Welcome to El Salvador! This motorcycle travel guide explains everything you need to know about riding a motorcycle in El Salvador including paperwork, safety, the best routes and loads of extra info. If you’re planning an overland motorcycle adventure through El Salvador – start here.
This guide is based on our motorcycle ride through El Salvador during our round the world trip. The guides on this website are constantly updated by us and with info from contributors to keep them current, up-to-date and as helpful as possible.
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Motorcycle Travel Guide El Salvador
By Andy Davidson
Mad or Nomad - RTW motorcycle travellers
Welcome to El Salvador! It’s the smallest country in Central America, but it still packs a punch. Motorcycle travellers tend to whiz through this little gem on their way to Honduras and Nicaragua, but it’s full of gorgeous landscapes, winding mountain routes, scenic coastal rides and 170 volcanoes (23 active). It’s a cheap and easy country to travel through and this guide will explain everything you need to know about riding a motorcycle there.
Our motorcycle ride through El Salvador
We (Andy and Alissa from Mad or Nomad) are on a round the world motorcycle trip and entered El Salvador in June 2024. This guide is based on our experiences and what we learnt. However, as with all our guides, readers and fellow travellers kindly contribute additional info and experiences so we can keep our articles current and up to date. For more info on our ride there and what we got up to, have a read of our El Salvador Blog.
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Paperwork
El Salvador makes it very easy for tourists and motorcycle travellers to get in and out of their country. You’ll need a valid passport, driver’s licence and vehicle registration document.
Once at the border, you will need to arrange your passport entry via immigration and temporary import for your motorcycle.
Immigration
El Salvador is part of the Central America 4 (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua). When you enter any one of these countries you get a 90-day visa that is valid for all four countries. It’s 90 days in total for all four and does not restart when you enter another CA4 country. This means the clock starts as soon as you enter your first CA4 country and doesn’t stop until you exit the CA4.
So, if you have just come from Guatemala and have been there for 30 days, you will have 60 days left on your CA4 visa when entering El Salvador.
You still need to visit immigration in El Salvador in order to get stamped in. Citizens from some countries may need to pay a small fee for entry, for example US citizens need to pay around 12USD but it’s free for Brits. Here’s some info on El Salvador’s entry requirements.
Temporary import (TIP)
You’ll receive a TIP usually valid for 90 days when entering El Salvador. You will need a stamped copy of the TIP from the previous country when making your TIP in El Salvador so make sure you get that before you leave the previous country’s border post.
Motorcycle insurance
Motorcycle insurance is not required for El Salvador.
Exiting El Salvador
When you leave El Salvador, you will need to return your TIP to customs, they will stamp it and give you a photocopy so you can take that photocopy with you to the next border.
More on paperwork
If you’re planning a motorcycle trip and aren’t used to the different types of paperwork requirements, or are just trying to get your head around motorcycle paperwork in general, have a read of our packed paperwork for bikers guide too.
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Getting in and out of El Salvador with a motorcycle
El Salvador shares borders with Guatemala and Honduras. There are multiple crossings with each country and they’re relatively straightforward and easy to get through.
Check the iOverlander app for up-to-date reports on border crossings in and out of El Salvador.
When to ride in El Salvador
The best time of year to ride in El Salvador is during the dry season from November to April. You’ve got decent and warm weather during these months – especially November to January. It heats up from February to April and then the rainy season starts in June and tails off in October. The rain gets serious in August and September.
Money and costs
El Salvador uses two main currencies: United States Dollars and Bitcoin. USDs have been the main currency since 2001 and are easily withdrawn from ATMs around the country. Bitcoin was made legal tender in 2021, making El Salvador the first country to officially adopt Bitcoin.
Petrol
Petrol is easy to find in El Salvador and not particularly expensive. It’s slightly lower than the global average and cheaper than its neighbours like Costa Rica.
Food and drink
Food and drink is well priced in El Salvador. In the capital, San Salvador, you’ll find loads of foreign restaurant chains and great food options. It’s going to be more expensive than say Guatemala but not near the prices of Costa Rica. Expect to pay around 10USD for a meal in a cheap restaurant.
Accommodation
Accommodation isn’t too pricey either. You can find great hotels in San Salvador that are very reasonably priced. In the city and tourist areas you’re looking at around 30-40USD for a budget room with a private bathroom.
Here’s a link to San Salvador on Booking.com so you can get an idea of prices.
Camping in El Salvador
Overlanders camp in Guatemala and often wild camp throughout the country. You’ll find a few paid sites – primarily in tourist areas and especially along the coast. We recommend checking iOverlander for recommendations and safe spots to set up your tent.
Safety and security
There’s no doubt about it, El Salvador used to be seriously dangerous. However, since President Nayib Bukele took power in 2019, he basically threw anyone even remotely related to criminal activities in jail and the country’s safety rating has shot up.
To put it into perspective, El Salvador had one of the highest homicide rates in the world. In 2018 there were around 50 murders per 100,000 people. By 2023 Bukele had dropped that from 50 to 7.8.
Of course, there are still dangers and you will need to use your common sense. Don’t travel to the dangerous parts of towns and cities, don’t ride at night, consider where you’re staying and you’ll be fine as is the case anywhere in the world.
But overall, safety has massively improved in El Salvador.
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Travel insurance
We highly recommend getting decent personal travel insurance before you leave on your trip. It’s incredibly important that you’re covered in case of an accident and your medical bills will be taken care of. Make sure El Salvador is included on your insurance.
If you are planning on heading into very remote regions and off-roading, then we also recommend carrying an emergency satellite GPS device so you can call for help if you have a medical emergency.
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Health and safety
Vaccines
When travelling abroad, it’s important to read up on the vaccine recommendations and requirements of the countries you are travelling through.
The best website we have found, that clearly explains what is needed and required is travelhealthpro.org.uk. Simply click on each country you plan on travelling through and read through the vaccine recommendations.
Yellow Fever
There is a risk of yellow fever transmission throughout parts of Central and South America. And some countries in the Americas will require you to show a yellow fever vaccination certificate. So, we recommend getting the vaccine before travelling. You can find info on the travelhealthpro website, and the fitfortravel.nhs.uk website has additional info with a map of areas at risk of yellow fever.
READ MORE: How to Stay Healthy on the Road
Road conditions
The roads in El Salvador are among the best in Central America. On the main roads connecting towns and cities the roads are very well maintained with minimal potholes. The further you go off the main road the worse they get, as to be expected. Always keep an eye out for wild animals like dogs though because the country is full of them.
Riding gear
We always recommend choosing an ultra-lightweight, breathable and well vented adventure riding suit – and one that is not waterproof. Pack a cheap and light set of throwover waterproofs in case it rains. The aim of the game here is a layering system. It can get exceptionally hot and exceptionally wet in El Salvador so you want to be in well vented kit with easy access waterproof.
For more info and guides on adventure riding gear have a look at the below guides.
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The best motorcycle rides in El Salvador
Ruta de las Flores
Route: CA-8 and CA-13
Details: The Ruta de las Flores is probably the most famous road ride in El Salvador. You’ve got around 36 kilometres of charming towns like Juayúa, Apaneca, and Ataco to ride past with markets, coffee plantations and gorgeous views along the way. We stopped in Juayúa for its famous weekend food festival and loved it.
Conchagua Volcano
Route: Take CA-2 east from San Salvador, then follow signs to Conchagua
Details: Tucked away in the southeast corner of El Salvador is Conchagua Volcano. Its main draw is the stunning view of the Gulf of Fonseca and the surrounding islands. It’s a tough off-road ride up with steep and rocky trails. But the views are worth it over the Pacific Ocean.
Mizata to La Libertad
Route: CA-2
Details: La Libertad is a coastal town known for its beautiful beaches and excellent surf spots. The ride from Mizata to La Libertad stretches along the coast and takes in plenty of turns and tunnels.
Montecristo National Park
Route: Take CA-1 north from San Salvador, then follow signs to the park
Details: Located way up in the northwest of El Salvador, Montecristo National Park is known for its cloud forests and wildlife. The park sits at an altitude of over 2,400 metres, which means you can cool off if the heat’s getting to you. You’ll love riding anywhere in this National Park and region.
Suchitoto
Route: Take CA-1 east from San Salvador, then turn onto RN-3
Details: Suchitoto is a cool colonial town packed with cobblestone streets and historic buildings making it a great place to stop for a coffee. And you’ve got an awesome ride to get there over pretty landscapes and a great view of Lake Suchitlán.
Tamanique Waterfalls
Route: Take CA-2 to La Libertad, then follow signs to Tamanique
Details: You’ll find the Tamanique Waterfalls near La Libertad. The waterfalls are beautiful and the ride there is excellent. It’d be rude not to take a swim in the natural pools so it makes it a fun day ride especially in summer.
Santa Ana Volcano
Route: Take CA-1 west from San Salvador, then follow signs to Cerro Verde National Park
Details: If you fancy a challenge, try the area around Santa Ana Volcano. You’ll find stunning views of the surrounding landscapes as you get nearer. And once you reach Cerro Verde National Park you can hike to the volcano’s crater, which is the highest in El Salvador. It’s a tough hike, but the views of the crater lake and Pacific Ocean are worth it.
Read more on motorcycle travel in El Salvador
Thanks for checking out the Motorcycle Travel Guide: El Salvador. We hope you enjoyed it! Here’s a few more articles on motorcycle travel in El Salvador and Central America that we recommend you read next.
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Are you planning a motorcycle trip in El Salvador? Do you have any questions, tips or suggestions? Let us know in the comments below.
Hello how are you? I read the article and really liked it. I want to do a motorcycle trip but I don’t have my license, do you know a place where you can go on a trip with a guide who’s a driver? I’m in Honduras now so here is the best if possible and if not then in El Salvador , thanks !
So, you want to ride as a pillion? (on the back seat) of a motorcycle? If so, contact any tour company or motorcycle group and ask – riding on the back for long distances can be challenging and fun, and it not for everyone, but definitely works best if you’re a woman riding with a man ( or vise-versa) – not being sexist, but there is not too many men who would want to ride with another man on the back seat. It is size / space as much as it is a MM/ MF situation. If you are OK to pay, I am sure that there are guides willing to carry a passenger. I’m riding from Panama City to El Salvador and back in a couple weeks – typically ride single but have carried a pillion ( both male and female) many times
Good tips Ajay, thank you,
Andy