North and Central America and Caribbean

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

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• Heavy rain over the weekend of 7 and 8 November has caused heavy flooding in the San Salvador and San Vicente regions of the country. The President has declared a State of Emergency whilst cleanup and ongoing operations continue to assist thousands of displaced people.  The international airport is open, but local travel by road may be interrupted by landslides and flooding. Please contact our Honorary Consul for more localised travel information.
  
  
• We continue to advise against all but essential travel to neighbouring Honduras due to the ongoing political crisis where the situation remains tense and unpredictable and may change very quickly. The curfew previously in place has been lifted, but could be reintroduced at any time should there be a change in the situation in Honduras.  As a reaction to this neighbouring countries (El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua) may close land borders and stop air links at short notice. Anyone intending to travel to or through Honduras should contact his or her travel operator for further advice and to keep abreast of the situation by monitoring local media, the FCO’s Travel Advice on Honduras and by checking our Embassy’s website at www.ukinguatemala.fco.gov.uk.
   
• There is no British Embassy in El Salvador. The British Embassy in Guatemala City has overall responsibility for El Salvador.  In the event of an emergency you can contact the British Honorary Consul in San Salvador for assistance.  See the General (Consular assistance) section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• The rainy season in El Salvador normally runs from June to November, coinciding with the hurricane season in the Caribbean.  See the Natural Disasters (Rainy Season) section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• Dengue Fever is endemic to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year.  See the Health section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in El Salvador in 2008 was for replacing lost and stolen passports as a result of pickpocketing.
  
  
• There are very high crime rates in El Salvador.  You should take care if you need to travel in downtown San Salvador and on roads outside major towns and cities at night. See the Crime and Local Travel sections of this advice for more details.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.