Border Crossing from Honduras to El Salvador

If you’re planning a backpacking trip through Central America, El Salvador is definitely worth considering. As one of the smallest countries in the region, it offers a diverse range of attractions and activities that are perfect for solo travelers. In this post, I am sharing how I did the border crossing from Honduras to El Salvador and where I stayed, ate, highlights, and more.

Most people visit Santa Ana in El Salvador but I skipped it because as mentioned above, my goal for this trip was to see something unique in all 7 countries. So that meant Volcano in Santa Ana wasn’t of interest as it fell under the already seen/done bucket.

So what different things did I see in El Salvador? I’ll elaborate on that below.

San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, is a must-visit destination. This bustling metropolis boasts a mix of modern and historic architecture, including the stunning Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace. If you’re a night owl, you’ll love the vibrant nightlife scene with plenty of bars, clubs, and restaurants to choose from.

But El Salvador isn’t just about city life. The Ruta de las Flores, or “Flower Route,” is a scenic drive through several charming towns known for their colorful flowers and unique artisanal crafts. And if you’re a thrill-seeker, El Salvador has plenty of outdoor activities to offer, from hiking, and riding a bike on a zip line, to surfing on the Pacific coast and more.

border crossing from honduras to el salvador — How to independently border crossing from Honduras to El Salvador

How to go from Copan Ruins, Honduras to San Salvador, El Salvador?

This is going to be another long day so start EARLY!

Here is the step-by-step route I followed.

1. Get on a bus to Santa Rosa de Copan (3.5 hours)

In Copan Ruins town, there are two bus terminals. One is in the town between all the shops and the second one is on the way to the Copan ruins itself – If you walk from town to the ruins you will come across a small bridge and right next to it on the right-hand side is the second bus stop.

I did not buy a bus ticket day before because there was no one selling it! So I just decided to turn up early in the morning. The first bus leaves the bus stop at 4:20 am and the second bus leaves at 6 am ( i made it around 545 am – the hostel was nearby recommendation below and the bus left right on time at 6).

2. Take another bus from Santa Rosa de Copan to Ocotepeque (2.5 hours)

The bus will take its sweet time, looking and waiting to pick up passengers in order to fill the seats and buying breakfast for the driver/conductor. I wasn’t sure what they were eating tho but a friendly Honduran man on the bus who spoke good English explained it to me. It was a delicious local breakfast that looked like a tortilla with stuffed meat or veggies inside which was actually tasty

I suggest letting the driver and the conductor know beforehand you want to go Ocotepeque next because along the way the bus may pass other buses heading in that direction. So they just stop and take your bag and move you right then and there!

That is how it happened for me although it was only 5 minutes before arriving in Santa Rosa! So in any case, get to Santa Rosa and on this small bus stop area you should be able to find a bus that goes to Ocotepeque.

3. Taxi drive to the border (7 minutes)

Once you arrive in a town called Ocotepeque, you can either get another microvan heading to Frontera (border) or get a taxi to drop you off at the border.

4. Immigrations: Stamp out/ Stamp In (40 minutes)

At the border, continue walking to the immigration office. Stamp out of Honduras Then walk straight to the San Salvador immigration office You can’t miss it, it is just straight ahead.

There are some people exchanging USD/ Lempheras for the local currency, recommend changing some to use for bus or food, maybe snacks. The man gave me a good rate tbh

5. Walk to the Terminal de buses 119: (10 minutes)

Once you entered El Salvador, you gotta keep walking straight again to get to the bus stop. There are some restaurants and shops along the way. I stopped at once to buy water and snacks for the bus ride and was pleasantly surprised to bump into a local El Salvadorian who spoke perfect American English.

Walk straight about 10 mins from the immigration office until you see the bus terminal on your right-hand side.

6. Take Chicken Bus #119 to San Salvador: (3 hours)

El Salvador was my 4th Central American country and I was finally about to experience the Chicken bus ride everyone talked about!

I must mention it was one of the fun bus rides because of a few things. Firstly, both the driver and the conductor were super nice and polite even when they had 0 English and I had no Spanish. Just looking at them you could tell they absolutely LOVED their job.

Secondly, this chicken bus had a massive TV at the front and throughout the bus journey, they kept playing Daddy Yankee music videos on repeat! So i guess I got familiar with their taste in music now

7. Arrive at a gas station called Gasolinera Puma near Terminal de Oriente bus station

Finally arrived in San Salvador, remember Uber works here so I checked how much was to my hostel and it was $6 but there are also many taxis around. I was at my hostel in 20 minutes due to peak office hours traffic around 5:30 pm.

Cost of this independent border crossing:

Here are quick notes from the day

From Copan Ruins the bus left exactly at 6:40 am

Arrived at 9:40 am in Santa Rosa

110 lemp

3 hrs

Left Santa Rosa at 950 am

Arrived at Ocotepeque at 12:50 pm

150 lemp

I gave the bus conductor 500 lemp but had to remind him more than halfway for the change back. Suggest carrying smaller notes for ease.

3 hrs

A shared Taxi to the border with locals left at 1 pm

Arrived at Honduras immigration at 1: 20 pm

12 lemp

Stamp out Honduras immigration

Asked where I’m going next and where I was before

Mentioned that I had too many stamps on my passport!

Walked to the San Salvador immigration

Guard checked passport, stamped in and stamped out of Honduras

At the El Salvador immigration, the officer flicked through all the pages of my passport and checked the stamps again

This time questions were – where was I staying, where was I going, and which country I land first form Australia

Snacks $1.35

2 pm arrived At the bus stop chicken bus guy washing the tires

Left 2:15 pm $5 waiting for change still

Got back $2.80

Finally arrived in San Salvador at 5:30 PM

TAXI to the hostel at 5: 37 pm

Arrived at the hostel in 5 mins

Also checked Uber’s price was $6.10

Taxi wanted $8 but in the end, agreed to go from $6

How long did it take me to get from Honduras to El Salvador?

Total: 12 hours

These steps may look pretty complicated but don’t be put off by the fact that you need to take 3 different buses and 1 taxi to get to San Salvador. It’s not as bad as it looks, I speak barely any words in Spanish and did fine so you can too!

Alternatively, you can pay for a shuttle door-to-door service for about 90 USD.

Is El Salvador safe for solo travelers?

El Salvador has a reputation for being a dangerous country, and there are certain safety concerns that solo travelers should be aware of. However, with appropriate precautions, it is possible to have a safe and enjoyable trip to El Salvador.

Here are some tips for staying safe in El Salvador as a solo traveler:

Stick to well-known tourist areas and avoid traveling alone at night.
Avoid carrying large amounts of cash or wearing expensive jewelry or watches.
Use caution when using public transportation. Stick to licensed taxis or Uber.
Keep your passport and important documents in a secure location, such as a hotel/hostel safe/locker.
Stay aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts. If a situation feels unsafe, remove yourself from it as quickly and calmly as possible.
Learn some basic Spanish phrases before your trip, as English is not widely spoken outside of tourist areas.
Consider staying in a hostel or guesthouse with good reviews and a social atmosphere, where you can meet other travelers and possibly join group activities. (recommendation below)

Overall, while there are safety concerns in El Salvador, solo travelers can have a safe and rewarding trip with careful planning and a heightened awareness of their surroundings.

Which hostels to stay in El Salvador?

Here are some highly-rated hostels in San Salvador, the capital city of El Salvador:

Hostal Cumbres del Volcan Flor Blanca – The hostel offers comfortable dorms and private rooms, a rooftop terrace, and a communal kitchen.
Hostal Cumbres del Volcán Escalón – This hostel offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge, and a terrace.
La Zona Hostel – This hostel is located in the trendy Zona Rosa neighborhood and offers private rooms and dorms, a swimming pool, and a communal kitchen. The hostel also has a bar and a restaurant
Hotel Oasis – This hostel offers accommodation with a terrace or a balcony, free WiFi, and flat-screen TV, as well as a garden and a shared lounge.
Hotel Tazumal House – Hotel Tazumal House features a café and modern rooms with free Wi-Fi. It is located in San Salvador’s university district.

What and Where to eat in San Salvador?

San Salvador has a vibrant food scene, with a mix of traditional Salvadoran cuisine and international options. Here are some popular dishes and places to eat in San Salvador:

Pupusas – This is the national dish of El Salvador and a must-try when visiting San Salvador. Pupusas are thick corn tortillas stuffed with cheese, beans, or meat, and topped with curtido (a pickled cabbage slaw) and tomato salsa. Some popular places to try pupusas in San Salvador include El Paseo de las Pupusas and Pupusería Paty.
Mariscada – El Salvador is known for its seafood, and mariscada is a popular dish that features a variety of seafood, such as shrimp, clams, and fish, in a tomato-based sauce. Some popular places to try mariscada in San Salvador include La Pampa Argentina and Los Cebollines.
Chorizo con lombrices (also known as chorilonga or chorilonza) – It is a popular street food that consists of grilled chorizo sausage and moronga (blood sausage) served on a tortilla.
Comida Corrida – This is a traditional Salvadoran lunch that typically includes a soup, a main course (such as grilled chicken or beef), rice and beans, and a drink. Many small restaurants in San Salvador offer comida corrida at an affordable price, such as Comedor Guadalupano.
Coffee – El Salvador is also known for its coffee, and there are many coffee shops and cafes in San Salvador where you can try a cup of locally grown coffee. Some popular places to try coffee in San Salvador include Viva Espresso and The Coffee Cup.
Street Food – San Salvador has a lively street food scene, with vendors selling a variety of snacks and treats. Some popular street foods to try include yuca frita (fried cassava), churros, and elotes locos (corn on the cob with toppings). You can find street food vendors throughout the city, but some popular areas include Parque Colón and La Gran Vía.
Sopa de Res – A traditional beef soup that often includes vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and yucca.
Tamales – Similar to the Mexican dish, tamales in El Salvador are often filled with chicken or pork and served with tomato sauce.
Ensalada Rusa – A salad made with boiled potatoes, carrots, peas, and mayonnaise.
Quesadillas – These are sweet, Salvadoran-style cheese pastries that are often served with coffee or hot chocolate
Ponche- Ponche is a traditional Salvadoran Christmas beverage made with fruits, spices, and rum.

Some popular places to try seafood dishes in San Salvador include La Pampa Argentina, Los Cebollines, and El Cadejo. You can also find ponche at local markets and street vendors during the holiday season.

Highlights in San Salvador

San Salvador is the vibrant capital of El Salvador, located in the heart of Central America. Despite being one of the smallest capital cities in the region, San Salvador is a bustling metropolis with a rich history, vibrant culture, and plenty of activities for visitors to enjoy.

Here are 10 interesting things to see and do in San Salvador:

See the memorable Iglesia El Rosario (Church of the Rosary) Pretty impressed with the rainbow effect – v original! It is so beautiful inside at any time during the day but the best time is 3 pm for the full rainbow effect. Cost $2 per foreigner to enter and masks are still required. They sell them for 0.25 cents each.
Visit the iconic “El Salvador del Mundo” monument and ride the giant slide for a thrilling experience and panoramic views of the city.
Immerse yourself in the local culture by visiting bustling markets like Mercado Central and Mercado Antiguo Cuscatlán, where you can sample traditional street food and shop for souvenirs.
Learn about the country’s turbulent history and the struggles of the local people by visiting the Museum of the Revolution or the National Museum of Anthropology Dr. David J. Guzmán.
Marvel at the stunning architecture of the city’s historic buildings, such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Palace, and the Teatro Nacional.
Take a leisurely stroll through the city’s parks and plazas, including the Parque Cuscatlán, Parque Libertad, and Plaza Gerardo Barrios.
Enjoy the vibrant nightlife scene by visiting bars and clubs in trendy neighborhoods like Zona Rosa and La Gran Vía.
Attend a cultural event or festival, such as the annual August celebrations or the Paseo El Carmen, a traditional street fair that takes place in the historic district.
Discover the contemporary art scene by visiting Museo de Arte de El Salvador or art galleries like the Centro Cultural de España or the Casa Tomada.
El Boquerón National Park: This park, located on the edge of the San Salvador Volcano, offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and stunning views of the city and surrounding landscape.
La Casa de la Cultura: This cultural center offers a variety of workshops, classes, and events related to art, music, dance, and theater.
Plaza Libertad: This beautiful public square features a statue of El Salvador’s national hero, Jose Matias Delgado, and is surrounded by historic buildings and museums.

Day Trips from San Salvador

Joya de Cerén: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known as the “Pompeii of the Americas” and offers a glimpse into the daily life of the Mayan people who lived here before the eruption of the nearby volcano.
Tazumal: This pre-Columbian archaeological site located in the town of Chalchuapa features impressive Mayan ruins and is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in El Salvador.
Lake Coatepeque: This picturesque crater lake is located about 45 minutes from San Salvador and offers stunning views, swimming, and water sports.
Santa Ana Volcano: This active volcano is the highest in El Salvador and offers a challenging but rewarding hike to the summit for stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Ruta de las Flores: This scenic drive takes you through charming towns and picturesque landscapes, with plenty of opportunities to stop and explore local markets, coffee farms, and artisan shops.
Suchitoto: This pretty pastel colonial town (pics above) located about an hour from San Salvador offers historic architecture, beautiful views of Lake Suchitlán, and opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and water sports.
El Boquerón National Park: This park, located on the edge of the San Salvador Volcano, offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and stunning views of the city and surrounding landscape.

These are just a few of the many-day trips you can take from San Salvador. Make sure to do some more research and plan ahead to make the most of your time in El Salvador.

CA-4:

It won’t apply to you if you are traveling for only one month in central America but in case you do decide to extend. Note that there is a thing called the CA-4 group which includes Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and El Salvador and they permit free travel between them all. This means they spread your 90 days between these four countries. To avoid any fines make sure your stay in these 4 countries is within 90 days.

Let me know in the comments:

If you have any questions about the border crossing from Honduras to El Salvador
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