Kid Friendly Outings in San Salvador
The rainy season runs from June to November and brings floods and landslides, so it helps to keep a wet-day plan beside a dry-day one. This page splits San Salvador’s family outings that way. Since 2022 the country has operated under a state of exception that remains active, so parents should carry a photocopy of their passport photo page and expect police ID checks.
On a wet day
Tin Marín Children’s Museum. The hands-on museum is open Tuesday to Friday from 13:00 to 17:00 and on weekends from 09:00 to 17:00. Entry is about $3.50, and the planetarium adds about $2. Call or check ahead, since the schedule may shift.
BINAES, the national library. The doors are open around the clock, and entry is free. The library reopened in November 2023 and has seven levels in the Centro Histórico. Level 2 holds an early-childhood area for ages 0 to 7. For a snack, the restaurant on the level 7 terrace is the obvious place. You can read about the building in the elsalvador.com library article .
On a dry day
Parque Saburo Hirao. Hours run from 09:00 to 16:00, Wednesday to Sunday. Salvadorans pay $1 and resident foreigners pay $3, so ask what the visitor rate is. The Natural History Museum is inside the grounds, so ask at the entrance whether it is open.
El Boquerón National Park. The park runs from 08:00 to 17:00 daily. Foreign visitors pay $2, and parking costs about $1. The crater rim, at 1,893 m, is cooler than the city, and a rim trail gives a short walk. Children can manage it if they stay on the path and away from the edge.
Joya de Cerén. Best for children of school age and above, this UNESCO village is about 36 km from the city. It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00 to 16:00, and foreigners pay $10. The village was buried by ash from the Loma Caldera eruption of about 600 CE, which gives the visit a clear story for curious children.
Where children should not go
The Pacific beaches at El Tunco and La Libertad, 35 to 45 km south, have strong rip currents and few lifeguards. Drownings have happened, so children should not swim there. Lake Ilopango has also seen drownings and a boat accident in 2022, so a boat ride needs a licensed operator and life jackets for everyone.
Practical points for parents
- Travel by official taxi or ride-hailing, not public buses.
- Small earthquakes are frequent, so show children the exits wherever you stay.
- Carry water, sun protection and small dollar bills. The US dollar is the currency.
Read more: Sightseeing and Group activities . For a longer stay, see the 5-day El Salvador itinerary .
Compare family tours on GetYourGuide .