Most sightseeing in San Salvador is packed into the Centro Histórico, where the cathedral, the national palace, the national theatre and the national library stand within a short walk of each other. Start in the morning, keep your phone and camera out of sight when you are not using them, and take an official taxi or ride-hailing car to the centre. El Salvador’s state of exception is still in force, so carry a copy of your passport photo page and expect police ID checks.

Central San Salvador rewards a slow walk, and the Centro Histórico is the part to do on foot. Guided walks and self-guided loops follow much the same line. El Salvador’s state of exception is still in force, so carry a copy of your passport photo page and expect police ID checks. The UK FCDO safety page reports petty crime and robberies, so keep valuables out of sight and walk in daylight.

The capital works well as a base because several sites sit within a day’s reach. Distances below are measured from the city centre and are approximate. Start early. El Salvador’s state of exception is still in force, so carry a copy of your passport photo page and expect police ID checks. Closest: Lake Ilopango, about 16 km east Lake Ilopango offers boat rides, kayaking and diving. Boat rides cost about $15 per half hour in 2023.

San Salvador has a handful of child-friendly stops, mostly museums and parks, with a crater walk and an archaeological site for older children. Plan one main outing per day, because traffic and heat slow everything down. El Salvador’s state of exception is still in force, so carry a copy of your passport photo page and expect police ID checks. Tin Marín Children’s Museum Tin Marín is the capital’s hands-on museum for children.

Guided outings in San Salvador fall into four groups: a walk through the historic centre, a visit to the sites linked to Saint Óscar Romero, a day on the Maya route west of the city and an evening tour of the national theatre. Each can be booked as a guided visit or done on your own with a taxi. El Salvador’s state of exception is still in force, so carry a copy of your passport photo page and expect police ID checks.

San Salvador is a base for loops rather than a city with a fixed multi-day programme. Two routes cover most of what travellers do over two to four days: a loop that links the capital, Joya de Cerén, the Ruta de las Flores and the Pacific coast, and a Maya route that strings together three archaeological sites. Both start and finish in the capital, so you can leave luggage at a hotel there.

San Salvador is a working capital in an inland valley, not a beach resort, so romance here means views, a good dinner and an evening stroll. The capital has no coast of its own. The Pacific beaches are 35 to 45 km south, and strong rip currents mean you should keep to the sand. The ideas below suit couples with a few evenings to fill. El Salvador’s state of exception is still in force, so carry a copy of your passport photo page and expect police ID checks.

San Salvador is a valley capital with a volcano above it. Visits usually mix a few hours in the old centre, a green escape on the hills around the city and one trip out of town. The US dollar is the currency, and a few businesses accept bitcoin. El Salvador’s state of exception is still in force, so carry a copy of your passport photo page and expect police ID checks.