💰 How Much Does a Trip to El Salvador Cost?
Good news: El Salvador is one of the most affordable destinations in Central America! Here's a complete 2025 price guide to plan your budget.
🏨 Accommodation
| Youth hostel (dorm) | $8-15 / night |
| Youth hostel (private) | $20-35 / night |
| Budget hotel | $25-45 / night |
| Mid-range hotel | $50-80 / night |
| High-end hotel | $100-200 / night |
💡 Accommodation Tip
El Tunco and El Zonte offer excellent hostels for $10-15/night with ocean views. San Salvador is more expensive ($15-25 minimum).
🍽️ Food & Drinks
Local Restaurants
| Pupusas (street food) | $0.50-1 / piece |
| Daily menu (comedor) | $3-5 |
| Local restaurant | $5-10 |
| Tourist restaurant | $10-20 |
| High-end restaurant | $25-40 |
Drinks
| Coffee | $1-3 |
| Water (bottle) | $0.50-1 |
| Local beer (bar) | $1.50-3 |
| Cocktail | $4-8 |
💡 Food Tip
Eating like the locals costs $5-8/day. Pupuserías are everywhere and delicious!
🚗 Transportation
Local Transport
| City bus | $0.25-0.50 |
| Intercity bus | $1-4 (trip) |
| Uber/Bolt (city) | $3-8 |
| Airport taxi ➜ San Salvador | $25-30 |
Car Rental
| Economy car | $30-50 / day |
| SUV | $50-80 / day |
| Gas (gallon) | $4.50-5 |
💡 Transport Tip
"Chicken buses" are very economical but slow. Uber is perfect for cities. For exploring, car rental recommended.
🎯 Activities & Excursions
| National park entry | $1-3 |
| Museum | $2-5 |
| Surf lesson (2h) | $25-40 |
| Surf rental (day) | $10-15 |
| Guided tour (half-day) | $30-60 |
| Diving (2 dives) | $60-80 |
📱 Other Expenses
| Local SIM (1 month) | $10-15 |
| Laundry | $3-5 / load |
| Haircut | $3-10 |
| Massage (1h) | $15-30 |
💵 Recommended Total Budget
Backpacker
$20-35 / day
- Hostel dorm
- Local food (pupusas, comedors)
- Local buses
- Free activities (beaches, hikes)
Moderate Comfort
$50-80 / day
- Private room hostel/budget hotel
- Mix of local + tourist restaurants
- Uber + some taxis
- Some paid activities
Comfortable
$100-150 / day
- Mid-range hotel
- Various restaurants
- Car rental
- All activities included
Luxury
$200+ / day
- High-end hotels
- Fine dining
- Private tours
- Full comfort
📊 Sample 10-Day Budget
Backpacker Budget: $300-400 total
- Accommodation: $100-150
- Food: $80-100
- Transport: $50-80
- Activities: $50-70
Comfort Budget: $600-900 total
- Accommodation: $300-400
- Food: $150-200
- Transport: $100-150
- Activities: $100-150
💡 Money-Saving Tips
- Eat local: Pupusas are delicious and ultra-economical
- Local buses: 10x cheaper than private taxis
- Negotiate: At markets and with taxis (not Uber)
- Tap water: Use a filter rather than buying bottles
- Happy hours: Beers for $1-2 in beach bars
💳 Payment Methods
- Cash (USD): Preferred everywhere, especially small businesses
- Credit card: Accepted mid to high-end restaurants/hotels
- Bitcoin: Accepted in some places (especially El Zonte)
- ATM: $3-5 fees per withdrawal, withdraw large amounts
🎯 Verdict
El Salvador is a very affordable destination where $30-50/day is more than enough to travel comfortably. It's cheaper than Costa Rica, Panama or touristy Mexico.
For a 10-15 day "comfort backpacker" trip, budget $500-800 all-inclusive (excluding international flight).