When I visited El Salvador in 2020, I used to be continuously side-eyed when sharing my journey plans.
This was not solely as a result of danger of changing into stranded attributable to rampant pandemic-related flight cancellations but in addition as a result of El Salvador was notoriously ‘harmful’.
5 years later, that has all modified, and never with out its well-documented share of controversies of human rights issues given re-elected President Nayib Bukele’s hardcore, but inarguably efficient, roundups of criminals.
Regardless of which facet of the fence you stand, the actual fact is El Salvador’s crime charges have dropped tremendously, making a fantastically various protected haven for adventurous vacationers to discover.
Backed by the U.S. State Department’s just lately up to date journey advisory, which designates this shocking nation as one of many most secure in Latin America within the unique membership of Level 1-countries with Argentina and Paraguay, this transfer signifies that El Salvador is now even safer than Cancun.
From No-Go Zone To Welcome Home: El Salvador Declared Safer Than Costa Rica And Much Of Mexico
Before you’re employed your self right into a tizzy, we’re in a roundabout way evaluating El Salvador’s surfer-laden seashore cities to Cancun — simply merely exhibiting how outstanding of a turnaround Central America’s smallest nation has undergone to now go from having the very best homicide charges to now be designated Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions in comparison with American’s favourite worldwide vacation spot, Cancun, which the state of Quintana Roo nonetheless holds Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution standing.
Truth is way of Mexico is ranked Level 2 or worse and Costa Rica, together with Belize, a pair of different easy-to-reach Central American paradises have seen their very own share of issues.
El Salvador is really protected, opening the door for vacationers to enterprise off to an off-the-beaten path unique location, whether or not looking for cultural cities like Santa Ana, vibrant villages like Ataco, or idyllic coastlines equivalent to El Tunco, with out feeling like your head is on a swivel.
Truth be instructed, I’ve felt this manner in elements of Mexico and Belize and it undoubtedly takes away among the pleasure of touring.
In the U.S. State Department’s personal phrases from the newly up to date journey advisory issued April 8, 2025, “Exercise normal precautions in El Salvador. Gang activity has decreased over the last three years. This has caused a drop in violent crimes and murders.”
For what it is value, a report from final fall claims 88% of Salvadorans now really feel protected of their nation. Could Americans say that?
El Salvador’s “State Of Exception”
Crime is a fickle subject, so let’s not faux there aren’t dangerous apples nonetheless on the market.
That being stated, the concept of being locked up in maybe the world’s most stringent jail has to make would-be criminals assume twice.
President Bukele has not been shy about showcasing the ins and outs of Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (referred to as CECOT) — video excursions are throughout YouTube.
Furthermore, in what many say is an odd settlement between the U.S. and El Salvador, President Trump’s administration has facilitated the switch of immigrants with legal information to CECOT, together with a giant “oops” second, primarily detaining the improper man and transport him off to a world jail, bringing into query much more human rights points and the logistics of this clunky, unheard-of association.
Not to say a Supreme Court decide has since ordered the return of this wrongly deported man attributable to a “administrative error”, however up to now the order has been as efficient as if Judge Reinholdt issued it.
So, you is perhaps questioning why that is necessary to vacationers. Fair sufficient.
That’s as a result of El Salvador has a “State of Exception”, additionally dropped at consideration by the U.S. State Department’s up to date advisory and it is laid out as:
In 2022, El Salvador declared a “State of Exception” in response to a rise in heinous crimes:
The State of Exception permits authorities to arrest anybody they consider is concerned in legal exercise.
It suspends a number of constitutional rights, together with the proper to a speedy or honest trial.
Thousands of persons are at present locked up beneath the State of Exception, together with American and international residents, which have but to face trial
While unlikely for Americans to be caught up in gang member roundups, or to be falsely acknowledged as a goal for CECOT, it is necessary to know The State of Exception remains to be in place and a key driving power for CECOT’s “success”, if you wish to name it that.
El Salvador’s Appeal As Your Next Vacation
To be honest, I visited El Salvador throughout its Level 3 heyday and could not have felt safer as soon as I turned accustomed to shotgun-wielding guards posted up on seemingly each block, particularly in Santa Ana, El Salvador’s second largest metropolis and the gateway to my favourite hike I’ve ever performed, reaching to high of the Santa Ana Volcano and looking out down on the otherworldly turquoise crater lake.
I’ve performed nothing however promote the nation as one of many greatest surprises in all my travels, contemplating some folks virtually begged me to not go in 2020.
The nation is residence to unimaginable delicacies. It appeared as if each nook was a pupusa paradise and remarkably low-cost. Oddly sufficient, although, I am unable to advocate Donkey’s sufficient — a Mexican fusion restaurant with high notch margaritas and even higher Mexican meals than some locations I’ve been in Mexico.
El Salvador is residence to some extremely underrated coastlines as effectively.
Our Managing Editor, Tyler, had the pleasure of visiting an upscale seashore resort in La Libertad again in 2023 and cherished it, though it wasn’t thought of as protected to go to as now.
I hopped round from the capital metropolis of San Salvador, which had some cool markets and reasonably priced luxurious resorts like Barcelo, however the actual allure and delights lied in El Salvador’s villages — Ataco being my favourite.
You’ll hear extra about Suchitoto than Ataco on journey blogs, however Ataco was one of many highlights of my journey 5 years in the past, and given its stuck-in-time cobbled streets, I’m positive not a lot has modified.
Definitely bask in locally-sourced espresso at La Casa Barista and wander by means of the artisan markets for distinctive souvenirs.
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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
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