El Salvador, the smallest Central American country, has 25 volcanoes, one of which is still smoking. Visitors can check out the Izalco volcano at the Cerro Verde Park.
Another must-see attraction is the summit views of El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala at the Triunfo International Park.
Capital: San Salvador. There are 14 departments: Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, San Vicente, Santa Ana, Sonsonate, Usulutan
Population: 6,822,378 (as of July 2006)
Language: Spanish, some Indian languages
Land Size: Slightly smaller than Maryland
Climate: Rainy season from May to October and dry season from November to April; mild in the uplands and tropical on the coast
Natural Disasters: Hurricanes, volcanoes and earthquakes
Travel Requirements:
- Passport required
- Single-entry tourist card required (card can be obtained from immigration officials upon arrival for a $10 fee)
- Citizens from Australia and New Zealand need a visa
Airlines:
El Salvador's airport is the hub for TACA Airlines, an airline that flies to and from cities in the United States to Central American countries. In addition to TACA, Delta, Continental, American and United Airlines fly to El Salvador from New York City, DC, Atlanta, Miami, New Orleans, Houston, Denver, L.A. and San Francisco.
There are no required vaccinations for travel to El Salvador, but your doctor may recommend a malaria vaccine if traveling to the rural departments of Ahuachapán, La Unión and Santa Ana.
