el-salvador

Prices and Cost of Living in El Salvador

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Travel Budget Calculator

Calculate how much money you will spend on your vacation in El Salvador. Sample budget for each type of traveler - food, transportation, sightseeing and accommodation expenses.

Travel style: 1 Travel style: 3

Food

from 38.06 PLN to 61.80 PLN

Transportation

from 2.57 PLN to 7.34 PLN

Sightseeing

from 9.36 PLN to 12.16 PLN

Accommodation

from 118.11 PLN to 131.23 PLN

Backpacker's budget

Traveling with a backpack

from 168.09 PLN to 212.53 PLN

Average daily expenses were calculated on the basis of the prices of accommodation, food (restaurants and shops), transport (public transport and taxis) and some tourist attractions. Values may vary depending on the city, tourist season, or during major religious and public events. Update 21 August 2025.

How much do you spend per day on travel and sightseeing?

Traveling and sightseeing in a cheap way (hostels, cheap food), you can fit into a budget from 45.82 USD (168 PLN) to 57.93 USD (213 PLN). On the other hand, a slightly higher standard (3-star hotel, meals in restaurants) you should expect to spend from 111 USD (406 PLN) to 155 USD (570 PLN). You should additionally take into account that if you are traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher.

Food Prices - Calculate the Cost of Living

The calculator allows you to quickly and easily calculate how much you will spend on average to buy food at grocery stores in El Salvador. Plan your daily, weekly and monthly food expenses.

Select the appropriate number of days to see how much you will spend on food during that period. Values given for one person.

1 day

Cheapest products

Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.

from 22.3 PLN to 33.13 PLN

Mid-range products

Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.

from 28.8 PLN to 43.67 PLN

Average values for capital or largest city. Purchase of food products in local stores and supermarkets corresponding to daily meals of 2,200 to 2,400 kcal was taken into account. Update 21 August 2025.

How much do you have to spend on groceries per day in El Salvador?

When shopping for groceries in local stores and markets, the average daily cost of food expenses will range from 6.08 USD (22.3 PLN) to 9.03 USD (33.13 PLN) when buying the cheapest products. However, if you choose slightly more expensive products, you can expect to pay from 7.85 USD (28.8 PLN) to 11.9 USD (43.67 PLN) per day. These figures are based on daily meals consisting of approximately 2200-2400 kcal and may vary slightly depending on the city.

Budget and shopping basket update: 21 August 2025

Estimated budget and daily food costs are always given per person and are only a suggestion to help you plan your total travel costs.

Budget was calculated on the basis of average prices of accommodation in each category (hotels and hostels), food costs (restaurants and grocery shopping), transport prices and some tourist attractions.

BACKPACKER'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a hostel or cheap hotel,
• travel by public transport,
• dining in cheap local restaurants or buying food in local stores,
• small number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (when traveling alone, prices may be higher, but only if we use a hotel room instead of a dormitory).

TOURIST'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a 3 star hotel (with a small number of available facilities, average prices of 3* and 4* hotels),
• traveling by taxis,
• catering in middle-class restaurants and buying food in grocery stores,
• average number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (they share costs of accommodation and transport).

FOOD EXPENSES
• daily meals containing 2200 to 2400 kcal (applies to both price variants),
• shopping for food in local stores or supermarkets (no meals in restaurants),
• value per person & for the capital or largest city.

Prices in El Salvador

Below you will find a list of prices for products and services in El Salvador, which will help you determine what expenses you should prepare for when going on vacation in this country.

Grocery Store Prices

Apples (1kg)12.33 PLN
Banana (1kg)6.86 PLN
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)35.26 PLN
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)44.03 PLN
Chicken Fillets (1kg)21.06 PLN
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)14.68 PLN
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)6.38 PLN
Eggs (regular) (12)9.61 PLN
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)8.95 PLN
Lettuce (1 head)3.63 PLN
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)7.34 PLN
Local Cheese (1kg)27.15 PLN
Milk (regular), (1 liter)6.97 PLN
Onion (1kg)8.00 PLN
Oranges (1kg)9.36 PLN
Potato (1kg)8.73 PLN
Rice (white), (1kg)5.76 PLN
Tomato (1kg)9.94 PLN
Water (1.5 liter bottle)4.07 PLN

Food and beverage prices in El Salvador

Popular food products found on store shelves in El Salvador include bananas, rice, bread, onions, eggs, tomatoes, cheese, beef and potatoes, among others. Prices for a kilo of these products range from 2.18 USD (8 PLN) for a kilo of onions to 9.61 USD (35.26 PLN) for a kilo of beef. The price of white rice is 1.57 USD (5.76 PLN) per kilo, while a loaf of fresh white bread costs 2 USD (7.34 PLN) per half kilo. Bananas cost 1.87 USD (6.86 PLN) per kilo, while apples cost 3.36 USD (12.33 PLN) per kilo.

Water, available in 1.5-liter bottles, costs 1.11 USD (4.07 PLN). Dairy prices in El Salvador, on the other hand, are as follows: 1 liter of milk costs about 1.9 USD (6.97 PLN), and 1 kilogram of locally produced cheese is an expense of 7.4 USD (27.15 PLN). Chicken filet, which is a common ingredient in meat dishes, costs in the range of 5.74 USD (21.06 PLN) per kilo. Eggs (12 pieces per package) are an expense of about 2.62 USD (9.61 PLN), and the average price of tomatoes is 2.71 USD (9.94 PLN) per kilo.

Restaurant Prices

Cappuccino (regular)12.40 PLN
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)4.11 PLN
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)7.34 PLN
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)11.45 PLN
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)25.68 PLN
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course110 PLN
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant25.68 PLN
Water (0.33 liter bottle)3.16 PLN

What is the typical cost for an affordable meal?

Prices in restaurants in El Salvador vary and depend on several factors, such as the type of restaurant, location and time of day. For instance, a Cappuccino typically costs around 3.38 USD (12.4 PLN), while a 0.33-liter bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi is priced at approximately 1.12 USD (4.11 PLN). At a fast-food restaurant such as McDonald's, you can expect to pay 7 USD (25.68 PLN) for a meal, whereas a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant could cost around 30 USD (110 PLN). Budget-friendly dining options are also available, with some restaurants offering meals for as little as 7 USD (25.68 PLN).

Public Transportation Prices

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)96.31 PLN
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)1.28 PLN
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)55.03 PLN
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)11.01 PLN
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)23.85 PLN

How much does transportation cost in El Salvador?

The average expense of a one-way trip using local transportation stands at approximately 0.35 USD (1.28 PLN), while a monthly ticket for public transportation has an average cost of roughly 26.25 USD (96.31 PLN). Choosing to travel by taxi would entail an initial fee of 6.5 USD (23.85 PLN), along with a per-kilometer charge of 3 USD (11.01 PLN).

Fuel Prices

Diesel 1L3.27 PLN
Gasoline 1L3.80 PLN

Fuel prices in El Salvador

Average fuel prices in El Salvador are 1.04 USD (3.8 PLN) per liter of gasoline and 0.89 USD (3.27 PLN) per liter of diesel.

Entertainment Prices

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat18.34 PLN
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult112 PLN
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)70.52 PLN

Apartment Rental Prices

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre2 519 PLN
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre2 364 PLN
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre4 039 PLN
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre3 154 PLN

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in El Salvador?

The cost of renting or buying an apartment in El Salvador varies according to its location. On average, renting an apartment with one bedroom and a living room outside the city center costs approximately 644 USD (2364 PLN) per month, while the same type of apartment in the city center can cost around 687 USD (2519 PLN) per month. In comparison, the purchase price of an apartment in the city center is 2356 USD (8645 PLN) per square meter.

Apartment Buying Prices

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre8 645 PLN
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre5 324 PLN

Average Salary

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)1 808 PLN

Hotel Prices in El Salvador

A comprehensive list of the current prices of accommodations in various cities, ranging from budget-friendly hotels to high-end luxurious stays.

What is the average cost of a hotel room?

Accommodation prices in El Salvador vary depending on the city, neighborhood or tourist season. For example, the average price of accommodation in San Salvador (December 2024) ranges from 29 USD (107 PLN) per night in a hostel to about 84 USD (310 PLN) in a 3-star hotel. The price of a night in a luxury hotel is an expense from 157 USD (577 PLN) upwards.

Category
Qty
Average price
Cheapest
17
213 PLN
Villa Stahl
29
310 PLN
Hotel Villa Florencia Centro
2
556 PLN
Barceló San Salvador
2
599 PLN
Hilton San Salvador
Source: Expedia.com • Update: 15 December 2024 (1 night stay for 2 people on 29 Dec 2024)
Sources and updates

• Prices of products and services in El Salvador. Prices may vary from town to town.
• Updates: oldest data 06/2025, latest data 07/2025.
• Prices were calculated based on several sources including Expedia.com, Booking.com, local supermarket websites, own sources, submissions from users. We do not guarantee their accuracy, however, we try, to keep them high.
• If you have noticed an error, please report it.

prices and living costs el salvador

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