Is El Salvador Safe to Visit? An Honest Take

The short answer

For most tourists, El Salvador feels a lot safer today than its reputation suggests. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, the same level as places like Canada, and the government reports homicides have dropped to record lows since a 2022 crackdown on gangs. That crackdown is also controversial: rights groups report mass arrests and due process concerns. Use normal travel sense, avoid traveling between cities at night, and know the local rules.

Before my trip to El Salvador, “is El Salvador safe?” was the first thing people asked me. I went in September 2025 with friends to surf in El Zonte, and ended up on a dirt bike in the mountains too. Here’s my honest experience, plus what the official reports actually say about safety there now, and why.

Honestly? I felt safe. I never wandered off on my own and I always used street smarts, the same way I would in any new place. The only time I felt even slightly uneasy was as a woman. You do get stared at sometimes. But overall, I felt good the whole trip.

My experience: the time the police pulled us over

My most memorable “safety” moment was actually pretty funny. We were driving down the road when the police flagged us down. We were SO sure we were in trouble. They started talking to us in Spanish, and since none of us are fluent, we had no idea what they were saying, so out came Google Translate.

All they wanted was a ride, lol. We had no idea it’s normal in some places for police to hitch rides with civilians, so we were very confused. But we drove them a few miles down the road, said our goodbyes, snapped a selfie and went on our way.

Selfie with the police officers we gave a ride to in El Salvador — Our new friends.

You’ll see a lot of police and military around El Salvador, including at checkpoints on the roads. That can feel intimidating at first, but in my experience, it was just part of daily life there.

Why El Salvador is considered safer now

A decade ago, El Salvador had one of the highest murder rates in the world, largely because of gangs like MS-13 and Barrio 18. In 2015, the homicide rate peaked at about 106 per 100,000 people, according to reporting by the Tico Times.

That changed after March 2022, when President Nayib Bukele’s government declared a “state of exception,” an emergency measure that lets authorities arrest suspected gang members without the usual legal protections. It’s still in effect today. Since then:

Homicides have dropped dramatically. The government reported 82 murders in 2025, a rate of about 1.3 per 100,000 people and the lowest on record (Tico Times).
The U.S. now rates El Salvador Level 1. The U.S. State Department advisory is “Exercise normal precautions,” the lowest of its four levels, reaffirmed in June 2026.
Gang control of neighborhoods has largely broken down, which is a big part of why tourism, especially surf tourism in places like El Zonte, has been growing.

The other side: what human rights groups report

It would be dishonest to talk about El Salvador’s safety without this part. The same crackdown that made the streets safer has drawn serious criticism:

Mass detentions. More than 90,000 people have been arrested under the state of exception, including thousands of children, according to Human Rights Watch. Thousands have later been released after no gang ties were found.
Deaths in custody. The rights group Socorro Jurídico Humanitario has documented hundreds of deaths in prison during the emergency.
Hard-to-verify numbers. Human Rights Watch notes the government limits public access to crime data and has changed which killings count as homicides, so official figures are hard to check independently.
Serious allegations. Amnesty International has said the human cost of the state of exception could amount to crimes against humanity.

For travelers, the practical takeaway is that the state of exception suspends some legal protections, including for foreigners. The State Department notes that several U.S. citizens have been detained and are awaiting trial. Rights groups also report that people have been arrested based on appearance, including tattoos. That doesn’t mean tourists with tattoos are being arrested, but it’s worth knowing, staying respectful with police and following local laws.

FYI: El Salvador does not mess around (so don’t be dumb)

Real talk: the same crackdown that made El Salvador safer also means the rules are strict, and they apply to tourists too. Two big ones:

Zero tolerance for drinking and driving. Since December 2024, driving with any alcohol in your system is a crime. Not “over the limit.” Any. Police can stop you for a sobriety check whenever they want, and it can mean 2 to 5 years in prison. If you’re renting a car, a scooter or a dirt bike, skip even the one beer.
No weed, and leave the CBD at home. Anything with THC is illegal, and that includes most CBD gummies and oils. The penalty is long jail time and big fines.

The country is also still under a state of exception, which suspends some normal legal protections. Getting arrested in El Salvador is not something you want to find out about the hard way. Have a drink at dinner, then get a ride home.

Tips for staying safe in El Salvador

Don’t travel between cities at night. The State Department specifically advises minimizing travel outside major cities after dark, partly because of road conditions.
Avoid unpaved roads and driving in heavy rain. The rainy season (roughly May to October) brings big downpours and landslides.
Never drink and drive. El Salvador has a zero-tolerance drunk driving law (since December 2024). Driving with any alcohol in your system is a criminal offense, police can stop you for a sobriety check at any time, and it can mean 2 to 5 years in prison.
Leave the CBD at home. Products containing THC, including most CBD products, are illegal.
Don’t leave your passport in the car, and carry a copy with you.
Watch for petty crime. Robbery and theft still happen, so keep valuables out of sight like you would anywhere.
Download Spanish in Google Translate before you go so it works offline. It saved us with the police.
Bring some cash. El Salvador uses the U.S. dollar, and small spots don’t always take cards.
Drink bottled or filtered water. Most travelers avoid tap water.

Planning a trip? Here’s what to pack for a surf trip to El Salvador and my dirt biking day from El Zonte.

Friends on the edge of an infinity pool overlooking the ocean

El Salvador safety: FAQ

Is El Salvador safe for tourists right now?

The U.S. State Department rates El Salvador Level 1 (“Exercise normal precautions”), and government figures show record-low homicides. Most tourists, especially in surf towns like El Zonte, have trouble-free trips. Normal precautions still apply.

Why is El Salvador safer now?

Mainly because of the government’s crackdown on gangs under a state of exception declared in March 2022. It has led to more than 90,000 arrests and a huge drop in reported homicides, but it’s also criticized by human rights groups for mass detentions and due process concerns.

Is El Salvador safe for Americans?

The U.S. State Department’s Level 1 advisory applies to American travelers. It does note the state of exception suspends some legal protections and that some U.S. citizens have been detained, so follow local laws closely.

Is El Salvador safe for women?

In my experience, yes. I felt safe the whole trip. As a woman you may get stared at, which can feel a little uncomfortable, but I never felt in danger. I didn’t wander off alone, I stuck with my group, and I used the same street smarts I’d use anywhere new.

Can you visit El Salvador with tattoos?

Yes, tourists with tattoos visit all the time. Rights groups report that tattoos have been used as a basis for arresting locals under the state of exception, so be aware, be respectful with police and keep your passport copy on you.

Does El Salvador have a zero-tolerance drunk driving law?

Yes. Since December 2024, driving with any amount of alcohol in your system is a criminal offense, and it can mean 2 to 5 years in prison. Police can do sobriety checks at any time, so if you’re driving, don’t drink at all.

Can you drink the tap water in El Salvador?

Most travelers stick to bottled or filtered water. A lot of hotels and hostels provide filtered water refill stations.

Sources

Lindsey with her snowboard in Niseko, Japan

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hi, I’m Lindsey. I learned to dirt bike in Virginia, have been snowboarding since the East Coast and surf whenever I can, and I write the trip guides I wish I’d had.

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