On February 7, 2025, the U.S. Department of State updated its travel advisory for El Salvador; it maintained it a Level 2, urging travelers to exercise increased caution.
The State Department advisory states that in El Salvador, gang-related activity has dropped significantly over the last 3 years. However, the agency specifies that crime is still a concern.
In November 2024, the United States travel advisory for El Salvador lowered the travel advisory from Level 3 to Level 2, reflecting the country’s improved security.
“I am pleased to see that the State Department’s travel advisory for El Salvador has been moved from Level 3 to Level 2 due to the reduction in crime rates in the country,” commented U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador William H. Duncan, last November.
SEE ALSO: Is El Salvador Safe to Visit? A Comprehensive Safety Guide for Travelers
The U.S. State Department advises Americans to travel within the country during daylight hours but discourages intercity or interdepartmental travel after dark.
However, they noted a night travel exception for the route between San Salvador and the Comalapa International Airport, as well as the highway between San Salvador and tourist destinations along the littoral highway in La Libertad.
The travel advisory also urges caution regarding the State of Exception, which grants authorities broad powers to arrest suspected gang members and temporarily suspends certain constitutional rights.
SEE ALSO: El Salvador State of Exception; A Security Measure Implemented to Fight Gangs
El Salvador’s improved security has positioned it as one of the safer destinations in Latin America, contributing to its Level 2 U.S. travel advisory status.
The United States travel advisory for El Salvador is helping the country attract more international tourists.
During the December 2024 Holiday celebrations alone, the country welcomed 172,000 foreign tourists, marking a 46% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
