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August 2004
I saw that Hedman Alas began new service between San Salvador and San Pedro Sula (via Copan) Honduras. I decided to try them out for a trip from Salv to Copan.
I arrived at their private bus terminal at 5:30. I was the sole passenger that day. It was weird having a huge bus all to myself.
We drove past Santa Ana and crossed into Guatemala at San Cristobal. The crossing was quick - El Salv. immigration stamped me out, handed my passport to his Guat counterpart who stamped me in, and we were back on the road. I found this border crossing unique in that the Salvadorean and Guatemalan guards were chit-chatting and mingling with each other. It was very nice (note: the return side of the border wasn't as nice).
We drove through Guatemala for about 1.5 hours and hit the busier border of of Guat / Honduras. Since I was only going to Copan and would be returning the same route, they stamped me out of Guatemala and into Honduras on a piece of paper rather than wasting my passport visa pages.
Overall, the trip was good. It only took 3 hrs 15 min to get from San Salvador to Copan and about 4.5 hours to return. (There were 6 ppl on the bus back, immigration was slower, and we hit rain).
Food: Not fried chicken like the pictures show. Just juice and muffins.
Attendants: Nice but they don't speak English.
Cost: $45 roundtrip between Salv & Copan. SPS Salv roundtrip is around $60.
Overall, it's a good, comfortable, safe way to get between El Salvador and Honduras. I'd recommend it and hope Hedman will continue this routing. Leave a Comment
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Visiting El Salvador?
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 by MarcG
Traveling around El Salvador is easy. Don't forget that you are in Central America and that El Salvador is recovering from 12 years of civil war and a major earthquake last year so don't expect German highways. The main roads are well kept (for Central American standards), so you shouldn't find any difficulties if driving. Always carry a detailed map since there are roads that are not well signaled. Car rental is cheap, numerous travel agents organize bus tours, 4X4 rentals, and more, check the different options. Once again since El Salvador is not a major tourist destination you may be surprised at the price of some of these options. The public transportation system is not very good and I wouldn't recommend it, but there are some intercity bus lines that are OK (to go to Santa Ana, San Miguel, from San Salvador). There is an excellent bus service from San Salvador to Guatemala City and to Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula in Honduras ($40.00 for a round trip San Salv/Guatemala City/San Salvador luxury bus ticket with A/C, movies, and full meal).
Travelling by car allows you a certain freedom and time to take in the spectacular scenery that the country offers.
Some scenic roads are: Carretera los Naranjos in the Apaneca mountain range, the road from Santa Ana around the rim of lake Coatepeque and up to Cerro Verde, la Carretera litoral between La Libertad and Sonsonate takes you along th Balsam coast - breathtaking (check my Travelogue), the road connecting the Indian villages of Sonsonate (Izalco, Nahizalco, Caluco, etc) Leave a Comment Theme: Other
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 by easterntrekker
We paid $25.00 for a taxi to Costa del Sol. Theme: Airplane
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We found the best way to get around was with a car and driver. The roads are pretty good but there are no directons and signs are scarce! It's a much better option , than driving yourself, unless you know the area. Theme: Car/Motor Home
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 by easterntrekker |
Visiting El Salvador?
Read reviews about El Salvador Hotels
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 Arriving at El Salvador
National by Ken_Weaver |
 by mercure101Leave a Comment Theme: Other
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Traveling around El Salvador is easy. Don't forget that you are in Central America and that El Salvador is recovering from 12 years of civil war and a major earthquake last year so don't expect German highways. The airport is located about 45 min away from San Salvador, about 20 minutes from the Costa del Sol resort and 6 minutes away from the airport. The main roads are well kept (for Central American standards), so you shouldn't find any difficulties if driving. Always carry a detailed map since there are roads that are not well signaled. Car rental is cheap, numerous travel agents organize bus tours, 4X4 rentals, and more, check the different options like “Hollywood A1 Express” that can take you wherever you want to go, you can get this service calling to the mobile phone (503)72649698 I recommend this because the owner is a very reliable business man who knows very interesting and beautiful places known only for natives(he is also one my best friends). Once again since El Salvador is not a major tourist destination you may be surprised at the price of some of these options. The public transportation system is not very good and I wouldn't recommend it to tourists, but there are some intercity bus lines that are OK (to go to Santa Ana, San Miguel, from San Salvador). There is an excellent bus service from San Salvador to Guatemala City and to Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula in Honduras ($60.00 for a round trip San Salvador/Guatemala City. San Salvador luxury bus ticket with A/C, movies, and full meal). Traveling by car allows you a certain freedom and time to take in the spectacular scenery that the country offers. Some scenic roads are: Carretera los Naranjos in the Apaneca mountain range, the road from Santa Ana around the rim of lake Coatepeque and up to Cerro Verde, la Carretera del Litoral between La Libertad and Sonsonate takes you along the Balsam coast-breathtaking, the road connecting the Indian villages of Sonsonate (Izalco, Nahizalco, Caluco, etc)
The buses in El Salvador are a thrill for those who have never experienced the guanaco mode of transport. If you enjoy a thrill, feel free to use the public bus system on your free time to get around. It can be slow at times, but it is extremely cheap. Even if you choose not to use the public transportation, you should take one bus ride just for the experience. There is nothing quite like it... believe it!
Many of the organized tours for travelers conducted by first class tour operators
are in insured vehicles with driver for your comfort and safety..Many small and medium sized
operators drive uninsured..so be sure and ask before going on a cheap tour!
Authorized Taxis (yellow) within the city of San Salvador are reliable. Do not walk alone nor take public transport after 8PM within San Salvador unless you are familiar with the area and route. Simply flag a taxi down on the street if you require to and determine the price
to your destination before you get in the cab (It is ok to haggle the price) There
are also dispatch services that you can call from your lodging place and have pick you up. Most dispatch drivers have their own cell phones and you are able to contact them later for pick up. Try to avoid the taxistas at the luxury hotels, unless you are able to negociate in Spanish, or if not, try and have a local negociate price for you in advance if possible.
If taking certain
specialized archaeological and ecological trips it may
be necessary for your group to rent a 4WD vehicle, advise hiringone
of several qualified native guides is able to conduct you if desired. Remember that rental car companies in Central America offer you two insurance options:
1. Basic: with a $1,000 to $1,200 deductible on your Credit Card at approx. $17 per day up insurance charges or...
2. Full insurance, including all collision damages, fire and theft at approx. $60 per day
insurance charges for a 4WD, if venturing to remote areas with rough terrain then choose full
insurance, a friend recently did so in Nicaragua and saved $1,200! Again, economic car, approx.
$40-$55 for a four door sedan, $75-$100 for a large pickup or SUV. All these prices include insurance and 13% sales tax (IVA). Always leave your rental car in guarded parking
areas with security overninght, never parked on the street, even if locals tell you it is ok! Leave a Comment Theme: Car/Motor Home
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 Las Chinamas border by quime
By bus it takes only 4 hours, including the fast border customs.
i did it by Las Chinamas, a tiny place and a remote border
very cheap prices, about 8 USD by King Quality buses, and 9USD by Ticabus.
If you drive, locals say it is unsafe at night! Leave a Comment
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I don't know if this is still true, but before it was much cheaper to fly to Guatemala than San Salvador. From Guatemala you can take a bus to San Salvador.
Buses are the best way to get around. Leave a Comment Theme: Other
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