The best, fastest & cheapest ways to send money to El Salvador

The exchange rate plays a key role in determining how much USD your recipient in SV will get.

For example, in the past month average rate for USD to USD was 1 USD.

Since USD-USD exchange rates fluctuate with market conditions, waiting a couple of days could result in a better rate, giving your recipient more USD.

If you need to make an urgent transfer, we recommend using Wise, which has consistently offered the best rates for US Dollar over the past six months.

The most cost-effective way to fund your transfer to El Salvador is through a Debit card with Instarem, which is 0.3% cheaper than the second-best service.

The way you fund your transfer to El Salvador impacts the cost, speed, and how much USD the recipient will receive.

Based on our data from the last six months for a $2,000 transfer from the US to El Salvador, the following are your best options:

• Remitly with bank transfer deposit costs $0 and has a 0% markup.

• Instarem with a debit card deposit costs $16.82 with 0.01% markup.

• Instarem with a credit card deposit costs $18.5 with 0% added to the USD exchange rate.

We advise against using Bank transfer, as they tend to be the most expensive option for USD transfers.

Credit card transfers may incur cash advance fees and higher interest rates on USD.

CC deposits also tend to be more expensive. For example, Instarem charges $18.5 for credit card deposits, while a bank transfer via Remitly costs $0.

Whenever possible, avoid transfers via the SWIFT network to SV. SWIFT transfers to El Salvador are slower and come with higher fees.

Instead, look for a cheaper option such as ACH or account balance.

Money transfer companies often have min and max limits on how much USD you can send.

The amount you transfer can also affect the fees and the USD exchange rate you receive. For instance, Wise is the best choice for sending large amounts to El Salvador.

Additionally, there may be government-imposed restrictions, commercial limitations, and other factors that influence the amount of USD you can send.

This is why it’s really important to compare your options when transferring money to El Salvador.

The speed of sending US Dollar to El Salvador depends on factors like the amount, timing, deposit, and withdrawal method chosen. Typically, faster transfers come with higher fees.

For example, based on a $2,000 transfer to El Salvador:

Use Wise for fastest transfers

Of the 9 companies offering USD transfers, Wise consistently offers the fastest delivery times across all deposit methods, appearing 21 times in our searches over the past 6 months.

For bank account & card deposits use Wise

Wise offers fast and affordable US Dollar transfers, with fees of around $9.12 for bank deposits and $Wise for debit card deposits, plus a small 0% markup on top of the USD rate.

For credit card transfers use Instarem

Based on our six-month search data, Instarem takes up to one day to send USD via credit card, with a fee of $19.38 and 0% markup.

For urgent transfers use cash transfer

If you need money urgently, we recommend cash pickup services through providers like Western Union or MoneyGram.

Avoid the SWIFT network

Avoid using SWIFT transfers for USD transfers. Due to intermediary banks on the way to El Salvador, SWIFT is slower and comes with higher fees.

There are a few different ways to move money to El Salvador:

Money transfer services

You can transfer money online using an FX broker (managed service) such as OFX or an online-only company (self-managed) such as Wise.

Based on our six-month analysis, Wise stood out as the top money transfer company servicing El Salvador, appearing in 95.9% of USD transfers in our search system.

Mobile apps and e-wallets

Most money transfer services that accept El Salvador offer mobile transfer apps, which often have better deals on USD exchange rates.

You can check our guide on the best money transfer apps to find one that suits your needs.

Cash transfers

Cash transfers to El Salvador are sent in person through services like Ria Money Transfers, MoneyGram, or Western Union.

Transferring US Dollar as cash is almost always instant but requires the recipient to visit a nearby agent in El Salvador to collect the USD.

Bank wire transfers

You can transfer US Dollars via your bank.

We strongly recommend not using your bank to wire USD directly to El Salvador due to high fees and slow transfer times.

Instead, use the bank transfer deposit option with Wise and send USD from there.

There are multiple ways to receive money in El Salvador. Picking the right one can save you on fees and speed up the USD transfer process. Here are your options:

Deposit to the bank account

To deposit money directly into a recipient’s bank account in El Salvador, we recommend Remitly. They appeared in 61.2% of USD searches as the cheapest option for bank transfers to El Salvador.

The card transfer will also land in the recipient’s bank account in El Salvador. Use Instarem to deposit with a debit card at just $16.82 per transfer.

Cash pickup and delivery

If the recipient in El Salvador needs USD urgently or doesn’t have access to a bank account in El Salvador, cash pickup or home delivery are good options.

Mobile and digital wallets

You can receive USD directly into digital wallets like PayPal, though this often comes with more limitations and costs more compared to services like Instarem.

When sending money to a bank account or e-wallet in El Salvador, US Dollar will arrive without any involvement from the recipient.

However, if you're sending USD as cash or transferring large amounts to El Salvador, the recipient may need the following:

• Government-issued ID: A national ID of El Salvador, a valid passport, or driver's license.

• Sender’s details: The sender's personal details such as full name and address.

• Transfer Details: The amount of USD being received.

• Confirmation No.: This is usually given at the time of transfer.

• SWIFT Code / IBAN: Occasionally required for bank transfers.

The exact documents required may vary depending on the money transfer company and the transfer method used.

When sending bigger amounts to El Salvador, companies may request proof of funds such as bank statements and address verification with the utility bill in line with AML (Anti-Money Laundering) policies.

We recommend using Wise to send large amounts of US Dollar.

There may be tax obligations and government-imposed limits or restrictions on USD transfers/payments to SV.

Some USD transfers could be subject to taxes such as gift tax or commercial tax.

Even if no limits or taxes apply, certain USD transfers (especially large sums of US Dollar) may need to be reported to the tax authorities in El Salvador or in your country.

When unsure, it’s best to consult with a tax professional in El Salvador or your home country to ensure compliance with the regulations.