La Palma is about 85 kilometres north of San Salvador along the CA-4 highway. The journey by bus takes roughly two hours. Buses depart from the Terminal de Oriente in San Salvador and pass through Chalatenango on the way. There is no direct shuttle service; travellers coming from popular tourist centres like Antigua Guatemala can reach La Palma via the El Poy border crossing on the Honduran side, but this route requires patience and several changes.
By car the drive from San Salvador is around an hour and forty minutes on a clear day. The road climbs steadily as you leave the capital behind, and the temperature drops noticeably as you gain altitude — bring a layer even if you set off in the heat.