El Salvador, located in Central America, is bordered by Honduras to the northeast, Guatemala to the northwest, and the Pacific Ocean to the south. Its geography influences the way different regions communicate, especially through mail. 

Known as the “Land of Volcanoes,” it boasts a dramatic landscape of 23 active and inactive volcanoes, lush coffee plantations, and picturesque beaches like El Tunco, a haven for surfers worldwide. Its vibrant capital, San Salvador, is a bustling hub of culture, commerce, and history, home to landmarks such as the National Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral. If you have a client or customers living in El Salvador and you want to send them mail, we have got you covered. We have mentioned the address format for different types of addresses with examples, along with postal, country, and population information of El Salvador. Let us look at how you should write an address for sending the package to El Salvador.

Recipient Name

Include the recipient’s full name on the first line while addressing a mailer or package. If you are sending the mailers to a business, write the company name first, followed by the recipient’s name or department. 

Street Address

Write down the street name and house/building number for residential or business addresses. If your recipient relies on a Post Office Box, write “A.P.” (Apartado Postal) and then include the box number. Some areas may use descriptive directions and phrases like “Pasaje” (passage) or “Colonia” (neighborhood) for clarity.

City or Municipality 

Write the name of the city or municipality where the recipient lives. San Salvador (the capital city), Santa Ana, San Miguel, and Sonsonate are some popular cities in El Salvador.

Postal Code

El Salvador relies on a five-digit postal code (Códigos Postales) system. These codes are specific to each municipality or region. Use the correct code to ensure timely delivery. 

Department 

El Salvador has 14 departments (Departamentos), serving as its top administrative divisions. Each department has its own capital and unique characteristics. Ensure to add the correct department for precise mail routing.

Country Name

Write the country name in the last line. If you are sending international mail, always write the country name in capital letters.

Residential Address Format

Write the recipient’s name, street address or PO box number, city or municipality name, postal code, department, and country for residential addresses. 

Rural Address Format

In rural areas without formal street names, include the village or settlement name, followed by the nearest major town, postal code, department, and country.

Business Address Format

Add the company name on the first line, followed by the recipient’s name and their department. The rest will be according to the standard Salvadoran address format. To ensure that the internal distribution system sends mail to the correct office and desk, write ATTN in front of the name.

International Address Format for NGOs and Organizations

For international organizations or NGOs operating in El Salvador, include the name of the organization followed by the specific department or program.

PO Box Address Format

For letters sent to a Post Office Box, use “A.P.” followed by the corresponding box number in place of the street address.

Military Address Format

For military personnel stationed in El Salvador, mail is typically handled through the civilian postal system, with the addition of specific unit or base details to ensure proper delivery. This means that letters and packages destined for military members rely on the national postal service, Correos de El Salvador, or private courier services.

Government Office Address Format

When addressing mail to government offices in El Salvador, ensure to include the name of the office or department before listing the street address or PO Box. Government institutions in El Salvador often have large facilities or multiple departments within a single location, making it crucial to specify the correct office or department name in the address.

Address for Multiple Recipients Format

To address a letter to multiple recipients at the same address, write each name on a separate line. When sending mail to multiple recipients at the same address in El Salvador, it’s important to list each recipient’s name on separate lines to ensure clarity and proper delivery. This is particularly useful when addressing a family, multiple roommates, or specific individuals within a business or organization.

Address Format for Courier Services

When using courier services like DHL or FedEx, it’s important to include contact details such as a phone number. This helps couriers coordinate delivery, particularly in rural or hard-to-access locations.

El Salvador’s postal system has roots in the colonial era, starting in 1602 under the “Correo Mayor de Guatemala.” Nationalized in 1768 by King Charles III, it became a government-run service. After periods of disruption in the early 19th century, the modern postal system began to take shape in 1849, with significant reforms leading to the issuance of the first postage stamps in 1867. 

Today, El Salvador’s postal network reflects centuries of adaptation and growth. Correos de El Salvador, the nation’s national postal system manages domestic and international mail. The country’s postal network covers all municipalities and provides essential services like PO Box rentals.

So you have learned how to structure the address format to a recipient in El Salvador. But to ensure your address is reaching the intended recipient, you need a verified address. PostGrid address verification solution verifies, standardizes, and offers address autocomplete suggestions in real-time. Whether you want to verify a single address or bulk address, we provide correct, complete, and up-to-date addresses in sync with the official postal service provider for over 245 countries and territories. 

If you are curious about the format of any other country, visit our international address format page and learn the address format followed in countries around the world.