Best Time to Visit San Salvador

Dry season: November to April

This is the easy half of the year. December to March is the best time to go, and November and April are almost as good. You get long sunny days, mild nights and very little rain. January is the driest-feeling month, with just one wet day. It's also the coolest month, though "cool" is relative here, with lows around 20°C. Afternoons are warm but not heavy, so walking around the Centro Histórico and the Plaza Gerardo Barrios is pleasant.

The dry weather also suits day trips. The hike up the San Salvador volcano to the crater at El Boquerón is clearest in the morning, and the Ruta de las Flores towns like Juayúa are at their best for the weekend food fair. March is the hottest month, with highs of 29°C, so start early. By April the rain creeps back, with 11 wet days, but it's still rated Excellent. November has showers on about 10 days, yet it's rated Excellent too.

Rainy season: May to October

Once the rain settles in, expect it on most days. It's usually not a washout, though. Mornings are often bright, then clouds build and storms roll in later. May and July are rated Fair, while June, August, September and October are rated Poor. September is the wettest month, with about 306 mm over 29 days. August is close behind, also with 29 wet days.

Sun is scarce, humidity is high, and the volcano views often disappear into cloud. If you'd rather have museums than trails, this is the time for the Museo de Arte de El Salvador (MARTE) and the Museo Nacional de Antropología. The rain also brings green hills and fewer visitors, which suits you if you're on a tight budget.

Crowds and events

Those dry months are also the busy ones. High season runs from December to March, helped by the weather and the holidays. Many Salvadorans travel and visit family at Christmas and New Year, so buses and beach roads get busy. Semana Santa, Holy Week before Easter, is the biggest domestic holiday. Many people head to the coast, such as El Tunco and El Zonte, so expect full guesthouses and slow traffic out of the city.

The big city party is the August Fiestas Agostinas, honouring El Divino Salvador del Mundo. There are parades and a lively mood, though you'll likely get wet. If you want that festival and don't mind rain, go. For surf, hiking and easy sightseeing, aim for January or February.