SECTION IX - BUSINESS TRAVEL - Business Customs The U.S. is the main trading partner for El Salvador and U.S. citizens are considered to be trustworthy. Traffic is always a problem so visitors should allow ample time between business appointments. Travel arrangements should be made in advance. U.S. businesspeople are in a hurry but Salvadorans are not always available. Americans should not expect to be given an appointment just because they have come for one day only. - Travel advisory Summary: The Department of State warns United States citizens to exercise caution when traveling to El Salvador because of the high rate of crime. For additional information please contact the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Overseas Citizen Services (CA/OCS) (202) 647-6137 or El Salvador Desk, U.S. Department of State, Tel. (202) 647-3681. Also, the Travel Advisory Service of the Department of State can provide information in verbal and fax form for any travel warnings on traveling to foreign countries. For verbal information contact Tel: (202) 647-5225. To receive a facsimile, the interested traveller can call (202) 647-3000. - Visas A valid passport and either a visa or a tourist card are required in order to visit El Salvador. Visas are provided at Salvadoran Consulates. There are consulates located in Washington, D.C.; New York; Los Angeles and San Francisco in California; Chicago, Illinois; New Orleans, Louisiana; Dallas and Houston in Texas; Miami, Florida; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Tourist cards may be obtained prior to departure at Salvadoran consulates, major airlines servicing El Salvador, and at El Salvador International Airport after arrival. Tourist cards cost 10 US$, are valid for one entry, and for up to a ninety day stay. - Holidays The following holidays will be observed in El Salvador from October through the end of 1994: October 12 Columbus Day November 2 All Souls Day November 5 Anniversary of First Cry of Independence December 25 Christmas Day The holidays to be observed for calendar year 1995 are: January 1 New Year's Day January 16 Salvadoran Peace Day April 14 Holy Thursday April 15 Good Friday May 1 Labor Day June 30 Bank Holiday August 3, 4, 5 and 6 San Salvador Feasts September 15 Independence Day October 12 Columbus Day November 2 All Souls Day November 5 Day of First Cry of Independence December 25 Christmas Day - Business Infrastructure The International Airport is located 25 miles from San Salvador and can be reached in 45 minutes. The Panamerican Highway crosses the country from east to west and extends from the Guatemalan border to the Honduran border, connecting the main Salvadoran cities. There are three ports on the Pacific Ocean side: Acajutla, Cutuco and La Libertad. The country is also served by Puerto Barrios in Guatemala and Puerto Cortez in the Atlantic Coast of Honduras. The following airlines fly to El Salvador via Miami, Los Angeles, Houston and New Orleans: American Airlines, United Airlines, Continental Airlines and TACA International Airlines which is the local airline which serves various U.S. cities. The official language is Spanish, but English is spoken by a growing number of Salvadorans. There is a modern telecommunications network connected by a microwave satellite system serving the other countries of Latin America, the U.S., Europe, Asia and Africa. There are direct dialing, fax and telex facilities to most countries in the world, and adequate mail and private courier services. Telephone services available in El Salvador include: AT&T, MCI, and SPRINT. El Salvador has a good taxi service, but the traffic is a problem. Public transportation (buses) is not adequate. Accommodations in El Salvador vary from deluxe to inexpensive guest houses, and range from staying in the capital city to a Pacific beach resort. The main deluxe hotels are: Hotel Camino Real Boulevard de Los Heroes y Avenida Sisimiles San Salvador, El Salvador, C.A. Tel. (503) 79-3888 FAX: (503) 23-5660 Hotel El Salvador 89 Avenida Norte y 11 Calle Poniente Colonia Escalon San Salvador, El Salvador, C.A. Tel. (503) 79-0777 FAX: (503) 23-2901 Hotel Presidente El Salvador Avenida La Revolucion Colonia San Benito P.O. Box 888 San Salvador, El Salvador, C.A. Tel. (503) 79-4444 FAX: (503) 23-4912 Your U.S. driver's license is valid for a limited period of time. There are several firms which rent cars. -- AVIS 43 Avenida Sur 137 Tel. 24-2623 FAX 98-6272 -- HERTZ RENT A CAR Calle Los Andes J-16, Colonia Miramonte Tel. 26-8099 FAX 25-8412 BUDGET 79 Avenida Sur No. 6, Colonia La Mascota Tel. 23-1668 SURE RENT Boulevard de Los Heroes y 23 Calle Poniente Tel. 25-1810 DOLLAR Avenida Roosevelt No. 3119 Tel. 24-4385