Q&A: Layover in San Salvador?
Question by Andrea: Layover in San Salvador?
We are a family of 4, traveling to South America (Uruguay) for the holidays. All 4 carry a US Passport. We have an all-day lay-over in El Salvador. I wonder if for a small fee, lower than the usual immigration fees required to stay in the country, we can be let out of the airport to do some sightseeing so that the kids don’t get bored? We’ve done that in Panama in the past…
I want to share accurate information I was able to obtain in case anyone else needs help on this same issue.
After some research, I contacted the agency in charge of immigration/customs at the airport, the “Comision Ejecutiva Portuaria Autonoma”.
This is their reply:
“Respondiendo a su interrogante, si es posible salir del aeropuerto, acatando las siguientes recomendaciones:
Reportarse con el oficial de migración e informar que es pasajero de trasbordo o transito el cual le informara que deberá de llenar formularios correspondientes.
No deberá de salir con ningún equipaje salvo el personal o de mano.
Al momento de ingresar deberá de hacerlo directamente al área de ingreso a salas (abordaje), no debiendo pasar por counter.
Actualmente no se realiza ningún tipo de cobro a pasajeros trasbordo en este aeropuerto y si su estadía es menor a 8 horas no tendrá que pagar derecho de embarque.”
Best answer:
Answer by kma
A friend wrote this so I can’t take credit but has the info you need.
you will have to pay 10.00 per person for tourist card.
Hope this help.
I live in El Salvador, and I just came from a trip and took a taxi (a pickup really) from the ACOBAM company to go to my home. I used the time to ask my driver, Yaster Portillo (Cel. (503) 7936-7186) if he had serviced tourists waiting in the airport on long layovers.
He told me that yes, he has done that. The rate is $ 25 to visit a place, and then $ 25 back. If you want him to wait for you, an hour or two – for example for lunch, add $ 10 extra (if you don’t want the driver to hang around, you can tell him to pick you up later at a prearranged time and save the $ 10). If you need more waiting time, add another $ 10.00 extra.
He gave me examples of places he has driven people to, for example:
1) To the La Libertad port town for lunch (there are many restaurants with seafood, fish, etc).
You can visit the pier where they sell fish – smelly place!
2) To the capital of San Salvador, for example to see the cathedral. He told me about an american couple that went to the cathedral, then to sample Mondongo soup at a small market at Merliot suburb – but it looked a bit greasy and the couple had a fried fish and liked it. Then they went to Panchimalco (not much to see apart from the colonial church) and it was $ 75.00 for the 5 hours it took roundtrip from the airport.
3) To sample pupusas at a nearby town of Olocuilta. (pupusas are the national dish of El Salvador). He told me that the company charges the same $ 25 to, $ 25 from, $ 10 to wait. Many people find this not just, as Olocuilta is closer than the capital city and they charge the same, but that is the company policy – but he told me that you might haggle and get the round trip for pupusas lunch for $ 30.00 total.
There is also a Tourist card fee of $ 10.00.
So, you may have options when waiting hours and hours for a layover at the El Salvador Airport (known as Comalapa Airport).
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
Go to La Paz, island of Tasajera. It’s gorgeous there man!
That’s where I spent most of my childhood.
You WON’T regret it.
last time i knew, it was 10 dollars to get in the country, but your note says “less than 8 hours” you won’t have to pay. hmmm, that story might be different once you get ther
not much to see in the city IMHO. the beaches in/near la libertad are nice. the one i went to was nothing extra special, but others are probably nicer. if time permits, you can see “joyas de ceren” or one of the pyramids. san adreas, or tazumal…make sure you have enough time as they are just north of the city of san salvador. if you are into colorful art….(colorful like the mola in panama)…they have art with color overload! you could ask to go to a market. the coast is easiest and quickest tho.
You have to go to the beaches there. La Costa del Sol is pretty close to the airport. so it shouldn’t cost you much. I recommend going to a private club or ranch as their service is better and safer. $75 for the trip with that taxi sounds quite a bit expensive. There’s this guy who is our driver when we go to El Salvador, I can give you his number later when I find it if you would like to get in contact with him. He’s a safe and reliable driver.