General Info

[A Toda Maquina]

Any info on the chica scene in Ahuachapan or Sonsonate ?

[Ace01]

As someone who has lived down in SS for awhile, I would like to humbly offer some advice for the traveler/tourists. As with any foreign travel, finding good nightlife will depend on your background research/knowledge or that of your guide. So ideally, unless you can get by well with your Spanish, it will definitely pay to hook up with a trustworthy ex-Pat or local who knows the ins and outs.

If you have followed up in the news, you'll know the rising crime rate is of concern. Unless you are feeling extremely adventurous, or have an obvious latino-face and can dress locally, I would highly recommend against walking around downtown (Centro), including the aforementioned Parque Centenario (located by the Mayor's Office [alcaldia]). And most definitely avoid the outdoors downtown after dusk.

For proper mongering, Kiss Fresh, Zou Spa, 316, etc definitely offer some of the better fare before 7PM. And afterhours: La Oficina and Casa del Sol (both in Escalon on 77th and 89th Street respectively), Blue (on Boulevard de los Heroes by the Ministerio de Hacienda), Emperio (a new, Blue-clone on Alameda Enrique Araujo right before Century Plaza offers about 15-20 girls on most nights, but as of this writing only 1 room. $3beer/$5 for her), or try your luck with SWs.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of paying to get blue balls, but if strip clubs are your thing, there are: the famous LIPS on Paseo Escalon or the much shabbier Banana Club next door downstairs. About a block down is Insomnia (You can't miss it with 4-8 girls standing outside trying to wave you in), another strip joint with about 40 girls and includes a small disco to dance with the chicks inside (Read: buy them expensive drinks) or if you're feeling particularly frisky there, you can pay $170 for a bottle of wine to get 2 hrs in their "VIP" rooms where you can then negotiate with the girls you choose for any additional action ( $80). About 2 blocks further down before the traffic light at 89th Street is a shopping center called Balam Quitze, which besides having the best billiard parlor in the country (Q-stix), offers 2 "strip" joints in the back: The Best is a slightly more expensive Lips clone, but occasionally has some great talent and Lover's bar is a bar w/ available girls (You can probably pick up a coupon for free cover to Lover's, before 9PM from the 2-3 chicks that stand at the corner by the traffic light trying to hopelessly attract clients by copying Insomnia's marketing techniques.

So what else is there to do to bide the time? Next to Insomnia on Paseo Escalon is a disco club called Cero Grados (0 degrees), where it's usually packed by lower to lower-middle income girls and local guys, as well as "working girls" on their off-shifts. If you find the right girls and see that they're making steady eye-contact, you can most likely invite them to some drink and dancing and look for action. If they like how you spend and aren't pro, they will in all likelihood go home with you or at the very least give you their number for a date for some good action. Obviously you'll have to talk them up and this means some good basic conversational Spanish if you're going Lone Wolf.

Los Rinconcitos Bar in Zona Rosa is probably the last remaining hot spot in the nearly defunct Zona Rosa where you can find $2-3 beers and live music on the weekends. Single girls who show up will (or I should say "should") expect to be hit on hard and again, smooth talking can bring you places like anywhere else in the world. In general, the girls here are a class above the easier pickings at 0 Grados.

In my experience, almost all pros at any of the places are willing to go out with you in their off-hours if you show 1/ a modicum of respect for them (not necessarily applicable during the act itself ofc) 2/ that you're not dirt poor (and do NOT make the mistake of flashing too much cash or they'll just see big $$$ and this will probably ruin any real GFE. If you care) and 3/ You at least appear like you will probably not kill them. Depending on how much you like the girl and how much time you want to spend with them; you can take them out for some food and drinks before taking them to do the deed (This "deed" should be expected at this point). Remember that there is a proportionate rate of how much you spend to the amount of time they will want to be with you. Obviously this rate will differ from girl-to-girl so like any economist; you have to find the point of equilibrium. This goes for pros and non-pros. Treating them nicely can also allow you to have them invite their other girlfriends; and obviously the beach (Libertad, Costa del Sol) or the mountains (Apaneca, volcanos) if you're up for some traveling, are some good places to pass some time and get some action outside of San Salvador. If you don't want to leave the Capital City, you can spend quality times with your female companions at any of the better (Read: Safer) local bars (I. E. La Herradura, strategically located between 2 motels called La Pradera and La Riviera). If you have a bit higher budget, there are much nicer bars/restaurants and nightlife at both Multiplaza and La Gran Via (shopping malls) where the local middle to upper class hang.

Above all, be safe. In bed and out. Cheers!

[Riodulce]

I have to concur with Artisttyp assessment of the situation in SS. There is not really a lot here to hold the interest of a traveler/tourist. I have been here for 10 days and I am ready to leave even though my flight does not depart for another 4 days, which I moved up by 3 days to begin with.

Yes, KF was an interesting experience and I hung around after the deed to scout other prospects. I did find a gorgeous gal to come to my hotel the following day ($80 for house call) and I had visions of taking her beyond the city to the beach but the cost for that option was prohibitive plus when I called KF, I was told she was sick for the last several days.

Also, went to LIPS on Monday, which is not a bad day to go as there are only a few guys -- mostly lowlife's -- and a several gems in the pack of about 40. Had an incredible lap dance for $15, if you can call it that, as having a spanking hot young chica shoving her shaved snatch in your face for the taking was a bit beyond one can find in the state's unless you are a celeb or play pro ball. But just cannot see hanging out to 2am to cut a deal for the TLN.

So here I am staying in a slowwww beach town in a holding pattern under overcast skies. One option is to go to LIPS again from here (only an hour) and see if I can pull out someone between the shift change. Once again, the idea of hanging out to 2am, hoping to find someone worthy, and driving back seems absurd.

La Libertad -- drove through -- it's disgusting. I can't imagine going in the water plus the recent rains have swollen the rivers and every piece of trash and jetsam goes into the sea. The same can be said for swimming in Suchitoto...locals tell me the lake is completely contaminated due to the dirty rivers feeding into the lake. I was also told it was one of the hottest places in the country. Though pretty, it is barely worth a day, which sums up the whole of SS for me. You could literally do the whole country in a day and one night stay.

PS: Hope I did not offend any ES citizens because they have been great -- outstanding people especially considering their recent tragic past.

over and out...

I would recommend that you guys split up you CA trip and come over to Guatemala City. It's just a short bus ride and there's lots of nightlife in Zona 10 and lots of places and opportunities for chica's.

[BayBoy]

With the advice you guys are hitting on, Ive changed my plans to stay there for 9 days instead of 2 weeks in August.

Im not really looking for cosmopolitan sophistication ala Rio or Buenos Aires. Ive been hanging out in Medellin, Colombia lately and San Jose, CR before that and neither town had that great of nitelife. The microcenter will be my nitelife. A nice meal and a glass of beer is fine for me.

A cheap blowjob in Parque Centenario is fine with me.

The weather kind of concerns me. I looked at weather.com for San Salvador and it says rain for the next 10 days. I guess it rains every day this time of year.

[Artisttyp]

I have to concur with Artisttyp assessment of the situation in SS. There is not really a lot here to hold the interest of a traveler/tourist. I have been here for 10 days and I am ready to leave even though my flight does not depart for another 4 days, which I moved up by 3 days to begin with.

Yes, KF was an interesting experience and I hung around after the deed to scout other prospects. I did find a gorgeous gal to come to my hotel the following day ($80 for house call) and I had visions of taking her beyond the city to the beach but the cost for that option was prohibitive plus when I called KF, I was told she was sick for the last several days.

Also, went to LIPS on Monday, which is not a bad day to go as there are only a few guys -- mostly lowlife's -- and a several gems in the pack of about 40. Had an incredible lap dance for $15, if you can call it that, as having a spanking hot young chica shoving her shaved snatch in your face for the taking was a bit beyond one can find in the state's unless you are a celeb or play pro ball. But just cannot see hanging out to 2am to cut a deal for the TLN.

So here I am staying in a slowwww beach town in a holding pattern under overcast skies. One option is to go to LIPS again from here (only an hour) and see if I can pull out someone between the shift change. Once again, the idea of hanging out to 2am, hoping to find someone worthy, and driving back seems absurd.

La Libertad -- drove through -- it's disgusting. I can't imagine going in the water plus the recent rains have swollen the rivers and every piece of trash and jetsam goes into the sea. The same can be said for swimming in Suchitoto...locals tell me the lake is completely contaminated due to the dirty rivers feeding into the lake. I was also told it was one of the hottest places in the country. Though pretty, it is barely worth a day, which sums up the whole of SS for me. You could literally do the whole country in a day and one night stay.

PS: Hope I did not offend any ES citizens because they have been great -- outstanding people especially considering their recent tragic past.

over and out...

Thank you for your honest report. IMHO the way to enjoy SS or CA in general is to rent a car or know somebody with a car. Knowing a local expat would be ideal. If you go for it on foot like most ST travelers would there is no ideal area as you have mentioned.

SS was the first place I had a threesome. One indigenas girl and one blanca . They both rocked my world.

I just mentioned on the CR forum that I find CA depressing compared to SA. If I had a social circle down there I might think differently.

Hang tight only 3 more days to go.

[Tomasb]

I have to concur with Artisttyp assessment of the situation in SS. There is not really a lot here to hold the interest of a traveler/tourist. I have been here for 10 days and I am ready to leave even though my flight does not depart for another 4 days, which I moved up by 3 days to begin with.

Yes, KF was an interesting experience and I hung around after the deed to scout other prospects. I did find a gorgeous gal to come to my hotel the following day ($80 for house call) and I had visions of taking her beyond the city to the beach but the cost for that option was prohibitive plus when I called KF, I was told she was sick for the last several days.

Also, went to LIPS on Monday, which is not a bad day to go as there are only a few guys -- mostly lowlife's -- and a several gems in the pack of about 40. Had an incredible lap dance for $15, if you can call it that, as having a spanking hot young chica shoving her shaved snatch in your face for the taking was a bit beyond one can find in the state's unless you are a celeb or play pro ball. But just cannot see hanging out to 2am to cut a deal for the TLN.

So here I am staying in a slowwww beach town in a holding pattern under overcast skies. One option is to go to LIPS again from here (only an hour) and see if I can pull out someone between the shift change. Once again, the idea of hanging out to 2am, hoping to find someone worthy, and driving back seems absurd.

La Libertad -- drove through -- it's disgusting. I can't imagine going in the water plus the recent rains have swollen the rivers and every piece of trash and jetsam goes into the sea. The same can be said for swimming in Suchitoto...locals tell me the lake is completely contaminated due to the dirty rivers feeding into the lake. I was also told it was one of the hottest places in the country. Though pretty, it is barely worth a day, which sums up the whole of SS for me. You could literally do the whole country in a day and one night stay.

PS: Hope I did not offend any ES citizens because they have been great -- outstanding people especially considering their recent tragic past.

over and out...

I've been to san salvador twice:




The closest beach is "La Libertad" next to the airport. The water is filthy but you can go further down the coast and find something a little better. There are several hotels in the general area but food IMHO was scarce. I ate at one semi decent place but I would not want to depend on 3 squares a day there.

* There is a resort area forgot the name (costa de sol ?) south of la libertad which offers all inclusive packages...ask around.

At night time I assume it would get very boring. When I was there the mayor had closed down the few brothels. About 15 minutes away from LA Libertad is a strip/club brothel located right on the main road....forgot the name of it. They were asking $60 if I remember correctly and drinks were rather pricey.

Kiss fresh and the beer bars surrounding parque centenario are probably your best bets. The bus station area "reloj de flores" could be another low end option for you. Be very careful in this area.

The lake is rather pretty...don't know about swimming. Visit suchitoto (civil war town). That is worth a trip as well.

August will probably still be rainy season. SS is located in a tropical climate zone so expect strong downpours.

The sex is decent in SS at a fair price but the city itself did nothing for me. I wound up hanging out in parque centenario and metro centro mall most of the time.

Taxis are a must everywhere. Places are too far to walk and the hills will ruin any enjoyment out of walking. The most important bus route to you need to find is the number 52 bus which goes from metro centro downtown to parque centenario and reloj de flores. Just mention it when you get on.

* Yes only dollars are excepted and don't bring anything larger than a $20. Bring a stack of 5's 10's and 1's. That will make your life a lot easier.

I highly recommend the novo hotel listed here on ISG. If you stay for two weeks they will usually cut you a deal. I was offered $40 in cash for a two weeks stay. It was girlfriendly when I was there although I never brought one back..too cheap. The location is ideal. Book for a few nights probably for $60 then talk to them in person.

I'm in no rush to go back

...great food though.

[Artisttyp]

[QUOTE=BayBoy]More preguntas about El Salvador.

Is Parque Centenario the same as Parque Centro? I cant tell from the posts.


- I don't think so. There was another poster who thought differently. IMHO if you want to find the beer bars ask for centenario.

Do they allow smoking at Novo Hotel?

-Yes. Always mention smoking room when you book anywhere.

Is the food better in El Salvador than Colombian food?

-YES!!! The food is very good especially the mexican food. Once again the food court in metro center is a good option. I think the high end mall is called las galerias(walking distance from novo hotel). There is a great mexican restaurant across the street from the garage parking entrance.

Are there 'kool' cafes and bars to hand out in San Salvador?

-There are a few university cafes/bars but IMHO very lame scene. You need to go from the taxi to the bar to another taxi to the next bar.

The chica bars on Blvd de los heroes will probably be your night time hang outs. Usually $35 for ST on site.

-The nights are long in SS. Like I said I wasn't into it. Hopefully you will do better than I did.

* Maybe you should look into mundo anuncio and see who is advertising. Getting numbers from kiss fresh or lips would also be a good idea.

[BayBoy]

More preguntas about El Salvador.

Is Parque Centenario the same as Parque Centro? I cant tell from the posts.

Do they allow smoking at Novo Hotel?

Is the food better in El Salvador than Colombian food?

Are there 'kool' cafes and bars to hand out in San Salvador?

Any replies are most welcome.

[Artisttyp]

I am headed down there on Wednesday for first visit. Usually go to Lima and other parts of Peru but decided to save a few bucks and shorten the plane trip.

Your post was informative. After a few days in SS, I will go to Suchitoto with an American gal friend of mine who is doing NGO work in SS. But still plan on a visit to LIPS and Kiss Fresh unless I hear these clubs have lost their mojo. Then will hit the beach. Playa Tunco, specifically. I have 16 days total but maybe that would be too long based on some of the posts/comments here so if I am not having a good time, I will pay the change fee and head home.

Any info on any of these places would be appreciated. I read on Lonely Planet blog that Suchitoto has good night life. Hard to believe given its size but would like to know if that is really true.

I lasted maybe 1 1/2 hrs in suchitoto. I did see a few gringos on a tour but not much nightlife potential. That was in the daytime though. It's a little "town" in the mountain. At this point if it's not a hooker bar it's not nightlife to me.

El tunco is one of those surfer towns. I wouldn't expect much but it might be fun for a night or two.

I think you will be fine for 16 days. You just need to put some effort and money into it.

By the way lima is one of my favs....lots to do.

[Tomasb]

I am headed down there on Wednesday for first visit. Usually go to Lima and other parts of Peru but decided to save a few bucks and shorten the plane trip.

Your post was informative. After a few days in SS, I will go to Suchitoto with an American gal friend of mine who is doing NGO work in SS. But still plan on a visit to LIPS and Kiss Fresh unless I hear these clubs have lost their mojo. Then will hit the beach. Playa Tunco, specifically. I have 16 days total but maybe that would be too long based on some of the posts/comments here so if I am not having a good time, I will pay the change fee and head home.

Any info on any of these places would be appreciated. I read on Lonely Planet blog that Suchitoto has good night life. Hard to believe given its size but would like to know if that is really true.

[Artisttyp]

Muchas gracias Artisttyp -- Good insiteful info. You gave me the good, bad, and the ugly of El Salvador.

I got interested in the country when I noticed cheap round trip flights on American Airlines from San Francisco ($388 + tax). Thats much cheaper than flying to Colombia, which Ive been focused on for the last 1 1/2 years (5 trips). Been to Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, CR (5xs), and Panama. Plus a lot of countries in So. America. So I know the region well.

As far as El Salvador goes, I was thinking of staying there for 2 weeks, and taking side trips to various places on a daily basis by bus. Mainly because I dont think there's much decent mongering outside the city.

Or maybe hiring a taxi cab to take me around to these places.
How does that sound?

I did just that. I took a bus everyday to those little towns and came back in the afternoon. Traffic isn't that bad either.

2 weeks will give you plenty of time to visit places.

I hooked up with "cloudalex" one day and he was able to give me a lot of good information as well. His email address is listed somewhere in the thread.

The novo hotel has a few in house drivers that can take you where you need to go. It will cost you a pretty penny though. Probably $100 for a RT suchitoto trip. The bus is dirt cheap but there are no bathrooms of course. It depends how you want to do it. We all know NO BATHROOM = NO BUS RIDE for artisttyp. Those days are over.

Towns are roughly 1 1/2 hrs from the city. The country is very small.

It's nice to have a change from your usual haunts. SS is worth one short trip IMHO if you can get a good deal on airfare and hotel.

However I'm over central america. It's not lively enough for me.

Anything else just PM me....ready willing and able.

* If you get a chance buy "cumbia" music from el salvador also "PUNTA" from guatemala. The salvadorean cumbia is probably the only cumbia other than colombian that I appreciate. You won't find these in other latin countries... at least I haven't. Also look for FLM merchandise.

[BayBoy]

Muchas gracias Artisttyp -- Good insiteful info. You gave me the good, bad, and the ugly of El Salvador.

I got interested in the country when I noticed cheap round trip flights on American Airlines from San Francisco ($388 + tax). Thats much cheaper than flying to Colombia, which Ive been focused on for the last 1 1/2 years (5 trips). Been to Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, CR (5xs), and Panama. Plus a lot of countries in So. America. So I know the region well.

As far as El Salvador goes, I was thinking of staying there for 2 weeks, and taking side trips to various places on a daily basis by bus. Mainly because I dont think there's much decent mongering outside the city.

Or maybe hiring a taxi cab to take me around to these places.
How does that sound?

[Artisttyp]

I'm considering going to El Salvador in August. Have a few questions.

Is the US Dollar accepted all over the country?

What is the nearest coastal beach to San Salvador?

Has anyone gone swimming at Lake Coatepeque? And what was that like?

Any answers you can give will be appreciated.

I've been to san salvador twice:

The closest beach is "La Libertad" next to the airport. The water is filthy but you can go further down the coast and find something a little better. There are several hotels in the general area but food IMHO was scarce. I ate at one semi decent place but I would not want to depend on 3 squares a day there.

* There is a resort area forgot the name (costa de sol ?) south of la libertad which offers all inclusive packages...ask around.

At night time I assume it would get very boring. When I was there the mayor had closed down the few brothels. About 15 minutes away from LA Libertad is a strip/club brothel located right on the main road....forgot the name of it. They were asking $60 if I remember correctly and drinks were rather pricey.

Kiss fresh and the beer bars surrounding parque centenario are probably your best bets. The bus station area "reloj de flores" could be another low end option for you. Be very careful in this area.

The lake is rather pretty...don't know about swimming. Visit suchitoto (civil war town). That is worth a trip as well.

August will probably still be rainy season. SS is located in a tropical climate zone so expect strong downpours.

The sex is decent in SS at a fair price but the city itself did nothing for me. I wound up hanging out in parque centenario and metro centro mall most of the time.

Taxis are a must everywhere. Places are too far to walk and the hills will ruin any enjoyment out of walking. The most important bus route to you need to find is the number 52 bus which goes from metro centro downtown to parque centenario and reloj de flores. Just mention it when you get on.

* Yes only dollars are excepted and don't bring anything larger than a $20. Bring a stack of 5's 10's and 1's. That will make your life a lot easier.

I highly recommend the novo hotel listed here on ISG. If you stay for two weeks they will usually cut you a deal. I was offered $40 in cash for a two weeks stay. It was girlfriendly when I was there although I never brought one back..too cheap. The location is ideal. Book for a few nights probably for $60 then talk to them in person.

I'm in no rush to go back

...great food though.

[BayBoy]

I'm considering going to El Salvador in August. Have a few questions.

Is the US Dollar accepted all over the country?

What is the nearest coastal beach to San Salvador?

Has anyone gone swimming at Lake Coatepeque? And what was that like?

Any answers you can give will be appreciated.

[Pepe27]

Apparently Kiss Fresh is the best option in Salvador, I found the directions to the place but could not locate it in a map. Is this place far from the Intercontinental.