Travel budget and cost of living in San Salvador (El Salvador) how much does a trip cost?

San Salvador travel budget

San Salvador: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to San Salvador

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in San Salvador for 2 people.

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in San Salvador compared to United States in 2024

On average, the cost of living in San Salvador in 2024 is 24% less than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in San Salvador in 2024 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in San Salvador by expense type

Restaurant budget in San Salvador

Lunch

$ 10/person
($ 4.9 to $ 15)

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50% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20

3 course dinner

$ 19/person
($ 14 to $ 30)

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50% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 37

McDonald's meal

$ 6.9/person
($ 6.3 to $ 7.8)

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36% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Local beer

$ 2 for 500ml
($ 0.9 to $ 3)

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66% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.9

Imported beer

$ 2.3 for 330ml
($ 1.7 to $ 3)

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32% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Cappuccino

$ 3.2/cup
($ 1.5 to $ 4.4)

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37% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1

Fizzy drink

$ 1.1/can
($ 0.7 to $ 1.5)

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57% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Water bottle

$ 0.9/bottle
($ 0.7 to $ 0.9)

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55% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2

Hotel and accommodation budget in San Salvador

1-star hotel

$ 95/night
($ 36 to $ 278)

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43% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 168

2-star hotel

$ 68/night
($ 26 to $ 182)

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55% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 152

3-star hotel

$ 116/night
($ 36 to $ 391)

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48% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 224

4-star hotel

$ 138/night
($ 77 to $ 312)

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55% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 305

5-star hotel

$ 144/night
($ 86 to $ 331)

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67% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 437

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 93/month
($ 35 to $ 271)

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42% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 163

Room with kitchen

$ 125/month
($ 37 to $ 402)

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47% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 237

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 134/month
($ 37 to $ 393)

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34% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 204

Cottage or guest house

$ 96/month
($ 38 to $ 282)

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56% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 221

Family room

$ 156/month
($ 35 to $ 493)

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23% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 202

Supermarket food budget in San Salvador

Milk

$ 1.9/litre
($ 1.4 to $ 3.5)

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85% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Bread

$ 2.1/500g
($ 0.9 to $ 7.6)

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41% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Rice

$ 1.7/kg
($ 0.9 to $ 2)

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62% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.5

Eggs

$ 3/12 eggs
($ 1.8 to $ 4.5)

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18% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Chicken

$ 6/kg
($ 2.4 to $ 7.6)

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49% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Apples

$ 3.2/kg
($ 0.9 to $ 5.4)

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39% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.2

Tomatoes

$ 2.6/kg
($ 0.9 to $ 3.5)

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45% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.8

Potatoes

$ 2.1/kg
($ 0.9 to $ 3.7)

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26% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9

Water bottle

$ 1.1
($ 0.7 to $ 1.3)

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52% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Public and private transport budget in San Salvador

Bus ticket

$ 0.3/ticket
($ 0.2 to $ 0.9)

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86% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Taxi (per km)

$ 3.5/km
($ 3 to $ 4.9)

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105% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7

Petrol

$ 1.1/litre
($ 0.9 to $ 1.2)

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9% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 4.9
($ 3 to $ 7.8)

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36% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Leisure activity budget in San Salvador

Cinema

$ 5.4/ticket
($ 4.9 to $ 6.3)

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60% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14

Tennis

$ 21/hr
($ 15 to $ 26)

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5% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in San Salvador

Cigarettes

$ 3.9/pack
($ 3 to $ 4.4)

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60% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10

Levi's jeans

$ 71
($ 63 to $ 74)

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37% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 52

Summer dress

$ 48
($ 35 to $ 55)

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11% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 43

Plane ticket budget

Montreal → San Salvador

$ 545
(fair price: $ 455)

Los Angeles → San Salvador

$ 356
(fair price: $ 281)

New York City → San Salvador

$ 363
(fair price: $ 285)

Toronto → San Salvador

$ 548
(fair price: $ 442)

London → San Salvador

$ 764
(fair price: $ 664)

Atlanta → San Salvador

$ 464
(fair price: $ 309)

Book a flight Flight prices to San Salvador