Major city · El Salvador
La Unión
Skip La Unión unless you are crossing to Nicaragua by boat: the town itself has little for a tourist. Half a day is enough to catch the ferry or bus onward.
La Unión is a port town and transport hub in eastern El Salvador, best known as the departure point for the Ruta del Golfo ferry to Nicaragua. The town has a few seafood restaurants and pupuserías but no major sights. Most travellers pass through in a few hours. Nearby Santa Rosa de Lima, El Cuco and San Miguel offer more to do.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season)
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season, ferry may be rougher)
- Airport
- SAL
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- El Salvador ↗Check entry rules for your passport with El Salvador's migration authority or a Salvadoran consulate; the CA-4 agreement with Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua can make your permitted stay count across all four.
- El Salvador ↗A state of exception has been in force since 2022, suspending some legal protections: carry your passport or a copy, cooperate at checkpoints and avoid photographing police, military or prisons.
- El Salvador ↗Carry US dollars in small notes; bitcoin acceptance has been voluntary since 2025 and few businesses take it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for La Unión911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about La Unión, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).El Salvador-wide
- SIM or eSIMClaro, Tigo, Movistar and Digicel sell SIMs at the airport and malls; passport needed.El Salvador-wide
- Tap waterDo not drink tap water; bottled and filtered water everywhere.El Salvador-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10% often added; check the bill.El Salvador-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.El Salvador-wide
- SafetyLa Unión is generally safe during the day, but like much of rural El Salvador, avoid walking alone after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; bring your own for buses.El Salvador-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire and ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysSemana Santa shuts offices for the week; Sunday closures in small towns.El Salvador-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSAL San Salvador International Airport (El Salvador International Airport) (About 2.5–3 h by bus or car; the nearest major airport.).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within town$2–5
- Metro or bus rideBus from La Unión to Santa Rosa de Lima$0.50–1.00
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personUS$15
- Mid-range bedDouble room (Comfort Inn or similar), a night, per roomUS$80
- High-end bedDouble room (Comfort Inn or similar), a night, per roomUS$90
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$30 · Mid US$60 · High US$120
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SAL San Salvador International Airport (El Salvador International Airport) (About 2.5–3 h by bus or car; the nearest major airport.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Feb
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Mar
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Apr
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
May
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Sep (17 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
La Unión: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
1 rd
Feb
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
1 rd
Mar
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Apr
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
May
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Dec
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable. Taxis and mototaxis cover short distances; buses connect to Santa Rosa de Lima, San Miguel and the Honduran border.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Santa Rosa de Lima
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Bus from La Unión, about 20 min
Departmental capital with a central park and a few eateries.
Door to door: About 2 h
Bus via San Miguel, about 1.5 h
Surf beach and laid-back coast; best for a day or overnight.
San Miguel
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus, about 1 h
Largest city in eastern El Salvador; cathedral, market and volcano views.
Potosí, Nicaragua (ferry)
goDoor to door: About 2.5 h including check-in
Ruta del Golfo motorboat, about 2 h
Direct boat to Nicaragua, bypassing Honduras; check schedule and buy ticket in advance.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Near the ferry terminal
Closest to the dock; Comfort Inn Real La Unión is the main option, about 2 km (1.2 mi) from the terminal.Closest to the dock; Comfort Inn Real La Unión is the main option, about 1.2 mi (2 km) from the terminal.
Santa Rosa de Lima
The departmental capital, 15–20 min by bus; more accommodation and services.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $25–40 excl. bed
- Mid
- $50–80 excl. bed
- High
- $100+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room (Comfort Inn or similar)1 × 1 night × US$80 | US$80 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × US$60 | US$60 |
| Ruta del Golfo ferry to Nicaragua, one way1 × US$40 · check | US$40 |
| Bus from San Salvador to La Unión, one way1 × US$10 | US$10 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$19 |
| Trip total≈ US$209 per person per day, bed included | US$209 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Pupusa (one) | $0.50–1.00 |
| Seafood plate (fish or shrimp) | $8–15 |
| Bus from La Unión to Santa Rosa de Lima | $0.50–1.00 |
| Taxi within town | $2–5 |
| Comfort Inn Real La Unión, double room per night | $70–90 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The ferry to Nicaragua runs daily but schedules change: confirm with Ruta del Golfo in advance.
- Cash only in most of the town; ATMs are limited and may run out of money on weekends.
- Checkpoints are common on the Pan-American Highway; carry your passport and entry card.
- The ferry terminal is at the north end of Avenida Norte; taxis from the centre cost about $2–3.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
La UniónLa Unión
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Lléveme a la terminal de ferry, por favorTake me to the ferry terminal, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
The US embassy is in San Salvador; most other countries also have embassies there.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- La Unión → Potosí (Nicaragua), Ruta del Golfo ferry: about $40, 2 h (check)
- La Unión → San Miguel, bus: about $1–2, 1 h
- La Unión → Santa Rosa de Lima, bus: about $0.50–1, 20 min
Say or show
- Hola — Hello
- Gracias — Thank you
- ¿Cuánto? — How much?
- ¿Dónde está el ferry? — Where is the ferry?
- Necesito un taxi — I need a taxi
- ¿Acepta dólares? — Do you accept dollars?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for La Unión. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr (dry season) · avoid May–Oct (rainy season, ferry may be rougher) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry terminal page with live schedule and ticket booking link.
- Eat pages for the best pupuserías and seafood spots in town.
- Sleep page for Comfort Inn Real La Unión and budget options in Santa Rosa de Lima.
- Safety page with checkpoint and cash advice for eastern El Salvador.
Sources
- officialRuta del Golfo ferry
- officialComfort Inn Real La Unión
- secondaryWikivoyage: La Unión, revision 5034994 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about La Unión
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