Is El Salvador Safe?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:El Salvador is supposed to be safer these days though with the recent current events - I would go there. We went to Guatemala over the winter for a week with kids. Had no issues - lovely country. Though I thought it was telling that everyone we met when they heard we would be wrapping up our trip in Antigua told us that we could let our kids roam free as it was very safe there. Does that mean the rest isn't?

Been to Belize and Costa Rica before with no issues.

I personally wouldn't do Honduras but would consider Panama and Nicaragua.

PP here - would not go to El Salvador due to their slightly insane president!

So El Salvador’s murder rate has fallen from 107 to 1.9 per 100,000 in 10 years and people are saying the president is insane or awful? Sure I wouldn’t want to live there but I wonder what bubble some people are living in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:El Salvador is supposed to be safer these days though with the recent current events - I would go there. We went to Guatemala over the winter for a week with kids. Had no issues - lovely country. Though I thought it was telling that everyone we met when they heard we would be wrapping up our trip in Antigua told us that we could let our kids roam free as it was very safe there. Does that mean the rest isn't?

Been to Belize and Costa Rica before with no issues.

I personally wouldn't do Honduras but would consider Panama and Nicaragua.

PP here - would not go to El Salvador due to their slightly insane president!

So El Salvador’s murder rate has fallen from 107 to 1.9 per 100,000 in 10 years and people are saying the president is insane or awful? Sure I wouldn’t want to live there but I wonder what bubble some people are living in.

PP again - yes - using questionable methods - the president has made El Salvador much, much safer for all the people who live there. However, many dictators do that originally. My students who are from there have the same mixed reaction. But, as an American I would not go there as I would not feel safe that my rights would be protected. Same reason I get nervous in China - physically safe but if anything went awry could I be sure I would get home. Do I worry enough not to go if I have a good reason? No. But, do I chose other options if possible? Yes.

[Anonymous]

People here are nuts. This is why people hate Americans - life is messy and you can’t have everything - all your freedoms, 100% safety, 100% beauty+ 100% cheap, et al. There is no perfect place!

Sometimes you have to do what you can to clean things up and that’s that, while I wouldn’t say I’m a fan of El Salvador’s President, he successfully put an end to the danger and unmitigated violence there. Good for him.

Would I holiday there.. no. PP suggested CR as a place DCUM loves - there’s a good reason for that. CR is awesome. Panama, Belize and Nicaragua are also nice options OP.

I don’t think El Salvador isn’t safe but I would go to tried and true list above. There’s a reason why they are frequented. And by the way, CR is not cheap in certain parts, so unless El Salvador is cheaper, you’re not really saving a buck.

Do your research and figure out whether El Salvador has anything to offer you from a travel perspective - it’s safe enough if it does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:El Salvador is supposed to be safer these days though with the recent current events - I would go there. We went to Guatemala over the winter for a week with kids. Had no issues - lovely country. Though I thought it was telling that everyone we met when they heard we would be wrapping up our trip in Antigua told us that we could let our kids roam free as it was very safe there. Does that mean the rest isn't?

Been to Belize and Costa Rica before with no issues.

I personally wouldn't do Honduras but would consider Panama and Nicaragua.

PP here - would not go to El Salvador due to their slightly insane president!

So El Salvador’s murder rate has fallen from 107 to 1.9 per 100,000 in 10 years and people are saying the president is insane or awful? Sure I wouldn’t want to live there but I wonder what bubble some people are living in.

PP again - yes - using questionable methods - the president has made El Salvador much, much safer for all the people who live there. However, many dictators do that originally. My students who are from there have the same mixed reaction. But, as an American I would not go there as I would not feel safe that my rights would be protected. Same reason I get nervous in China - physically safe but if anything went awry could I be sure I would get home. Do I worry enough not to go if I have a good reason? No. But, do I chose other options if possible? Yes.

I got news OP - US is scariest place for foreigners currently! Having been to China, let me just say that they could care less about you. They do not waste their brain cells at all on you. Americans are brainwashed into thinking China is a big bad enemy. The truth is, they are a successful civilization with years of experience over US and while they don’t do things we approve of, they are busy living their best life. Their government isn’t one we approve of but their way of life is so different from ours they could care less about us!

Most countries feel this way. Very few countries want to get caught up in drama like Trump does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We visited El Salvador before it was declared “safe.” Very nice people but not exactly a tourist destination. If you’re envisioning beautiful beaches at low prices you’d be wrong. It’s an interesting place to visit as a cultural experience (we’re fluent in Spanish) but I wouldn’t go there to “vacation.”

Agree. I've lived all over Latin America and used to travel to El Salvador for work frewuently before it was "safe" and I just can't imagine going back voluntarily on my own dime for "vacation." San Salvador in particular is an absolute shit hole. Maybe if you're a broke 19 year old surfer with low expectations?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We visited El Salvador before it was declared “safe.” Very nice people but not exactly a tourist destination. If you’re envisioning beautiful beaches at low prices you’d be wrong. It’s an interesting place to visit as a cultural experience (we’re fluent in Spanish) but I wouldn’t go there to “vacation.”

Exactly.

Lovely vacations can be had in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Belize, certainly Guatemala.

Safety aside, El Salvador is very urban and has a KFC on every corner. It's like going to Langley Park for vacation. You could do it. Certainly safely, but why would you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:El Salvador is supposed to be safer these days though with the recent current events - I would go there. We went to Guatemala over the winter for a week with kids. Had no issues - lovely country. Though I thought it was telling that everyone we met when they heard we would be wrapping up our trip in Antigua told us that we could let our kids roam free as it was very safe there. Does that mean the rest isn't?

Been to Belize and Costa Rica before with no issues.

I personally wouldn't do Honduras but would consider Panama and Nicaragua.

PP here - would not go to El Salvador due to their slightly insane president!

So El Salvador’s murder rate has fallen from 107 to 1.9 per 100,000 in 10 years and people are saying the president is insane or awful? Sure I wouldn’t want to live there but I wonder what bubble some people are living in.

They generally have no idea how Latin America works. One of your options isn't a society with all of your rights protected. The two options are 1) thousands of innocent people slaughtererd in the street and living in a state of fear, or 2) put the smack down on criminals and unfortunately some innocent people get beat down or thrown in jail. Pretty much everyone in El Salvador has chosen the first option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:El Salvador is supposed to be safer these days though with the recent current events - I would go there. We went to Guatemala over the winter for a week with kids. Had no issues - lovely country. Though I thought it was telling that everyone we met when they heard we would be wrapping up our trip in Antigua told us that we could let our kids roam free as it was very safe there. Does that mean the rest isn't?

Been to Belize and Costa Rica before with no issues.

I personally wouldn't do Honduras but would consider Panama and Nicaragua.

PP here - would not go to El Salvador due to their slightly insane president!

So El Salvador’s murder rate has fallen from 107 to 1.9 per 100,000 in 10 years and people are saying the president is insane or awful? Sure I wouldn’t want to live there but I wonder what bubble some people are living in.

They generally have no idea how Latin America works. One of your options isn't a society with all of your rights protected. The two options are 1) thousands of innocent people slaughtererd in the street and living in a state of fear, or 2) put the smack down on criminals and unfortunately some innocent people get beat down or thrown in jail. Pretty much everyone in El Salvador has chosen the first option.

Sorry, meant to say the second option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s Level 1 but is it really safe?

Can we travel as a couple on our own or should I go with a tour group?

I’m looking for a cheap, safe trip. What other Central American countries would you recommend?

Are you nuts??

+1
I can't believe anyone would consider it right now! The crime rates are falsified to make the prez look good but people there genuinely say they are more scared of the government than they were of the gangs. That means there is an abusive erratic police state. The pendulum swings to a different faction for the people to fear.

I assume op wants to show financial support for out of country permanent detention with no due process, not sure why else you would consider this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s Level 1 but is it really safe?

Can we travel as a couple on our own or should I go with a tour group?

I’m looking for a cheap, safe trip. What other Central American countries would you recommend?

Maybe compare the travel warnings for El Salvador to the ones other countries are issuing about the United States. It's probably safer there.

[Anonymous]

It’s as safe or safer than Costa Rica - now. 10 years ago it was not as safe as Costa Rica

[Anonymous]

There are two questions here:

1. Is it safe?
2. Would I go there on vacation?

Safe: yes, especially relative to the 1980s and 90s.

Would I go there on vacation? For most people the tourism infrastructure is not there and there is not a lot to do to warrant going there b

People are rightly suggesting more welcoming alternatives like Costa Rica, Panama, and Belize.

Signed, lived and traveled in Central America for many years, including in El Salvador in the 1980s when it was super dangerous for Americans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:El Salvador is supposed to be safer these days though with the recent current events - I would go there. We went to Guatemala over the winter for a week with kids. Had no issues - lovely country. Though I thought it was telling that everyone we met when they heard we would be wrapping up our trip in Antigua told us that we could let our kids roam free as it was very safe there. Does that mean the rest isn't?

Been to Belize and Costa Rica before with no issues.

I personally wouldn't do Honduras but would consider Panama and Nicaragua.

PP here - would not go to El Salvador due to their slightly insane president!

It is now safe, specifically because of its president. Would you rather that all law-abiding citizens live in fear?

[Anonymous]

Guatemala

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:El Salvador is supposed to be safer these days though with the recent current events - I would go there. We went to Guatemala over the winter for a week with kids. Had no issues - lovely country. Though I thought it was telling that everyone we met when they heard we would be wrapping up our trip in Antigua told us that we could let our kids roam free as it was very safe there. Does that mean the rest isn't?

Been to Belize and Costa Rica before with no issues.

I personally wouldn't do Honduras but would consider Panama and Nicaragua.

PP here - would not go to El Salvador due to their slightly insane president!

So El Salvador’s murder rate has fallen from 107 to 1.9 per 100,000 in 10 years and people are saying the president is insane or awful? Sure I wouldn’t want to live there but I wonder what bubble some people are living in.

PP again - yes - using questionable methods - the president has made El Salvador much, much safer for all the people who live there. However, many dictators do that originally. My students who are from there have the same mixed reaction. But, as an American I would not go there as I would not feel safe that my rights would be protected. Same reason I get nervous in China - physically safe but if anything went awry could I be sure I would get home. Do I worry enough not to go if I have a good reason? No. But, do I chose other options if possible? Yes.

I got news OP - US is scariest place for foreigners currently! Having been to China, let me just say that they could care less about you. They do not waste their brain cells at all on you. Americans are brainwashed into thinking China is a big bad enemy. The truth is, they are a successful civilization with years of experience over US and while they don’t do things we approve of, they are busy living their best life. Their government isn’t one we approve of but their way of life is so different from ours they could care less about us!

Most countries feel this way. Very few countries want to get caught up in drama like Trump does.

China has been a country since 1949. And no, they only became successful when they adopted capitalism in the late 1980s and we decided to bring them into the WTO.