The easiest way to get from La Ceiba to El Salvador is to skip the bus connections and travel in a private van. Shuttle Guacamayos drives groups of up to 12 passengers from La Ceiba to any city in El Salvador for $800 one way for the whole van, or $1,400 round trip with the van and driver staying with you for up to 3 days and 2 nights. With a full van, that works out to $66.67 or $116.67 per passenger. If you’d rather have everything planned for you, our 2-night El Salvador package bundles transport, hotel and guided visits. Here’s how the options compare, what to have ready for the border, and how to book.
Option 1: A private van to any city in El Salvador
Book the whole van and go where your group wants to go: San Salvador, Santa Ana, the surf beaches around El Tunco, or anywhere else in the country. One price covers the vehicle and the driver for up to 12 passengers, so you travel together and leave on your own schedule.
- One way: $800 per van. That’s $66.67 per passenger with 12 aboard. We drive you from La Ceiba to your destination.
- Round trip: $1,400 per van. That’s $116.67 per passenger with 12 aboard. The van and driver stay with your group for up to 3 days and 2 nights, then bring you back to La Ceiba. Hotels aren’t included.
Because the price is per van, not per seat, each person pays less as your group grows. You’ll find the full details on our private van to El Salvador and Guatemala page.
Option 2: The El Salvador Complete package
Want transport, lodging and sightseeing for one price? Our El Salvador Complete package costs $350 per person. It includes private transport from La Ceiba or any Honduras airport, 2 nights in a hotel with breakfast, all entrance fees, and a guide for both the mountain sights and the San Salvador city tours at night.
Stops include Café Albania, Puerta del Diablo, El Boquerón volcano park, San Salvador’s historic center and Playa El Tunco. The rate applies to groups of 6 or more; smaller groups can ask us for custom pricing. See it next to our other multi-day trips on the packages page.
Which option fits your trip?
- Private van, one way: best if El Salvador is your next stop and you aren’t coming back through La Ceiba.
- Private van, round trip: best for a short visit with your own group, with no need to arrange transport home.
- El Salvador Complete package: best for groups of 6 or more who want the hotel, guide and entrance fees sorted before they leave.
Crossing the border: what to have ready
Every option crosses from Honduras into El Salvador by land, and each passenger goes through immigration. A few things to sort out before you leave La Ceiba:
- Your passport and entry rules. According to the U.S. State Department, your passport must be valid when you enter El Salvador, and U.S. citizens don’t need a visa for stays of 90 days or less. Requirements depend on your nationality, so check your own government’s travel advice well before the trip.
- The CA-4 90-day limit. El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua belong to the CA-4 border agreement. The State Department says travelers who enter legally can move among the four countries for up to 90 days in total, and that staying longer requires a one-time extension from local immigration authorities.
- Traveling with children. The State Department advises bringing a copy of each child’s birth certificate or other proof of your legal relationship to each child.
- Prohibited items. Guns, ammunition and products containing THC, including most CBD products, are illegal to bring into El Salvador.
Coming from the airport or the Bay Islands?
Many travelers start in Roatán or Utila, or fly into San Pedro Sula or Palmerola. Our airport transfers bring you to La Ceiba in a Toyota Hiace for up to 10 passengers: $400 per van from San Pedro Sula ($40 per passenger with 10 aboard) or $500 per van from Palmerola ($50 per passenger with 10 aboard). The Roatán and Utila ferries dock in La Ceiba too, so tell us how you’re arriving and we’ll go over the timing with you.
Planning to visit Guatemala as well? Read how to get from La Ceiba to Guatemala. For the bigger picture, see our La Ceiba transport guide.
Book your trip to El Salvador
Send us your travel date, your destination in El Salvador and the number of passengers on WhatsApp, and we’ll confirm your van or your package. Book on WhatsApp.
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