San Salvador Travel Risk — Moderate Risk (46/100)
Is San Salvador safe right now? Checked 16 October 2026
San Salvador scores 46/100 on our travel risk index (Moderate). The US State Department rates El Salvador Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions, updated 25 Jun 2026); the UK has no advice against travel; Canada says: exercise a high degree of caution. No GDACS or USGS hazard events within 100 km in the last 14 days. No change in government advice in the last 7 days.
Political instability (score 30)
Natural disasters (score 45)
September 30, 2026
San Salvador, El Salvador has a current Travel Risk Calculator composite score of 46 out of 100 (moderate risk tier); the highest-rated risk category is natural disasters at 45/100; the lowest-rated category is political instability at 30/100; last updated September 30, 2026. For official nationwide security advisories, entry requirements, and health notices, see the El Salvador travel risk page. Real-time conditions below include live weather, official advisory levels, GDACS disaster alerts, and current news.
Get a personalized assessment for your tripHow safe is San Salvador to visit in 2026?
San Salvador currently sits at 46/100 on our composite travel-risk index, which puts it in the moderate-risk tier. Most travelers will be fine with normal precautions, but a few categories below score high enough that planning matters. The highest-rated risk category for San Salvador is natural disasters (45/100), and the lowest is political instability (30/100). This page was last updated on September 30, 2026; the baseline category scores reflect analytical indicators, layered with live conditions throughout the day. Live conditions — weather and air quality every 30 minutes, US State Department advisory every 6 hours, GDACS disaster alerts every 30 minutes, CDC health notices every 12 hours, and news every hour — are cached at the source and refreshed automatically when stale.
Driven by: security (50/100) and natural hazards (79/100).
A score of 46 is higher than the scores of 60% of the 241 countries we cover.
AI safety snapshot · refreshed Oct 15, 2026
San Salvador currently has a moderate risk baseline of 46/100 and sits under a Level 1 U.S. State Department advisory. Travelers should note ongoing regional drought conditions, a global Level 1 CDC dengue notice, and recent local weather and seismic alerts.
AI-summarized strictly from the live public-source data below (US State Dept advisory, GDACS, CDC, Google News). Auto-refreshed at most once per day on the first visit. Not official advice.
Live conditions last refreshed: Oct 16, 2026 04:42 UTC
What should I do now?
- Run a real assessment. Open the calculator for live data (weather, advisory, news) layered onto this baseline.
- Natural disasters (score 45/100): Check seasonal hazard (hurricane, monsoon, earthquake) for your dates. Identify hotel evacuation routes on arrival.
- Environmental quality (score 40/100): Check air-quality forecasts. If sensitive, pack a mask and adjust outdoor activity. Hydration is critical in heat.
- Check your country's advisory. The single most authoritative live signal. Linked at the bottom of every real assessment.
Day vs Night Safety in San Salvador
Guidance based on our scores and official advice — not a measured score.
Daytime conditions are generally secure along major corridors and commercial districts. Keep bags zipped and avoid displaying high-value items openly.
Risk levels elevate noticeably after dark outside main central zones. Avoid walking alone through unlit parks, alleys, or quiet transit stations; favor pre-booked door-to-door transport.
Safety by Traveler Type in San Salvador
Guidance based on our scores and official advice — not a measured score.
No group-specific warning is triggered in San Salvador for solo travelers (Crime 35/100 · Transport 40/100), women traveling solo (Crime 35/100), families with children (Health 40/100 · Natural disaster 45/100), older travelers (Health 40/100 · Transport 40/100), business travelers (Digital 35/100 · Money 35/100 · Transport 40/100) and lgbtq+ travelers (Advisory 35/100 · Political 30/100): these scores sit in the low-to-moderate range, so standard precautions apply. Local laws affecting LGBTQ+ travelers and gender-specific incident rates are not captured in our scores; check your government's travel guidance.
Score layers
Safety categories
Source: Grounded open data research & citations
Quick facts
| Hospital access | medium |
|---|---|
| Airport risk | low |
| Road safety | medium |
| Public transport | medium |
| Tourist scam risk | low |
| Night safety | low |
| Last updated | September 30, 2026 |
Live conditions in San Salvador
Real-time data refreshed from public sources — weather and air quality from Open-Meteo, official advisory from the US State Department, disaster alerts from GDACS, health notices from the CDC, news from Google News. For an AI-synthesized briefing tailored to your specific trip, run a personalized assessment.
Official travel advisory
Level 1 · Exercise Normal Precautions
El Salvador - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Read full advisory → · US Department of State
Disaster alerts
Active Disaster Alerts
-
Drought is on going in The Bahamas, Belize, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Mexico, Nicaragua, El Salvador ORANGE · country-wide · 2026-07-03
The Drought notification level is Orange.
“~N km away” = event centroid within ~500 km of this location; “country-wide” = a national/regional alert that may not be near this specific city. Source: GDACS · fetched 2026-10-16 04:42:23 UTC
Natural hazard calendar & history
5-Year Hazard Calendar (100 km Radius)
| Hazard | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floods | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Tropical Cyclones | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Earthquakes (M5.5+) | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 1 |
Most flood events within 100 km of San Salvador happened in September (4 of 17 in five years).
Source: GDACS, USGS; five years to October 2026.
Significant Earthquakes (USGS M5.5+ within 150 km)
9 major seismic events recorded within 150 km over the past 5 years.
- Largest: M6.2 on 5 Jan 2025 (78 km away) — USGS details
- Most recent: M5.7 on 29 Jul 2025 (84 km away) — USGS details
For consular advice on women's safety, LGBT+ travel, and local laws, see the El Salvador travel advice & laws.
Check the official entry requirements for your nationality before you travel. See the El Salvador entry requirements.
Health notices
Health Notices for this Destination
-
Level 1 - Global Dengue WATCH · 2026-10-02
Dengue is a year-round risk in many parts of the world, with outbreaks commonly occurring every 2–5 years. Travelers to risk areas should prevent mosquito bites. Country List : Colombia, Vietnam, Maldives, Bolivia, Cambodia, Kenya, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Mar
-
Level 2 - Global Polio ALERT · 2026-09-23
Some international destinations have circulating poliovirus. Before any international travel, make sure you are up to date on your polio vaccines. Country List : Afghanistan, Algeria, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, Nig
-
Level 1 - Global Measles WATCH · 2025-05-28
Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel. Country List : Afghan
Source: CDC Travelers’ Health · fetched 2026-10-15 19:24:31 UTC
1991–2020 climate normals
Seasonal risk & best time to visit San Salvador
The most weather-stable two-month window for San Salvador is December–January, when typical daily temperatures run from about 19°C to 30°C and monthly rain averages 5 mm.
Seasonal planning flags include heavy rain season in June–September; hurricane season in June–November. These are climate patterns, not forecasts.
Climate normals are planning context, not a short-range forecast. Source: Open-Meteo Climate API. Refreshed Sep 9, 2026.
Calculate risk for these travel dates Compare seasonal windows →
Practical safety map
Safety infrastructure nearby in San Salvador
San Salvador has 10 hospitals, 10 police stations, 5 embassies, 10 pharmacies and 5 fire stations within 7 km of the city center in the latest OpenStreetMap extract.
The interactive map loads when it approaches the viewport.
Facility list (works without JavaScript)
- Hospital: Centro de Salud Tutunichapa
- Hospital: Fosalud San Jacinto
- Hospital: Hospital 1 de Mayo
- Hospital: Hospital Central
- Hospital: Hospital Centro Pediátrico
- Hospital: Hospital de Emergencias
- Hospital: Hospital General del ISSS
- Hospital: Hospital Rosales
- Hospital: Instituto de Ojos
- Hospital: Unidad de Medicina Física y Rehabilitación del ISSS
- Police: Unnamed police
- Police: Bartolina Delegación SS Centro
- Police: Cuartel General de la Policía Nacional Civil
- Police: División Anti Narcoticos de la Policia Nacional Civil
- Police: División de Armas y Explosivos de la Policia Nacional Civil
- Police: División de Seguridad Vial Policía Nacional Civil
- Police: Policía Nacional Civil
- Police: Subdireccion de Seguridad Vial
- Police: Unidad de Registro y Antecedentes Policiales
- Police: Unidad del Mantenimiento del Orden de la Policia Nacional Civil
- Embassy: Embajada de Francia
- Embassy: Embajada de Guatemala
- Embassy: Embajada de Italia
- Embassy: Embassy of Canada
- Embassy: Embassy of Israel
- Pharmacy: Unnamed pharmacy
- Pharmacy: Farmacia del Centro
- Pharmacy: Farmacia Juan Carlos
- Pharmacy: Farmacia Principal
- Pharmacy: Farmacia San Nicolás
- Pharmacy: Farmacias Betel
- Pharmacy: Farmacias Económicas
- Pharmacy: Farmacias Económicas
- Pharmacy: Farmacias Económicas
- Pharmacy: Farmacias San Nicolás
- Fire station: AE.
- Fire station: AV.
- Fire station: Bomberos de El Salvador
- Fire station: Cuerpo de Bomberos
- Fire station: Cuerpo de Bomberos de El Salvador
Map and facility data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Locations can be incomplete or outdated; confirm before relying on them. See this destination’s numbers or browse emergency numbers by country.
Emergency numbers (El Salvador)
| Police | 911 |
|---|---|
| Ambulance | 911 |
| Fire | 911 |
| General | 911 |
See nearby hospitals, police, pharmacies, embassies, and fire stations on the safety map.
Medical access
| Hospital access | medium |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy access | medium |
| Emergency response | medium |
| English-speaking care | unknown |
| Evacuation complexity | medium |
Healthcare facilities and pharmacies are available throughout the capital for standard visitor needs. Complex medical emergencies may require evacuation considerations depending on the specific care required.
Common scam patterns
- Taxi Overcharging and Transport Scams. Travelers may encounter inflated fares or unmetered rates from drivers, particularly when hailing cabs on the street or using unregistered transport. Official yellow-and-white licensed taxis and rideshares like Uber provide safer alternatives. Tip: Always confirm the fare in advance or use trusted rideshare apps to avoid unexpected charges.
- Fake Guides and Market Pricing. Unregistered individuals may pose as official tour guides or charge inflated 'gringo pricing' to tourists in local markets and popular areas. It is easy to encounter unauthorized operators offering services without proper credentials. Tip: Book excursions through verified agencies and check standard market prices before making purchases.
Area notes
- downtown San Salvador. Travelers should take particular care, avoid walking alone, and exercise caution especially after dark.
- other towns or cities. Travelers should avoid traveling alone or after dark outside of major areas.
- Escalón. A recommended upscale neighborhood and safer area frequently suggested as a base for visitors staying in San Salvador.
- Zona Rosa. A prominent district known for modern shopping centers, restaurants, and hotels within the tourist-friendly circuit.
- San Benito. A secure and well-regarded neighborhood ideal for travelers seeking safe accommodations in the capital.
Nearest embassies & consulates
Find your home country's diplomatic mission in El Salvador for consular support, lost passports, or citizen emergencies:
Run a personalized assessment for San Salvador
Get a tailored briefing in ~15 seconds, with live weather, advisories, and recent news.
Calculate my trip riskScore history
| When | Score change | Tier | Reason / source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 5, 2026 | 47 → 46 | moderate | Method change (scoring v2) scoring v2 |
| Oct 2, 2026 | 48 → 47 | moderate | Method change (scoring v2) scoring v2 |
| Oct 2, 2026 | 0 → 0 | unknown | Data update Grounded open data research & citations |
| Sep 30, 2026 | 52 → 48 | elevated → moderate | Method change (scoring v2) scoring v2 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | 0 → 0 | unknown | Data update Grounded open data research & citations |
| Sep 27, 2026 | 53 → 52 | elevated | Data update scoring v2 |
| Sep 27, 2026 | 36 → 53 | moderate → elevated | Method change (scoring v2) scoring v2 |
Every editorial change to San Salvador's composite score is logged here, with the source and reason for the change. Live data overlays (weather, advisories, disaster alerts, news) refresh continuously on their own cadences and are not recorded as score changes — see the Live conditions section above for current overlay state.
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Transparency & Sources
We document the baseline sources, coverage scope, and data inputs for this destination below.
Sources used
- SimpleMaps World Cities (CC BY 4.0): Coordinates, region, population for San Salvador
- Travel Risk Calculator score (method v2): Security, crime and scams, health, natural hazards and current alerts for San Salvador, from US, UK and Canadian advisories, INFORM, World Bank, UCDP, CDC, GDACS, USGS and OpenStreetMap
- Editorial baseline (Travel Risk Calculator): City-level threat scoring across 9 categories (crime, health, advisory, political, disaster, transport, environmental, digital security, money safety)
Live data overlays on this page refresh asynchronously on the source cadences shown above. Run an assessment to create a trip-specific briefing using your dates and traveler profile.
Baseline scope
- Category scores represent an analytical baseline, updated from official feeds and public records.
Coverage notes
- Transport-hub safety notes (airport, train stations).
Methodology · Full data-source registry · Report a correction
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Disclaimer
Travel Risk Calculator provides estimated travel-threat information for preparation purposes only. It does not replace official government advisories, medical advice, emergency alerts, immigration rules, insurance advice, police guidance, embassy information, or professional security consultation.