El Salvador : Profile

Facts

• Cruising boats are now welcome to stop in El Salvador, although the authorities still regard foreign visitors with some suspicion. Boats are likely to be intercepted, and possibly boarded, by Navy patrol boats while passing the Gulf of Fonseca before being advised to proceed to a port of entry.

• Limited supplies are available in the two main ports, which also have facilities for simple repairs. Of the two, Acajutla has the better range of workshops.

• The situation has improved with the opening of the Barillas Marina in the Bay of Jiguilisco, which welcomes visiting yachts and is a safe place from which to make inland trips.

Weather

The coast is hot and humid, especially March to May, and is coolest from December to February. December and March may have spells of continuous rain for 2-3 days or even weeks. Water shortages are possible at other times of the year.

Main Ports

Acajutla * , Bahia del Sol * , Barillas Marina * , Cutuco (La Union) *

*Indicates a port of entry.

Related Reports

Spanish for Cruisers - 2nd Edition (30 Nov 2008)

Central America Cruising Guides  (01 Nov 2008)

Spanish for Cruisers: Book Review (06 Dec 2007)

New CA-4 Visas for Central America (15 Jan 2007)

February 2006 Update on El Salvador's Acajutla, Bahia Del Sol and Barillas Marina (06 Mar 2006)

Yacht Boarded In El Salvador (14 Nov 2005)

Cruising Reports For El Salvador: Bahia Del Sol & Barillas Marina (05 May 2005)

New expanded "Cruising Ports: Florida to California via Panama" now published (07 Jan 2003)

Bahia del Sol (03 Oct 2002)