El Salvador’s U.S. travel advisory
Level 1: Exercise normal precautions. [source] That is the U.S. State Department’s current travel advisory for El Salvador. [source] It is the lowest of the department’s four advisory levels. [source]
Read the full U.S. travel advisory when planning your trip and check it again before departure.
The change in security
The State Department reports a sharp decline in gang activity since 2022, with a corresponding drop in violent crime and homicides. [source] It links the country’s security transformation to government action against gangs. [source] [source]
The improvement also appears in El Salvador’s official annual homicide figures. [source] [source]
For 2025, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security reported a homicide rate of 1.3 per 100,000 residents. [source] These are nationwide official figures for the year shown.
Compare official advisory labels
Canada advises travelers to exercise a high degree of caution in El Salvador. [source] Australia’s Smartraveller advice for El Salvador uses the category “Exercise a high degree of caution.” [source]
These labels come from separate government advisory systems. Read the full advice from the authority that applies to you rather than converting the labels to one shared scale.
Plan solo travel and local transport
Women traveling alone may face harassment and verbal abuse in El Salvador. [source] Share your transport plans with someone you trust. [source]
For taxi trips, use a reputable company and arrange pickup through your hotel or book ahead. [source] Public buses carry theft risks. U.S. and UK guidance recommends other transport. [source]
Plan Pacific beach time
Strong currents can make swimming dangerous on El Salvador’s Pacific coast. [source] Some beaches in El Salvador have no lifeguards. [source] Follow lifeguard instructions and beach warning flags. [source]
Check conditions where you plan to swim or surf, then choose an activity that suits those conditions.
Plan your visit
Use the current advisory as a starting point, then choose the places and pace that suit your trip. Our San Salvador guide covers the capital, while the El Tunco guide helps with a coastal stay. For a route that combines stops, start with the five-day itinerary.
Keep your accommodation details, booked transport, the POLITUR contact guide and essential contacts together so they are easy to find during your visit.
Illustration
Common questions
What does Level 1 mean for a trip to El Salvador?
Level 1 means “Exercise normal precautions.” It is the lowest of the U.S. State Department’s four travel advisory levels, and it is the current level for El Salvador. Read the full country advisory as you plan, then check it again before departure. [source] [source]
How has security in El Salvador changed?
The U.S. State Department reports a sharp decline in gang activity since 2022, accompanied by lower violent crime and homicide levels. It links the country’s security improvement to government action against gangs. Salvadoran authorities reported 82 homicides in 2025, compared with 114 in 2024. [source] [source] [source] [source]
Where do the homicide figures come from?
The figures are official Salvadoran government statistics, also reported by independent news organizations. Authorities reported 82 homicides in 2025 and a rate of 1.3 per 100,000 residents. The previous year’s official count was 114. These figures describe nationwide annual totals for the years shown. [source] [source]
How do the official advisory labels differ?
The U.S. State Department lists El Salvador at Level 1, while Canada and Australia advise a high degree of caution. [source] [source] [source] Read each issuing authority’s full advisory before travel, because the labels come from separate systems and should not be converted to a shared scale.
How should I plan local transport and beach time?
For taxi trips, use a reputable company and arrange pickup through your hotel or book ahead. [source] Public buses carry theft risks. [source] On the Pacific coast, strong currents can make swimming dangerous and some beaches have no lifeguards. [source] [source] Follow lifeguard instructions and beach warning flags. [source]
What should solo women keep in mind?
Women traveling alone may face harassment and verbal abuse in El Salvador. [source] Share your transport plans with someone you trust. [source] Keep accommodation and booked-transport details easy to find, then use those details to make the practical choices that fit your own plans.
Sources
Show sourcesHide sources
- The U.S. State Department lists El Salvador at Level 1: Exercise normal precautions.
- Level 1 is the lowest of the U.S. State Department’s four travel-advisory levels.
- The U.S. State Department reports a sharp decline in gang activity since 2022, followed by lower violent crime and homicide levels.
- The State Department links El Salvador’s security improvement to government action against gangs since 2022.
- El Salvador’s security authorities reported 82 homicides in 2025, a rate of 1.3 per 100,000 people.
- El Salvador’s security authorities reported 114 homicides in 2024.
- Canada advises travelers to exercise a high degree of caution in El Salvador.
- Australia’s Smartraveller advice for El Salvador uses the category “Exercise a high degree of caution.”
- Women traveling alone may face harassment and verbal abuse in El Salvador.
- For taxi trips, use a reputable company and arrange pickup through your hotel or book ahead.
- Public buses carry theft risks. U.S. and UK guidance recommends other transport.
- Share your transport plans with someone you trust.
- Strong currents can make swimming dangerous on El Salvador’s Pacific coast.
- Some beaches in El Salvador have no lifeguards.
- Follow lifeguard instructions and beach warning flags.
Travel information only; for medical or legal decisions, consult a qualified professional.