Is it better to have US dollars or to exchange for colons?

Question

I am traveling to El Salvador and I am not sure if it is better to use US dollars or Colons??? Please let me know of your experiences with this.

Answer 1

well i went to El Salvador and i just saw that they only use Us Dollars now i didnt see any1 paying wit colones anymore..lol..Have fun i want to back but maybe next year :-)

Answer 2

Colones are extinct now, because El Salvador now uses the U.S. Dollar as its currency.  Check your bills carefully before you go, because worn, torn or marked-on bills are generally not accepted by the merchants there.  Make sure you have lots of SMALL denominations as many merchants cannot make change for larger ones.

Answer 3

The dollar is the only currency that you will use in El Salvador.  You practically have no other option.  The colones are obsolete now and are kept as only as mementos of a goneby era.  In fact, El Salvador is now considered a Mini-USA to many of the people of the neighboring countries (namely Honduras and Nicaragua).   People from these countries don’t have to come to the USA to earn dollars. They work in El Salvador and return to their countries and exchange the dollars for their local currencies.

Answer 4

The US Dollar has been the monetary unit of El Salvador since 2001.

You can use dollars anywhere in the country.

One thing to keep in mind:

Out of personal experience, make sure you bring small NEW bills when you come to El Salvador.  There have been many instances where people do not have change for a large bill, or will refuse to take a bill if it is torn, missing a piece or very worn.