I arrived in El Salvador — specifically San Salvador — on July 4th, with a plan to spend one week and two weekends there. By mid-week I had decided to stay another week. Then another… I didn’t leave until my already-extended CA4 visa was ending so I had to leave.
I LOVED Cumbres de Volcan, the hostel in Escalon that my CouchSurfing friend had heard about. It easily became home. It was easy to stay. The neighborhood I was in. It was perfectly safe to walk around in. To walk to beautiful supermarkets and malls, to go out to nice places, to walk all the way downtown…
All fear of San Salvador was easily questioned by my Tica bus seat-mate as we arrived in the city. My fears somewhat melted away the first days but I remained diligent. No city is perfectly safe, but as with all cities, if you avoid the bad areas and you are wise about where you are and what is around you, you can havea a great, safe time. (I never forget that my own home-city of New York, is feared by many.)
I enjoyed the people I met in San Salvador. Strangers were always polite. Children are taught well. Shop-keepers were kind and patient with my Spanish, whether department stores or tiendas.
I was there in Rainy Season, but although it rained daily, it only changed my plans on a few occasions.
I will add to this post as I have time, but just want to get it up here so friends can know I have moved on to Costa Rica and am safe and well. And strangers can know that they should come to El Salvador!