Power & Connectivity (SIM)
Connectivity may vary by region and season.
Voltage & Plug Types
Electrical standards and outlet shapes
El Salvador uses 115V / 60Hz with Type A and Type B sockets (North American flat pins). Travellers from North America generally need no adapter, while those from 220–240V regions need a Type A/B adapter and a converter for devices that are not dual-voltage.
- Voltage
- 115V / 60Hz
- Sockets
- Type A and B
- Adapter
- Type A/B needed
- Most phone/laptop chargers are 100–240V and fine with an adapter
Buying a SIM Card
Where to buy, costs, and activation process
The main operators are Tigo, Claro and Movistar, with good coverage in cities and along main roads. Prepaid SIMs are sold at operator shops, malls and some kiosks; registration usually requires ID such as a passport. 4G is common in urban areas.
- Operators
- Tigo, Claro, Movistar
- Where
- Operator shops, malls
- ID
- Passport needed to register
- 4G coverage is good in cities and main roads
eSIM & Mobile Wi-Fi
eSIM availability and portable Wi-Fi rental
eSIM travel plans are a convenient option: buy one online before arrival (for example Airalo and similar) and install it in minutes, with no physical SIM or shop visit. Local operators are also rolling out eSIM support.
- Convenience
- Buy online before arrival
- Setup
- No physical SIM
- Providers
- Airalo and similar
- Check your phone is eSIM-capable and carrier-unlocked
Wi-Fi Availability
Public Wi-Fi coverage and security
Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, restaurants, cafés and malls in cities and tourist areas. Speeds are generally good in urban areas but can be limited in remote spots. Use a VPN on public networks for sensitive tasks like banking.
- Availability
- Hotels, cafés, malls
- Quality
- Good in cities
- Security
- Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi
- A SIM/eSIM helps for on-the-go essentials outside hotels
Internet Restrictions & VPN
Blocked services and VPN recommendations
El Salvador has an open internet with no significant restrictions. All standard apps and services — messaging, social media, maps and streaming — work normally.
- Internet
- Open, no censorship
- Apps
- All standard apps work
- Services
- Work normally
- No VPN needed to access common global services
Useful Local Apps
Must-have apps for transport, translation, and maps
Handy apps include ride-hailing like Uber and InDrive in cities, maps, translation and messaging apps such as WhatsApp. Payment apps and cards are accepted in cities, though cash (US dollars) is still useful outside urban areas.
- Transport
- Uber, InDrive
- Everyday
- Maps, translation, WhatsApp
- Payment
- Cards in cities, cash elsewhere
- WhatsApp is widely used for everyday communication
International Calls
How to make international calls and alternatives
El Salvador's country code is +503. App-based calls (WhatsApp, FaceTime and similar) are very common and often preferred over regular calls. Save numbers in full +503 format so they work from any network.
- Country code
- +503
- Calls
- App-based common
- Format
- Save numbers as +503
- Save numbers in full +503 international format