A Filmmaker’s Guide
to Shooting in El Salvador
Our company works with local professionals to make sure you
are getting the right help throughout media production.
Permits in El Salvador: What You Need to Know
There is no one single office or government department that organizes film permits for an international media company or a filmmaker planning to film in El Salvador. If you are planning to shoot in a public space and need traffic diverted or police assistance, you will have to apply to the Ministry of Tourism (MITUR), the National Centre of Registries (CNR), and the local municipality for a variety of different permits. Because different offices handle approvals, there’s no set timeline as to when your permits will be delivered. Small productions will typically receive notification within 5 to 16 days of their application, while larger, more complicated productions can take up to three weeks or more.
Timing Your El Salvador Film Production around the Weather
The best time for filming in El Salvador is between November and April. This is the dry season, which means you can rely on warm, dry days and the ability to move around with ease, especially if you are transporting crew members and equipment from different locations. The wet season in El Salvador is from May to October, and there can be a lot of heavy rainfall and flooding, particularly in mountainous or coastal areas.
Planning Filming Equipment Rental & Local Crew Logistics
International production teams are always better off renting film equipment locally. It’s generally cheaper and less time-consuming than bringing your own gear with you.
Local filming rental firms in San Salvador and nearby cities have all the standard camera kits and other equipment that you’ll need.
If you do decide to bring your own equipment with you, be aware that El Salvador is not an ATA Carnet country, so you will have to take on temporary import procedures through the Dirección General de Aduanas (DGA).
Hiring a local English-speaking film crew is also possible. El Salvador, and particularly the capital city, has many fluent or proficient English-speaking production professionals.
Most of this talent, whether producers, camera operators, sound recordists, makeup artists, or drivers, are well-used to collaborating with foreign crews from the U.S. and Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it an ATA carnet country?
No, it is not.
Is it safe for me and my team to film there?
Yes. The government of El Salvador has implemented security measures in recent years that have significantly reduced crime rates nationwide.
Do I need a visa or a work visa to film there?
Under the CA-4 Agreement you can film in the country as long as the project does not run over 90 days. For longer productions, it’ll be necessary to get a temporary residence or work permit from the General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners (DGME). Your local fixer can help you with the process.
Do I need a local company to film or get visas there?
You do not need a local production company to film in El Salvador. However, we recommend it to ensure your production runs without major issues.
Do I need a permit for drones?
Yes, you will need to obtain a permit from the Civil Aviation Authority of El Salvador (Autoridad de Aviación Civil, AAC). You might also need approval from the local government office and the National Civil Police if you’re planning aerial shots near airports and other busy public areas.
Is there a cash rebate/tax exemption or any other fiscal advantage?
Not yet.
Can I shoot in a national park and, if so, under what circumstances?
Yes, filming in a national park is possible if you have a permit from the Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, MARN (the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources) and, in some cases, the Ministry of Tourism.
Working with El Salvador Fixer
Working with us ensures a film project that’s managed professionally and turned around within the budget and time that you demand. As a member of the globally respected Storytailor’s network, we have the resources to provide comprehensive support to all the international teams that come here, whether their projects are short and simple or large and convoluted. Some of the major productions that have happened in our region include campaigns with Mastercard, Knorr, Netflix, Nike, and more.
