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Business Hours
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Government
|
|
• Government Offices (Mon.-Fri.) 8:00 a.m.
- 4:00 p.m.
• Banks (Mon.-Fri. / Sat. limited number) 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
The government is democratically elected.
The President serves a five year term and cannot be re-elected. |
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Climate
|
Healthcare |
|
The rainy season is from May through
October and the dry season from November through April.
The average annual temperature is a high of 80°F and a low of 64°F. |
Modern medical facilities are
available countrywide. |
Clothes to Bring
|
Language |
|
Light cotton clothing is recommended. A sweater or light
jacket is usually all you will need for the evenings. For a trip to the
mountains a good pair of hiking boots is a must. For every day use, sneakers
or soft-soled shoes are best. A hat and sunglasses are recommended when
spending time at the beaches. |
Spanish is the official language. English is
spoken in most tourism areas. |
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Communications |
Population
|
|
Direct dial service is readily available, as well as
facsimile, telex, cable, radio,
Internet and television. The international country code is 503. |
The population is approximately six millon
and is divided into three ethnic groups. Those of pure European descent,
European and indigenous descent, and indigenous. |
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Credit Cards |
Places of Worship |
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Major credit cards and traveler’s checks are accepted
throughout the country. |
Catholic is the largest denomination, but most others can
be found in the country. |
|
Currency
|
Taxes
|
|
As of January 2001 the official currency became the U.S.
dollar. The Salvadorean colon is fixed at 8.75 X US$ 1.00 |
Most goods and services are subject to a 13%
value added tax (IVA). |
Departue Tax
|
Tips |
| Departing air passengers pay U.S. $23. Land
and sea depatures vary according to the area. |
A ten percent gratuity is appropriate in most
restaurants. Check before tipping, many establishments add it to the bill. |
Electricity |
Topography |
| 110 volt A.C. is found throughout the
country. |
The smallest country in Central America, it
consists of highlands, valleys, volcanoes, a coastal plain, the Sierra Madre
mountain chain and a 210-mile Pacific coastline. |
Entry Requirements |
| Immigration requires tourists to
have one of two documents; a tourist visa issued from an El Salvador embassy
which is good for the life of your passport less one year. The other
document is the tourist card. It is available for U.S. $10 and can be
purchased at the point of entry. Requirements vary depending on your
nationality so check ahead before traveling. |
