Health, vaccinations and medical care in El Salvador

Care

• Use private clinics. The FCDO describes state hospitals as generally understaffed, underfunded and ill-equipped.
• Some hospitals may be reluctant to treat you until they know you have insurance. Carry proof of cover and the policy number where you can produce it immediately - this is the specific reason it matters here.
• Facilities outside San Salvador are limited.
• Most medical staff speak little English.

Water and food

• There is a risk of contaminated drinking water. Bottled water is inexpensive and everywhere - use it, including for brushing teeth in cheaper accommodation.
• Street food is good and the usual rules apply: busy stalls, hot food, peeled fruit.

Altitude and heat

• Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of the country - the volcano summits and the higher mountain towns.
• The coast is hot and humid year round, and the sun on a black sand beach is fiercer than it looks.

Mosquitoes

• Dengue, Zika and chikungunya are present in the lowlands and the mosquito bites in daylight. Repellent during the day.

Numbers

• 911 for an ambulance, and it is the general emergency number too.