San Salvador - Post Report Question and Answers
Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
It's great for families of small kids, but I think it would be a wonderful place up to about 10-12. I think it's harder for teenagers; we live out in the burbs and there's not a lot to do. Singles and couples who are good at making their own fun will do fine here, but otherwise it might be tough. - Oct 2023
Great for families with young kids (especially, again, if you’re coming to the U.S. Embassy, where they have everything you need). For couples without kids I think it would be fine, as long as you’re good at making your own fun. I think it can be very tough on singles, though – U.S. Embassy-wise, at least, it’s a very family-oriented post, and the typical ways you’d meet up with others (e.g., Meetup or InterNations) don’t seem very active here. If you’re an introvert/homebody, it’s probably okay, but I know some singles who have had a very tough transition. - Feb 2022
Great for families because of the schools and cheap childcare. Good for couples too - though with Covid the going out has been severely restricted. Not sure it is super great for singles, but some folks get into the surfing scene. You can surf in the early morning and still make it back in time for work. - Aug 2021
Great place for all types. - Jun 2018
San Salvador is not a very interesting city. It has been great for us (we have small kids, but not babies) because of the amazing options for travel outside the city. We go to the beach a lot, the crater lakes are spectacular, and hiking the volcano is unforgettable. - Mar 2018
I think it is good for everyone. There is a good community here with lots of activities for families, enough to keep kids and parents entertained. Singles and couple will have the freedom to do a lot of inter-country and regional travel. - Jan 2018
Families, it is becoming a family post, not much to do for singles or couples without kids. - Nov 2017
It's a great couple/family post. It can be great for singles too. - Jul 2016
This is a really perfect place for families with younger kids, especially infants and preschoolers (affordable and talented household help, and a culture that loves children). Couples do well, particularly if they like to travel and are adventurous. Many singles like it here; the dating culture apparently is pretty similar to the U.S. It is hardest on families with teenagers as the security issues preclude being able to go out much. - Dec 2015
Families with young kids, yes it is a GREAT post. Older kids (high school age) probably not so good- there is no freedom for those kids due to the security situation here. Singles/couples? Probably not the best. Although there are some great vacations to take from here! It is a small country, so everything is close, but the tourist infrastructure is not great. That said, there are a ton of road trips in easy distance... - Jun 2015
All the above. There is a children's museum, beach, and zoo for families. Beach, clubs, outdoor activities for couples/singles. - Mar 2015
Great for all! This is a great city for singles especially. In just one year, four Embassy women married Salvadoran men, and one man married a Salvadoran woman. It was a crazy year of weddings. Lots of people have fallen in love here, and lots of people have made life-long friends. There is a lot to do every weekend, from going to the beach 25 minutes away to dance at the beach clubs, to dinner and movies at the malls, to a far away beach resort, yoga on the beach, yoga retreats, to camping in El Impossible which is a large national park. Paseo El Carmen is about 20 minutes away, and the entire street is blocked off to cars and you can walk and eat at great restaurants and have a great time with friends. Lots to do in El Salvador. - Oct 2014
YES. - Jul 2014
Decent for families, ok for singles. As a single gringo male, it can be hard/impossible to find educated, worldly women. There has been a marked brain drain to North America/Europe. - Apr 2012
This is a good city for families with older school-aged children who are active in sports. It's rough on singles and families with small children. - Jul 2011
I think that the close-knit community at the embassy is good for families with young kids, though there are few teenagers at post. Singles in the Foreign Service often have a hard time anywhere, and that is true of El Salvador as well. There is such a desperate desire for visas that it can be hard to trust someone's motives. Also, almost no Salvadorans speak more than a few words of English, so there could be a language barrier. Young, adventurous couples, I think, will get the most out of the post because there's surfing, zip-lining, hiking, traveling, and night life. - May 2010
Families - YES! Singles - yes. There are quite a few clubs, restaurants, and night life. I have several single friends that entertain themselves well in the city. Couples - Yes. Plenty of restaurants, theaters, clubs, and other activities. - Feb 2009
