San Salvador - Post Report Question and Answers
What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Asian ingredients and Trader Joe's snacks. Also, decent wine; you can get it here, but your go-to $7-10 bottle at Trader Joe's is going to be at least $15 here. - Oct 2023
I would bring any really specialized spices, Asian ingredients, etc. You can find probably 80% of what you want locally, and ship most things via DPO (if you're with the U.S. Embassy), but supply can be inconsistent and it’s easier just to have things on hand. Also, bring any personal hygiene or cleaning products - everything here is scented to the hilt. If you’re sensitive to smells, or don’t want your house to smell like the cheap floral perfume you wore in 8th grade, bring your preferred products. - Feb 2022
Other odds and ends can be bought via the DPO. - Aug 2021
I order ethnic stuff like Indian curry pastes online as there is only one Indian restaurant here. Also, specialty flours are hard to find at a decent price. I also order non-sugary cereals. The embassy commissary gets in some of the above a few times a year. - Jun 2018
Anything you can't find locally (specialty baking supplies, organic dry goods) you can order on Amazon. Maybe more food from Trader Joes? - Mar 2018
I recommend shipping a Rubbermaid “reveal†mop. All houses are 100% tile floors and it will make your life and/or your housekeeper’s life easier. - Jan 2018
Spices, clothing for adults and kids. Take advantage of your trips to the US to buy clothes. - Nov 2017
Lite microwave popcorn, sourdough pretzels and tampons. - Jul 2016
Olive oil, paper products (napkins, toilet paper, paper towels), and a good gas grill as it is grilling weather pretty much every day. - Dec 2015
Chocolate chips. - Jun 2015
Cereal and brown sugar. Brown sugar is not available here and cereal is very expensive and is somewhat limited to very sugary options. Many people order flour and sugar from the States although versions of both are available here they just tend to be less refined. - Mar 2015
Nothing I was able to get everything there or through Amazon. - Oct 2014
Hair products. - Jul 2014
real vanilla extract, spices, brown sugar, any veggie/vegan food that can be shipped, toiletries, and children's books - Jul 2011
I would bring as many frozen USDA American corn-fed rib-eyes, skirt steaks, NY strips, hanger steaks, flank steaks, and standing rib roasts as I could humanly fit on the plane. You also can't get lemons, orzo pasta, puff pastry, Kikkoman soy sauce, lemon olive oil, ant killer, backyard mosquito spray, Swiffer dusters, good furniture polish, makeup in any shade other than bronze goddess, cold-weather fabrics, and many craft supplies. The secret to El Salvador is that many things are available, even dry ice, you just need to know where to look. Which, unless you have a Salvadoran insider, you won't. - May 2010
Diet Dr. Pepper!!! Cosmetics are expensive here so if you can't order them online, bring some with you. You can get most everything here. Buying clothes might be a challenge but you can have them made for cheap. - Feb 2009
