Central America Forum

Entering El Salvador

LaFoca — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:18:54 +0000

I thought I would begin this adventure by explaining the ways a person can enter El Salvador legally and how they can extend their stay. To begin with, the best source I've found on this is the following sites:

http://sansalvador.usembassy.gov/salvadoran-residence.html
http://www.rree.gob.sv/site/visas_informacion.html

It gives all the details, so you don't have to look much further. But I'll try to condense it based on what I'm doing. I was originally moving to another country and we have changed our minds. So I had very little time to switch many things regarding our move. What I have learned is that anyone can fly into El Salvador from the U.S. with a valid passport with at least 6 months left on it. You can pay $10 at the airport and gain a 30 day tourist visa.

If you want a longer stay, you can apply for an extended stay (90 days) by going to the Foreign Department of the Main Office of Immigration, Ministry of Govern to obtain a longer stay permit.

1. The requirements to grant (one entry) Consular Visa are the following:

Fee $ 30.00 of Consular tariff. The visa will be given with the corresponding stamps. You will need the following items for this:

Travel document with a validity of six months
1. Fill in the Visa application form with a photo
2. Copy of return plane tickets.

There are several types of visas for those who seek a longer stay in El Salvador.
a) Consular Visa
b) Guarantee restricted visa or transit visa
c) Courtesy vi

The Office in charge of issuing the Guarantee for restricted visas is the Main Office of Immigration and Foreigners of the Ministry of Government.

Tthe office that follows up on guaranteeing restricted visa applications or transit visa application is managed by the General Office of foreign Service (DGSE, Spanish acronyms) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A Consular Visa is good for three months and costs: US$ 30.00

The length and cost of the Tourist Card is also three months and costs US$ 10.00 American dollars.

What's the basic differences between Consular Visa and the Tourism Card?
Fee US$ 10.00 Tourist Card
Fee US$ 30.00 Consular visa and with this visa you may stay longer in the country for more than three months applying at the Main Office of Immigration.

Here is the address:
Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores,
Colonia San Benito. Calle Circunvalación, No.227,
San Salvador, El Salvador, C.A.
Telephone numbers: (503) 243-9648, 243-9649 243-9650,
Fax 243-9656
Email: webmaster@rree.gob.sv

For Residence, this is what I've been told by my local Consulate office. You can fly in on the original visa and apply for an extension, if you don't have the time to wait. At that point, you can gather your documents to apply for residency. (It's always smarter if you do this before you leave the U.S., but if your time is short, then it can be done from El Salvador.) Here is a site explaining what you need, depending on what type of residency you are seeking:

http://sansalvador.usembassy.gov/salvadoran-residence.html

Note: American citizens should be aware that any documents (i.e.: birth certificate, marriage certificates, divorced decrees, police record checks, etc) presented to the Salvadoran government (GOES) must be “Apostille” from the country of origin, also all types of documents must be issued within the last sixty (60) days otherwise they are consider invalid.

You will also learn that each of these documents must be translated into Spanish in El Salvador. Here is a list of Spanish translators there:

http://sansalvador.usembassy.gov/translators-list.html

Here is additional information for any questions you may have:

You may contact the Salvadoran Immigration at:
Dirección General de Migración (DGME) - Centro de Gobierno
9ª Calle Poniente / 15 Avenida Norte (Alameda Juan Pablo II)
Edificio de Migración
San Salvador
Tel: 2213-7700, Fax: 2271-1850

E-mail: denuncias.migracion@seguridad.gob.sv
To make inquiries about general services, to file complaints, etc

E-mail: extranjeria.citas@seguridad.gob.sv
To make an appointment

Website: http://www.seguridad.gob.sv/Web-Seguridad/Migracion/migracion.htm
At this site you may download different forms, and after you have presented your initial application, you may request a password to log-on and inquire about your case.

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Bringing pets to El Salvador

LaFoca — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:28:10 +0000

So Monday I arrive in El Salvador with my dog...a 50 pound boxer. I thought I'd share what I've learned about shipping our dog. I am leaving from California, so you may want to check with your local division, but here are the steps for bringing our dog.

My husband checked with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure what I had found on the internet was true.

1. Rabies and vaccinations must be up to date.

2. You must obtain a certificate of health for the animal, no sooner than 10 days before you arrive.

3. Once you get that health certificate you do the following:

4. You take it immediately to your local USDA office to verify that the certificate documents are according to standards, showing the animal has no contagious diseases. Here is the web site, explaining exactly what is required:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/animal_el_salvado...

For Los Angeles, this is the contact number and address:

APHIS 310 725-1970,
Bring documents only (not the animal) to :
11850 South La Cienaga Blvd.
Hawthorne, CA 90250

5. In Los Angeles the next step is to go to the Country Recorder’s office with the documents from APHIS/USDA. These items must have your address on the documents to prove you live in the district you have filed:

LOS ANGELES COUNTY
RECORDER/COUNTY CLERK
213 897-3062
12400 IMPERIAL HIGHWAY
NORWALK, CA 90650
562.462.2125
1-800-815-2666

6. After that, you can go to the Secretatry of state to have the documents apostilled.

The documents must be apostilled because they will be shown to the Quarantine Department of the Airport for the release of your pet. You may want to print out the following document, to show, in case there is any question. I'm printing one for my folder of documents needed, just in case:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/downloads/es_cn.

You must ship the animal in an IATA/APHIS approved container and mark the container with 1 inch letters:
"Live Animal" and although the airport workers in El Salvador usually speak english, I am also adding, "Perro Vivo" for Spanish.
Both water and food bowls must be attached to the inside of the front door and be refillable from the outside of the container without opening the door.

It is not recommended that you give your pet a sedative before they fly. And it is recommended that you acclimate the pet to the container at least a week before, so they don't feel frightened.

At the airport, you will surrender your forms to an inspector and will be given a form to complete with questions about the pet. Once you've completed this process, they will surrender your pet.

Another thing to keep in mind if you don't have family picking you up is the amount of luggage and the size of the container you are bringing. You may want to arrange a taxi service that can transport your pet and luggage. Many of the taxis in El Salvador are small and have minimal space for bringing a great deal of luggage and a pet container.

Hopefully, this helps someone frustrated over trying to find answers to this question that seems to lack answers on the internet. Always check to see if things have changed though, because from time to time various documents are added.

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Moving to El Salvador

LaFoca — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:25:23 +0000

Why El Salvador?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp5R-xGYSWc&feature=related

The average temperature for Costa Rica lies between 71 and 81 degrees, the average temperature for Nicaragua is 85 degrees, and the average temperature for El Salvador is from 64 to 72 degrees. So it is a bit more temperate than countries further south.

Banking is much easier in El Salvador than many Central American countries, because they share many banks that also exist inside the U.S. A few of them: HSBC, Banco Agricola Commercial. El Salvador now uses the dollar for its monetary system, so retirees can benefit from no exchange rates when transferring money.

Many of the same restaurants and shops are already in El Salvador that people are used to shopping at in the U.S., so there is very little to acclimate to that way. El Salvador prides itself on offering a progressive line of consumer goods, from: Bose stereos to Payless Shoes. So if you can purchase it in the U.S., then you most likely will be able to find it in El Salvador as well, unlike countries such as Nicaragua.

http://www.guanacosonline.org/images/San%20Salvador/2002071201GaleriasMa...
http://www.guanacosonline.org/images/20030824SanAndres/20030824CaminoRea...

Prices of Real Estate

Unlike the escalated prices of Costa Rica, prices in El Salvador are still reasonable, so a person wishing to purchase a home can pay anywhere from $18,000 on up to hundreds of thousands, depending on where they choose to live.

In the smaller colonias, prices hover at just below $20,000 on average, but there may be more safety issues in these places. They offer older homes for a minimal investment.

In colonias such as Escalon (near El Salvador el Mundo area), http://www.guanacosonline.org/images/200602SanSalvador/20060219SalvadorD...
Here's an example of an older home in this area, the entry prices to get into Escalon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p73ol70jxhM&NR=1

This is a location where many Americans prefer to live, because of it's proximity to the city of San Salvador where everything happens. One can find a decent condominium for anywhere from $90,000 on up and homes begin at $100,000 for a real fixer upper and go up from there into hundreds of thousands, depending on what you are looking for. And you can finance a home there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUOqA9XzCuA&NR=1&feature=fvwp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yux8Zhkh7Nc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8t6_PFUGOc&feature=related

If you prefer a more elegant area of Escalon, choosing the North Escalon area will bring the prices even higher. And for those who want elite homes?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuF7SIJy9S8&feature=fvw

In El Salvador, you don’t have to live that “third world” life to live in paradise, because the Salvadoran people have been visiting the U.S. for decades. No dome houses for the price of a normal home. No alternative housing needed, because the prices are reasonable. You don’t have to live like you have just arrived in a covered wagon to the wild west and deal with unscrupulous real estate agents, as you do in Nicaragua or pay escalated prices as in Costa Rica.

http://www.guanacosonline.org/images/20040530SantaElena.htm

In most enclaves of Americans and even older colonias, you can and will find modern, up to date appliances and everyday needs in these houses, including air conditioning. The homes are larger than in many other countries and offer decent sized yards and parking. I will report in a separate blog about the real estate next week. I will be reporting ACTUAL prices, not the escalated prices that Bienes Raices agencies charge, because Americans often get suckered into paying huge prices that locals do not pay in these areas. In places like Nica Living, the prices are ridiculous, because the site is set up for business owners selling real estate there. I am not a real estate agent and I loathe them, so I hope to report normal prices that my Salvadoran husband would pay.

Safety in El Salvador:

There are many crime infested areas of El Salvador, but there are also nice areas where people are quite safe. The general rule of Central America still applies…if it is after 9 p.m. it is best to stay home or go in a car to your destination. There is nightlife in El Salvador that is safe. Here is an example:
http://www.guanacosonline.org/images/San%20Salvador/2002071201GaleriasMa...

I will be reporting on the crime ridden areas…the reports from Salvadorans I hear from and I will be telling about the safer areas from Salvadoran viewpoints.
A wonderful resource to see what El Salvador offers:

http://www.guanacosonline.org/images/Index.htm
Update on Crime in El Salvador:

In February of 2010, President Funes incorporated a new wire tapping policy to listen in on all cellular phone activity in El Salvador. This was created because much of the violence ordered was done so through cellular phone activity from prisons, where gang members ordered a great deal of criminal activity. President Funes has also set up a government agency now to help gang members leave their gangs. There they must register, they qualify for free laser treatment given by government physicians for tattoo removal, and they are counseled on how to remain safe. And because the new government is also cooperating with the FBI of the United States and Brazil’s top law enforcement people, it appears the most dangerous gangs in El Salvador have ordered a truce as of February 10th, 2010. You can read about how this should affect El Salvador here:

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/100219/world/salvador_violence_gangs

I will be opening blogs specific to the different issues revolving around El Salvador and explaining the realities of this beautiful country as I go. I hope to discuss everything from visas to marriage to fabulous vacation places. From real estate to health care. Even, job opportunities. I hope I can add an interesting real discussion about one of the Central American countries that seems to be overlooked here, and not from a sales standpoint, but as a woman married to a citizen of El Salvador.

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Generalizations about people in Latin America

LaFoca — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:17:27 +0000

In my experience living in Mexico, and from the experiences of my husband's many years in his own country of El Salvador, I think many ex-pats miss some very basic understandings of the people in Central American countries. Many move to rural areas and think that rural people are the definition of all Central Americans, when most large cities hold each country's largest population (for the most part). And to compare a person from the country with a person from the city is so general that I wonder if people really understand there is often a difference between these people, just as there is in the U.S.

I'll be the first to say that many rancheros turn me off. I won't apologize for that, because I find their coarse mannerisms to be vulgar and offensive for the most part. That doesn't mean there isn't a person here and there that proves me wrong, but generally speaking my husband and I have found most rancheros to be the type of people we really don't much for. Here are some of the reasons why:

1. Many grow up with a provincial idea about animals. They have little regard for the health or safety of animals, because they regard them as either food or protection devices, so they can be abusive towards animals. There is an almost shared lack of regard for many animals, since they have been minimized this way.

2. The ballads and music of any community of country folk (either in the U.S. or in Mexico and Central America), or ranchero style of music is often based on vulgar day to day events, drinking, shooting guns, and cheating...not exactly the stuff of good living. It is often twangy or accordian based, and lacks the range of notes more sophisticated music offers.

3. The cowboy thing is something that seems to go with every ranchero, from the U.S. to Latin America. Big gaudy belt buckles, cowboy hats, and ridiculous boots.

4. Rancheros are often more pushy people. They have to be to exist. They have to push the sale of their products, they have to force their way through an often unforgiving and harsh life to exist. So it is reasonable that they are this way.

5. Rancheros often quibble over the most minute amount of money and feel unless they have negotiated your prices down, they are being ripped off.

6. Most rancheros have limited education, so this explains the preferences above. This is not a moral judgment on these people, but the fact that lack of exposure in life often contributes to a set mold of what you become. This is why the rancheros have a high degree of joining drug cartels and criminal organizations. The money they see out shades the realities of imminent death these organizations offer.

The difference in city dwellers is huge:

1. Maybe its because to exist in a large city, there are more social rules one must follow. People are forced to be more considerate of others. So, a man is more likely to be a gentleman, won't leap in front of you as often and elbow you out of the way. He may hold the door open for you.

2. You will find less of the cowboy look, and many regard it as the clothing of the poor because it comes from rancheros.

3. Animals have greater acceptance as pets. People in the cities may or may not accept abuse of animals, depending on their upbringing. But there are many who value animals and demand kind, compassionate treatment of animals.

4. In the city there is an understanding that prices can be set and there is no quibbling to bring the price down. You pay what is posted.

5. The music and food and many things are varied in the city. There is exposure to things outiside of the country. So minds open up.

6. Education statistics are higher in the cities. People have access to universities and academia, which increases some level of sophistication. Prevailing social attitudes are questioned and addressed. There are more volunteer efforts.

Often, when people move to places in Central America, they move to remote areas where they form an opinion of Central Americans as being like the rancheros where they live, when they may or may not be representative of the country. I saw some of this in the post about protecting yourself and realized people were assuming that ranchero attitudes were the norm. Just as in the U.S. there are country people and city dwellers...each sharing a set of ideas and norms that differ, the same happens in Latin America. If you like the ranchero style of thinking, you may not like the city dwellers; and if you feel as my husband and I do...that rancheros are too coarse, then you will prefer the people in a large city. But never confuse the two different types for the same. They are not.

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Who is Toni Solo

peterchristopher — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 05:28:52 +0000

In a recent article attributed to "Toni Solo", the familiar critique appears that the Ortegas are truly the victim of bad press and in fact are not guilty of the repression and graft which has been attributed to them. What do you think, LaFoca, is "Toni Solo" a real person? Is it Rosarillo Murillo translated by somebody?

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I read a hilarious post about a person who wanted to know Latin American life....

LaFoca — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 03:18:02 +0000

It was posted here for your humor:

http://www.nicaliving.com/node/16835

He says:

"Our family has been living in Nicaragua for about 10 years....We came to Nicaragua to experience and live the "Latin lifestyle" (as important as work is, there's always time for friends, family and fiestas) and to be a part of our community. We didn't want to live behind high walls topped by razor wire and with 24/7 security guards. And the idea of arming ourselves to defend our person and property is not a front runner as well."

And I asked myself, did this fool even KNOW what a typcial "Latin lifestyle" is? Since I can remember, every Latin American from Central America has been enthralled with the wild west lifestyle of protecting themselves with guns. We have lived forever behind "walls topped by razor wire and with 24/7 security guards," because the U.S. has created a paranoia that didn't exist within us at one time. This has been a social norm since the fifties, so I was wondering how many ignorant Americans move to Latin America with this candy-assed idea of what our culture is? And it irritated me that one who is so naive and so removed from our culture would move here with his ridiculous preconceived notions of what we live like. Because these are the same protected racist stupids that go home when things get too tough, claiming expertise on Latin American culture. They are the ones who claim they are now, "nicas" with 10 sorry-assed years of living amidst other Anglos in protected communities.

Do I want to gag, or what ?

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Democracy But Not Capitalism

peterchristopher — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 18:32:54 +0000

In one of your recent posts LaFoca, you said you want Democracy but not Capitalism. Is this possible? Won't a freedom-loving people embracing their right to vote also want the right to choose their own profession, keep most of their savings in the vehicle (bond, cash, real estate, stock, gold, etc) of their choice, buy their own home? I've been to Russia and talked with Russians about their time under the Soviet regime, and lived in Nicaragua, visited Cambodia, Vietnam, China, as well as many hippy communes/communities and ashrams. I haven't yet found people who have experienced both Democracy and Dictatorship who want to have increased government regulation of their lives. They would rather live with a restricted government that does an excellent job with violent crime, enforcing contracts, and road maintenance, than a larger one that tells them where to work, live, and how to save their savings. I agree that corruption is unfortunate, waste and inefficiency and cronyism are disgusting, but as far as the biology I know, everyone has an anus, and it smells bad near there. Of course I do believe in transparency and in accountability, and a separate justice and press that together keep the evils of capitalism in check as much as possible. And I think I'm like most people in that. The longest they will accept a Communist regime is the length of a political term. That gives them enough taste of it so that, if the Communist regime actually allows free elections again, they will be shown the door.

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Foundation Questions of the Political Left and Right

peterchristopher — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:51:41 +0000

I have often found it useful to make rough groupings into the political left and the political right. I used to consider myself on the political left, and I no longer do, having gradually moved away from the positions that we typically call left.

What are some of the questions we try to address, in the process of which we find ourselves in the left or the right?

How do we align the interests of individuals and society so that there can be harmony? (How can people be motivated to take care of themselves and provide for family, friends, and strangers?)
How do we allocate and distribute capital, products/services, and natural resources?
Who is entitled to the fruits of a person's labor?
To what extent can governments, or individuals/groups that are part of governments, be trusted?
To what extent can individuals be trusted without government?
How do we balance the freedom and opportunity of individuals born today in one place with the freedom and opportunity of others born in other places and/or in the future?
Is it possible to help another person to become independent, or is that an inherently impossible proposition?
How can we achieve fairness and justice in conflict resolution and decision-making?

Are there any questions that ought to be added to this list or anything that should be changed?

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Central America - Costa Rica - Panama Tsunami Non-Event

peterchristopher — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 22:04:49 +0000

Some cool graphics about the non-event tsunami warning that was issued and retracted:

http://www.ethelthefrog.com/?p=2688

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Internet Vulgarians who live in Central America

LaFoca — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:28:50 +0000

There seems to be a class of people who have bottomed out in decency and etiquette, or much of anything else that demonstrates a quality person of high moral fiber. They live in some of these Central American forums on the internet, gossiping about other people's lives, experiencing some form of bizarre pleasure by living through osmosis, examining the lives of their "victims." They are people who do not even know the "victims" or the impact they could have on their lives, through spreading unfounded claims against these people. They exist as internet "bullies" in groups of others who share the same core weaknesses, most likely because of some void in their lives, or adolescent boredom.

I thought I'd mention this because I was thinking of Peter Christopher's child today, and my own children who are already adults, and wondering one day if his daughter will realize that these disgusting people are in the vast minority. I wonder if she will read some of the sheer nonsense that has been posted about him and realize that decent people do not rumor monger, and that most decent people wouldn't be caught dead contributing to attempts to destroy a young man's reputation. I pictured my own children reading some of the nasty comments that have been made about him, and I wondered what harm that would bring to a young child's psyche.

As a mother, this bothered me. I found some cruel things that had been done to young children through other adult cyberbullies on the internet and was reminded of how sick some people are. I thought this video was appropriate to demonstrate how vulgar this behavior is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MxxqcH_Mkc&feature=related

While I feel Peter has demonstrated remarkable strength and self confidence in dealing with these disgusting people (who seem to care less about his child) one never knows what effects this type of shrewish gossip could have on a young child who may happen upon it later on the internet as she matures. It never ceases to amaze me that none of these people who so willingly contributed to the hate mongering, never even gave one adult thought to what effect this could have on this child later on. And these are people who claim to have a sense of "decency." And that adult women found so much enjoyment in this amazes me. I pray that these same women never bear children, because as a mother I have to say they lack the compassion and wholesomeness to raise children, and certainly the ability to make mature decisions. And maybe, in some cases, they are childless because deep inside they realize they lack the qualities it takes to be a decent mother. How utterly tragic that is! But how kind for any potential offspring they could have produced.

I posted this because I wanted these people to feel a sense of shame. I wanted them to see how low a person can go. I wanted them to see that when they send little private messages about people to complete strangers who don't even know the person in question, that some of us see the truth and realize what type of scumbags there are in this world. Scumbags that don't even consider that their disgusting little perverse and weak needs to hurt one person may have potential to hurt another...innocent children. And if by chance Peter's daughter ever reads this garbage, I wanted her to know that there are many people who would call these people weak and explain to her that they are wrong and should have a sense of shame.

And I hope others will read this and add their positive comments for Peter's daughter to read one day too. I hope all the people who told me he was innocent, and who emailed me telling me about the disgusting people who perpetuated this will let his daughter know that there are more good people in the world than bad. I invite you to tell his daughter, in case she reads this one day, that good people do exist in the world. That we are disgusted by the people who have been so desperate for whatever reasons to continue these unfounded lies about his character. Because, the people who did this have a sickness and a complete lack of character and forethought.

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