North and Central America and Caribbean

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Safety and security

• You should take great care travelling anywhere in El Salvador at night. You should take particular care if you need to go to downtown San Salvador, other towns or cities, or and travel on roads outside of major towns and cities after dark. Within San Salvador, areas such as Escalón, San Benito, Zona Rosa, Maquilishuat, La Grand Via and Multiplaza are safer at night, although you should still exercise caution.
• You should take care travelling alone in El Salvador. When travelling to remote areas it may be safer to travel with others or take part in a tour with a reputable company. The same applies to walking on remote trails, as there have been reports of attacks on tourists walking alone.
• You should avoid displaying items of value such as laptops, MP3 players, cameras and mobile phones. This is particularly important when arriving at the airport. There have been several instances of foreigners being targeted when leaving the vicinity of the airport. You are advised not to wear expensive jewellery and only carry minimal amounts of cash when travelling in El Salvador.
• It is safer to withdraw money from ATMs in shopping centres or change money in hotels or banks. It is wise not to withdraw too much money at one time. There have been attacks on foreigners after they have withdrawn money from ATMs. You should avoid withdrawing money at night.
• You should not resist when being robbed. Victims have been killed and injured resisting attack.
• There have been instances of armed attacks on vehicles travelling in El Salvador. Avoid travelling on unpaved roads as you are at greater risk of attack in remote areas with fewer police patrols. The road between El Salvador and Guatemala has seen attacks and you should exercise caution. Please see the Local Travel Section for more information.
• For shorter trips within towns and cities it is safer to take radio or hotel taxis rather than public buses or unofficial taxis.
• You should be aware that the risk of kidnapping in El Salvador still exists, despite success by the National Police in tackling the problem in recent years. Kidnap gangs generally target rich Salvadorians rather than visitors.

For more general information see Victims of crime.

Political Situation

El Salvador Country Profile

Demonstrations occur in El Salvador from time to time and can do so with little warning.  They can become violent and disrupt movement.  You are advised to avoid large gatherings or demonstrations.

The El Salvador Constitution prohibits political activities by foreigners, and participation in activities such as demonstrations may result in detention and/or deportation.

Local Travel

Public buses are poorly maintained and often overcrowded. Robberies often occur and foreigners are sometimes targeted. Using a reputable tour company for longer journeys may reduce the risks associated with travel on these buses. It is safer to travel short distances in radio or hotel taxis.

When travelling by car, it is safer to travel on main roads between major cities and destinations.You are at greater risk of attack in remote areas with fewer Police patrols.  Take simple precautions such as locking doors and keeping windows closed whilst travelling.

You should exercise particular caution when travelling to/from the border with Guatemala and when travelling this road by car, especially in vehicles with El Salvador number plates. You should use only reputable coach companies when travelling to/from Guatemala. There have been reports of violent attacks on vehicles, particularly on the Guatemalan side of the border. Vehicles with El Salvador number plates are often targeted.

There have been recent reports of attacks on vehicles travelling in Santa Ana and on the route between Comalapa airport and San Salvador.

You should pay attention to your security at the border areas with Guatemala and Honduras. You should avoid openly changing large amounts of money and make sure valuables are kept out of sight.  It is often better to cross borders in the morning as borders sometimes close in the early evening. It also allows time for you to reach your destination before dark.

As a result of past conflicts, there remains unexploded ordnance such as landmines in the countryside.  Those going off-road should be aware of these potential dangers when visiting the more remote locations.  You should take local advice and avoid travel to such areas if advised.

Road Travel

The main highway through El Salvador is being brought up to international standards.  The other main routes to Honduras are in good condition.  Some roads, however, are in poor condition and can be dangerous to drive on.  Care should be taken whatever road is used as the standard of driving is low.  

For more general information see Driving Abroad.