Experience in San Miguel, El Salvador by Robero

What is it like to live in San Miguel? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

If you love food, you're gonna love San Miguel.
Weather can be a pain in the ass sometimes, specially during Eastern (Semana Santa) it can reach 38C-40C, but if you come around during May-December heat won't be a problem.

What is the student lifestyle like in San Miguel?

Small town lifestyle.

How much does it cost to live in San Miguel?

This is another strong point: $400 are more than enough to live and study.
If you're a party animal always inviting drinks to everyone in the club, obviously this wouldn't be enough not even for a night. But if you take things easy and don't behave like a rapper, $400 is enough.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in San Miguel? Is there any advice you can give?

We have something called "pupilajes". It's basically a family house with 1 or 2 free rooms that they decide to rent to students during the year.
Make sure to book them around december and june.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

PUPUSAS, you're gonna love pupusas.
Also "panes con pollo" are another delicatessen from Sanmi.
BTW you eat most of the traditional dishes with your hands (only idiots eat pupusas with fork and knife).

What places would you recommend visiting in San Miguel?

The Cathedral is one of the oldest in Latin America.
The archeological ruins of Quelepa are pretty near as well.

Is it good to eat out in San Miguel? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Basically every house is a potential "comedor", so you won't have problems finding where to eat.

Is the nightlife good in San Miguel? Where is good to go?

Honestly, if you're looking for fun at night I wouldn't recommend this town.
First, is horribly boring since you only get to see the same people, and second, there isn't public transport after 6pm.

What advice would you give future students heading to San Miguel?

As long as you don't play the Hey-Look-At-Me-Rich-Foreigner-Here card you'll be alright. Oh and I hate to say this but if you take out your iphone 5 in some crowded place, you'll probably lose it. So I'd recommend to buy one of those cheap phones to use in public places, and reserve your smartphone only for "inside" places.

Also, don't expect anything fancy.
Cheers!