Country Information

An abundance of cafes and restaurants can be found on Paseo General Escalon, in the Zona Rosa (see below) and in shopping malls like Metrocenter and Gran Vía.

International cuisines include Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, French and Argentinian. There are also numerous fast-food chains and pupuserias (see below).

National specialities:
• Pupusa (a fried sandwich of tortillas, filled with pork, cheese, refried beans and/ or vegetables).
• Típico salvadoreño (standard Salvadoran breakfast comprising eggs, local cheese, refried beans, fried plantains and tortillas).
• Corn tortillas.
• Tamal de elote (cornflour batter with meat filling, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed).

National drinks:
• Café (coffee).
• Refrescos (natural fruit drinks).
• Tic tac and torito (strong alcoholic beverages made from distilled sugar cane).

Legal drinking age: 18.

Tipping: 10% in hotels and restaurants; 15% is appropriate for smaller bills. Service charge often included on bill.

San Salvador's best bars and nightclubs are in the Zona Rosa district, west of the city centre. Drinks are expensive and entry charges are common. Nightclubs can often be found in shopping malls, as well as cinemas, many of which show English-language films with Spanish subtitles. The capital's theatres include the restored Teatro Nacional. Other evening entertainment venues are the Feria Internacional for concerts, and Estadio Cuscatlán and Estadio Mágico Gonzalez for football (soccer) matches and concerts.

Downtown San Salvador has little to offer in the way of entertainment and should be avoided for security reasons. Outside the capital most places of entertainment (even hotels) close around 2300.

The best souvenirs are handicrafts, including ceramics (especially in Ilobasco), handpainted wood (La Palma) and wicker furniture (Nahuizalco). You can also pick up bargains at the Mercado Cuartel craft market in San Salvador (only go there with a Salvadoran). The shopping malls, including Multiplaza, Galerias, Metrocentro, Gran Vía, Hiper Mall and Cascadas, sell upmarket souvenirs.

Shopping hours: Vary. Mostly Mon-Sat 0830-2000. Malls 1000-2000. Limited opening Sundays. Some local shops, especially those selling food and drink, open until late.