El Salvador:
This document contains valuable information that has been compiled
specifically for your trip.
Please take the time to read through it, print it out and take with you on your upcoming trip.
If you have any problems opening or printing this document,
please contact Airline Ambassadors at (650) 728-7844.
To Register for this Trip, please visit our Trips Page and refer to the "To Participate on a Mission" Section.
 El Salvador Trip
At-A-Glance
Dates:
Please visit our Travel Calendar for Trip Dates.
Day 1:
You will arrive in San Salvador and get settled at Villa Serena to rest. Then, you will have time to explore or shop. You will enjoy a welcome dinner with your guide.
Day 2 through 4:
The team will visit and play with the children and hand deliver aid
and gifts in:
- An HIV home (which is in need of food, medicine, and donations)
- Magana Home in Ahuachapan
- Inmaculado Corazon Home in Sonsonate
- Other Children's Homes will be added and determined by the coordinator and guide.
Your guides will provide free time for site-seeing, shopping and visiting local beaches, too!
Day 5 :
Depart in AM or PM for home (depending on flight schedules) this day to relax or head to the coast to enjoy the fabulous beaches.
Note – Itinerary, activities, or actual locations are subject to change based on trip coordinator's sole judgment. Factors may include, but are not limited to weather, climate, natural hazards, political climate, resources, illness, etc.
Know Before You Go
Location
El Salvador is located in Central America and is bordered north and west by Guatemala, north and east by Honduras and south and west by the Pacific Ocean.
Capital
San Salvador
Population
Approximately 6,122,515: 90 percent mestizo, 1 percent Amerindian, 9 percent white.
Languages
Spanish, but some groups still speak Náhuatl.
Climate
Tropical; on coast; temperate in the uplands. There are actually three climate zones, which vary according to the altitude above sea level.
Local Time
GMT/UTC minus 6 hours (or US Central Standard Time). Daylight Savings Time is not observed.
Currency and credit cards
The Salvadoran colón and the U.S. dollar. Since January 2001 both of these currencies have been circulating, with the official exchange rate being 8.87 colones to a dollar. Major credit cards are accepted in most places. A value-added tax (IVA) of 10 percent is applied to all goods and services.
Wiring money
You can wire money through MoneyGram in any branch of Banco Agrícola, Banco Cuscatlán or ScotiaBank El Salvador.
Business hours
Government: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Banks: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some open Saturdays.
Business: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Electricity
110V, 60 Hz
Entry and visa requirements
Tourists are required to have either a tourist visa issued from a Salvadoran Consulate there are 16 consulates in USA or a tourist card, passport valid for at least six months after departure and a return ticket. Visas are free to U.S. citizens. Tourist cards are
US$10 and can be purchased at the point of entry. They are usually issued for 90 days.
Departure taxes
There is a departure tax of around US$32.00 on international flights.
Customs
The duty free allowance is 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars; two liters alcoholic beverage; six units of perfume; and gifts to US$500.
Tipping
Most restaurants add a 10 percent tip to the bill. Tip bellboys and chambermaids about US$0.50 per day per person; tour guides, US$5 per day per person.
Telecommunications
Public telephones are everywhere and cost IS BASED ON THE COMPANY YOU ARE USING. THERE ARE CARDS TO CALL TO USA WITH A COST OF $ 0.10 CENTS A MINUTE. The international country code is 503; there are no internal area codes. The outgoing international code is OO.
Important Numbers
Emergency, National Civil Police 121 and 911
International operator 119 and 120
Time 117
El Salvador Trip – Pre-Planning
1. Immunizations – contact your personal doctor for information; malaria is not a problem in
the areas of El Salvador where we visit.
2. Suggested Personal Clothing:
This is basically a long weekend – we recommend to bring as little as possible. You can use the hotel laundry to wash any items while you are out visiting the orphanages.
Due to local customs and warm weather we suggest casual clothing normal for the US.
Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes are a must!
The days are hot, and sometimes wet; so light clothing – shorts, slacks, cotton T-shirts, sandals and/or running shoes are appropriate.
You may want to bring a sweater for the evenings and a light rain jacket just in case.
Keep jewelry to bare minimum.
Due to some unsanitary conditions in remote areas we suggest you bring tissues and wet hand wipes. Insect repellent and sunscreen.
3. Toiletries – the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have become very strict about what you can and cannot bring on board your international flight. Here is a link to their website for the current status:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm
4. Suggested Items for the Children:
This is not a prerequisite!
Some people have expressed an interest in bringing items that they collected for the children. If doing so, be careful of bringing expensive or new items, toys, etc.
We have a simple letter you can print out that states that the items you are bringing are for humanitarian aid supported by Airline Ambassadors, but you should only use it if your bags are checked and they have any questions. Usually you just walk right through customs with nothing to declare.
If you would like to bring clothing; then clean, used clothing is best. 20% baby, 40% girls, 40% boys is a good mix.
School, first-aid and art/craft items are always a good choice too.
Airlines usually allow you to check two bags. But be sure to verify.
5. Emergency phone number: Cesar Calderon – Trip Coordinator.
Dialed From the United States: 011–503–7899–2920
Dialed From El Salvador: 7899–2920
This number will be answered by an English speaking person who will have
knowledge of the group location at all times.
6. Food & Water – do not drink or eat ANY items without first checking with the coordinator…we want your trip to be as safe and pleasant as possible. Bottled water is usually safe as is the food within the hotel.
El Salvador Trip Checklist
Documents and papers
· Tickets - confirm your flight reservation
· photocopies of documents (pack separately from originals), keep originals with you
· email scanned copies of documents to yourself, or leave copies with a friend or family member
· credit cards/travelers' checks & currency (US dollars are widely accepted in El Salvador)
· health/travelers insurance papers
· register with US embassy - https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/home.asp
· up-to-date passport/visa
· driving license (international, if required)
· write your destination on your home address and outbound luggage labels
House and pets
· tell a neighbor you'll be away
· if your car is alarmed, leave spare keys with a neighbor
· give away any fresh food for long periods of travel
· for long periods of travel, have the post office hold your mail at the depot
· unplug electrical appliances, except freezer and fridge
· arrange cattery/kennels, feeders or walkers for pets
· leave spare keys/contact number with someone you trust
· ask someone to water your plants
· lock windows and doors
· set timers, to make your house appears occupied
· be discreet about going away to reduce the risk of burglary
Hand luggage
· camera, mobile phone, laptop?
· medication (check restrictions)
· essential replacements in case your checked luggage doesn't arrive at your destination
· MP3/mini-disk/CD player, and spare batteries
· support socks/leg exerciser for long flights
· glasses, spare contact lenses, if required
· small amount of cash for when you arrive
· books, magazines, newspapers
· sweets for take-off and landing, to help stop your ears popping
· check current official restrictions on hand luggage -
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm
General packing
· pack light
· suntan lotion and after-sun
· phrasebook/guidebook
· travel plugs/adaptors
· first-aid kit
· toiletries
 Important Information
Arrival at Airport:
El Salvador International Airport
(SAL), commonly known as
Comalapa International Airport, or the
real name, Cuscatlán International
Airport, is located about 50 km (30
miles) from San Salvador in El
Salvador.
When you arrive you will go through
immigration, collect your bags and
then exit into the main terminal after
customs.
A driver will be waiting with YOUR
NAME on a placard to take you to
your hotel.
Hotel Villa Serena Escalón:
Two of San Salvador’s ritzier districts are Colonia Escalón, where you’ll find upscale shopping centers, residential areas, theaters and restaurants, and the Zona Rosa, an exclusive nightlife and restaurant area.
Hotel Villa Serena Escalon, is located in the hart of the Colonia Escalón, and just one block away from the monument “El
Salvador del Mundo”.
Address:
Col. Escalón, 65 Av. Norte # 152, San Salvador.
(Por centro Finanaciero Salvador del Mundo)
Phone:
(503) 2257-1937 / (503)2257-1938
Trip Coordinator:
Cesar Calderon
Phone: 7899-2920 (In El Salvador)
011-503-7899-2920(From United States*)
*Note “503” is the country code, not an area code.
Airline Ambassadors International●PO Box 459, Moss Beach, CA 94038●Ph 650-728-7844●Fax 650-728-7855
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