El Salvador - Clearance

El Salvador Arrival Procedures for Yachts

Ports of Entry:

El Salvador has closed Barrilas marina as a port of entry.

Bahia Del Sol is especially cruiser friendly and there is a free, on-site, port authority and immigration service.

La Union and Acajulta are the other ports of entry, but they are commercial ports without infrastructure to support recreational boats.

General Procedure:

Clearing into and out of El Salvador is a quick process.

On arrival, you will be met on the dock by:

The Naval Service

• They will issue you with a temporary permit (Permiso Temporal) to use the country's waters.
• You can pay for the permit in 30-day increments (at $30) up to 90 days (so it works out at $1 a day).
• When the initial permit is about to expire, you simply renew it with the Naval Service.
• There are unlimited renewals, so there is no time limit for keeping your boat in El Salvador.
• See Documents for more details.

Immigration

You must then visit Immigration. They will want to see:

• • Copies of Passports
  • Boat Documentation
  • Original exit Zarpe and crew list from your last foreign port
  • They will issue crew with a 180-day visa (see Immigration for more details)
  • They will issue an Acta de Visita - The initial acknowledgement of your arrival

El Salvador Departure Procedures for Yachts

• On departure Immigration and the Port Captain must be visited.
• Request an international zarpe from the Port Captain before departing El Salvador for your next country of visit.
• If you plan to cruise within El Salvadoran waters, request a national zarpe.
• A crew list will need to be submitted when clearing out.

Last updated: August 2024