Travel advice for El Salvador

Avoid non-essential travel to high-risk parts of San Salvador and cities north and east of the capital; the rest of El Salvador has a general security risk. Remain alert for crime, avoid isolated or dark areas at night, and avoid rural public buses because of robbery. Use only taxis from large hotels, avoid solo travel without knowledgeable company, and do not resist attackers. Guard against dengue, malaria, chikungunya and Zika.

Avoid nonessential travel to the six districts in San Salvador, La Libertad and La Paz departments because gang activity has subsided, but various crimes remain frequent. Elsewhere in El Salvador, take sufficient care.

Australia advises a high degree of caution for El Salvador.

Exercise a high degree of caution throughout El Salvador because of arbitrary enforcement of local laws and crime. Security forces may search, seize and detain foreign citizens, sometimes reportedly arbitrarily, while petty and violent crime remain. Border areas have more crime and violence, with attacks reported on the Guatemalan side of crossings. In San Salvador, downtown has petty crime risks, while the Centro Histórico is safer, so carry valid identification.

Exercise a high degree of caution when travelling to El Salvador. Although violent crime has fallen significantly, petty and opportunistic crime, robberies, assaults and sexual and gender based violence remain risks. Avoid large gatherings and demonstrations because foreign nationals may be detained or deported for political activity, and follow local authority instructions during the nationwide state of emergency.

Travel to El Salvador with caution because armed robberies, carjackings, sexual violence against women and arbitrary detention occur. Avoid isolated areas and walking alone or after dark; use official border crossings, cross and travel onward in daylight. Drugs, including soft drugs, are prohibited and may bring long prison terms; LGBTQ+ people may face discrimination and aggression. Beware drug crime in border areas, demonstrations and natural hazards; follow authorities' instructions.

Exercise increased caution when travelling to El Salvador due to petty crime and infectious disease risks. Avoid downtown San Salvador, poorly lit city streets, roads between larger cities at night, and the cordoned San Bartolo area in Ilopango. Use trusted transport and registered taxis, avoid crowds, demonstrations and political activity, and do not travel at night. Ensure travel insurance and funds for treatment or repatriation, as rural healthcare is limited.

Travel with normal precautions, but monitor hurricane forecasts and warnings from July to November because storms can bring winds, heavy rain, flooding and landslides. Violent crime has fallen, but theft persists, requiring heightened caution in La Unión Norte, Sonsonate Oeste, Santa Ana Norte, Cabañas Este, San Miguel Centro and La Libertad Oeste. Use tourist police, avoid local buses, unaccompanied hired cars and intercity travel at night, and safeguard valuables.

Travel to El Salvador is generally safe with usual precautions, but theft, kidnapping, sexual assault and widespread weapons create risks. Mass arrests under the state of emergency can make detention and consular assistance difficult, while some rights are suspended for foreign citizens. Avoid deprived neighborhoods formerly controlled by gangs and do not travel at night.

Take normal precautions in El Salvador because Estonia has no representation there, and consult other countries’ travel information. Tourists must hold a valid Estonian driving licence, which is recognised together with a passport for up to 90 days from entry. Estonian citizens may stay without a visa for up to 90 days at a time, but entry and stay conditions may change without immediate notice.

Germany advises normal precautions for El Salvador.

Hong Kong advises normal precautions for El Salvador.

Take normal precautions when travelling to El Salvador. Be alert to robbery, avoid carrying large amounts of cash or jewellery or using ATMs on the street, and use reliable or official taxis and reputable guides. Drug offences carry heavy penalties; earthquakes, summer forest fires in dry areas, and hurricanes are possible. Monitor local news and follow local authorities, and seek health advice and comprehensive travel insurance.

Use normal precautions in El Salvador. Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months after arrival and meet visa, customs, vaccine and health requirements, as invalid documents or overstaying may cause refusal or fines. Tourism or business stays of up to 180 days do not require a visa. Those who visited or transited listed countries within 21 days may face quarantine for 21 days.

Exercise normal precautions in El Salvador, noting road, terrain, landslide and lighting risks and falling gang activity, violent crime and murders. U.S. government employees may travel throughout the country during daylight, but cannot travel between cities or departments at night or use public buses; all-hours routes include San Salvador, the international airport, and La Libertad Department. The State of Exception remains, suspending rights, while some detained U.S. citizens await trial.