WHEN TO TRAVEL to El Salvador

Location

Climate

El Salvador is a Central American country offering a wide variety of landscapes, from paradisiacal beaches to majestic volcanoes.

Low and high season in El Salvador

The decision to when to visit El Salvador depends largely on your preferences in terms of climate and tourist numbers. El Salvador has two main tourist seasons:

• High seasonNovember to April is the country's dry season. During these months, you can expect warm, sunny weather, ideal for enjoying beaches and outdoor activities. However, this period also attracts more tourists, resulting in higher prices and greater crowds at tourist sites.
• Low seasonwhich runs from May to October, coincides with the rainy season. During this period, you can expect frequent showers, especially in May, June And september. However, rain also has its advantages: it makes the landscape greener and lusher, and prices are generally lower due to fewer tourists.

If you want to avoid the crowds and still enjoy pleasant weather, consider leaving in the shoulder months of October and November. These months generally offer a good compromise between good weather and fewer tourists.

Major cultural events in El Salvador

El Salvador is a country rich in traditions and cultural events. Attending one of these events can be an unforgettable experience and allow you to discover Salvadoran culture from another angle. Here are just some of the major cultural events that take place in El Salvador every year:

San Salvador Patronal Festival (Fiestas Patronales de San Salvador)

This annual event usually takes place around August 6 and celebrates the city's patron saint, the Divine Savior of the World. Festivities include religious processions, concerts, fireworks and fairs. San Salvador's patron saint's day is an excellent opportunity to discover the local culture and join in the celebrations with the locals.

Festival of Flowers and Palms (Festival de las Flores y Palmas)

The Festival of Flowers and Palms is usually held in March or April in the town of Panchimalco. This colorful celebration showcases local crafts, including floral decorations and objects made from palm leaves. The festival also features traditional Salvadoran dance and music performances.

Holy Week (Semana Santa)

Holy Week, which precedes Easter Sunday, is fervently celebrated in El Salvador. During this period, you can attend impressive religious processions, as well as artistic and cultural performances linked to the Passion of Christ. Among the towns best known for their Holy Week celebrations are Izalco, Sonsonate and San Miguel.

Public holidays in El Salvador

In addition to major cultural events, it's essential to take public holidays into account when planning your trip to El Salvador. Here's a list of the country's main public holidays:

• New Year's Day (January 1) January 1st: As in many other countries, January 1st marks the start of the New Year and is a public holiday in El Salvador.
• National holiday (September 15) Independence Day: this day commemorates El Salvador's independence from Spain in 1821. Parades and celebrations are held throughout the country.
• Day of the Dead (November 2) This day is dedicated to the memory of the deceased, and is marked by visits to cemeteries to honour loved ones who have passed away.
• Christmas (December 25) December 25: December 25 celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is a public holiday in El Salvador, where festivities include masses, family meals and the exchange of gifts.

Regional migrants, key players in Salvadoran immigration

As in most countries in the region, immigration to El Salvador is mainly made up of regional migrants. Nationals of neighbouring countries account for a large proportion of immigrants arriving in El Salvador every year.. These regional immigrants include Guatemalans, Hondurans and Nicaraguans.

Socio-economic factors behind regional immigration

There are several reasons for this immigration from neighboring countries. Firstly, geographic proximity to other countries in the region facilitates travel. In addition, economic exchanges between Central American countries encourage some workers to move abroad. Finally, cultural and linguistic similarities enable migrants to integrate better into their new host country.

Work visas, the most popular among immigrants

In El Salvador, several types of visa are available for foreigners wishing to settle in the country. However, there are work visas are unquestionably the most popular among immigrants. This visa enables them to work legally in the country and to access social rights such as social protection and education.

Other visa categories for El Salvador

In addition to the work visa, other types of visas are also available for foreigners wishing to stay in El Salvador:

• Business visafor business visitors (meetings, conferences, etc.);
• Student visagranted to international students enrolled in a Salvadoran academic institution;
• Temporary residence visafor people wishing to settle in El Salvador for a specific period of time;
• Permanent residence visafor those planning to settle permanently in the country.

International tourism in El Salvador: a booming sector

El Salvador is currently experiencing significant growth in the number of international tourists. Indeed, the number of travelers has multiplied in recent years, thanks in particular to the country's natural and cultural assets.

Diverse countries of origin for international tourists

Travellers to El Salvador mainly come from UNITED STATES and CanadaThey also come from Europe and other Latin American countries. Their main motivations are to discover Salvadoran culture, enjoy outdoor activities (hiking, surfing, etc.) and relax on the country's paradisiacal beaches.

Major economic benefits for the Salvadorian tourism sector

The increase in the number of international tourists to El Salvador is having a positive impact on the national economy. In fact, the tourism sector generates considerable revenue for the country thanks to travelers' consumption in local restaurants, hotels and shops. These revenues contribute to the development of El Salvador's tourism sector and to job creation..

The government relies on tourism to support the national economy

To take full advantage of this financial windfall, the Salvadoran government has introduced a series of measures to promote tourism in the country. These include the simplification of visa procedures, the modernization of tourism infrastructures and the promotion of El Salvador as a tourist destination abroad.