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It's essential to get to know how the bus system works - the heat, pollution and danger of some neighbourhoods makes walking a bad idea, and crossing the road can be hazardous, to say the least. Bus services in San Salvador are comprehensive, frequent and fast. Newer city buses are red and white or green and white, though these are vastly outnumbered by the legions of older buses and minibuses that ply the same routes and come in all shapes, colours and sizes. There's a flat fare of about US$0.20 to anywhere in the city, which should be paid to the driver; minibuses are slightly more expensive (US$0.25-0.4). There are some marked stops ( parada de buses ), generally outside large public buildings, shopping centres and so on. Otherwise look for groups of people waiting by the road; drivers will usually let you board at red lights and the minibuses tend to hoot anywhere along a route to alert you to their presence. Services trail off after around 7pm, finishing altogether at around 9pm - at which time you should be thinking of taking taxis everywhere in any case.

City taxis ply the streets and wait around bus terminals, markets and major shopping areas. Fares should be settled before you get in - trips within the city should cost around US$3.50-5 depending on distance and time of day.