WASHINGTON — In a major shift that signals growing international confidence in El Salvador’s security landscape, the U.S. State Department downgraded its travel advisory to Level 1, its lowest level—advising travelers to exercise only standard precautions.
The travel rating improvement signifies U.S. endorsement of the security gains achieved by El Salvador under President Nayib Bukele’s administration; this marks the first time the country has received such a rating.
It also places the nation as the only Central American country currently at Level 1. Neighboring countries such as Costa Rica, Panama, and Belize remain at Level 2, while Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua are classified under Level 3.
“El Salvador has just received the U.S. State Department’s gold travel star. Level 1: the safest,” Bukele posted Tuesday on his X account, formerly Twitter, celebrating the announcement.
The updated advisory signals a significant shift in how Washington views El Salvador. In November 2024, the Biden administration lowered the country’s travel alert level from Level 3 (“reconsider travel”) to Level 2 (“exercise increased caution”).
The latest change by the Trump administration reinforces what U.S. officials describe as a sustained decline in crime and violence in El Salvador.
Keeping Americans safe overseas is our highest priority. President Nyib Bukele’s leadership has been crucial in improving the security of his country for foreign travelers. Gang activity, violent crime, and murders in El Salvador have significantly dropped. The Trump Administration updated our Travel Advisory. Marco Rubio, U.S Secretary of State.
Rubio, who visited El Salvador in February, praised the security transformation during his remarks.
U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador William Duncan echoed the sentiment, stating that the change to Level 1 “recognizes the sustained progress in citizen security and the improvement in overall safety—a significant step forward.”
Despite the improved travel rating, the State Department continues to issue certain cautions, particularly about the ongoing state of exception in effect since March 2022.
The measure, implemented to combat gang violence, allows authorities to detain individuals without a warrant for alleged gang involvement and has drawn criticism for suspending several constitutional rights.
“U.S. citizens and foreigners have been detained under the state of emergency and have not yet been tried,” the advisory notes.
The travel guidance also urges visitors to avoid traveling outside major cities at night and reiterates El Salvador’s strict enforcement of its zero-tolerance policy on drunk driving.
“You can be arrested for having any level of alcohol while driving. Don’t drink and drive,” the advisory states.
Lowering the advisory level is likely to boost tourism and attract more business to El Salvador as the country works to rebuild its global reputation through major reforms at home.
