Incredibly friendly locals, colourfully painted buses which actually run regularly, some awesome trekking in the northern hills plus a smattering of volcanoes, and a newly opened forest covered national park. It has a violent reputation but it's definitely worth your time.
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Budget Accommodation in El Salvador.
Accommodation is, at it seems to be in most of Central America, hotel based. The standards fall right across the board so it won't be a problem finding somewhere cheap enough to rest your weary head but price isn't evrything, the quality is very often lacking as well so have a good shop around.
A Traveller's Budget for El Salvador
It will cost you around US$25 - $30 a day to live here, for travel take the bus, it's cheap, reliable, and the route numbers make sense which is a bit of a rarity around these parts. All roads cebtralise at San Salvador so you'll probably have to at least pass through, although why would you not want to, it's got an incredible mixture of architecture due to the continual earthquakes and a vibrancy about it that's infective.
For cheap eats choose the street vendors and their pupusas, corn or ricemeal tortillas stuffed with chicken, cheese or a mixture. Wash it all down with some local beer.
Activities
Visit San Salvador for it's vast array of architectural styles
Trekking in the national parks
Surfing from La Libertad
See Central America's answer to Pompeii at Joya de Cerén
