian, Restaurant · Comida Koreana. · Calle 1, San Salvador
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Th 09:00-22:00; Fr-Su 09:00-23:00 Features: takeaway, delivery · 2ª Avenida Sur, San Salvador · sbsv.premium.sv
Chicken, Fast Food · Features: takeaway, air conditioning · PeriPlaza Calle Insinca, Apopa · campero.com
Japanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: 18:00-22:00 · facebook.com
Seafood, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-21:00 · restauranteacajutla.com
French, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-22:00 · #626 Boulevard del Hipódromo, Colonia San Benito · andianbistro.com
Chinese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-21:35 · Avenida Alberto Masferrer Norte, San Salvador · celesteimperio.com.sv
Italian, Pizza, Lasagna, Pastas, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo 17:00-21:00,Tu 11:30-21:00,Su 11:30-20:30 Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options · 1… · paggini-delivery.negocio.site
Barbecue, Steak House, Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Su 11:00-21:00; Mo-Tu off · Calle al volcan, Santa Tecla · shack503.ccom
Sushi, Japanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Thursday 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Friday 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.… · sushi-itto.com.sv
Dessert, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00 · 79 Avenida Sur, San Salvador · facebook.com
International, Restaurant · Opening hours: 07:00 · 287 Calle Monseñor Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, Colonia San Benito · facebook.com
Cuban, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-22:00 · Boulevard del Hipódromo, San Salvador · allmylinks.com
American, Restaurant · Opening hours: 24/7 · Carril Auxiliar Carretera Panamericana, Santa Tecla
Donut, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · misterdonut.com.sv
Tex-Mex, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · tacobell.com.sv
Wings, Restaurant · Wings restaurant · gobuff.com
African, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 11:00-18:00 · 6 Calle del Cantábrico, Antiguo Cuscatlán, 1502
Cake, Ukrainian, Salvadoran, Cafe · Opening hours: Tu-Su 13:00-21:00 Features: air conditioning · 3a Calle Oriente, Santa Tecla · dulcekava.com
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-15:00. 18:00-22:00; Su 12:00-15:00, 18:00-21:00 · Pasaje 3, San Salvador, 01101 · aztecasv.com
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-19:00 · lecroissant.com.sv
German, Restaurant · Opening hours: 12:30-22:00 · Ave El Pepeto 22, Antiguo Cuscatlán
Italian Pizza, Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 12:00-14:30, 17:00-21:30 · 5a Avenida Norte
Salvadoran, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 07:00-22:00; Mo off
Pupusas, Restaurant · Opening hours: Fr-Su 15:30-21:00 Features: takeaway, delivery · Calle Chiltiupán, Antiguo Cuscatlán
Korean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 11:30-21:00; Mo off Features: takeaway · 4625 1 Calle Poniente, San Salvador
Salad, Indian, Greek, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-14:00 Features: vegan options · Condominio Reparto Coliseo, Local 2 12 Avenida Norte, Santa Tecla
Argentinian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-22:00 · 615 Boulevard del Hipódromo, San Benito, San Salvador
Peruvian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-22:00 · 43 Avenida El Espino, San Salvador
Tacos, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 12:00-21:00 · 83 Avenida Norte, San Salvador
Cajun, Restaurant · Cajun restaurant · bubbassv.com
Juice, Fast Food · Juice fast food · elixirjuicesv.com
Steak House, Grill, Restaurant · Features: takeaway · Boulevard Merliot, Santa Tecla
Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream · Frozen Yogurt ice cream · 644 Boulevard del Hipódromo, San Salvador
Latin American, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-23:00; Sa-Su off
Bubble Tea, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:00-20:00; Fr-Su 11:00-22:00 Features: takeaway · 6a Calle Oriente, San Salvador
Mexican, Fast Food · Mexican fast food · laca-laca.com
Organic, Restaurant · Organic restaurant · fincasylvestris.com
Hot Dog, Fast Food · Hot Dog fast food
405 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
El Salvador International Airport Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez (SAL) 33 km to the centre
San Salvador (San Luis Talpa), PA, SV — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 12 airlines (Avianca - Aerovias Nacionales de Colombia, US Airways, United Airlines, American Airlines…) · direct flights to 32 destinations incl. Dallas-Fort Worth, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, New York… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 12 airlines, 32 direct destinations
- Avianca - Aerovias Nacionales de Colombia AV (Embraer 190, A320, A319, A321, ATR, 737-800) · 27 routes: Belize City, Bogota, Cali, Cancun, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Guatemala City, Guayaquil, Houston, Liberia, Lima, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Miami, New York, Newark, Orlando, Panama City, Quito, Rio Negro, Roatan, San Francisco, San Jose, San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, Toronto, Washington
- US Airways US (A320, Embraer 190, A319, A321, 737-800) · 8 routes: Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando, San Francisco, Washington
- United Airlines UA (A320, 737-800, Embraer 190, A319, A321) · 7 routes: Dallas-Fort Worth*, Houston, Los Angeles*, Miami*, New York*, Newark, San Francisco*
- American Airlines AA (737-800) · 2 routes: Dallas-Fort Worth, Miami
- Grupo TACA TA (A319, A320, Embraer 190) · 2 routes: Havana, Managua
- AeroMéxico AM (EMJ) · 1 route: Mexico City*
- British Airways BA (342) · 1 route: Madrid*
- Copa Airlines CM (Embraer 190) · 1 route: Panama City
- Delta Air Lines DL (A319, A320) · 1 route: Atlanta
- Iberia Airlines IB (342) · 1 route: Madrid
- LACSA LR (ATR) · 1 route: Managua*
- Spirit Airlines NK (A319, A320) · 1 route: Fort Lauderdale
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Ilopango International Airport (ILS) 9.4 km to the centre
San Salvador, SS, SV — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Las Mesas Airport 24 km to the centre
Las Mesas, LI, SV
El Platanar Airport 31 km to the centre
Suchitoto, CU, SV
La Cabaña Airport 34 km to the centre
La Cabaña, SS, SV
Rio Sucio Highway Airstrip 19 km to the centre
El Botoncillal, LI, SV
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
May – September
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Shoulder season
April, October
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Worth avoiding
Deep winter
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Ilopango International Airport (ILS); 5 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below.
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for San Salvador (El Salvador). Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Trains & rail
Rail operator
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.
Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Charter, management, FBO, MRO · Managed fleet worldwide · General Dynamics company: charter, completions and FBOs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.