Is El Salvador safe in 2024? Expats and locals share real experiences, revealing dramatic changes in what was once one of the world’s most dangerous countries.
El Salvador has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. Once known as one of the most dangerous countries in the world, it now has the lowest homicide rate in Central America – just 2.4 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023, down from a staggering 105.2 in 2015. By late 2024, that rate had dropped even further, to a projected 1.8 per 100,000.
Indeed, just over the weekend, President Nayib Bukele announced that November 2024 was the second safest month in the country’s history, only surpassed by the previous month of October. Looking ahead, he stated that if current trends continue, El Salvador could reach a homicide rate below 1 per 100,000 by 2025 – bringing the country closer to its goal of becoming the safest country in the world.
Noviembre 2024 cierra como el segundo mes más seguro en la historia de El Salvador, solo superado por octubre de este mismo año.
La tasa de homicidios proyectada para 2024 es de 1.8 por cada 100,000 habitantes, consolidando a El Salvador como el país más seguro del Hemisferio… https://t.co/iK9wSgAm40
— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) December 1, 2024
A Regional Perspective
This transformation becomes even more remarkable when compared to other Central American countries. While countries like Honduras, Belize, and Guatemala have seen gradual improvements in their homicide rates over the past decade, none comes close to El Salvador’s dramatic decline. Even Costa Rica, long considered one of the region’s safest countries, recorded a rate of 17.3 per 100,000 in 2023 – over seven times higher than El Salvador’s rate that same year.
Despite these rapid improvements, El Salvador still struggles with a bad reputation, which it’s trying hard to dispel. Also, many online documentaries and old news reports still paint an outdated picture of El Salvador, leading many potential visitors and expats to question the reality on the ground. When someone recently turned to the Original Expats in El Salvador Facebook group to ask about safety in El Salvador after a friend warned them against visiting, the responses came flooding in from expats and locals alike. Their insights offer a fascinating glimpse into daily life in this rapidly changing country.
Central America Homicide Rate 2013-2023
What Residents Are Saying
“I’ve lived here for 24 years,” shares one American expat. “There was a lot of crime here in the past due to gangs and the civil war, which many documentaries talk about. It is perfectly safe here now. I have lived in the city and at the beach and have never had any problems.”
This sentiment echoes throughout most responses, with many long-term residents noting the dramatic changes of the past few years. “We have been here 11 years. Now is the safest it has ever been,” writes someone else. “Honestly, I feel safer here than in my own country.”
“I take walks safely and without fear – something I never dared before,” writes another long-term resident. “My front door is always wide open for air circulation, and I’m never concerned about intruders.” Multiple expats compare their experience in El Salvador favorably to life in major U.S. cities, with one former New Yorker stating they feel safer in El Salvador than in their hometown.
The changes are particularly noticeable to those who regularly visit the country. One respondent mentions how their spouse used to avoid visiting El Salvador but now can’t wait for their next trip to San Salvador. Another shares their experience of traveling as two women after dark, using Ubers and visiting parks without feeling unsafe.
The Other Side of the Story
However, not all responses paint a completely rosy picture. Some residents point out remaining challenges, particularly regarding legal processes. The U.S. State Department, while recently lowering its travel advisory to Level 2, notes that the ongoing State of Exception grants authorities broad powers to arrest suspected gang members, sometimes affecting due process rights.
A few long-term residents also mention that while tourist areas are particularly safe, visitors should maintain the same common sense precautions they would use anywhere: avoid displaying wealth, be aware of surroundings, and use extra caution when visiting banks or ATMs.
Daily Life in Today’s El Salvador
The contrast between old perceptions and current reality is stark. A British expat who lives in El Salvador with her partner and child reports feeling safer than she did in the UK. “I walk alone in the dark sometimes and have never once felt unsafe,” she writes. Another expat emphasizes this point by sharing how their relatives in Las Vegas have experienced multiple break-ins and car thefts, while they’ve had no such issues in El Salvador.
Several respondents note they regularly use their phones in public, including on buses and in the street – something that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. One resident who works in rural mountain areas mentions they can now access places that two years ago were considered too dangerous.
While safety dominates the discussion, some residents point out other factors potential expats should consider. One notes that while El Salvador might be “a paradise for foreigners,” locals still face challenges including high living costs, unemployment, and low salaries. Housing prices have also risen significantly.
Do you remember downtown San Salvador ever being safe to visit after dark? We don’t either. El Salvador is changing fast! 💙pic.twitter.com/YkOhBx73Df
— Salvadoran Pride (@SalvadoranPride) March 28, 2023
The Verdict: Is El Salvador Safe?
The U.S. State Department’s decision to lower El Salvador’s travel advisory to Level 2 reflects the improved security situation. While still advising increased caution, the advisory acknowledges “a significant reduction in gang-related activity and associated crime in the last two years.” This includes notable drops in violent crimes and murders.
More importantly than the State Department, the overwhelming consensus from expats and locals is that El Salvador has become remarkably safe, particularly in comparison to its past reputation and to many major cities in North America. However, as with any country, common sense precautions remain important. While old documentaries may paint a different picture, current residents consistently report feeling secure in their daily lives, with many saying they feel safer in El Salvador than in their home countries.
As one expat puts it: “Like any other country, it has its pros and cons.” But when it comes to safety, the transformation appears to be real and significant, even if some institutional challenges remain. For those considering a visit or move to El Salvador, the experiences of current residents suggest that old fears based on the country’s past reputation may need updating.
