Editing El Salvador

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{{onRoute|Pan American Highway}} {{metadata_country}} [[Category:Country]] {{pricecontrol_country}}

=Visiting {{PAGENAME}}=
''Give a brief overview of what it's like to visit. How easy is the border, how safe is the country, are there great things to see and do, etc.'' 

=Entering {{PAGENAME}} with a Car or Motorbike=
'''Correct as of: <span style="color:red">February 2017</span>'''

==Required Paperwork== 
{{visa_country}}
* Passport of registered owner (original and 1 copy).
* [[Vehicle registration]] (original and 1 copy).
* [[Drivers license]] of registered owner (original and 1 copy).

==Process at border==
* The owner of the vehicle gains entry at immigration (''migración''), including a stamp in their Passport.
* The owner must show the new passport stamp , [[drivers license]] and the original [[vehicle registration]] to customs (''aduana'').(Plus photocopies of each).
* The owner is issued a temporary import permit for the vehicle.
* Must purchase FONAT card ("Fundo Nacional de Accidentes de Transito"). Receipt and 'insurance' card are provided.
* Detailed instructions including GPS POI's, office locations and pictures can be seen here: [http://myoverlandadventure.com/guat-el-sal/ Guatemala to El Salvador – Valle Nuevo / Chinamas border crossing]
* Our experience of crossing from Honduras to El Salvador at '''El Poy on 17th May 2016 with a motorcycle'''. Includes GPS coordinates and photos. http://www.tiger800rtw.com/?p=1298

'''NOTE:''' You will encounter pushy locals offering to help you with paperwork to get across the border. See [[Pan_American_Highway#Helpers|Border Crossing Helpers]] for advice.

==Cost of entry==
* Cost of mandatory FONAT card: <price cost="10" currency="USD" /> for 30 days. Longer is available.
* La Hachadura border: <price cost="5" currency="USD" /> for community road improvements (possible scam, but police would not let us go without paying. Receipt provided)
* We crossed at El Poy in Aug 2014 and it was for free!
* Same for us. Honduras to El Salvador at El Poy on 17th May 2016 with a motorcycle. No fees. No idea what a FONAT card is and no one tried to sell me one. No helpers at this border. Details of our crossing here http://www.tiger800rtw.com/?p=1298
* As of February 2017, entrance to El Salvador is free for the travellers & the vehicle.

==Permitted length of stay==
90 days.
El Salvador is part of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_America-4_Border_Control_Agreement CA-4 Border control agreement]. This agreement grants travel between Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua for a TOTAL of 90-days. The number of days remaining on your CA4 is written in your passport as you travel from country to country. The 90-day limit begins when you enter any country that is part of the CA4 agreement. To avoid penalty and fines, Exit the CA4 countries and enter into Costa Rica or Mexico/Belize before the 90-days limit expires.

When crossing the borders, you will not get a stamp at your passport. They will rather give you a small paper with a stamp that you have to hand it back at your exit.

==Extension of stay==
Unknown.<br/>
''Describe the process to extend the permitted length of entry for the vehicle, if possible.''

==Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country==
(unknown) <br/>
''Describe if/how a vehicle can be stored, and for how long.'' <br />
''Also mention if the owner / temporary importer can leave the country while the vehicle is in storage.''

==Exiting with a vehicle==
* The registered owner presents the temporary import paper to customs.
* The registered owner is stamped out of El Salvador at immigration.

=Driving in {{PAGENAME}}= 
==Recommended books for Overlanding in {{PAGENAME}}==
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==Travel insurance for {{PAGENAME}}==
{{Travel insurance country}}

==Vehicle insurance requirements==
Insurance is not required. However as of May 2013, you must purchase a FONAT card, "Fondo Nacional de Accidentes de Transito". A government fund created to support the victims of accidents and fund safer roads.

===Cost of insurance===
<price cost="10" currency="USD" /> for 30 days. Longer is available.

===Where to purchase insurance===
Office near Customs ('Aduana').

==Driving license==
Technically an [[International Driving Permit]] is required.  <br />
In reality, showing a license from anywhere in the world seems to be good enough.

==Driving side of road==
Right. <br />
Right hand drive vehicles are NOT permitted without a SPECIAL LETTER. <br />

This letter takes 3-7 days to get from Jose at the Land Rover club, contact him through this Facbook page [https://www.facebook.com/Club-Land-Rover-El-Salvador-261414880572016/ El Salvador Land Rover Club on Facebook]. With this letter, entry at the border will be no problem.

==Mandatory items in vehicle==
None.

==Roads==
===General Road quality===
Roads in El Salvador vary greatly. The Pan American is paved and good quality for the length of the country, as are most other highways. Lesser roads are gravel and can be very bumpy and rutted.

===Road signs===
Road signs are uncommon, and can not be relied upon.

===Toll roads===
None.

==Bribery in {{PAGENAME}}==
Police bribery is relatively common in El Salvador, so you should expect it to happen.
See the [[bribery tips]] page for advice.

==Checkpoints==
Police checkpoints are not very common in El Salvador. You'll primarily be asked to show your Passport, [[Vehicle registration]], [[drivers license]], FONAT card, and the temporary import permit you were issued at the border.

==Traveling with pets==
According to travelers in 2012, you need: <ref>[http://www.earthcircuit.org/blog/2012/08/19/central-american-borders-and-dogs/ Central American Borders and dogs]</ref>
<br>

Travelers in 2013 wrote this when traveling from Guatemala to El Salvador. They had to pay <price cost="9" currency="USD" /> for a dog permit and show the vaccines, that's it.<ref>[http://www.pawsontour.com/iea/reisen-mit-hund/erfahrungen-von-unterwegs/erfahrungen-von-unterwegs.html Traveling with dogs from Canada to Argentina. Experiences and Infos.]</ref>
<br>
* A Health Certificate for the animal in Spanish (updated at least every four months)
* A vaccination record (the European Pet Passport works well)
You might not be asked for either one, but you should have them ready.

=Gas and Diesel price in {{PAGENAME}}=
'''Last updated: <span style="color:red">April 2017</span>'''<br />

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{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
! Gasoline Grade
! Price
|-
| Regular
| <price cost="2.75" currency="USD" unit="galUS" />
|-
| Super (90)
| ??
|-
| Premium (95)
| <price cost="2.95" currency="USD" unit="galUS" />
|-
| Ultra (97)
| ??
|-
| Normal Diesel
| <price cost="2.51" currency="USD" unit="galUS" />
|-
| Diesel (low sulfur)
| ??
|-
|}

==Gas and Diesel Availability / Frequency==
Gasoline is common, shortages are not a problem.

==Gas and Diesel Quality==
Unknown.

=Safety and Security Considerations=
==Driving at night==
Driving at night is absolutely not recommended in El Salvador, due to safety considerations.

If necessary, consider parking at a truck stop, or with big trucks parked along the highway, an impromptu wagon circle.

==Vehicle parking==
Find a secure parking lot to park for any length of time. Price unknown.

==Special driving considerations==
None.

==Security advisories and information==
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=Camping in {{PAGENAME}}=
Camping is popular in El Salvador anywhere along the ocean but not very popular inland.  Roadside camping is generally not recommended.

==Camping guide books==
Unknown.

==Drinking water==
Tap water in El Salvador is not safe to drink.

=Navigation=
==Paper maps==
Reise Know-How are amoung the best paper maps. Purchase paper maps before arriving in {{PAGENAME}}
{{paper_maps_country}}
Purchase maps before arriving, good ones are very difficult to find in El Salvador.

==GPS Maps of {{PAGENAME}}==
* Open Street Map: Appears to have good coverage.<ref>[http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=13.8&lon=-88.91&zoom=8&layers=M OpenStreetMap El Salvador]</ref>
* Cenrut: Free Open Source GPS map of Central America. <ref>[http://www.cenrut.org/adw/over.htm Cenrut Mapping Project]</ref>
* Garmin: Apparently no map of El Salvador.
* TomTom: No map of El Salvador. <ref>[http://uk.support.tomtom.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/9885/ TomTom Map availability]</ref>

==GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc. in {{PAGENAME}}==
* [http://ioverlander.com/ iOverlander] is a website and iPhone application designed by Overlanders, for Overlanders. It contains GPS co-ordinates and reviews for camping, hotels, propane, water, mechanics, borders and much more.
*[http://www.pawsontour.com/iea/DOWNLOADS/GPS-Waypoints/gps-waypoints.html Places in El Salvador - Camping Places & Sights in El Salvador from Pawsontour]
* [http://liferemotely.com/trip-shenanigans/el-salvador/198-el-salvador-campgrounds-and-hotels El Salvador Campgrounds and Hotels - Life Remotely] - List of campgrounds and hostels with photos, GPS co-ordinates, descriptions and amenities from 2012]
*[http://www.dare2go.com/campingCA.html#Salvador Camping Sites: El Salvador] - Detailed list of campsites and propane filling with description, directions and GPS co-ordinates. Some at hotels (lists facilities and price), some roadside and free.
*[http://www.questconnect.org/ca_camping.htm Central America Camping Locations] - List of campsites, with basic directions and GPS co-ordinates. Mostly free sites.
* [http://www.travelin-tortuga.com/Site/Camping_Log_1__Central_America.html Camping Log 1: Central America] - List of campsites, shopping, fuel, propane and border crossings with excellent descriptions and GPS co-ordinates.
* [http://www.whiteacorn.com/theamericas/camping/camping.php#log White Acorn camping log page] - GPS co-ordinates and excellent description of campsites]

=Special Overland Travel interests=
None.

=Vehicle Maintenance=
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==Local Garages==
''Add known good mechanics here.''

=Buy or sell a car or motorbike in {{PAGENAME}}=
'''Buy'''<br/>
Unknown.<br/>
''Describe how a foreigner can buy a vehicle.''
''List any difficulties or limitations on where the vehicle can be driven.''

'''Sell'''<br/>
Unknown.<br/>
''Describe how a foreigner can sell a foreign-plated vehicle, or list not possible.'

=References=
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<references />

=Helpful External links=
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