What is the best time to visit El Salvador?

Best Time to Visit El Salvador

The best time to travel to El Salvador is during the dry season from November to April, and the wet season from May to October.

Dry Season in El Salvador

The dry season in El Salvador runs from November to April and is the ideal time to visit for those looking for sunny days and warm temperatures. This season is characterized by sunny days and relatively low humidity, making it the perfect time for outdoor activities and sightseeing. During this time, travelers can expect to experience pleasant weather conditions with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit. This season also brings with it a variety of attractions and festivals, such as the San Miguel Carnival in February, the San Salvador International Film Festival in April, and the San Miguel International Marathon in April.

Month-by-month guide for traveling in El Salvador

El Salvador in January

Weather

January is the start of the dry season in El Salvador. Temperatures are warm and mild, with an average high of around 86°F (30°C) and an average low of around 68°F (20°C). Rainfall is minimal, with an average of only 1.3 inches (3.3 cm) of precipitation throughout the month.

Events

• January 1st marks the start of a new year in El Salvador. Many people celebrate with fireworks and parties.
• The Day of the Magi is celebrated on January 6th. This is a religious holiday in El Salvador, and many people attend Mass and exchange gifts.
• The Festival de la Palabra is a literary festival that takes place in El Salvador in January. It is a celebration of literature, art, and culture.
• The Festival Internacional de Música is a music festival that takes place in El Salvador in January. It features performances by local and international artists.
• The Festival de la Paz is a peace festival that takes place in El Salvador in January. It celebrates peace, tolerance, and understanding.

El Salvador in January

Weather

January in El Salvador is typically warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit (20-30 degrees Celsius). The days are usually sunny, and the nights are usually comfortable.

Events

• New Year’s Day: Celebrated on January 1st, New Year’s Day is a national holiday in El Salvador.
• Fiesta de la Candelaria: Held on February 2nd, this festival celebrates the presentation of Jesus at the temple.
• Carnival: Held in late January or early February, Carnival is a festive celebration with parades, music, and dancing.
• Dia de San Sebastian: Held on January 20th, this is a religious holiday honoring the patron saint of El Salvador.
• Dia de la Bandera: Held on January 15th, this holiday celebrates the national flag of El Salvador.

El Salvador in March

Weather

March in El Salvador is the beginning of the dry season, with temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to mid-80s Fahrenheit. The days are usually sunny and the nights are cool.

Events

• Semana Santa: Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is celebrated in El Salvador from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. During this time, many churches and homes are decorated with palm leaves and flowers.
• Día de la Mujer Salvadoreña: This day celebrates the contributions of Salvadoran women to their communities and is celebrated on March 8th.
• Día de San José: This day celebrates the patron saint of El Salvador, Saint Joseph, and is celebrated on March 19th.
• Día de la Independencia: This day celebrates El Salvador’s independence from Spain and is celebrated on March 21st.
• Día de la Paz: This day celebrates peace in El Salvador and is celebrated on March 24th.

El Salvador in April

Weather

April in El Salvador is characterized by warm and sunny days with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit (21-30 degrees Celsius). The humidity is usually high and there is a chance of rain throughout the month.

Events

• Holy Week (Semana Santa) is a major religious celebration in El Salvador. It is celebrated during the week leading up to Easter Sunday and includes processions, parades, and other religious activities.
• April is a great time to visit El Salvador for its annual coffee festival. The festival celebrates the country’s coffee production and includes live music, food, and other activities.
• The El Salvador International Film Festival takes place in April. It showcases films from around the world and is a great opportunity to explore the country’s culture and art.
• April is a great time to visit El Salvador’s beaches. The warm weather and sunny days make it perfect for swimming, surfing, and other beach activities.
• El Salvador’s independence day is celebrated on April 15th. The day is marked with parades, fireworks, and other festivities.

El Salvador in May

Weather

May is the hottest month of the year in El Salvador. Temperatures typically range between 75-90°F (24-32°C), with high humidity levels. Rainfall is common, with an average of 6-7 inches (15-18 cm) of precipitation throughout the month.

Events

• May 1 is Labor Day, a national holiday that celebrates the labor movement and workers’ rights.
• May 3 is the Day of the Cross, a holiday that commemorates the discovery of the True Cross by St. Helena in Jerusalem.
• May 10 is Mother’s Day, a day to honor mothers and motherhood.
• May 15 is the Feast of San Isidro Labrador, a religious holiday that celebrates the patron saint of farmers.
• May 25 is the Day of the Americas, a holiday that celebrates the culture and history of the Americas.

El Salvador in June

Weather

June is the start of the dry season in El Salvador, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to mid-90s Fahrenheit. Rainfall is minimal, and the humidity is low.

Events

• June 1st marks the start of the dry season in El Salvador.
• June 5th is the Day of the Environment, a national holiday in El Salvador.
• June 10th is the Day of the Family, a national holiday in El Salvador.
• June 15th is the Day of the Youth, a national holiday in El Salvador.
• June 19th is Father’s Day, celebrated in El Salvador.

El Salvador in July

Weather

July in El Salvador is typically hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit. The average amount of rainfall is about 8.5 inches, with most of it occurring in the last week of the month.

Events

• July 1 is the start of the national holiday of El Salvador, celebrating the anniversary of the country’s independence from Spain.
• July 2 is the Day of the Martyrs of the Revolution, honoring those who died in the Salvadoran Civil War.
• July 16 is the Festival of the Virgin of the Sea, a religious celebration that takes place in the coastal city of La Libertad.
• July 24 is the Festival of San Jacinto, a celebration of the patron saint of El Salvador.
• July 25 is the Festival of San Juan, a celebration of the patron saint of the capital city of San Salvador.

El Salvador in August

Weather

August in El Salvador is typically hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from the high 70s to the low 90s (Fahrenheit). The rainy season usually begins in late May and ends in late October, so it is likely to be wet during this month.

Events

• The Festival Internacional de Poesía de El Salvador is held in August. This event celebrates Salvadoran poets and their works, and features readings, workshops, and other activities.
• The Festival de la Palabra is a literary event held in August. It includes presentations, lectures, and poetry readings, as well as art exhibitions and other activities.
• The Festival de la Música is a music festival held in August. It features performances from a variety of Salvadoran musicians, as well as international artists.
• The Festival de la Cultura is an annual event held in August. It celebrates Salvadoran culture and features traditional music, dance, and art.
• The Feria de las Flores is a flower festival held in August. It includes a variety of activities, such as flower exhibitions, parades, and art competitions.

El Salvador in September

Weather

In September, El Salvador experiences warm temperatures with an average high of 28°C (82°F) and an average low of 22°C (72°F). Rainfall is common throughout the month, with an average of 10 days of rain.

Events

• The first week of September is celebrated as El Salvador’s Independence Week, with festivities and parades taking place throughout the country.
• On September 15th, El Salvador celebrates the Day of the Virgin of the Merced. This is a religious holiday that honors the Virgin Mary.
• The third week of September is the National Week of Agriculture, which celebrates the importance of agriculture in El Salvador.
• On September 21st, El Salvador celebrates the Day of the Revolution, which commemorates the start of the Salvadoran Civil War in 1979.
• The last week of September is the National Week of Tourism, which celebrates the country’s tourism industry.

El Salvador in October

Weather

October is the start of the dry season in El Salvador. The temperatures are warm and the humidity is low. The average temperature is around 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Rainfall is low, but there is still some precipitation.

Events

• October 12th is El Salvador’s Independence Day. This is a national holiday, and there are parades and fireworks displays.
• The Feria Internacional de El Salvador is held in October. This is a large international trade fair that showcases products from El Salvador and other countries.
• The San Miguel Carnival is held in October. This is a festive celebration with music, dancing, and floats.
• October is the start of the coffee harvest season in El Salvador. This is a busy time for coffee farmers, as they harvest and process the beans.
• The Festival of the Dead is held in October. This is a traditional celebration that honors the dead and celebrates the continuity of life.

El Salvador in November

Weather

November is the start of the dry season in El Salvador, and temperatures generally range from the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit (21-30°C). Rainfall is low, and the days are usually sunny.

Events

• All Saints Day (November 1st) is a national holiday in El Salvador, where people visit the graves of loved ones and decorate them with flowers and candles.
• The Festival of San Miguel (November 29th) is a celebration of the patron saint of El Salvador, and includes a procession and fireworks.
• The International Marathon of San Salvador (November 15th) is a popular event that attracts runners from all over the world.
• The Festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe (November 12th) is a religious celebration honoring the patron saint of El Salvador.
• The International Film Festival of El Salvador (November 25th-30th) showcases the best in local and international cinema.

El Salvador in December

Weather

December is the beginning of the dry season in El Salvador. Temperatures range from a low of around 18°C (64°F) to a high of around 30°C (86°F). There is usually very little rainfall during this month.

Events

• December 8th marks the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a national holiday in El Salvador. This holiday is celebrated with parades, fireworks, and other festivities.
• December 12th is the Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a religious holiday in El Salvador. People attend church services and processions in honor of the Virgin Mary.
• December 21st is the Day of the Heroes of the Revolution, a national holiday in El Salvador. This holiday commemorates the heroes of the Salvadoran Revolution of 1932.
• December 24th is Christmas Eve, a holiday celebrated with family gatherings, feasts, and gift-giving.
• December 31st is New Year’s Eve, a holiday celebrated with fireworks, parties, and other festivities.