Shelter staff pick teams up from the airport and transport them and their luggage to the hotel. Staff coordinate arrival time with team flights. Team leaders know to look for the Shelter staff upon arrival. They will be wearing Shelter uniform shirts.

All in country logistics and travel is handled by Shelter staff. Drivers pick up and transport teams to and from hotels, jobsites, community gatherings, or outings. Shelter uses a combination of passenger vans and trucks to accomplish this.

Team members have the option of leaving their cell phone on roaming while in El Salvador (all costs associated with this are the responsibility of the team member and vary by service provider), or switching to airplane mode, wifi only, or shutting their phone off entirely. Wifi is available at the hotel. Cell coverage in El Salvador may be less reliable than you are used to and varies by provider and location. Local SIM cards are available for purchase at many vendors, prices vary and service may or may not be compatible with your specific phone model. Shelter suggests contacting your service provider to discuss your options.

Team members are recommended to bring $100 (+/-) USD in small bills for incidentals such as purchasing snacks and souvenirs. Meals, accommodations, travel, etc. expenses are covered by the in country portion of team travel costs. Team members vary in how much they spend based on their personal spending habits.

Credit cards are accepted at grocery stores. Upon using them you will be asked for your id.  Cash in small US bills will serve you well at local markets or street vendors.

Teams stay in hotels selected by Shelter staff. Rooms are clean and provide basic amenities such as regular cleaning, bathrooms with a toilet, sink, and shower, clean bedding, and air conditioning. Selected rooms can accommodate up to four people per room. Team leaders work with Shelter staff to generate room assignments and reserve rooms.

Team leaders connect with the Shelter team liaison throughout the planning phase of the trip. The liaison will contact team leaders via email or WhatsApp at various points to coordinate travel, the team schedule, and other pertinent details. During the trip week, team leaders are added to a WhatsApp chat with the liaison and an on-the-ground staff point person. Leaders coordinate with the interpreters throughout the week in person or via the chat group.

Team leaders are asked to sign for dinner at the Quality Inn, charging the bill to their room; rooms are paid for by Shelter. Please note that tip is already included in the bill for the meal.