Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: San Salvador

Accommodation

$8-25 per night

Dorm beds in hostels, basic guesthouses, budget hotels with shared bathrooms

Food & Dining

$5-15 per day

Street food, local comedores, pupuserías, market stalls, occasional casual restaurants

Transportation

$2-8 per day

Public buses, microbuses, walking, occasional shared taxis

Activities

$0-20 per day

Free walking tours, public beaches, hiking trails, occasional museum entries

Eat at local pupuserías and comedores instead of tourist restaurants (typically 60-80% cheaper)

Use public buses and microbuses instead of taxis for transportation (usually 70-85% savings)

Stay in neighborhoods like Santa Tecla or Antiguo Cuscatlán rather than central tourist zones (generally 30-50% lower accommodation costs)

Visit free attractions like Parque Nacional El Boquerón and public beaches instead of paid tours (can save $20-50 per day)

Shop at local markets like Guatemalacity for snacks and drinks (typically 50-70% cheaper than convenience stores)

Travel during rainy season for significantly lower accommodation rates (usually 25-40% discounts)

Taking taxis everywhere instead of learning the public bus system (can triple transportation costs)

Eating only in shopping malls and tourist areas instead of local establishments (typically doubles food expenses)

Not negotiating prices at markets and with taxi drivers (can overpay by 30-50% on purchases and rides)