El Salvador
Summary
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for El Salvador’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
Most visits to El Salvador are trouble free. However, despite the progress made in security, the risk of violent crime remains. El Salvador has until recently had one of the highest crime rates in Latin America so you should take extra care.care, Takeparticularly particular care in downtown San SalvadorSalvador, and on roads outside major towns and cities, especiallyand at night. Avoid wearing expensive jewellery or displaying valuable items. Safeguard your passport, mobile phone and cash against pickpockets. SeeSee Safety Crimeand security
On 15 January 2023, Dirección General de Protección Civil issued a Red Alert in the municipalities of San Lorenzo and Ahuachapan, and a Green Alert in the rest of Ahuachapan and Santa Ana departments, after more than 200 small earth tremors where registered in less than 24 hours. For updated information, you should monitor local media and follow advice from authorities. See Natural disasters
The rainy season runs from June to November and extreme weather events can lead to loss of life, damage to roads, property and infrastructure, and disruption to supplies, services and utilities. You should exercise extra caution if travelling and follow the advice and instructions of local authorities. See Rainy season
A State of Exception (Emergency) introduced in response to a sharp rise in the number of murders in late March 2022 remains in place, although the number of murders has since fallen drastically. See Safety and security
Political tensions in El Salvador remain high; public rallies and demonstrations occasionally see violence or public disorder. The El Salvador Constitution prohibits political activities by foreign nationals, and participation in demonstrations may result in detention and/or deportation. You should avoid large gatherings or demonstrations and exercise caution in public areas.
You can get up to date information and advice about volcanic activity on the website of the Directorate General of Civil Protection (in Spanish). See Natural disasters
Although there is no recent history of terrorism in El Salvador, attacks can’t be ruled out. See Terrorism
You can contact the emergency services by calling 911.
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
If you would like to make the British Embassy in San Salvador aware of your presence in the country please email stay in contact El Salvador
Update history
2024-03-14 14:09
Updated information on political situation (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-02-06 17:45
Updated information on elections (Safety and Security)
2023-11-24 12:26
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-10-30 15:57
Information on Tropical Storm Pilar (‘Summary’ page).
2023-09-04 09:47
Updated information about Public Spaces and Services (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-06-22 11:10
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-05-23 09:40
Getting a new entry immigration stamp if issued an Emergency Travel Document whilst in El Salvador (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-03-31 19:14
Updated information about a further extension to the State of Exception (emergency)(‘Safety and Security’ page).
2023-02-17 15:05
Updated information about the State of Exception (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).
2023-01-23 15:50
Updated information about the crime rate in El Salvador, especially San Salvador (‘Summary page’).
2023-01-17 10:13
Updated information on State of Exception, Seismic Activity, Entry Requirements and Political Situation (‘Summary’, ‘Safety and security’, ‘Entry requirements’, and ‘Natural disasters’ pages).
2022-12-16 11:28
Updated information on State of Exception (‘Safety and security’ page).
2022-11-30 10:27
Updated information on Volcanic Activity (‘Summary’, ‘Entry Requirements’ and ‘Natural disasters’ pages).
2022-11-18 21:37
Updated information on Volcanic Activity (‘Summary’, ‘Natural disasters’ pages).
2022-11-18 09:42
Updated information on State of Exception (‘Summary’, ‘Coronavirus’, ‘Safety and Security’, ‘Natural disasters’ pages).
2022-10-20 11:21
Updated information on State of Exception and State of Emergency caused by Tropical Storm Julia (‘Summary’, ‘Safety and Security’ and ‘Natural Disasters’ pages).
2022-10-12 12:04
Updated information on State of Emergency caused by Tropical Storm Julia (‘Summary’ and ‘Natural Disasters’ pages).
2022-09-16 19:48
Updated information on the extension of the State of Exception until 18 October 2022, and the number of people detained since the 27 March (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).
2022-08-22 12:05
Updated information on the extension of the State of Exception until 18 September 2022, the drop in requirement to wear masks in public places, and the number of people detained since the 27 March (‘Summary’, ‘Safety and Security’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2022-07-26 11:21
Updated information on the risk from terrorism (‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages)
2022-07-21 19:15
Updated information on the extension of the State of Exception and the number of people detained during the last four months (‘Safety and security’ page)
2022-06-24 12:19
Updated information on the extension to the State of Exception and the numbers of people detained during the last two months (‘Safety and security’ page)
2022-05-27 11:24
Updated information on the extension of the State of Exception (‘Safety and security’ page)
2022-04-27 11:05
Updated information on the extension of the State of Emergency (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-04-06 16:46
Minor update on State of Emergency and murder rate, and to ‘Safety and Security’, ‘Terrorism’, and ‘Health’ pages.
2022-03-28 22:43
On 26 March 2022, the Legislative Assembly approved a 30 day State of Emergency throughout El Salvador, after a sharp rise in the number of murders. (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)