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Crossing borders into El Salvador has brought a change in culture and ease of travel. Unlike Guatemala, this country is not as geared for tourism and thus takes a little more effort. The Spanish here is also slightly different making communication more challenging. A lot of travelers I have talked to skipped past El Sal because of these very reasons. But, I have also talk to a few who have been here and absolutely loved it. I only have a few days to spend here, so I decided to check out the surf beaches near Libertad. I set up my transportation through Tica Bus who provides 1st class accommodations from capital to capital. The bus had A/C, comfortable seats, and played movies for our entertainment. They had to literally pry me from my seat when we had reached our destination. Note- You know your in a Third World country when the movie of choice for public transportation is “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”. The total time from Antigua to San Salvador was 7 hours, but it was much easier travel than what I have been accustomed to. Border crossings are always fun with hoards of locals trying to get you to change currency through them. They can sometimes be worse than taxi drivers, which is hard to believe.

Can't Catch a Break

Jeremy Curl
2006-08-28 14:02:23

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Crossing borders into El Salvador has brought a change in culture and ease of travel. Unlike Guatemala, this country is not as geared for tourism and thus takes a little more effort. The Spanish here is also slightly different making communication more challenging. A lot of travelers I have talked to skipped past El Sal because of these very reasons. But, I have also talk to a few who have been here and absolutely loved it. I only have a few days to spend here, so I decided to check out the surf beaches near Libertad. I set up my transportation through Tica Bus who provides 1st class accommodations from capital to capital. The bus had A/C, comfortable seats, and played movies for our entertainment. They had to literally pry me from my seat when we had reached our destination. Note- You know your in a Third World country when the movie of choice for public transportation is “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”. The total time from Antigua to San Salvador was 7 hours, but it was much easier travel than what I have been accustomed to. Border crossings are always fun with hoards of locals trying to get you to change currency through them. They can sometimes be worse than taxi drivers, which is hard to believe. On the bus I got to know a couple of British fellows (James and Gary) that were on their way to Panama. We arrived in the center of San Salvador just before dark. This is the largest city in the country and not the place we wanted to be walking around at night. There are two major gangs (maras) operating in the country; Mara 18 and Mara Salvatrucha - aka. MS (I wore Mara 18’s street colors to hopefully blend in). There were only six gringos on the bus and we all decided to stick together. We found a nearby hotel and headed out to find some food and an ATM. By this time it was dark and there were Latino gangs and gunfire all around; well I’m exaggerating but it was very dark. After eating, me and the two Brits walked all over looking for an ATM that was compatible ...

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I would like to talk to a bout el salvador, I have to say is the best country to go In all central America, I don't know but people always post Picture's that are deprecing, I have been 5 times to el salvador And I have seen a lot of changes tourism is exelent,
If you want to go to el salvador visit this website and see for you're self.

www.turismo.com.sv
If you go you will return a gain,

Edwin Hernandez , 2008-04-19 21:22:11