El Salvador

Our trip to El Salvador was not just for vacation. We were on a mission trip with King's Castle Ministries. I believe that not staying in the resorts and vacation areas was actually a better experience. El Salvador is beautiful, so just observing the countryside is very interesting. It is not a big tourist destination, so it is good for those who have a real sense of adventure. Most of our time was spent working with the people and visiting schools. We spent our first 2 nights at Castillo Del Rey at Lake Coatepeque and the rest of our nights at a church in Apopa. Metrocentro in San Salvador is great for shopping and is also the largest mall in Central America. We also visited Puerto Del Diablo (Devil's Doorway), which offers great views of San Salvador. There are too many memorable moments to list. It was an amazing trip.

Quick Tips:

San Salvador, the capital, is a large, modern city with shopping, restaurants and accommodations. Many other parts of the country are mountainous and covered with forests. San Salvador International Airport is located just outside the capital. Flying in over the coastline is a great sight, so have cameras ready. It is a good idea to meet someone in El Salvador or have a guide give you the right directions. The people are very friendly and welcoming, so don't be afraid to ask for help if you have to.

There are five volcanoes in El Salvador. There are tours that visit them, or you can see them on your own. But be ready to walk, as some vehicles are not able to reach the top. The beaches are beautiful, and getting out into the mountainous country is very interesting, especially for those with a sense of adventure.

Best Way To Get Around:

I believe that the public bus systems in the capital are free, but be careful. They are often crowded and a hangout for pickpockets. There are other bus systems that offer services to other parts of the country. Most people get around in pick-ups, but most tourists won’t be getting around this way. Taxi services are available. It helps if you are meeting someone there or are traveling with a tour. We were on a mission trip, so we were with a guide, which was very helpful.

Our accommodation actually wasn't a hotel at all, and I'm sorry, but other tourists cannot stay there. It was actually a church in Apopa (a city outside the capital). The pastor and his wife were very hospitable. Every day, we had great food and clean clothes. The downside is that there are no beds. Actually, there are no rooms, except the sanctuary, where we all slept on air matresses. There was no A/C, but the windows were always open, so the breeze was all we needed and kept us very comfortable. There was a bathroom with a shower, but it was definitely not one of most Americans' standards. But we were very comfortable and had a great time.

Salvadorean food is very good and different from the food of other Central American countries. We did not eat in a restaurant while in El Salvador. Most of our meals were prepared by our hosts at the church where we stayed. Pupusas, El Salvador's national dish, are eaten at almost every meal. Pupusas are thick tortillas filled with cheese, beans, pork, or other things. They are sometimes eaten with a tomato sauce. Most people eat vegetables and beef when available. As in most Latin American countries, beans are eaten with almost every meal. Breakfast sometimes consists of eggs, beans, tortillas, and fruit, but usually is only bread and fruit. Lunch was usually light--sandwiches or pupusas. Dinner was always our main meal and was always very filling. As always when traveling, be careful only to drink purified water. Also be careful when eating fruits and vegetables that have been washed with the local water. The water is not dirty, but not being used to it might make you sick. I was lucky not to get sick, because I took a chance eating fruits and salads while I was there. The best experience is finding where the locals go to eat and getting away from the tourist places. The food is often better, and the experience is priceless.