I wouldn't go b/c of their awful president - I wouldn't give my tourist dollars to anything there.
I'd try honduras, panama or costa rica, depending on what you want. We prefer panama as you can get a bit of city and beach on the same vacation. It's reasonable once you're there, the people are lovely, and many speak english.

I have been a few times and I really enjoyed it. Check out Costa Del Sol for a decent beach area. The locals are nice, its a very easy trip with the quick flights from the US, and then a 40 minute drive to the beach. Last I was there, everyone loved Bukele, I don't know if that's changed in the recent months.

It's not as cheap as you expect - they use the dollar. It's on par with Costa Rica.

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!

Right! If you accidentally do something, you’re already there and our government will do less than nothing to get you back. I would only go now if I had family there I needed to see, not a fun vacay.

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!

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.

Are you a big surfer? The only people I know who vacation in El Salvador are surfers. As a PP mentioned, I'm not sure you'll find much other purpose for being there.

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??

I have friends with family there and they went recently and said that it is notably much safer than it was previously, and they saw a lot more families out and about with less fear of gang violence and intimidation. But I wouldn’t go there as I’m super creeped out by the government and its relationship with our government.
For cheap and safe honestly I’d look at rural USA or rural/less known places in Europe.

I was also surprised by how cheap things are in Oaxaca city which I think is generally regarded as pretty safe.

What kind of a vacation are you looking for? Beaches or what?

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.”

It's reportedly a police state at the moment, so probably locals would be unlikely to mess with American visitors for fear of being sent to something like that high-tech horrible prison President Bukele has set up.

Anything is safe if you are smart. My vote is for Honduras.

Anonymous wrote:What about Costa Rica?

Lol DCUM is obsessed with Costa Rica.

What about Costa Rica?

A chief safe trip doing what in Central America? That dictates whether El Salvador or elsewhere makes sense.

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?