El Salvador Travel Guide

Hundreds of companies operate buses to everywhere from everywhere every few minutes during daylight hours, although very few buses depart after dark. Buses are brightly painted, and all have their route number and the name of their final destination emblazoned across the front. On the back roads you do have to plan ahead a little to avoid getting stuck in the middle of nowhere for hours (or even overnight). Though ideally you should confirm what time buses leave as soon as you get to a place, printed timetables - if they exist at all - are only adhered to if the weather is good. If roads are bad because of rain, everything gets delayed. Except for routes to the cities in the east there is only one class of bus - and everyone travels on it. It's much easier to cope if you have small bags; larger luggage gets thrown in a heap at the back or, occasionally, on the roof. Buses can be hailed at the side of the road and you can get off at virtually any point. Tickets are bought on board (retain your ticket as it may be checked during the journey); at bus stations, simply turn up a few minutes before it's due to leave, earlier if you want to guarantee a seat. Buses are extremely cheap : from San Salvador to Santa Ana (2hr 30min), costs just US$0.80, while San Salvador to Santa Rosa de Lima by fast bus (around 3hr 30min) will cost around US$2.20.

Virtually every town has departures to San Salvador; if you're trying to reach somewhere small from the capital, however, it's usually quicker to go to the nearest major town and change. Heading east to San Miguel, Santa Rosa de Lima and La Unión the direct (" directo ") buses are marginally more comfortable and make fewer stops, knocking about an hour off the standard journey.