Acajutla

The port stands in an industrial area, and most passengers take cruise-organised tours.

The town centre is approximately 5 kilometers from the port.

A courtesy shuttle takes passengers to nearby Acajutla beach, a small craft market and a playground.

The Port of Acajutla is not a large town with hundreds of attractions for restless travellers, but it is a pleasant place with friendly people and a relaxed atmosphere. It is also becoming an increasingly popular seaside resort for those who want to enjoy its excellent beaches.

Los Cabanos Beach at Acajutla has a long sweep of white sand, blue waves and plentiful reefs. Every summer, divers join tours from the Artisan Pier, lasting up to five hours and operating five to ten kilometers offshore at depths of 20 to 30 meters. The beach has accommodation for every budget and several good seafood restaurants.

Taxis are a good way to get around.

Acajutla is a good base for visits to several Mayan ruins, tours to see active volcanoes and coffee plantations, or opportunities to view native wildlife. Most attractions are within a one-hour drive of the port, and taxis are recommended for reaching them.

Deep-sea and reef fishers will enjoy their stay at Acajutla as well. Chartered boats take anglers to the best open-sea spots for the catch of a lifetime. For anyone wanting to head inland, the port’s newest adventure is a high-flying canopy tour through the forests of Apaneca.

Izalco Volcano is worth the journey. About 34 kilometers inland from Acajutla, it erupted almost continuously from its birth in 1770 until 1958. Its flames guided mariners, earning it the name "Lighthouse of the Pacific". A 1926 eruption buried Matazano and killed 56 people. The volcano has not erupted since 1966, and visitors now climb to the summit to look into its dormant caldera.

El Salvador is inexpensive: expect $8-10 for a hotel room, $2-4 for a simple meal, $0.25-0.35 for a San Salvador city bus, $1/hour for Internet use and $0.25 for sliced mangos. Large bills ($50 and $100) are almost impossible to spend, so obtain change where possible; gas stations are a good bet. Ask a bank for small bills and nothing larger than $20. Watch street-vendor prices, as people who look or sound foreign may sometimes be charged more.

“Agua en bolsa” (water in a plastic bag) is commonly sold in streets and corner shops in El Salvador. Do not drink it or tap water; buy sealed bottled water from a well-known brand instead. It is also wise to avoid food washed with tap water, including lettuce and other vegetables sold on the street. Use common sense.

US$ is used, though ATMs are difficult to find near the port.

Spanish is El Salvador’s official language.