El Salvador car hire

Full-size (Mitsubishi L200/Triton or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in El Salvador.

Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

As you explore El Salvador's hidden gems and attractions, here are some rules of the road you should keep in mind. Stick to the right side of the road when driving in El Salvador. Stick to the far side of the road unless overtaking. Before overtaking, ensure you use your turn signals, and overtaking is prohibited on curves, crossroads, and narrow roads. You should not drink and drive El Salvador car rentals, and getting on the road with a BAC higher than 0.05% is a criminal offense. You are not allowed to use your phone while driving unless you use a hands-free kit, and only for emergencies. While Salvadorans are known for being friendly and warm people, you should still be on alert and practice careful driving during your visit. In the areas where congestion rises such as the inner cities, this can be quite daunting. You will need to stay alert and drive defensively, as the chances of being cut-off or recklessly over-taken are quite high. Towards the coastal and rural areas drivers tend to be a bit more laid-back and the traffic is far less congested. To avoid congested areas, consider booking a GPS with your car hire and get congestion alerts as well as a great navigation tool.

You must be at least 21 to rent a car in El Salvador despite locals being allowed to drive from 18. Many providers will also not allow you to rent a car in El Salvador if you are over 75. Drivers below 25 will incur a daily charge/youth fee for El Salvador car rentals. You will need your original driver's license and a credit card in your name to rent a car.

 You will not have trouble accessing gasoline while driving car rentals in El Salavador. Most of the major cities have many gas stations with some providers that you already know, including Shell. As you head further out of the city, the number of gas stations decrease, but there still are several dotted across the major highways. The price of gasoline per liter is around 10 SVC (1.1 USD), and the price per gallon is around 4.3 SVC (38 USD).

Overspeeding is one of the main causes of road accidents in El Salvador, and unless you want to ruin your trip, you should maintain the speed limit. When driving within and around city limits, you should keep your speed below 50 km/h (30 mph). On highways and rural roads, you can go as fast as 90 km/h (55 mph). Most rural roads don't have speed limit signage, and you're advised to pace yourself accordingly while on these roads.