Travel Advisory 2024: Is it safe to visit El Salvador?

Travel Advisory 2024: Is it safe to visit El Salvador?

It’s simple. For the very first time in decades, travelers around the world are watching the news from El Salvador and saying, let’s go!

An army of TikTokers, YouTubers, and tourism journalists are flocking to El Salvador to document and experience firsthand what international media calls “the miracle.” 

Believe it or not, this small Central American country has become the safest destination in Latin America and it’s competing with Canada for the first spot in the entire continent, according to European press. 

Following the murder of 62 Salvadorans on March 26, 2022, President Nayib Bukele said: “Enough is enough.” He declared a State of Emergency, launched the most ambitious military operation ever seen and in a matter of months managed to take back control of the entire territory.

But is it too good to be true? Let’s see.

LATEST NEWS from El Salvador: 

April 9: El Salvador has become the second safest country in the American continent

With a homicide rate of 2.4 per 100,000 inhabitants, El Salvador has become the second safest country on the American continent after Canada, according to Justice and Security Minister Gustavo Villator. 

After a massive wave of killings in 2022, President Nayib Bukele managed to arrest more than 75,000 gang members and reduce homicides by 70%.

There has been criticism by international media due to possible violations of the criminals’ human rights but data from the Institute of Public Opinion shows that in December 2019, Salvadorans thought their biggest concern was criminality but by December 2023, that concern had reduced to less than 4.3%.

Areas to Avoid

It feels weird to say this but, as of today, there are no places locals and visitors cannot go to. Salvadorans have started to experience how it feels to go out at night, have fun and return home safely without risking their lives in the process.

Not all gang members have been captured, though. So, for now, while we all get used to this new normality, don’t venture to remote or isolated areas or those that don’t have police protection.

Official Travel Advisories 

US Travel Advisory

The latest Travel Advisory for El Salvador is dated July 27, 2023, and a lot has changed since then.

Anyway, the US government still recommends Americans “Reconsider Travel” to El Salvador due to crime and avoid remote areas at all costs. 

As of today, local authorities…

Read full article: Is El Salvador Safe To Visit? Travel Advisory 2024

The post “Is El Salvador Safe To Visit? Travel Advisory 2024” by Maria Valencia was published on 04/09/2024 by www.travelinglifestyle.net