Major city · El Salvador
Acajutla
Skip Acajutla town as a base. Stay 1–2 nights at Los Cóbanos (10 km (6.2 mi) south) for calm-water beaches and snorkeling, or pass through.Skip Acajutla town as a base. Stay 1–2 nights at Los Cóbanos (6.2 mi (10 km) south) for calm-water beaches and snorkeling, or pass through.
Acajutla is El Salvador's main port: container ships, a refinery and a working fishing wharf, not a resort town. The reason to come is Los Cóbanos, a beach strip 10 km south with a fringing reef that flattens the Pacific swell — the only real snorkeling on the country's coast. Los Cóbanos is not walking distance from Acajutla town, so pick one and commit.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season, best visibility for snorkeling)
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season; reef visibility can drop to near zero)
- Airport
- SAL
- Nights
- 1–2
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.
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 Acajutla911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
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 Acajutla, 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
- SafetyAcajutla is a working port, not a party town: keep to the beach strip and town centre after dark, carry cash because Los Cóbanos has no ATM…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; bring your own for buses.El Salvador-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, 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 (Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez) (About 1 h 45 min–2 h by road via CA-8; no direct bus, so taxi, shuttle or rental car).
- Getting aroundTaxis are the practical way around Acajutla town; pedi-cabs cover the centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Beer$1.50–3
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across Acajutla towncheck$2–5
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–20
- Museum or sight ticketPlaya Los Almendros entrycheck$3
- Budget bedBeach double room, a night, per roomUS$20
- Mid-range bedBeach double room, a night, per roomUS$45
- High-end bedBeach double room, a night, per roomUS$90
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$30 · Mid US$65 · High US$150
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 (Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez) (About 1 h 45 min–2 h by road via CA-8; no direct bus, so taxi, shuttle or rental car)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C) low), wettest Sep (18 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Acajutla: 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
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
4 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
18 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°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
Taxis are the practical way around Acajutla town; pedi-cabs cover the centre. Los Cóbanos has no transit — most visitors drive, and beaches are linked by dirt roads, footpaths or a low-tide walk along the sand. Buses 252 (town) and 257 (Los Cóbanos) run from Sonsonate.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Sonsonate
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Bus 252 from Acajutla town, about 30 min
Market town and the transport hub for the whole west; useful on a wet or lazy day.
Volcán Izalco
goDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Road via Sonsonate, 34 km (21 mi); guided climb from the Izalco sideRoad via Sonsonate, 21 mi (34 km); guided climb from the Izalco side
The 'Lighthouse of the Pacific'. Start early; the upper slope is exposed and hot by midday.
El Imposible National Park
overnightDoor to door: About 1.5–2 h
Road via Sonsonate and Cara Sucia
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep near the park or in Sonsonate.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Road via CA-8 and Sonsonate
Colonial centre and volcano base; better as the next stop than a day return.
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.
Los Cóbanos
Beach strip 10 km (6.2 mi) south of town; dozens of hotels and beach shacks, most not on booking sites. Doubles from about $20, typically $30–60. No ATM within walking distance.Beach strip 6.2 mi (10 km) south of town; dozens of hotels and beach shacks, most not on booking sites. Doubles from about $20, typically $30–60. No ATM within walking distance.
Acajutla Centro / El Puerto
Downtown near the port and market; cheaper hostels, taxis and ATMs, but no beach.
Punta Remedios
The cape at the south end of Los Cóbanos; hostels and day-pass beach clubs, quietest at night.
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
- $25–45 excl. bed
- Mid
- $50–90 excl. bed
- High
- $120+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Beach double room1 × 2 nights × US$45 | US$90 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$65 | US$260 |
| Chicken bus San Salvador → Sonsonate → Acajutla, one way2 × US$2 · check | US$4 |
| Bus 257 Sonsonate → Los Cóbanos, one way2 × US$0 · check | US$1 |
| Snorkel or dive trip from the Muelle Artesanal2 × US$40 · check | US$80 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$47 |
| Trip total≈ US$128 per person per day, bed included | US$512 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Fried whole fish or seafood plate at a beach restaurant | $8–20 |
| Pupusa | $0.50–1 |
| Beer | $1.50–3 |
| Playa Los Almendros entrycheck | $3 |
| Taxi across Acajutla towncheck | $2–5 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–20 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Los Cóbanos is not walking distance from Acajutla town; there is no confirmed direct bus between them.
- No ATM within walking distance of Los Cóbanos unless you are staying at the Royal Decameron.
- Cards are widely but not universally accepted, often with about a 5% surcharge.
- Beach restaurants at Los Cóbanos close soon after dark and often on weekdays.
- A short stretch of Playa Los Cóbanos is closed by law at night to protect nesting sea turtles.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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AcajutlaAcajutla
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Acajutla; most are in San Salvador (check your country's listing).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Chicken bus San Salvador → Sonsonate: $1–2, about 90 min (check)
- Bus 257 Sonsonate → Los Cóbanos: about $0.45, every 1–1.5 h daytime (check)
- Taxi Acajutla town → Los Cóbanos: $8–15 (check)
Say or show
- Perdón — Excuse me / Sorry (per-DON)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRA-syas)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-to KWES-ta)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWE-do pa-GAR kon tar-HE-ta)
- ¿Dónde está el acceso a la playa? — Where is the beach access? (DON-de es-TA el ak-SE-so a la PLA-ya)
- ¿Hay un cajero cerca? — Is there an ATM nearby? (ai un ka-HE-ro SER-ka)
Carry cash: no ATM within walking distance of Los Cóbanos.
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 Acajutla. 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, best visibility for snorkeling) · avoid May–Oct (rainy season; reef visibility can drop to near zero) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for SAL: road time via CA-8, taxi and shuttle fallback, late-arrival rung.
- Los Cóbanos walking clusters with rescue anchors: Punta Remedios, the reef access at El Manzanillo, Playa El Flor.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Muelle Artesanal, Mercado Municipal, the turtle-closure stretch) and eat pages with last orders.
- Dry-season and rainy-season fixtures so reef and beach gates can go green.
Sources
- officialAcajutla municipal government
- secondaryWikidata — Acajutla
- secondaryWikivoyage: Acajutla, revision 4922291 (CC BY-SA 4.0)