Safety in La Libertad, El Salvador What do other Racers need to know in order to be safe? Current safety protocols/precautions in place? Any relevant issues/concerns? Any precautionary suggestions?
People’s Opinions
Be careful of rip tides – if you get caught in one swim sideways. Playa Las Flores, even though it is across the street from Iglesia Gran Comision, is secluded and not the safest beach, especially after sunset, and especially for gringos (this term is not derogatory in El Salvador). Better to go to the beaches in town.
Don’t draw attention to yourself. Be vigilant and cautious. Don’t wear anything with the numbers 13 or 18 on them – these are gang signs. Also don’t make the Texas Longhorn sign – this is close to a gang sign. Don’t ride the bus every day. Our host even recommended that women don’t ride the bus at all. Be careful at night.
Chikungunya is a mosquito disease that infected a few people from my squad so make sure to wear bugspray because it can take you out for up to 2 weeks.
If you stay at Remar Orphanage, be careful with your things. Lock your doors when possible, especially when no Racers will be around, like on days off.</span >Also keep windows closed. Two people had snacks and some electronics stolen through an open window facing a road.
Ministry Summary
Ministry Summary in La Libertad, El Salvador Breakthroughs? Suggestions? Concerns? On a scale of 1-4 (1 being not at all, 4 being absolutely) how strongly would you recommend another World Race team go to this ministry location & why?
People’s Opinions
We didn’t do as much as I would have liked to, and I think this was because our contact stayed so busy. We needed to communicate expectations better and figure out how to do things on our own. I would put it as a 3. I struggled all month with feeling somewhat useless, but I still think that our being there made an impact. We hung out a lot with the youth, helped cook for the development center, cleaned a lot, and basically provided extra pairs of hands.
Take advantage of your free time and create your own ministry!
Lodging
Lodging in La Libertad, El Salvador Where did you stay? What were the accommodations (sleeping arrangements, toilets, showers, etc.)? Cost (per person per night in USD), Contact info.
People’s Opinions
Slept on the floor at the Centro del Desarrollo Infantil. 1 shower, 2 bathrooms. Had to pick up stuff and store in office at the end of every weekday.
Stayed at the church on sleeping pads in one of the classrooms. Had to pick up our stuff on Saturdays for church. 2 bathrooms and 2 showers.
Food / Meals
Food / Meals in La Libertad, El Salvador What did you eat? Where did you get the food? Cost (per person per day in USD)? Contact info (if applicable).
People’s Opinions
We cooked 2 out of 3 meals a day, usually. Some meals were provided. We ate lunch on weekdays with the children at the CDI. Dinners on Saturday were provided with the youth. Other days, we cooked or went out to eat unless someone invited us to dinner. Tons of kitchen equipment was available, and a propane stove and oven. Grocery store right down the street and fish available at the pier – ask your host how to choose them.
There was no kitchen at the church and meals weren’t provided so we bought easy breakfast stuff from local stores and went out for lunch and dinner meals to a local restaurant which our host helped coordinate for us. They gave us discounted prices on their menu because we would be eating with them all month.
Transportation
Transportation in La Libertad, El Salvador What transportation did you use to enter the country? Where were you coming from? What transportation was used to move throughout the country? Be sure to include the cost per person in USD and contact info if applicable.
People’s Opinions
El Salvador also has an entry fee – $10 tourist visa.
We flew into San Salvador and rode in our host’s and a person from the church’s car. To move throughout, we were driven by people from the church or we used pickup taxis (careful with this) and sometimes the bus. The bus is not the safest option, but it costs 25 cents per person. Pickup taxis cost $3 per truckload.
Our host got us where we needed to go for ministry, other than that we just walked (it is a very small town) and occasionally took the bus to the grocery store in town.
Medical
Medical in La Libertad, El Salvador Information on local hospitals / doctors / pharmacies. Where would someone go in a medical emergency? (addresses and contact info).
People’s Opinions
Hosptial Climosal, Santa Tecla, and Total Health Clinic, Dr. Imri, San Salvador are recommended for non-emergencies. Puerto La Libertad has emergency services as well.
Communication
Communication in La Libertad, El Salvador Did you have cell reception / Internet service? Where? Carrier / Provider, where did you get phones / SIM cards, cost? Country code?
People’s Opinions
Claro chip for team phones. Wifi available at the church. We got SIM cards downtown for $2 apiece.
Used claro chip for team phones. For internet, there are lots of places you can go in town that have good wifi because it is a tourist town. The only downside is that you always have to buy something at the restaurants but it’s a great excuse to go on a coffee date with a teammate!
Financial
Financial in La Libertad, El Salvador Location of banks or ATMs, notes about transaction fees, best places to exchange money, and other money related advice.
People’s Opinions
El Salvador uses USD.
There are tons of ATMs available; don’t go to the same one twice.
Locals ATMs easily accessible down towards the beach area.
Translators
Translators in La Libertad, El Salvador List any local translators – name and contact information, languages spoken
People’s Opinions
Some of the youth from Iglesia Gran Comision are bilingual. Also, Giovanni Bonilla, the worship band leader, speaks very good English.
Off Days / Fun Activities
Off Days / Fun Activities in La Libertad, El Salvador What activities did your team experience? Recommendations? List locations/contact info. Any locations to be avoided? Any extra safety tips for off days?
People’s Opinions
Parque Deininger has zipline, an adventure park, repelling, hikes, waterfalls, camping, etc. and an amazing view. Cost $3 each for foreigners. We went to Cerro Verde and climbed Volcan Izalco, which almost killed us. The easier volcano is Santa Ana. Definitely worth it but bring amazing shoes and a ton of water, along with protein bars. Check my blog for pix. Also, there are a lot of beaches – Playa las Flores is not among the most safe. Try downtown, where there is shopping, etc. And if you’re bored you can go to San Salvador – everything is in San Salvador. Everything.
Other Important Contacts
Other Important Contacts in La Libertad, El Salvador Additional ministry opportunities, local pastors, etc. Relationship & follow up suggestions
People’s Opinions
Comment
Tips
People’s Opinions
Pack away food tightly to keep away from the mountain rats.
Additional Info
Additional Info in La Libertad, El Salvador Anything we’ve left out? Any additional suggestions to make travel easier for others?
People’s Opinions
Bargaining is OK. Dry season is tourist season. In Spanish, Usted is used way more than tu. This is a giving and bend-over backwards culture, so make sure you don’t accidentally take advantage of anyone. People ask things of gringos – ask a church member before you help them. Peanut butter is expensive. Toiletries are readily available at El Faro, but shaving cream and toothbrushes are very expensive. Apples and sunscreen also expensive. I could not find vitamins or supplements. Oranges, hot chocolate, rice, sugar, and cinnamon are dirt cheap, and also eggs if you ask your host. Good fish price is $3/lb for a whole fish – red snapper (poco colorado) is especially good. How to choose a good fish – red gills, eyes not white, when you poke it a depression stays in the skin. Christians here don’t dance in public. Because you are gringos, you are given a free pass if you want to have a drink, just follow AIM guidelines and ask your host. If you need anything you can’t find in La Libertad (and your host can’t find it either), go to San Salvador. Do not put kids in your lap. Be conscientious that because this food is more organic than American food, it does not keep as long, so you may have to go shopping more often. Don’t use big bills – people think Americans are rich.