El Salvador

El Salvador is a state in Central America, bordering Guatemala and Honduras. It is the smallest and most densly populated country in Central America. The currency is US dollars.

El Salvador is one of the easiest countries in the world to hitchhike. Getting a ride in a city is difficult as usual, but in rural areas, the first car will usually stop for a gringo. However, the buses in Salvador are so cheap (the country can be crossed for a few dollars), that the only reason to hitchhike is for the sake of meeting locals (who are very friendly).

It is possible to pick up rides from people at petrol stations, and most of the time - like in the rest countries of Central America - you will end up sitting in a back of a pick-up truck.

Getting In
El Salvador borders Guatemala and Honduras. Honduran border of El Amatilio (towards Tegucigalpa & Nicaragua) is rather difficult to leave or reach on long distance vehicles but easy on short lifts. So go for the shorties. At El Amatilio on the Salvadoran side hitchhiker Craig recommends to get at least a lift to a gas station at a junction five kilometers into the country. The gas station is a good place to get long distance lifts!

There is another big border to Honduras at Ocotepeque.

A good border option for Guatemala is Las Chinamas.

Random advices

 * Take some sunscreen though because you can get burnt quickly.
 * Taste pupusas! The most wonderful food in the world!

Personal Experiences

 * I traveled around El Salvador sometime in 2010 by thumb. It was incredibly easy to get rides, and I found Salvadorans to be particularly friendly. The coast is steamy hot, and the black sands are remarkable. I was even able to hitch to the more remote location of El Mozote. Good hitchin-Chael777


 * I hitchhiked from Guatemala to San Salvador to Honduras in 2014. Never waited more than 5 minutes for a ride.  However, I had trouble asking the locals for directions... everyone was telling me which bus to get on.  I just wanted to know how to get to the highway! -Dr.Keith

Cities

 * San Salvador
 * Santa Anna
 * San Miguel

El Salvador

El Salvador