ABOUT SALVADOR | en-mishasurfsalvador

MONEY

US dollars are used for payments
there are 4 ATMs in El Tunco (we withdraw money with VISA cards, but Maestro is also accepted)
payment by card is not "in" here yet
it is best to bring banknotes of lower values (optimally $ 20, $ 10. Bigger denominations such as $ 50 could be difficult to get change for).

VISAS

Visas are not obligatory for the citizens of the Czech Republic for stays of up to 90 days (applies also to the neighbouring countries)
We recommend checking the current info on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here

VACCINATION

vaccination against Yellow Fever is obligatory — not due to risk of infection, but because you may be asked on the border to show the record of vaccination in an international vaccination certificate
the cost is approximately $ 50 and the vaccination is valid for 10 years
more info, among other information, here

SECURITY

the situation in El Salvador has been evaluated as stable for the past 8 years. Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not aware of any special circumstances
travel is also safe for females travelling alone
one has to beware of pickpockets traditionally in big cities, like everywhere else in the world
In any case, the area around El Tunco by the sea is safe and in 2 weeks you'll know all the locals – and they'll know you :)

ABOUT EL SALVADOR

What reading do we recommend before you come with us to El Salvador? We have prepared a simple guide for you

FOOD, DRINK

drinking water is bought, 1 gallon (3,8 l) costs $ 1
of course, at your own responsibility, you can bring various drops or tablets to disinfect water
half-litre fresh drinks (from $ 2) are super
food is delicious, healthy, mostly from fresh ingredients
the cuisine will be enjoyed by vegetarians, people on gluten-free diets (cornmeal is used a lot here), as well as fans of paleo and raw diet.
food can be purchased from as little as $1. A huge meal in a restaurant costs about $ 8 (we had to share, as there was really so much of it)
breakfast is not included in the price of accommodation, but you can decide in the morning whether to prepare something in the kitchen for yourself, or to have breakfast at a beach venue
90 % of the goods in shops in the capital (35-minute drive from the beach) is what you are used to at home

WEATHER

temperature is quite constant here — approx. 25–35 degrees Celsius
expect 20–25 degrees Celsius at night
sea temperature is approx. 28–33 degrees Celsius
the rainy season is from July to September, however, rain mostly falls at night
see the current weather, for example, here the current height of waves and other information relating to surfing are to be found here

LANGUAGE

Spanish is spoken everywhere
nevertheless, our instruction is in English
you can also communicate with some locals in El Tunco in English
you need not worry, we'll pick you up at the airport and have prepared a list of basic phrases for you to use at the airport, when shopping, etc.

WHAT WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU BRING

in addition to a passport, insurance, also an international vaccination certificate
covering sheet for the night — you will receive a clean laundered sheet on request at the accommodation, but if you bring along your favourite sheet, we don't mind :)
definitely enough sun cream and after-sun cream
basic first aid kit for travel — tips on what to include are here (although it is possible to buy everything in the capital 35 minutes away by car)
flip-flops will do as shoes, pack sneakers for possible excursions
shorts, t-shirts are sufficient as clothing, perhaps with a long-sleeved shirt for the evening, but you won't suffer from the cold, for sure!
if you wish to learn Spanish, we recommend bringing along a Spanish-English dictionary
for the surf:
- if you wish to prevent grazed knees in the beginning (especially girls), we recommend 3/4 elastic pants
- we will lend you a t-shirt (included in the price)
- of course you can surf in a swimsuit, but watch out for sunburn and losing items in the waves :)
zinc – the white strong UV protection for nose and faces (it is possible to buy on site for approx. $ 6)