Updated Feb 18, 2026
KEY STATS
526K
Population
72 km2
Area
140 Mbps
Internet
670m
Elevation
UTC−06:00
Timezone
ILS (7km)
Airport
OVERVIEW
San Salvador is the capital and largest city of El Salvador and its eponymous department. It is the country's largest agglomeration, serving as the country's political, cultural, educational and financial center. The municipality of San Salvador has 525,990 inhabitants (2024). The Metropolitan Area of San Salvador, which comprises the capital it...
QUICK FACTS
Country
El Salvador
Region
Central America
Population
526K
Timezone
UTC−06:00
Elevation
670 m
Language
Spanish
Status
Capital City
Airport
ILS
GPS
13.69, -89.19
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Food
705 restaurants mapped in San Salvador
Tech
Solid 140 Mbps internet — reliable for remote work and streaming
Economy
60% cheaper than New York City based on overall cost of living index
Travel
ILS airport just 7 km from the city center
Climate
Year-round average of 24C — near-ideal temperatures
INFRASTRUCTURE
6,240 total POIs 86.4 per km²
Above avg per capita
Average
Below avg
Food & Drink
Restaurants
705
Cafes
227
Bars
73
Fast Food
337
Shopping
Supermarkets
124
Convenience
219
Shopping Malls
138
Healthcare
Hospitals
55
Clinics
216
Pharmacies
310
Education
Schools
294
Universities
43
Libraries
17
Recreation
Parks
696
Playgrounds
28
Sports
221
Cinemas
7
Museums
14
Theatres
20
Transport
Bus Stops
440
Train Stations
2
Fuel Stations
169
Services
Banks
208
ATMs
70
Post Offices
11
Police
54
Fire Stations
5
Source: DropThe Database | dropthe.org
INTERNET SPEED
140 Mbps
Download
39 Mbps
Upload
10ms
Latency
102,080
Tests
29,026
Devices
2025-Q4
Last updated
CLIMATE
Best time to visit: Jan - Dec
25°
J
25°
F
24°
M
24°
A
24°
M
24°
J
24°
J
24°
A
24°
S
24°
O
24°
N
25°
D
18-28 C ideal
Warm/Cool
Extreme
Year avg: 24.3 C Range: 24.5 - 24 C Rain: 2,006 mm/year Sunshine: 3,652 h/year
CITY SCORES
92.5
Nomad Index
B
Livability
37.5
Culture
56.7
Overall
COST OF LIVING
CIndex relative to New York City (NYC = 100)
40.3
Overall
60% cheaper than NYC
21.7
Rent
78% cheaper than NYC
43.9
Groceries
56% cheaper than NYC
34.3
Restaurants
66% cheaper than NYC
AIRPORT
ILS
Ilopango International Airport
7 km from center
Very close — ~11 min ride
FUN FACTS
San Salvador (Spanish pronunciation: [san salβaˈðoɾ]) is the capital and largest city of El Salvador and its eponymous department.
It is the country's largest agglomeration, serving as the country's political, cultural, educational and financial center.
The Metropolitan Area of San Salvador, which comprises the capital itself and 13 of its municipalities, has a population of 2,404,097.
The urban area of San Salvador has a population of 1,600,000 inhabitants.
The city is home to the Consejo de Ministros de El Salvador (Council of Ministries of El Salvador), the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador, the Supreme Court of El Salvador, and other governmental institutions, as well as the official residence of the president of El Salvador.
EXTERNAL LINKS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is San Salvador known for?
San Salvador is a city in El Salvador. It offers a range of cultural, historical, and natural attractions.
How fast is the internet in San Salvador?
San Salvador has an average download speed of 140 Mbps and upload speed of 39 Mbps, based on Ookla speed test data.
What is the weather like in San Salvador?
San Salvador has an average year-round temperature of approximately 24.3 degrees Celsius.
What airport serves San Salvador?
San Salvador is served by ILS (Ilopango International Airport), approximately 7 km from the city center.
What is the population of San Salvador?
The population of San Salvador is approximately 526K.
What infrastructure does San Salvador have?
San Salvador has 6,240 mapped points of interest, including 705 restaurants, 55 hospitals, 294 schools.
What country is San Salvador in?
San Salvador is located in El Salvador.
