El Salvador is a country in Central America, on the Pacific coast with (2018) 6.4 million residents; The capital is San Salvador.
San Miguel
San Miguel [- mi ɣ εl], capital of the department of the same name in El Salvador, 120 m above sea level, at the foot of the volcano San Miguel (2132 m above sea level), with (2017) 192,500 residents.
Bishopric; Commercial center.
Santa Ana
Santa Ana, capital of the department of the same name in the west of El Salvador, 660 m above sea level at the foot of the Santa Ana volcano (2,381 m above sea level), with (2017) 226,900 residents the third largest city in the country.
Bishopric; Catholic University; Theatre; Coffee and sugar processing, manufacture of textiles and leather goods.
Climate and the best time to travel
According to Bridgat, El Salvador has a tropical climate with only two seasons: verano (dry season) from November to April, and invierno (rainy season) from May to October. Almost all of the annual precipitation falls on nights during the rainy season. In winter there is enough precipitation only in the far north of the country, where the humid northeast trade wind still extends. From the mountains in the north and the coast of the Pacific Ocean, annual precipitation decreases inland from 2,000 to 2,500 mm to around 1,500 mm.
The temperatures are largely dependent on altitude. The coastal areas are the hottest, with year-round average temperatures of 22 – 32 ° C but a pleasant 19 ° C at night. The central regions show strong temperature differences over the course of the year, from 19 ° C in the coldest months to 38 ° C in the warmest. The mountain areas are always cool, with average temperatures of 12-23 ° C.
The highest temperatures are reached in the weeks immediately before the rainy season. In the summer rainy season, the temperatures drop by a few degrees, but the air is then very humid and muggy.
Best time to travel: The best season to visit El Salvador is at the beginning and at the end of the dry seasonwhen it doesn’t rain every day and the roads are in good condition. During the holiday periods, accommodations are often occupied and prices rise. The main holiday periods are from Christmas to mid-January, the week before Easter (Semana Santa) and during the first week of August when the annual festival takes place in San Salvador. During these periods, many stores only open for limited hours. In the rainy season the prices are lower, the beaches are less crowded and in the evenings / at night it is a little cooler after the rains.
Health and Diseases in El Salvador
Vaccination protection
No compulsory vaccinations are required for trips to El Salvador, an exception is entry from a yellow fever area, where proof of a yellow fever vaccination carried out at least 10 days before entry must be proven. The yellow fever countries currently include Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Paraguay, French Guiana, Venezuela, Peru and the African continent.
Cholera vaccination is not officially required, but border authorities may require this certificate, especially if you are entering from a country with cholera or crossing land borders.
Vaccinations against hepatitis A, diphtheria and tetanus are recommended for trips to El Salvador, and vaccinations against hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid fever if you are staying for a longer period of time.
Malaria
There is a medium risk of malaria in the northern provinces of the country and possibly in the coastal mangrove forests. The cities of El Salvador and the high altitudes are malaria-free.
Dengue fever
Dengue fever is common in El Salvador. Especially in the rainy season (June to September) the disease can also take on epidemic proportions. In severe cases, dengue can lead to serious damage to health and even death. The transmission occurs mainly through the bites of a diurnal mosquito (Aedes aegypti). There is no vaccination against dengue fever, so protect yourself consistently against mosquito bites in El Salvador, for example by using mosquito nets and mosquito repellants.
Prevention
Before traveling to El Salvador, you should definitely seek medical advice from a tropical or travel medicine specialist. If you are in rural areas of the country, malaria prophylaxis may also be recommended.
In order to avoid diarrhea, one should attach great importance to strict hygiene when eating and drinking while traveling in El Salvador.
Raw salad or fruit should only be consumed in restaurants with a good hygienic standard. Only clean water (Agua pura) is suitable as drinking water, tap water should only be boiled.
In addition to my general disclaimer, please note the following important note:
A guarantee for the correctness and completeness of the medical information and liability for any damage that may occur cannot be assumed. You stay responsible for your healthy.
