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Car rental in San Salvador - Search, Compare, and Save

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4.67/5

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Cheapest Car Hire Rates in San Salvador

San Salvador

Mini

Fiat 500 or similar

4

1

3

A/C

Auto

GreenMotion

24

per day

San Salvador

Economy

Toyota Yaris or similar

5

2

5

A/C

Auto

GreenMotion

29

per day

San Salvador

Compact

Volkswagen Golf or similar

5

3

5

A/C

Auto

GreenMotion

33

per day

San Salvador

Intermediate

Skoda Octavia or similar

5

4

5

A/C

Auto

GreenMotion

39

per day

The average cost of car hire is €34 per day, with 1,878 vehicles available and an average hire duration of 6 days.

Why Rent a Car in San Salvador?

San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, offers a blend of urban attractions and natural beauty. While public transportation is available, renting a car provides the freedom and flexibility to explore the city and its surroundings at your own pace.

Explore Beyond the City. With a rental car, you can easily visit nearby attractions like the Boquerón Volcano, Lake Ilopango, and the beaches along the Pacific coast.

Convenience and Comfort. A rental car provides convenience, especially when travelling with family or carrying luggage. You can avoid the hassle of public transport and travel comfortably.

Time-Saving. Renting a car saves time by allowing you to travel directly to your destinations without waiting for buses or taxis. This is particularly useful for business travellers with tight schedules.

Rental Terms and Conditions in San Salvador

Before renting a car in San Salvador, be aware of the following terms and conditions, including minimum age requirements, licence regulations, insurance policies, and potential additional fees.

Area

Approximately 72.25 square kilometres (27.9 square miles)

Population

Approximately 542,000 residents

Time Zone

Central Standard Time (CST), UTC-6

Ideal for

Exploring the city and nearby regions

Rush Hours

Expect heavy traffic during peak hours, from 7 AM to 9 AM and 4 PM to 6 PM

Rating

4.0/5

1. Age RequirementsThe minimum age to rent a car in San Salvador is typically 21 or 25, depending on the rental company. Drivers under 25 may be subject to a young driver surcharge.

2. Driver’s License & DocumentationA valid driver’s licence from your country of residence is required. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended for non-Spanish speakers.

3. Insurance & DepositsBasic insurance is usually included in the rental price, but additional coverage options are available. A security deposit is required and will be refunded upon the car's return, provided there is no damage.

4. Mileage & Fuel PolicyMileage policies vary, with some rentals offering unlimited mileage and others restricting it. Fuel policies also differ, so check whether you need to return the car with a full tank.

5. Additional FeesAdditional fees may apply for extra drivers, one-way rentals, airport pick-up, and optional extras like GPS navigation or child seats.

Car Rental Prices in San Salvador – How Much Does It Cost?

Estimated Daily Prices

Business:

from £35 / $44 / €42 per day

Electric:

from £20 / $25 / €24 per day

Classic:

from £8 / $10 / €9 per day

Executive:

from £26 / $33 / €31 per day

7 Seater:

from £30 / $38 / €36 per day

Automatic:

from £18 / $23 / €22 per day

SUV:

from £9 / $11 / €10 per day

Seasonal Trends

Peak season (December to April): Sees higher demand, with prices increasing by 20-30%

Low season (May to November): Often come with discounts

*Additional costs may apply for insurance, extra drivers, and one-way rentals. Booking early and comparing offers can help secure the best deal.

How to Book a Car in San Salvador?

Booking a rental car in San Salvador involves comparing prices, choosing a suitable vehicle, reviewing rental terms, booking early, and collecting the car with the required documents.

1. Compare Prices - Use online comparison sites to find the best deals for your travel dates and vehicle preferences.

2. Choose the Right Car - Select a vehicle that suits your needs, whether it’s an economy car for city driving or an SUV for exploring rougher terrain.

3. Check Rental Terms - Review mileage limits, insurance coverage, and deposit requirements to avoid surprises.

4. Book in Advance - Secure lower prices and better vehicle availability by booking early, especially during peak seasons.

5. Pick Up Your Car - Bring your driver’s licence, credit card, and identification when collecting your rental vehicle.

General Information About San Salvador

San Salvador, a vibrant capital city, provides a blend of cultural and natural attractions. Renting a car makes exploring easier, but familiarity with traffic regulations and parking is crucial.

San Salvador is the bustling capital of El Salvador, known for its historical sites, vibrant markets, and access to stunning natural landscapes. While public transport is available, renting a car offers the flexibility to explore beyond the city limits, including volcanoes, beaches, and coffee plantations. Driving in San Salvador can be challenging due to traffic and narrow streets, so it’s essential to be aware of local traffic laws, fuel station locations, and parking options to ensure a smooth travel experience.

Top Attractions to Discover

  • Metropolitan Cathedral

    The city's main cathedral, located in the heart of downtown.

  • National Palace

    A historical building that once housed government offices.

  • Boquerón Volcano

    A stunning volcanic crater offering panoramic views.

Where to Find Parking

  • Public Parking Garages

    Available in shopping centres and commercial areas.

  • On-Street Parking

    Limited metered parking spaces are available in the city centre.

  • Hotel Parking

    Many hotels offer free parking for guests.

Gas Stations in San Salvador

  • Texaco

    Commonly found throughout the city.

  • Puma

    Another major fuel brand.

  • Uno

    Offers various grades of gasoline and diesel.

Useful Tips for Visiting San Salvador

  • Plan for Traffic Delays

    Expect heavy traffic during rush hours.

  • Drive Defensively

    Be aware of other drivers and pedestrians.

  • Keep Valuables Out of Sight

    To prevent theft, keep valuables hidden or in a secure location.

  • Learn Basic Spanish Phrases

    Knowing some Spanish can be helpful for navigating the city.

Key Transportation Hubs in San Salvador

Major Bus Stations

Terminal de Occidente

Serves routes to western El Salvador.

Terminal del Oriente

Connects to eastern parts of the country.

Airports

Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAL)

The main international airport serving San Salvador.

What Do You Need to Rent a Car in San Salvador?

To rent a car in San Salvador, you’ll need a valid driver’s licence, meet the minimum age requirement, have a credit or debit card, and provide proof of identity.

  • A valid driver's licence from your country of residence is required. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended for non-Spanish speakers.

  • The minimum age to rent a car is typically 21 or 25, depending on the rental company.

  • A credit or debit card in the main driver’s name is required for the security deposit.

  • A passport or other form of identification may be required.

Our Content Quality

This content was written

This content was written, fact-checked, and/or translated by our expert team of content creators.

Every piece of information on this page has gone through our Content Quality Assurance (CQA) process — a multi-step review that includes human editing, localisation accuracy checks, and expert travel validation.

Learn more about our Content Quality Standards

This page was edited by experts

This page was edited, fact-checked, and/or translated by our experts who are passionate about helping travellers experience the world by car. Our team of seasoned travel writers and editors has driven across more than 50 countries, hired cars on six continents, and explored countless scenic routes — from Icelandic fjords to Moroccan deserts.

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Our Customer Reviews

Our clients rate such place as San Salvador as

4.9

To ensure every review is from a real customer, we do not allow reviews to be posted directly on this page. Instead, we invite every customer to leave a review after they have returned their hire car. This way, you can be sure that all reviews are authentic.

Exploring San Salvador with a rental car was fantastic! So easy to get around and discover hidden gems. Highly recommend!

SJ

Sarah Jones

Reviewed: 15.02.2025

Pretty chill, tbh

CM

Chloe Miller

Reviewed: 12.04.2025

San Salvador was amazing! Having a car made exploring so much easier, especially meeting up with friends. We saw so much in a short time.

AG

Amelia Garcia

Reviewed: 23.05.2025

Summer in San Salvador was incredible! Having a car made it so convenient to explore everything at our own pace. The beaches were stunning.

MR

Maya Rodriguez

Reviewed: 22.02.2025

San Salvador exceeded expectations! Getting around with a car was a breeze, allowing me to easily connect with friends and explore the city's vibrant culture. Highly recommend!

ID

Isabelle Davis

Reviewed: 24.06.2025

Short trip, long on fun! Getting around with a car was super convenient, especially seeing friends.

EH

Evelyn Hernandez

Reviewed: 27.08.2024

Sun-drenched beaches and easy driving made my San Salvador trip perfect. So relaxing!

BW

Brian Wilson

Reviewed: 16.09.2024

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