The main hotels are in the capital, and accommodation should be booked in advance. Lake Coatepeque is a popular resort in western El Salvador, which has good hotels, restaurants and lodging houses.

Grading: Hotels in El Salvador can be classified into three groups: deluxe, first-class and budget hotels.

Guest houses and budget backpacker hotels, often with private bathrooms, can be found in the main tourist towns.

CORSATUR has online listings of apartments, cabins, villas and ranches to rent (website: www.elsalvadorturismo.gob.sv).

Advisable only as part of tours to the countryside. Tour guides will be on hand for safety precautions.