Send money to El Salvador

Sending a money transfer to El Salvador is easy, especially with so many different options available. Take some time to pick which is the best option, weighing the transfer speed, your location, and payout methods. 

One traditional option is to initiate an international bank transfer. With this option, your bank will transfer the funds out of your checking or savings account and put them directly in your recipient's account. However, it can take several business days, and both you and your recipient in El Salvador must have a bank account for the transfer to work.

You can also send money to El Salvador by purchasing and mailing an international money order. But again, this can take time, and you risk the mail getting lost.

Another option is to use a traditional money transfer agent. This solution takes much less time than mailing a money order or sending a bank transfer, but the fees vary per service and can be steep.

Ria Money Transfer, on the other hand, offers low fees on money transfers to El Salvador (and 165 other countries worldwide). In addition, there are plenty of options for both sending and receiving money with Ria. Depending on where you live, you can send money through Ria's app, website, or at any of the thousands of participating stores. Your recipient can then collect their remittance in cash at a nearby location, digitally in their DaviPlata mobile wallet, or via a secure bank transfer. Depending on the payment and payout methods, the money transfer to El Salvador could be completed in as few as 15 minutes.

It can take anywhere from a few minutes to five business days to send money to an overseas location — including El Salvador. However, how long it takes depends on several factors, such as:

1.Transaction type

2.Payment method

3.Where you’re sending money from

4.Whether Ria requires additional information for security purposes

5.When you initiate the transfer

Some currencies or transfer methods are only available during local business hours. If you set up a El Salvador remittance outside of typical business hours, on a holiday, or on the weekend, you could experience delays.

If you’re looking for the fastest way to send money to El Salvador, you may want to use a debit or credit card for your transaction. These methods may incur additional fees, so be aware of that. However, they also typically finalize the same day they’re completed — sometimes within minutes -meaning your recipient could have the money almost immediately.

And if time isn’t a concern, consider setting up a bank transfer instead. This option usually takes three to five business days and comes with fewer fees.

The cost of sending money to El Salvador depends on several key factors, such as:

1.The payment method you use

2.The payout method (that is, the way your intended recipient gets the money)

3.Transfer amount

4.Currency exchange rates

Bank remittances are usually the cheapest option, while credit and debit card transfers can come with additional fees. This is especially true with credit card payments, as some credit card companies will charge extra. Keep in mind, though, that international money transfers usually come with certain charges — regardless of how you go about it.

As an international remittance service, Ria strives to keep our rates and fees as low as possible on money transfers to El Salvador and other countries. We do that by working with financial institutions worldwide to get you the lowest possible fees and best exchange rates. At times, we also have promo codes to cut down on some of the more unavoidable fees.

The overall transfer amount includes all fees. If you want to see the cost of sending money to El Salvador, here are your options:

5.Before you complete the transfer (but after you’ve logged into your account): You can see what it costs to send money to El Salvador via the app or website. Simply log into your account and go to “Send” or “Send Money.” Then, select your destination country, how much you want to send, your payout currency, and your payment and delivery methods.

6.Before you initiate a transfer (without logging in): You can go to Ria’s website for an estimate of what it will cost.

Both options can help prevent you from being surprised by any fees or charges associated with sending money overseas.

We offer several ways to track your money transfer to El Salvador, but the easiest option is to use our Track a Transfer tool, which provides real-time updates of your transfer — no matter where you are.

Here’s how to use this free online feature:

1.After logging into your Ria account: Once logged in, choose “Track” (from the app) or “Track a transfer” (from the website). Then, input the transfer’s unique personal identification number (PIN) to see its status.

2.Without logging into your Ria account: If you don’t have a Ria account, you can still use the Track a Transfer feature. You’ll still need the unique PIN, however. This enables both the sender and recipient to see the transfer status at any point.

Two things are worth noting.

3.If you reside in Australia, you must also provide your birth date and recipient’s country (El Salvador) to track the transfer.

4.As the sender, you’ll also receive emailed updates regarding the transfer’s status and any major changes.

There are several ways to send money to El Salvador safely and efficiently. Which method is the best for you is a personal decision — it all comes down to how fast you need the El Salvador money transfer to arrive, how you want your friends and family to receive it, and how you want to pay.

Bank transfers: You can use your bank to transfer money to a bank in El Salvador through an international wire transfer. With this method, there’s no cash involved — you simply instruct your bank to send money to your recipient’s bank account. 

To complete a wire transfer through your bank, you usually must provide your recipient’s name, address, contact information, and banking information. This includes their international bank account number (IBAN) and their bank’s SWIFT/BIC code.

There are several drawbacks to using a bank transfer to send money to El Salvador. For one, both you and your recipient need to have bank accounts at institutions that allow international transfers. 

For another, they’re typically expensive. Some banks charge as much as $50 for the convenience of an international wire transfer to the sender. And a few charge a fee to the recipient as well. In addition, your bank may limit the amount of money you can send through this method.

Money transfer agents: Traditional money transfer agents allow customers to send money abroad using cash. These agents usually have offices you can visit to fund the transfer with cash. Your recipient can then visit the transfer agent’s office closest to them and receive the money as cash. 

Of course, one of the main drawbacks of using this method for sending money is that your recipient must live near a transfer agent’s office. Another is the fact that these agents sometimes have complicated pricing structures, and fees and exchange rates can vary widely.

Money orders: Sending an international money order is similar to sending a check through the mail. You can buy a pre-paid money order certificate from your local post office or bank and then send it directly to your recipient via international mail. They can then redeem the certificate for cash.

There are several big disadvantages to this money-sending method, mainly that it’s expensive and slow. 

Online money transfer services: Online money transfer services such as Ria make it easy to send money to El Salvador and more than 165 other countries around the globe. Ria charges no sneaky hidden fees, so your El Salvador remittance will go further. 

Ria also offers great exchange rates and allows you to send money through our convenient mobile app or any of the 500,000-plus participating locations. Ria offers a quick alternative to other money-sending methods. Many transfers arrive within minutes. Send money with Ria now. 

Signing up for an account with Ria is easy. The exact steps you’ll take vary depending on your location and whether you want to use the app or website.

Create a Ria account via the app in the US or Canada:

1.Download the Ria app and tap the “Register” button.

2.Confirm your current country. 

3.Enter your email address and choose a password.

4.Agree to Ria’s Terms and Conditions.

5.Enter your full name, date of birth and phone number, then tap “Continue.”

6.Choose to subscribe to receive promotions, discounts, and other special offers or tap “Not now” to opt out.

7.Enter your mailing address and tap “Continue.”

8.Select and answer three security questions to protect your account.

Create a Ria account via the app everywhere else:

9.Download the Ria app and tap the “Register” button.

10. Confirm your current country.

11. Enter your phone number and verify it by entering the 6-digit code we send you.

12. Choose a password.

13. Agree to Ria’s terms and conditions.

14. Enter your full name, email address, and date of birth (we may also ask for your country of birth, nationality, occupation, and ID information).

15. Tap the “Continue” button.

16. Choose to subscribe to receive promotions, discounts, and other special offers or tap “Not now” to opt out.

17. Enter your mailing address and tap the “Continue” button.

Create an account via the website:

18. Visit riamoneytransfer.com.

19. Click “Register” in the top right-hand corner of the screen.

20. Choose your country of residence.

21. Click “Get started.”

22. Enter your phone number and the security code we send to your phone.

23. Choose a password. 

24. Enter your first and last name, date of birth, and email address.

25. Select whether you’d like to receive marketing messages from Ria.

26. Enter your address.

The required information depends on how you transfer money to El Salvador. Suppose you use an international wire transfer through your bank or a third-party transfer agent. In that case, you'll probably need to provide their full name, their international bank account number (IBAN), and their bank's SWIFT code at a bare minimum.  

And if you're sending money via a money order, you'll need to know their full name and mailing address in El Salvador.

If you choose a quick transfer with Ria, you'll need the following:

•Your recipient's full name (exactly as it appears on their government-issued photo ID)

•The city and department in El Salvador where your recipient lives

•The amount you want to send for your El Salvador remittance

•Your payment information (e.g., credit card, debit card, or bank account information)

•How your recipient wants to receive the funds

•Information related to the payout method (e.g., participating cash pickup location, bank account numbers, DaviPlata account number)

Keep in mind that, depending on payment and payout methods, as well as the amount you're sending, you may be required to provide additional information and details.

If you’re in the USA or Canada, you can set up a El Salvador money transfer from the Ria app or website. Start by signing into your existing account or create a new one if you don’t have one. If you haven’t verified your phone number or set up your online profile yet, you can do that now.

Since this is your first money transfer to El Salvador, you’ll need to add a new recipient to your account — that is, the person who will receive money in El Salvador. Adding a recipient is easy. Just provide basic information about them, such as their name, current location, and phone number. If you want to transfer money to their bank, input their bank account details as well.

Once you’ve added a recipient to your account, you can decide how much money to send them — either in your currency or theirs. At this point, you can also select the payout method. Remember, each payout method comes with its own advantages and fees.

With that done, simply choose your payment method for the El Salvador remittance. You can add a new payment method to your account on the website or the app.

Once you’ve completed that first transfer, the process becomes even easier as your recipient’s basic information is saved to your account. Ria doesn’t store your recipient’s bank account information, however, so you will need to input that again.

Some money transfers go through within minutes of setting them up. However, you might have to wait a few hours or days before your transfer is complete.

That’s where tracking your transfer comes into play. You can use the Track a Transfer feature for status updates on your El Salvador remittance. You’ll just need the PIN, which you can find in your account or the confirmation email you received after scheduling the transfer. Your recipient can also use this tool.

A standard money transfer to El Salvador doesn’t take very long to complete, though it depends on the payment and payout methods. If you’ve chosen a debit or credit card transfer, your recipient should receive money in El Salvador within minutes. A bank transfer, on the other hand, can take several business days to complete.

Certain factors may delay your transfer. For example, if you set up the transfer outside local business hours or on a holiday or weekend, it might take a little longer. In some cases, Ria will also request additional information from you for security purposes, which could cause additional delays.

Senders and recipients can use Ria’s Track a Transfer feature for real-time transfer updates. All you need is the transfer’s PIN and order number.

Senders can also use the Ria app to track the transaction — just tap the “Track” option. In addition, senders will be notified by email when their recipient has picked up or received the money — or if there’s another major status change.

Ria offers three easy ways to receive an El Salvador money transfer:

1.You can collect your cash at a participating location near you (be sure to bring along a government-issued photo ID and your tracking PIN). 

2.You can give the sender your bank name and account number to receive a transfer directly to your checking or savings account.

3.You can receive your funds in your DaviPlata mobile wallet account (be sure your sender knows your account number).

The options for paying for your El Salvador remittance vary based on where you live.

You can use the Ria website to pay using one of the following methods:

•Debit or credit card: Australia, Canada, Spain, the U.K., and the U.S.

•Cash: U.S.

•Bank transfer: U.S.

You can use the Ria mobile app to pay using one of the following methods (depending on your location):

•Debit or credit cards: Australia, Canada, Europe, Malaysia, the U.K., and the U.S.

•Cash: Malaysia and the U.S.

•Bank transfer: U.S. 

Depending on where you live, you may have other options, too. Here's a complete rundown of payment methods.

Unfortunately, you can't use Zelle to send money to El Salvador from Spain.

That's because Zelle currently works only with bank accounts based in the U.S. There's no way to make a money transfer to an international account. Both the recipient and the sender must have U.S.-based checking or savings accounts — as well as U.S. phone numbers.

Instead, consider using an online money transfer service like Ria. Ria is quick, safe, and convenient. We offer great exchange rates, low fees (with no hidden charges), and a variety of payment and pickup options — all from our website or mobile app.

Ria serves customers in more than 165 countries — meaning sending money to or receiving money in El Salvador is a breeze. You don't even need to have a bank account to use Ria — unlike with Zelle. Send money now with Ria. 

Currently, you can't use Venmo to send money to El Salvador from Spain. That's because only U.S. residents can use the app to send or receive money transfers.

Venmo may not work with international accounts. But Ria serves more than 165 countries around the globe — including El Salvador. Ria makes sending money internationally simple, quick, and secure. Your recipient in El Salvador could get the money transfer in as little as 15 minutes if you use Ria. Plus, there are no additional fees.  You are fully aware of all costs and the amount of Canadian dollars your recipient will get before you even complete the transfer.

Send money now with Ria.

Visit any Ria location, use our website, or log into our mobile app to send money directly to your recipient’s bank account in El Salvador. All you need is:

1.The recipient’s full legal name (as it appears on their bank account)

2.The name of the recipient’s bank 

3.The recipient’s bank account number or IBAN (international bank account number)

Ria will take care of the rest!

Hands down, sending money via electronic transfer is the safest way to send money to El Salvador.

In the old days, it was common for people to send remittances by mailing cash. Not only does this method take a long time (they call it “snail mail” for a good reason), but it’s also just not safe. The mailed money could get stolen or lost at any point during its long journey.

Instead, using an online money transfer service like Ria ensures that your money gets exactly where you intend it to go. 

In addition, Ria’s team of world-class security experts works around the clock to monitor your money transfers and keep a watchful eye out for unusual behavior. Ria’s software allows the team to spot any suspicious activity long before any harm can be done to your account.

Plus, Ria never stores your payment details on its servers. So, your credit or debit card or bank account information will never be compromised in Ria’s system.

Your safety is Ria’s number one priority when sending money to El Salvador.

There are several options for safely sending money to a friend in El Salvador:

•International bank transfer: Money will be withdrawn from your checking or savings account and deposited in your friend's bank account. This option required both you and your friend to have a bank account. In addition, it can take several business days for the wire transfer to be completed and may also involve steep fees.

•International money order: Purchase a prepaid money order and mail it to your recipient in El Salvador. They can then exchange it for dollars. However, they don't call it "snail mail" without a good reason — this method can take a lot of time, depending on which mail delivery service you choose.

•Money transfer agent: "Wire" money to your friend in El Salvador using a third-party service. The drawbacks to this method: You might not get a great exchange rate (if sending funds from beyond the U.S.). Fees can also vary widely among transfer agents.

•Ria money transfer service: With Ria, your transfer can take as little as 15 minutes, depending on how you're sending the funds. Ria offers many options for paying and receiving the transfer, including using our convenient mobile app and website. You and your recipient can also drop off and pick up cash from any of the thousands of participating Ria locations around the world.

Here are the steps you'll need to take to make an El Salvador money transfer using the Ria app or website:

1.Enter your name, date of birth, and contact information to set up a free Ria account. (Depending on where you currently live, you may need to supply additional details). We've written handy how-to guides for creating an account with the app or on our website.

2.Using the app or website, tap the "Send" or "Send money."

3.Scroll through the list of countries to select "El Salvador." 

4.Enter the amount of your money transfer to El Salvador. If you're sending U.S. dollars, there's no need to worry about the exchange rate because the dollar is one of the official currencies of El Salvador. If you send the remittance using another currency, Ria will show you exactly how many dollars (USD) your recipient will receive. You'll also see the low fee we charge for the service.

5.Choose how you want to pay for your El Salvador money transfer. Depending on where you live, your options may include a debit or credit card, a bank transfer, or a cash payment at a participating location. You may have other options, too.

6.Choose how you want your recipient in El Salvador to receive the money. They can opt to receive the funds in their DaviPlata mobile wallet, pick up cash at a nearby store, or receive the money directly in their bank account.

7.Tap "Continue."

8.Create a new recipient in El Salvador (if you've never sent money to this recipient before). You'll have to provide their first and last names (as they appear on their photo ID), as well as the city and department in which they currently live.

9.Enter the details that your delivery method requires (their DaviPlata number, the name and address of their cash pickup location, or their bank account details).

10.Supply your payment details (for example, your debit or credit card number or bank account information). Or choose which nearby participating store you wish to visit to drop off your payment.