San Salvador - Post Report Question and Answers
Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes. The U.S. Embassy is accessible, but in other places sidewalks are in disrepair and buildings are not necessarily built to be accessible. - Oct 2023
Yes. Sidewalks are in disrepair and some have actual stairs built into them. - Feb 2022
I'm not sure what the medical care is like for them but there are plenty of ramps for wheel chairs and elevators at the malls, etc. - Aug 2021
Getting around the neighborhoods may be tricky if a person is not very mobile. Our relative visited in a wheelchair twice and we made it work but some roads and sidewalks are in bad shape so it was challenging in areas. - Jun 2018
Easier than other cities I have lived in, because you do drive most places and if you don't drive its relatively easy to hire a driver. There are also plenty of caregivers. - Mar 2018
Yes, third world construction. - Nov 2017
Probably, but since you can't use public transportation or walk around, the difficulties are probably limited. - Jul 2016
If you are unable to drive a car here, you'd have issues. The upscale malls and shops have accessible entrances and will make accommodations. El Salvador suffered through a long civil war, leaving many people with permanent mobility problems, so they are somewhat used to making accommodations as needed. - Dec 2015
Not where we live. There are handicap spots, ramps, etc. I don't know what the reality would be like in other, less-affluent parts of town, though. I imagine those would be hard. - Jun 2015
Yes! Sidewalks are uneven with huge steps and drop offs. Some establishments do have handicap spots and there are some elevators in some buildings. - Mar 2015
Yes, not many accommodations and it would be rough for people with disabilities. - Oct 2014
Yes. - Jul 2014
Again, those with respiratory issues are forewarned. - Apr 2012
The city is not wheel-chair friendly. - Jul 2011
I think a motile disability would be an almost impossible hurdle to overcome here. There are no wheelchair ramps, but there are steep hills and uneven pavement -- where pavement exists. Salvadorans are on the whole very kind and helpful people, (whether you want the help or not), and would try to assist, but someone with a physical disability would be very limited in their activities here. - May 2010
More and more places are becoming wheelchair accessible. Sightseeing out of the city would be very difficult, but in the city you could get around with some effort. It would be hard. - Feb 2009
