I spent exactly $794.08 on my 4-day trip to El Salvador, and yes, that includes flights, stays, food, transportation, activities… everything. I love traveling on a budget, and honestly, El Salvador makes it super easy to explore without draining your bank account. El Salvador is a tiny country, but it seriously packs a punch when it comes to things to do. Volcano hikes, natural hot springs, colonial towns, beaches, a vibrant capital city, and the best part is it’s all within a few hours of each other. This makes it efficient to explore, even on a just a long weekend trip like this.

I flew out of New York with Volaris Airlines. The flight was a short 5-ish hours straight into San Salvador, and it only cost me $145.56 round-trip, which is wild for an international flight. There are often round trip flights in the low $200s to El Salvador if you keep an eye out for it. I recommend signing up for Secret Flying to get those cheap flight alerts. I stayed in an Airbnb, and since I split the cost with a friend, my portion came out to just $178.02 for all 4 nights.

If you’re planning to go solo, don’t worry, I’ll drop some solid solo-stay options in the “Where to Stay” section so you’re not stuck paying more than you need to. To get around,we hired a private driver and split between two people, it came out to $225. Under the Getting Around Section, I’ll go into all of the details.

Now, let’s talk about the obvious. The country has a turbulent past, and I got a few “is it safe?” messages when I posted about going. And the truth? Yes, I felt totally safe the entire time. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it for solo travelers. Even though I didn’t go alone this time, I actually met a few solo travelers along the way who were having a great time. The locals were friendly, the vibes were good, and I never once felt uncomfortable walking around. I’ll go into all of the safety tips and details under the “Safety Section”. With all that said, let’s get into the minutia, here’s exactly how I spent 4 amazing (and budget-friendly) days exploring  El Salvador.

Where to Stay

Whether you’re looking to keep it budget-friendly or add a little charm to your stay, San Salvador has a few great options. I booked  4 nights since my flight arrived at 5:00 am from NYC  and I wanted the flexibility to check in right away (a lifesaver, trust me). But if you’re arriving much later in the day, 3 nights should be just fine. I stayed at an Airbnb since I was traveling with a friend so our cost was split. However, with some of these stays, you can easily stay within the $178 range for your accommodation budget. 

Hostels

Hostal Cumbres del Volcán:  A cozy, sociable hostel that’s perfect if you’re solo traveling or just want something chill and simple in Colonia Escalon. Private rooms and dorms available.

Price: Around $18–25 per night

Budget-Friendly Hotels

Hotel Tazumal House: Clean, quiet, and run by a super kind family near downtown San Salvador. Breakfast included and perfect for a no-frills stay that still feels personal.

Price: About $35–$40 per night

Hotel Villa Florencia Centro: Basic but safe and central, with easy access to public transportation. A good pick if you’re focusing on day trips and just need a place to crash.

Price: Around $30–$38 per night

Hotel Armonía Hostal: Technically a hostel, but has the vibe of a boutique stay with garden views and a quiet atmosphere. A nice in-between if you’re not quite ready to commit to a full hotel or hostel experience.

Price: Around $40 per night

Cute Boutique Hotels

Hotel Villa Serena Escalón: A small, stylish hotel in a peaceful neighborhood with shops and cafes nearby. Ideal if you want something low-key but still cute and comfy.

Price: About $45–$55 per night

Kaleo Boutique Hotel: A stylish and affordable stay located in the safe, walkable neighborhood of Colonia San Benito.  It’s perfect if you’re looking for comfort, convenience, and easy access to restaurants, museums, and nightlife.

Price: Around $65 per night

Getting Around

For this trip, I hired a private driver, which cost $225 per person ( for 2 people) for the full 4 days. If you’re going solo, you may have to foot that cost alone, but honestly, it’s worth it. I booked the driver through the Instagram page @taxi_express_y_tours (ask for Nelson, trust me). I got assigned to Nelson and he went above and beyond as our private driver. The cost included airport pickup and drop-off, plus transportation for all our day trips. It made everything stress-free and seamless. And here’s the kicker, even if you pay the full $450 alone for a private driver, your trip can still come in to right around  $1,000.

If you’d rather drive yourself, renting a car is a great alternative and will without a doubt keep your transportation cost lower. A rental will cost  around $30–$45/day depending on the car. Gas will cost around $3.70/gallon. Just be mindful of the roads and local driving habits. it’s not NYC traffic, but it still keeps you on your toes.

Other ways I got around:

Uber is available in the city and super affordable for quick rides. I used Uber a few times to get to the historical center from our Airbnb. And yes I also took the chicken bus. A chicken bus is a colorfully repurposed U.S. school bus, packed with locals, music, vendors hopping on and off. It’s chaotic, loud, and iconic. For the real local experience, I definitely recommend taking it at least once. Use the moovit app for bus directions, google maps is not very helpful for using the local transportation.

Day 1: Explore San Salvador’s Historical Center

I landed in San Salvador in the early morning at 7:00 am. Note that U.S Citizens do have to pay a $12 dollar tourist card fee upon arrival by cash or card. Immigration was fast and smooth, so after the usual airport stuff, our driver Nelson picked us up and dropped us off at our Airbnb. Since I arrived in the early morning, I made sure to book an extra night for the day before so that I could check in as soon as I arrived. I was honestly wiped from the early morning flight, so I checked in, took a fat nap, then got ready to check out the city. By noon I was dressed and ready to check out San Salvador.

I first got something to eat at Calacho’s a very local spot offering typical meals. We were the only tourists there and my meal was only $2.50. Note that in order to keep your food cost low, avoid the fancy restaurants and eat at the local spots. Then, I walked to Plaza El Divino Del Mundo, one of the most iconic landmarks in San Salvador. It’s a large monument of Jesus Christ atop a globe, symbolizing peace and unity, and stands in the center of a wide plaza often used for public events and celebrations.

It’s a popular spot for photos and a great starting point to explore the city. If this plaza is close enough to your accommodation definitely check it out, but if not you can skip it. After checking out the Plaza, we took a chicken bus to the historical center for $0.20 cents. If you’re not comfortable, you can take an Uber to get around. Once at the historical center, I simply walked around the city, tried some street foods and hung out in the main square “Morazan Plaza”.

Morazan Plaza is kind of the heart of the historical center in San Salvador, and it’s always buzzing so it was the perfect place to do some people watching. There was a heavy military presence around, lots of army personnel with big guns. It definitely took some getting used to, but it also made me feel very safe.  I noticed  a lot of construction activities going on in the city as well..

We joined a free walking tour at 3:00 pm, which I definitely recommend. Our guide took us around to Liberty Plaza, Church of the Rosary, The Metropolitan Cathedral Of El Salvador and explained a bunch about  the country’s past history, including the civil war and the big earthquake that hit the city years ago. El Salvador has a violent past and remnants of it can still be found around the city, for example the bullet holes in the Church of the Rosary.

The last stop on the walking tour was Mercado Ex-Cuartel, a bustling local market with stalls selling everything from fresh produce and street food to clothes and electronics. It’s busy, colorful, and a must-see if you want a taste of the local culture. We tried some more street food here like, atole de maiz, quesadillas, and spanish limes. Exploring markets can be overwhelming, so doing it with a local made it seamless and enjoyable, however you can explore all of these spots alone if you’re up for it.

After the tour ended, we popped inside of the newly built National Library, which honestly doesn’t sound that exciting, but it was so cool inside. You can actually go to the top floor, and from there, you get this awesome view of the square as it gets dark and all the lights start to come on. It was so relaxing up there, and watching the city light up as the sky went dark was a great way to end the day. After this, we took an uber back to our Aiirbnb and called it a day.

Next to our Airbnb, there was this small Pupuseria where we grabbed dinner. By the way, you can’t leave the country without trying at least one Pupusa (or like… five). They’re thick, handmade corn tortillas stuffed with fillings like cheese, beans, pork (chicharrón), or a mix of all three. You’ll usually get them with curtido (a tangy cabbage slaw) and salsa roja (a mild tomato sauce) on the side. The best part is they’re super cheap costing around $0.50 to $1 each. They’re a huge part of Salvadoran culture.

Day 2: Ruta de Las Flores & Hot Spring Vibes

Day two started with our driver picking us up at 8:00 am for a day packed with adventure. If you don’t get a private driver, this day trip with the exact itinerary outlined below can also be booked here with lunch included. We drove about 1 hour long drive  through towns along the Ruta de Las Flores which is this scenic route that connects a bunch of colorful towns in the highlands. They’re all full of murals, small local shops, and weekend food markets if you time it right (especially in Juayúa). Each town is unique so I recommend researching each to see which 1-2 appeal more to you;with a short itinerary, stopping at all 5 of them is not do-able. 

Since I had a private driver, I could really customize the stops. I chose to stop at Nahuizalco for breakfast  first which is known for…. We had breakfast and then the plan was to head to Juayua for their food festival which takes place on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00- 5:00 pm. However, we ended up skipping it since it wouldn’t start for another 2 hours  and wanted to move along with the other stops on our itinerary. If you want to stop in Juayua, start your day a bit later so that you’ll arrive right in time for the festival. 

After checking out Nahuizalco, we continued for about 30 minutes along the Ruta de Las Flores to Cafe Albania. This is the place to unleash your adrenaline rush. They have so many cool activities to do there. You can buy a pass for $40 or pay per activity once you arrive. Knowing that I did not want to do it all, only a select few items, I chose to pay per activity. I did the bike zipline, the rainbow slide,   the Butterfly Wing, and the Giant Swing totaling $26. 

The massive bike zipline goes over the coffee plantations and offers a stunning view from above. The giant swing was the most terrifying but I ended up doing it despite being scared. Of course the famous rainbow slide was such a thrill. Cafe Albania was like a mini adventure park in the middle of nowhere. We stayed here for about 3 hours or so. 

After Cafe Albania, the next stop was Termales de Santa Teresa. These hot springs are natural and set up kind of like a resort. There are various  pools  at different temperatures surrounded by trees, so it felt really relaxing. The entry costs $10,  you can pay an additional $10 to apply the mud on your body, but I passed on it.  We got some snacks here and hung out in the various pools.  We stayed here until about 6:00 pm just soaking it all in.

We got dropped off at our Airbnb by our driver back in the city. Once there we rested a bit, then got ready to go to the historical center for dinner.  After a long day, this is definitely optional. We could’ve grabbed something close to where we were staying. We took an Uber to the historical center to have a delicious dinner for only  $7. There was a train that was definitely for kids that goes around the center playing music that I could not resist riding, so I paid $1.50 to ride it.

There were tons of performances in the area to keep me entertained. Once it was time to go at around 10:00 pm,  we had trouble getting an Uber. One thing I noticed is that once it gets late, it’s so hard to get an Uber, so keep that in mind if you’re going out late at night. I ended up taking an overpriced local taxi back to Airbnb.

Day 3: Volcano Hike & Lake Life

We got picked up at 7:30 am today to hike the Santa Ana Volcano, also called Ilamatepec. If you’re in El Salvador, this hike is a must. Santa Ana is the most famous volcano in the country, and for good reason. It’s the highest volcano in the country and the view at the top is incredible; you can look straight into a bright turquoise volcanic crater lake. The drive was about 1 hour long with scenic landscapes. Once at the starting location, we had pupusas and coffee for breakfast at a little restaurant at the base of the trail.

You can do this hike alone, but it’s not recommended and most people do it as part of a guided group. Guides are official and employed by the park so you’ll be in good hands. The group will depart the park entrance at around 9:00 am. Cost of the tour guide was $3 and you can pay an additional $0.50 to rent walking sticks. The park has an entrance fee of $6. Note all of this needs to be paid in cash. If you want to do a private hike, it will set you back $35.

It took around 2 hours to get to the top with the guide stopping along the way to talk about some of the plants and wildlife. The hike wasn’t too hard, but the last stretch to the stop is steep and hot, so bring water and sunscreen. When we first got to the top, it was a bit cloudy and I was disappointed I couldn’t see the crater in all of its glory. Thankfully, after a few minutes the fog cleared up to display the bright turquoise crater lake inside the volcano. You are allocated about 45 mins at the top.

There are vendors selling paletas, a popular ice pop treat made from fruits and or cream for $1.50 at the top. I bought one to reward myself. The hike down was fast, it took about 1 hour and much easier than the way up. We were back at the base at around 1:00 pm.

Next stop is Lake Coatepeque 1 hour south of Santa Ana Volcano. The lake is actually a crater lake formed by a volcano eruption way back when. It’s massive and has this calm, peaceful vibe. And after a hike, this is exactly what you’ll need. There are tons of restaurants all around the edge where you can grab lunch with lake views. I went to La Octoba Maravila which also has jet ski rentals . Before eating, I rented jet skis.

I paid $20 for 15 minutes of fun on the lake. This restaurant also has a jumping platform into the lake where you can swim. The meal was delicious and was a bit more expensive than I’ve been having so far. But with endless lake views, it was worth it. This day trip to the volcano and lake can also be booked here if you choose to not get a private driver.

After a 2 hour drive back to the Airbnb, I grabbed some delicious Tamales from a street vendor and that was my dinner. I made sure to pack for my flight the next day.

Day 4: Beach Morning at Nawi & Return Home

My flight was departing at 5:00 pm, so on the last day I still had time to sneak in a fun activity. Our driver picked us up at 8:00 am and we headed to the coast for a few hours before the flight. Nawi Beach House, located in El Tunco, is a great spot if you want to end the trip on a relaxing note. It has a beach club feel with infinity pools, palm trees, and a restaurant that overlooks the ocean. You can buy a day pass to hang out there for $17.5 to $25. I paid $17.5 since I was with someone else (they have a couples discount that I took advantage of, even though I was just with my friend).

The day pass includes access to all NAWI amenities like their infinity pool, suspended net, semi-private beach, a welcome drink,and  a horse ride (after 2:00 pm). We didn’t have time to ride the horse due to our flight time. Here’s a tip: make sure to contact them ahead of time to reserve your horse ride, they go fast !

Upon arrival, we had breakfast, and received our complimentary welcome drink. I got the desayuno typico one last time. After breakfast, I simply  relaxed by the pool, watching the surfers catch waves in the distance and hung out on the suspended net. After a while I ordered a fun drink, a pina colada to cool off. The beach itself is a bit rocky and the sand was black but still super pretty. Around 2:00pm, we packed up, said goodbye to the ocean, and made our way back to the airport. There was traffic on the way back, so account for that if you’re heading back to airport from an activity. The drive back should’ve taken 1 hour, but it took closer to 1 hour and ½.  We made it with plenty of time to spare and stopped in at a lounge before boarding the return flight.

Safety in El Salvador

I honestly felt really safe the entire time I was in El Salvador. The locals were friendly and helpful. I didn’t run into any issues at all. That said, there are a few things that might catch you off guard at first, like the amount of firearms you’ll see in public. Even regular security guards are carrying these massive rifles, which can be a little jarring at first. But weirdly enough, it actually made me feel safer, like security is taken seriously.

I’d definitely recommend El Salvador for solo travelers. I wasn’t solo myself, but I met a couple of people who were traveling alone and having a great time. If you’re solo, just keep the usual common sense stuff in mind. For example, I wouldn’t walk alone at night in quiet or isolated areas. The historical center is usually full of people and feels totally fine, but once you’re outside of busy zones, just be more aware.

Also, one little heads-up if you plan to go out at night, Ubers can be super hard to get after 7:00 pm. So if you’re heading out in the evening, make a plan for how you’ll get back. You might need to grab a taxi or arrange a ride in advance. Just something to keep in mind so you’re not stuck later.

A Few Other Tips:

Cash is king. A lot of places (especially outside the city) are cash only. U.S. dollars are used in El Salvador, which is super convenient, but make sure to carry small bills because vendors don’t always have change for $20s.

ATMs can be finicky. Some don’t work with foreign cards, so it’s smart to take out cash in the city before heading to smaller towns.

Crossing the street is an extreme sport. There are not always crosswalks present and cars won’t automatically stop for you unless they absolutely have to. You kind of have to wait for a gap and walk confidently, but carefully. I got used to it after the first day, but it’s definitely chaotic at first.

Google Maps isn’t perfect. It works okay for general directions, but in some rural areas or smaller towns, it can be a little off. Ask locals if you’re unsure, they were always happy to help I recommend the moovit app for bus directions.

Spanish helps. Not a ton of people speak English, especially outside of San Salvador, so even basic Spanish goes a long way. A few key phrases and Google Translate can save you in a pinch.

Final Thoughts

El Salvador was way more than I expected. In just a long weekend, we covered everything from historic cities to mountain towns, hot springs, volcanoes, lakes, and beaches. It’s super affordable, the people are kind, and there’s a ton of variety for such a small country. If you’re looking for an underrated adventure, put El Salvador on your list.

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