Sicarro offers multiple payment methods to make renting a car in El Salvador convenient for everyone — whether you prefer traditional cards, cryptocurrency, or cash. All prices on the platform are displayed in USD (US Dollars).
💡 Tip: All prices on Sicarro are in USD. El Salvador uses the US Dollar as its official currency, so there are no currency conversion surprises.
Accepted Payment Methods
Here's an overview of all payment methods available on Sicarro:
| Method | Speed | Fees | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit/Debit Card | Instant | Standard | All bookings |
| Bitcoin Lightning | Instant | Ultra-low | All bookings |
| Cash | At pickup | None | Select suppliers |
Credit and Debit Cards
The most common payment method for Sicarro rentals. We accept major international cards:
- Visa (credit and debit)
- Mastercard (credit and debit)
Card Payment Details
- Currency: All charges are processed in USD
- Authorization: Your card is authorized at the time of booking
- International cards: Cards issued from any country are accepted. Your bank may apply foreign transaction fees — check with your card issuer
- Prepaid cards: Most prepaid Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted, provided they have sufficient funds and support online transactions
⚠️ Note: Make sure your card is enabled for online and international transactions before booking. Some banks block foreign transactions by default.
Bitcoin Lightning Network
Pay instantly with Bitcoin via the Lightning Network — fast, low-fee, and perfect for crypto-savvy travelers.
- Speed: Payments confirm in seconds
- Fees: Less than $0.01 per transaction
- Privacy: No bank details required
- El Salvador friendly: Bitcoin is legal tender here
For a complete guide on setting up a wallet and making Lightning payments, see our dedicated Bitcoin Lightning Network Payments article.
Cash Payment
Some suppliers on Sicarro accept cash payment, arranged directly with the supplier:
- Availability: Only offered by select suppliers — check the listing details for the "Cash accepted" badge
- Arrangement: Cash payment terms are agreed directly between you and the supplier
- Currency: US Dollars only
- Timing: Cash is typically paid at the time of pickup
⚠️ Note: the security deposit and the delivery fee are always paid in cash to the supplier when the vehicle is handed over, whatever payment method you used for the rental.
Payment Security
Your financial information is protected with industry-standard security measures:
- SSL/TLS encryption: All payment data is transmitted over encrypted connections
- PCI DSS compliance: Our payment processor meets the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard
- No card storage on our servers: Card details are tokenized and stored securely by our payment processor — Sicarro never sees or stores your full card number
- 3D Secure: Supported for additional cardholder verification when required by your bank
- Lightning security: Bitcoin Lightning payments use cryptographic verification and are settled on the Bitcoin network
Saving Payment Methods
For faster checkout on future bookings, you can save your payment methods to your Sicarro account:
- Go to your Account Settings
- Select Payment Methods
- Click Add Payment Method
- Enter your card details and confirm
Saved cards are tokenized for security — only the last 4 digits are displayed. You can remove a saved card at any time from your account settings.
Payment at Booking vs. Payment at Pickup
Understanding when you'll be charged:
- At booking confirmation: the rental and the service fee are charged. The delivery fee and the security deposit are paid in cash later, when the vehicle is handed over
- At pickup: Some suppliers offering cash payment may collect payment at the time of vehicle handover
- Optional extras: Add-ons like GPS or child seats are typically included in the booking total
Your booking confirmation email will clearly show what has been charged and what (if anything) is due at pickup.
Security Deposit Payment
The security deposit is not paid online. You pay it in cash to the supplier when the vehicle is handed over, exactly like the delivery fee.
- Cash at pickup: the full deposit, in US dollars
- Refund: the supplier returns it at the end of the rental if the vehicle comes back in the same condition
- What you pay online: the rental plus the service fee (9% with card, 5% with Lightning)
Refund Methods
When you're eligible for a refund (cancellation, deposit return, overcharge correction), refunds are processed as follows:
- Credit/debit card: Refunded to the original card used for payment. Processing time is 5-10 business days depending on your bank
- Bitcoin Lightning: Refunded to your Lightning wallet. You'll need to provide a Lightning address or generate an invoice for the refund amount
- Cash: Cash refunds are arranged directly with the supplier
💡 Tip: Refunds are always returned to the original payment method. If you paid with a card, the refund goes back to that same card.
Currency Information
All prices and transactions on Sicarro are in US Dollars (USD). El Salvador's official currency is the US Dollar, which means:
- No currency exchange needed for USD holders
- What you see is what you pay — no conversion markups from Sicarro
- If paying from a non-USD card, your bank handles the conversion at their rate
- Bitcoin Lightning payments are converted from USD to BTC at the current market rate at checkout
Payment FAQ
Can I pay with PayPal or Apple Pay?
Currently, Sicarro accepts credit/debit cards, Bitcoin Lightning, and cash (select suppliers). We're working on adding more payment options in the future.
Is my card charged immediately when I book?
Yes, the rental and the service fee are charged at booking confirmation. The security deposit is not charged online: you pay it in cash to the supplier when the vehicle is handed over.
Can I use different payment methods for the rental and the deposit?
The booking is paid online with the method you choose. The security deposit and the delivery fee are paid separately, in cash, to the supplier.
What if my payment is declined?
Check that your card is enabled for online transactions, has sufficient funds, and hasn't expired. If issues persist, try a different card or use Bitcoin Lightning. Contact your bank if the problem continues.
