This article explains the development of socio-cultural anthropology in El Salvador establishing the difference between anthropological thought and scientific anthropology. The oldest register goes back to the Colonial period. But the article establishes that scientific anthropology arises at the middle of the 20th Century. Paradigms for the development of Salvadorian socio-cultural anthropology are Marxist anthropology, folklorism or the study of traditional popular culture and the new trends of the end of 20th century and the beginnings of 21st century. It concludes with current trends in the socio-cultural anthropology in El Salvador: the descriptive paradigm and interpretative anthropology.