El Salvador
Travel Destination – El Salvador
El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America, yet it offers a striking mix of dramatic volcanoes, lush highlands, colonial towns, and renowned Pacific surf breaks.
As tourism continues to grow, El Salvador is becoming an increasingly appealing destination for adventurous travellers. However, health risks can vary depending on activities, climate, and travel style. Careful preparation before departure can help reduce avoidable illness and ensure a smoother travel experience.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
Before travelling to El Salvador, it is advisable to book a consultation with a travel doctor for personalised medical advice. Your doctor can tailor recommendations based on whether you will be staying in cities, coastal regions, or rural and volcanic areas.
During the appointment, your vaccination history will be reviewed, relevant travel vaccines discussed, and prescriptions provided if required. Booking six to eight weeks before departure allows adequate time for multi-dose vaccines, though even last-minute travellers can benefit from targeted advice and accelerated vaccination schedules where appropriate.
Insect avoidance
Insect-borne diseases are a significant health consideration in El Salvador. Mosquitoes and other biting insects transmit illnesses such as Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya, New World screwworm myiasis, Leishmaniasis, and Malaria. Reducing insect bites is therefore a key preventive strategy.
Choose accommodation with air econditioning or screened windows where possible. Wear long-sleeved clothing and long pants, particularly during peak biting times. Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to exposed skin.
Permethrin-treated clothing and bed nets can provide additional protection, especially in rural or forested environments. Minimising standing water around accommodation helps reduce mosquito breeding. Any cuts or abrasions should be kept clean and covered to prevent secondary infection.
Food and water hygiene
To reduce the likelihood of gastroenteritis and other gastrointestinal infections whilst enjoying the cuisine of El Salvador, practise good hand hygiene by washing hands thoroughly or using alcohol-based hand gel before eating.
Avoid raw or undercooked foods, and be cautious with reheated meals. Street food is generally safer when it is freshly cooked and served hot. Fruits and vegetables are safest when peeled, such as bananas, oranges, and mangos. Drink bottled, boiled, or adequately filtered water, and avoid ice made from untreated tap water.
Rabies prevention
Australia is one of the few regions globally that is free from rabies, a virus that causes progressive damage to the brain and spinal cord. In El Salvador, rabies can be carried by dogs and bats, so it is important to avoid handling animals, including strays and wildlife.
Rabies vaccination may be considered for travellers spending extended time in rural areas, undertaking outdoor activities, or working with animals. Any bite or scratch from a mammal requires urgent medical assessment, as early treatment is highly effective at preventing rabies, which is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
Our Travel Doctors
Our fully qualified doctors have an interest in travel medicine and immunisations. And they know travel. Their expert advice will be tailored for you, your travel companions and your trip.
Which shots do I need for El Salvador?
Hepatitis A
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Hepatitis A is an acute viral infection of the liver, commonly transmitted through contaminated food or water. Symptoms can vary in severity, and the illness can occasionally be severe and life-threatening. Hepatitis A is more prevalent in El Salvador than in Australia. Many Australian adults are not fully immunised, so vaccination is strongly recommended for travellers who have not completed a two-dose course.
Typhoid
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Typhoid is caused by Salmonella bacteria and is transmitted via contaminated food or water. Symptoms include prolonged fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal upset. A vaccination for typhoid is available, providing protection for up to three years. Immunisation is particularly useful for extended travel or visits outside major tourist centres.
Hepatitis B
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The hepatitis B virus can cause long-term infection of the liver. Hepatitis B is spread through contact with blood or bodily fluids, including unprotected sex, tattooing, medical procedures, or sharing personal items such as razors.
Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for travellers to El Salvador who are planning longer stays, may require medical care while overseas, or have other risk factors. Your travel doctor can assess whether vaccination is appropriate for you.
Yellow fever
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Yellow fever is a viral disease carried by mosquitoes that can cause fever, muscle pain, yellowing of the skin, and, in severe cases, life-threatening complications. Proof of vaccination may be required for travellers arriving from countries with yellow fever risk, including airport layovers more than 12 hours. Recommendations and entry requirements may change, so consult a travel doctor for up to date advice based on your full itinerary.
Routine vaccinations
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While Australia has strong routine immunisation coverage, infections such as measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, influenza, and COVID-19 circulate more widely in many parts of the world. A travel health consultation can identify any gaps in routine vaccinations and whether boosters are required before travelling to El Salvador.
El Salvador
Other health risks in El Salvador
Dengue
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Dengue fever is common in El Salvador and is transmitted by day-biting mosquitoes, particularly in urban and semi-urban settings. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and rash. Severe complications can occur, especially with repeat infections. There is currently no routinely recommended dengue vaccine for most travellers, making mosquito avoidance essential.
Rabies
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Australia is one of the few regions globally that is free from rabies, a virus that causes progressive damage to the brain and spinal cord. In El Salvador, rabies can be carried by dogs and bats, so it is important to avoid handling animals, including strays and wildlife.
Rabies vaccination may be considered for travellers spending extended time in rural areas, undertaking outdoor activities, or working with animals. Any bite or scratch from a mammal requires urgent medical assessment, as early treatment is highly effective at preventing rabies, which is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
Gastroenteritis
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Gastroenteritis, sometimes referred to as traveller's diarrhoea, is commonly caused through the ingestion of bacteria contaminated foods. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain, typically developing within one to three days.
Treatment for gastroenteritis relies on adequate hydration, including oral rehydration solutions to replace lost fluids and salts. Antibiotics are generally reserved for severe or prolonged illness, or for travellers at higher risk of complications. Medical review is advised if symptoms are severe, persistent, or atypical, especially if fluid loss exceeds fluid intake.
Non-infectious conditions
Crime and unrest
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Crime rates in El Salvador vary by location, with a high degree of caution advised for violent crime. Travellers should familiarise themselves with general safety advice and local conditions by reviewing the Australian Government’s Smartraveller advice for El Salvador before departure and while travelling.
Deep vein thrombosis
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Travelling to El Salvador often involves extended periods of air or road travel. These long periods of travel can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) due to reduced blood flow. To reduce the risk of DVT, move regularly, perform leg exercises, and stay well hydrated during travel. Travellers with additional risk factors may benefit from wearing below-knee compression stockings. DVT is usually treated with blood-thinning medication.
Safety on the roads and elsewhere
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El Salvador offers many opportunities for exploration, but travellers should take sensible precautions. If riding a motorbike or scooter, ensure you are experienced, familiar with local road conditions, and always wear a helmet. Use reputable transport providers and seatbelts where available.
When hiking or exploring volcanic or rural areas, wear appropriate footwear, apply sunscreen and insect repellent, carry sufficient water, and stay within your physical limits. Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical care and evacuation is strongly recommended.