What animals live in El Salvador?

El Salvador is a small country, but it packs in a surprising variety of wildlife! You can find white-tailed deer, armadillos, and howler monkeys living in its forests and valleys. Along the Pacific coast, sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs on the beaches. El Salvador also has hundreds of bird species — the turquoise-browed motmot is the national bird, and it has brilliant blue-green feathers and a long swinging tail that looks like a tiny pendulum. Iguanas sun themselves on rocks, and you might spot a coati, which looks like a raccoon with a long curved snout, nosing around in the undergrowth. God packed a lot of variety into this little land!

What do kids eat in El Salvador?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in El Salvador often start their day with beans and cream, scrambled eggs, and fresh tortillas made from corn — not the flour kind you might know, but thick, soft, handmade ones cooked right on a griddle. It is a hearty breakfast that keeps you going through a warm morning. Rusty's favorite to tell people about is the pupusa — a thick corn cake stuffed with cheese, beans, or meat, then cooked until golden. Street carts sell them everywhere, and families make them at home too. Kids also enjoy fresh fruit like mango, papaya, and tamarind candies that are sweet, sour, and salty all at once. Food in El Salvador is simple, filling, and made with a lot of care.

How do people say hello in El Salvador?

In El Salvador, people speak Spanish, so the most common greeting is '¡Hola!' — that's just 'Hello!' in Spanish. You might also hear '¿Cómo estás?' which means 'How are you?' Salvadorans are known for being warm and friendly when they meet people. Among close friends and family, Salvadorans often greet each other with a handshake or a light pat on the back. In the countryside, people might even greet strangers passing on the road — there's a real sense of community there. Many Salvadoran Christians also say things like '¡Dios te bendiga!' which means 'God bless you!' — a reminder that faith is woven right into everyday life for a lot of people there.

What sports or games do kids play in El Salvador?

Herman here, with Rusty right beside me! Kids in El Salvador are wild about soccer — they call it fútbol — and you will find pickup games happening on dirt fields, paved streets, and just about any flat space available. It is the sport that brings neighborhoods together, and even the youngest kids learn to juggle a ball with their feet before they can read. Beyond fútbol, kids play a street game called 'trompo,' which is a spinning top you launch with a string — it takes real skill to make it spin long and steady. Marbles and kite-flying are popular too, especially in the dry season when the wind is just right. These are simple games that cost very little, which matters in a country where many families do not have much money, but the laughter and friendship around those games are real and good.

What's the weather like in El Salvador?

El Salvador sits close to the equator in Central America, so it stays warm all year long — usually between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. There are really two main seasons: a dry season from November to April, and a rainy season from May to October when afternoon thunderstorms roll in almost every day. Because El Salvador has mountains, valleys, and a Pacific coast, the weather can feel different depending on where you are. The highlands are cooler and breezy, while the coast is hot and humid. Salvadoran farmers pay close attention to the rains because most families grow corn and beans, and a good rainy season means enough food for the year.

Tell me a fun fact about El Salvador.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along — El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America, but don't let that fool you! It packs in more than twenty volcanoes, and two of them are still active. The whole country is about the size of the state of Massachusetts. Rusty's favorite part: El Salvador is the only country in Central America that doesn't have a coastline on the Caribbean Sea — it sits entirely on the Pacific side. That means big waves, and surfers travel from all over the world to ride them. The people there call their country 'El Pulgarcito de América,' which means 'The Little Thumb of America.' Small country, big character!

What is school like for kids in El Salvador?

Great question to explore! In El Salvador, most kids go to public schools where classes are taught in Spanish. The school day is often shorter than what you might expect — some schools run morning sessions and others run afternoon sessions, so that more students can share the same building. Uniforms are common, and kids study subjects like math, science, and history just like many students around the world. In rural areas, getting to school can mean a long walk on dirt roads, and some families struggle to afford notebooks and supplies. Not every child finishes school, because some need to help their families earn money. But there are Christians and churches in El Salvador working hard to help kids stay in school and learn — and many missionaries have started programs that offer tutoring and hope, sharing the good news of Jesus along the way.

Who are the unreached people in El Salvador?

Great question! El Salvador is a small country in Central America, and most people there have heard the name of Jesus. But there is one group that remains largely unreached: the Pipil people, also called the Nahuat. They are the descendants of El Salvador's original indigenous inhabitants, and many of them have held onto old traditional beliefs mixed with other ideas that are not the gospel of Jesus. The Pipil community is small but important to God. Some Pipil people live in villages in the western highlands, and their language and culture are fading over time. Very few missionaries focus specifically on reaching them with the clear message that Jesus died and rose again to save sinners. That means they need people who will go, learn their ways, and tell them the good news. You can pray that Pipil men, women, and children would hear about Jesus and trust Him as their Savior — and that God would raise up Pipil believers who share that message with their own people.

How can I pray for the people of El Salvador?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding right beside me! El Salvador is a small country packed with people who need Jesus — and prayer is one of the most powerful things you can do for them. Many Salvadorans have heard the name of Jesus, but not everyone has truly trusted Him as their Savior. You can ask God to open hearts wide to the real good news of the gospel. Rusty wants to add a few more things to pray about! Ask God to make the local churches in El Salvador grow strong and faithful, teaching people the true Word of God. Pray for children and families there to come to know Jesus personally. And pray for Christian leaders rising up from within El Salvador itself — people who know their own neighborhoods and can share the gospel with courage and love for years to come.

What is a holiday or celebration in El Salvador?

One of the biggest celebrations in El Salvador is the Festival of El Salvador del Mundo — which means 'Savior of the World.' It happens every August in the capital city, San Salvador, and the whole city is named after this festival! People fill the streets with music, colorful processions, and fireworks to honor Jesus as the Savior of the world. The celebration includes a special parade where people carry a statue representing Jesus through the streets. It is a reminder that the name 'Salvador' itself means 'Savior' in Spanish. Many Salvadorans who know Jesus personally use this time to think about what it truly means that He came to rescue people — not just as a tradition, but as real and living truth.

What language do people speak in El Salvador?

Almost everyone in El Salvador speaks Spanish! It became the main language hundreds of years ago when Spanish explorers and settlers arrived. Today, whether you are in the busy capital city of San Salvador or a small mountain village, Spanish is what you will hear. A long time ago, people in this land spoke languages like Nawat, which belonged to the indigenous people who lived there before Spanish arrived. Nawat is very rare now — only a small number of people still speak it. The good news is that the Bible has been translated into Spanish, so Salvadorans can read God's Word in the language they know best.

What's a famous place to visit in El Salvador?

One of the most striking places in El Salvador is Santa Ana Volcano — a towering peak with a crater lake that glows an eerie turquoise-green color. Salvadorans call it 'Ilamatepec,' and it is one of the highest points in the whole country. El Salvador also has a beautiful historic city called Suchitoto, full of cobblestone streets and colorful colonial buildings built hundreds of years ago. Missionaries have worked in places like these for generations, sharing the good news that Jesus came to save people — not just from a volcano's danger, but from something much greater.

El Salvador — Kids Missions Explorer

Turquoise-browed Motmot

El Salvador's national bird has a long, swinging tail tipped with two bright turquoise feathers that it wags like a pendulum when it is alert.

White-tailed Deer

El Salvador's national mammal is a graceful white-tailed deer that lives in forests and open scrublands across the country's volcanic hills.

Green Iguana

Green iguanas in El Salvador can grow longer than five feet and are often spotted sunning themselves on tree branches near rivers and lakes.

Pupusa

A thick corn tortilla stuffed with cheese, beans, or pork and cooked on a griddle, pupusas are the heart of Salvadoran daily life and eaten at nearly every meal.

Curtido

This tangy, lightly fermented cabbage slaw seasoned with oregano and vinegar is almost always served alongside pupusas as a crunchy, refreshing contrast.

Atol de Elote

A warm, thick drink made from fresh corn, milk, and sugar, atol de elote tastes gently sweet and creamy and is a comforting favorite on cool evenings.

El Salvador

Things you should know about El Salvador

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

Did you know?

Life in El Salvador

Missions in El Salvador

Pray for El Salvador