# So, has anyone been to El Salvador International Airport (SAL)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 17, 2012, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-has-anyone-been-to-el-salvador-international-airport-sal/625395 "2012-06-17T03:41:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Drum\_God](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drum_god/32/44_2.png) [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2012, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-has-anyone-been-to-el-salvador-international-airport-sal/625395/1 "2012-06-17T03:41:06Z")
In January, I will be doing a bit of traveling. My wife, son, and in-laws will be departing Galveston, Texas, on the Carnival Magic for a Caribbean Cruise. Because of work, I cannot get away until Tuesday evening. So, I will be joining the ship on Wednesday as it makes its port-of-call in Roatan, Honduras. I have found transportation from Austin to Roatan, but it involves a layover in San Salvador. The first leg of the trip takes me to Los Angeles (in the wrong direction!), then a red-eye from LAX to SAL. I will then have seven hours to kill in San Salvador. What might this be like? I would be arriving at 7:25AM, so the airport should be coming alive around then. I depart at 2:30PM. Looking at various websites, the airport looks to be fairly substantial, though not as big as LAX or even Austin. Am I likely to find a place to sit and rest? Would I be able to find a bite to eat while I am there? Will my credit cards work, or will I need to find some El Salvador money before I go? If I fall asleep while waiting in the terminal, will I be reasonably safe, or can terrible things happen? I have a valid US passport, so there’s no problem there. I have no plans to ever leave the airport until my flight to Roatan (RTB) departs. What sort of paperwork might I need for El Salvador immigration? I will be able to show my passport and my ticket for RTB, so will that be enough? I had this same problem with a cruise this year. (My wife’s family insists on going on these trips during the school year, which poses a problem for me, but that’s a whole 'nother discussion.) This recent cruise, however, stopped in Freeport, Bahamas. Getting to Freeport was no problem at all. I had an overnight connection in Ft. Lauderdale, but I just went to a nearby hotel and slept. Bahamas is very nearby, the locals speak English, and they were happy to receive my American money. El Salvador and Honduras worries me a bit more. The only hitch I had in my trip to Freeport was that the gate agent at Bahamasair would not let me board without purchasing a return ticket. Even though I explained that I would be joining a cruise ship, he insisted that I purchase a ticket. So, I bought the ticket and had it refunded when I returned home. The airline guy said that Bahamas immigration would ask to see my return ticket. When I arrived in Freeport, immigration did ask how long I would be staying and my plans for leaving. I told the lady, honestly, that I was joining a cruise ship. She was satisfied and waved me on my way. Will Honduras be as understanding? ---
**Author:** ![Drum\_God](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drum_god/32/44_2.png) [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2012, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-has-anyone-been-to-el-salvador-international-airport-sal/625395/2 "2012-06-17T03:45:36Z")
In a related question, anyone familiar with TACA and LACSA (LINEAS AEREAS COSTARRICENSES) airlines? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2012, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-has-anyone-been-to-el-salvador-international-airport-sal/625395/3 "2012-06-17T04:31:36Z")
> [@Drum\_God](#): > > What might this be like? I would be arriving at 7:25AM, so the airport should be coming alive around then. I depart at 2:30PM. Looking at various websites, the airport looks to be fairly substantial, though not as big as LAX or even Austin. I passed through the San Salvador airport a couple of times several years ago. It’s a perfectly normal airport. > [@](#): > > Am I likely to find a place to sit and rest? Yes, there are several gate areas with seating. > [@](#): > > Would I be able to find a bite to eat while I am there? There were a number of restaurants, including several international or regional chains. > [@](#): > > Will my credit cards work, or will I need to find some El Salvador money before I go? El Salvador does not have its own currency. Since 2001, it’s used the US dollar for all transactions. You can bring cash. While I didn’t use an ATM while I was there, I would expect there are some available. Restaurants are likely to take major credit cards. > [@](#): > > If I fall asleep while waiting in the terminal, will I be reasonably safe, or can terrible things happen? No, you won’t be abducted by Sandinistas. 😉 There will be lots of people around during the time you will be there. You will be as safe as in most other airports. > [@](#): > > I have a valid US passport, so there’s no problem there. I have no plans to ever leave the airport until my flight to Roatan (RTB) departs. What sort of paperwork might I need for El Salvador immigration? I will be able to show my passport and my ticket for RTB, so will that be enough? You’re in transit, so yeah. I had no problems when I was in transit. If you’re not going to leave the airport, you wouldn’t even need to go through immigration. > [@](#): > > Will Honduras be as understanding? Is your ticketing all on one airline? I wouldn’t think you would have a problem if you already have your tickets, and can show your cruise ship booking. Incidentally, English is spoken in Roatan, so I wouldn’t anticipate you would have a problem once you arrive. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2012, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-has-anyone-been-to-el-salvador-international-airport-sal/625395/4 "2012-06-17T04:32:57Z")
> [@Drum\_God](#): > > In a related question, anyone familiar with TACA and LACSA (LINEAS AEREAS COSTARRICENSES) airlines? I’ve taken them. They’re generally OK.