1st Excursion to Paradise - Central America Inquisitions

Hello Kale 😊

I think it would be wise to take precautions against robberies. I generally conceal my cash in my clothes. For I put a third of it in the hem of a skirt, another third in a padded bra.... This ensures that it is not only difficult to steal if I am mugged, but if somebody does manage to mug me and steal my money, I have more someplace. Another solution would be to just withdraw small sums each time.

The busses are easy to find. Just go to the bus stations. Busses have extensive routes and go often in s and c America. I generally dont even bother with time tables. Though it is probably best to buy the tickets the day before if you dont want to do any waiting around or risk all the busses being full for the day.

From home bring sun glasses, sun cream, mosquito repellant, and band aids.

For the must dos, I would take Spanish classes, if you are interested in learning Spanish. I took them in Guatamala. They were inexpensive and very good. But that was 10 years ago, so maybe things have changed as regards the inexpensive part.

Mel Reply to this

You should have a great time even with the blonde female friend. Central America is just like anywhere else as mentioned in the previos post learning or knowing Spanish will make things easier.
I have been living in El Salvador for now over 15 years so here is a list of places on my must visit places, the list is in no particular order.
1) the beaches of the west coast great for surfing or just hanging out, for more night life Playa El Tunco and a little more laid back Playa El Zonte.
2) Playa Los Cobonos, there now is a new inexpensive hostel run by a young salvadorean woman Karla(PM me for the phone)
3) Still in the west the ruta de flores and especially Ataco and Juayua but have many lodging options, coffee tours, waterfalls. Ziplines and dune buggy tours are a kick and can be found in Apaneca
4) Tacuba and the imposible park, check out the site for imposible tours with manolo and his parents hostel. Most travelers I have talked to have loved his tours.
5) In the north La Palma, San Ignacio and the highlands
6) Suchitoto(where I live) great to just kick back and relax. There are now 5 hostels all under $20 two that charge $7 and hotels up to $100+ Civil war hikes or hourseback rides on the Guazapa mountains, the El Necio Bar even a disco on fridays and Saturdays
7) Alegria, came in first as El Salvadors best tourist city, not a lot to do there but it is a pretty town in the mountains, great views and a nice crater lake. There are only two hostels
8) Perquin and northern Morazan, war museun, masacre site at El Mozote and natural reserve area Rio Sapo. I always recommend a tour with trhe guides at Prodetur(booth in Perquin and main office about 10 minutes out of town) they charge between $15-20 for a full day tour on local buses to museum, Mozote and rio sapo
Well that should give you a good start you can find links to most every thing in El Salvador at and for more information about Suchitoto visit the oficial site at or unofficial site at
Ok have a great trip and if you need more information about El Salvador feel free to drop me an email.
Robert Broz "El Gringo" in Suchitoto Reply to this

Mel, do you suggest I withdraw small sums from the banks down there instead of carrying around however many thousands of dollars?

Either withdraw small amounts, or be extremely careful with your cash. Never leave it in a bag in the luggage hold of busses... If you choose to withdraw small amounts, rather than carry around a lot of cash, make sure you have a couple of hundred dollars emergency cash stored someplace, for times when you find yourself in a place with no ATMs. If you choose the carrying cash option, make sure you have somebody at home, who will wire you emergency cash, if you get very unlucky. If you dont have such a person, I dont think you should carry all your cash on you. It is too much of a risk, and other travellers and tourists are becomming more and more unwilling to help out those who find themselves with no money, and your consulate will not give you a loan either.

I never heard of ATM fraud, but I would beware of who is standing around when you are withdrawing. Try to do it during daylight hours, and preferably at places with security guards nearby.

Another thing about fraud: Keep an eye on your bank account online and all other ways that you keep your money. If fraud ever did happen, the sooner you contact your bank the better.

I know nothing about guitars. Maybe make a separate thread, so those who do know will see it more easily. Reply to this

I think a lot of people use debit cards. I dont know much about them though, because I have never had one.

Here are a few discussions that might help

Credit/debit cards...
Debit cards
ATMs in South America
How Did You Carry/Access Your Cash? Reply to this

For sure.

Also, for anyone who has used debit cards for withdrawals down there... when you take out the money in say, Guatemala or Nicaragua, do the ATMs give you the currency of the country or otherwise? Reply to this