San Salvador sits in a highland valley at 650 meters elevation, giving it a pleasantly warm tropical climate that never quite reaches the oppressive heat of the coast.

The wet season brings daily afternoon downpours that arrive with clockwork regularity, making a compact umbrella as essential as your house keys.

Temperatures hover between 17°C and 32°C year-round, with minimal variation that makes owning a winter wardrobe essentially pointless.

Humidity stays high throughout the year, ensuring that anything not made of quick-dry fabric will remain damp and miserable during the rainy months.

The capital's persistent volcanic dust during dry season means light-colored clothing shows grime quickly, making darker or patterned fabrics the wiser choice.