El Salvador, a Central American country, is officially known as the Republic of El Salvador.
It is commonly known for being the most dangerous country in the world, with a murder rate of 52.02 incidents per 100,000 residents.
The reports paint a bleak picture of this country, and tourists, in general, are advised to exercise extreme caution when traveling to El Salvador.
The country has a very high crime rate that has seen significant growth over the past three years, with very high levels of property crimes and violent crimes.
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10 Safest Cities in El Salvador
However, a few cities in El Salvador experience lower crime levels and attract many expatriates and nomads due to the low cost of living.
1. Santa Ana
Santa Ana is located in the western region of El Salvador.
The city is relatively new to receiving tourists.
You may notice that the city is lined with armed guards.
These security forces help keep the crime rate at bay and make the city safer for residents and tourists.
The residents are very welcoming and friendly.
The city itself is very safe.
The city is slowly starting to see an influx of tourists.
And, with that, you may notice a spike in petty crime.
While Santa Ana may be somewhat safe, visitors should still exercise caution when moving around.
In addition, it needs to be mentioned that, like most cities, Santa Ana has safe areas and areas deemed very unsafe.
It may be best to visit with a tour guide.
2. El Tunco
El Tunco is a famous surfing town in the western part of El Salvador.
The town is frequented by thousands of visitors each year and offers free surfing lessons.
Many of the wealthy Salvadoreans from San Salvador spend their weekends in this small town as a short getaway from the hustle and bustle of the bigger city.
You will immediately notice how friendly and inviting the locals are.
This town is very safe for tourists and does not experience a lot of violent or property crimes.
You’ll also notice no racism or judgment in this small town.
It is an excellent destination for those who want to experience the great things El Salvador offers.
All the town’s access roads are heavily guarded with access points.
Traveling alone during the day and evening seems pretty safe.
However, there have been reports of it not being safe for females traveling alone.
3. La Libertad
La Libertad is located in the west of El Salvador.
The town is known for its Pacific coastline, outstanding food, sandy beaches, and laid-back atmosphere.
The town is a significant tourist attraction due to its Mayan ruins.
There are various accounts of crime in the city.
Tourists need to remain vigilant and stick to tourist areas.
Visitors should always exercise caution.
If possible, do not travel at night and opt to take a taxi instead of a bus whenever possible.
There are reports of crimes, as with any big city, but these are usually contained in certain crime hotspots.
4. San Miguel
San Miguel is the third largest city in El Salvador and the third most populated.
The city is slightly less developed than other cities but is still a popular tourist destination.
Salvadoreans understand the importance of looking after tourists and protecting them from crime.
This city is relatively safe to travel to.
There is, without a doubt, crime in this city.
But it is still reasonably safe to travel to and through.
It is located on the country’s eastern coast and features some of the most beautiful beaches in Central America.
Tourists should remain vigilant of pickpockets and muggings.
Crime is not the only thing you need to worry about in this town.
A few volcanoes surround the city, and some are active.
These volcanoes offer excellent hiking routes for those that love to hike.
5. Acajutla
Acajutla is a port city that is located in Sonsonate.
It is situated on the Pacific Coast of the country.
The city features beautiful beaches, exceptional scenery, and delicious food.
It’s made it onto this list because the city has only seen one homicide for the 2022 period.
Acajutla has a population of 58,252 and a crime rate of approximately 1.72 incidents per 100,000 residents, making it one of the safest cities in El Salvador.
There are many activities to enjoy in this coastal city, including hiking, sightseeing, and experiencing the local cuisine.
It is seen as the hidden gem of El Salvador.
6. Cojutepeque
Cojutepeque is the capital city of Cuscatlán department in El Salvador.
The city has a population of approximately 54,748 residents.
It is not typically known as a tourist destination.
However, much like Acajutla, it has a very low crime rate compared to the rest of the country.
There are approximately 1.83 incidents of crime per 100,000 residents, and the 2022 period has only seen one homicide.
Apart from serious violent crimes, there are reports of petty crimes such as pickpocketing, theft, and items stolen from vehicles.
This beautiful city offers many wonderful things to see and do, such as landmarks, the Torre De San Vicente, and water bodies like Lake Ilopango, that tourists can visit to get a feel for the city.
7. Zacatecoluca
Zacatecoluca is the capital of the La Paz Department.
It sits at the foot of the San Vicente Volcano.
It is the economic hub of the area and does receive some tourists.
It has a population of 82,415 residents and is most known for its delicious food and hospitality.
It is a beautiful city with many breathtaking architectural buildings that take you back in time.
This city is not without its faults.
There are high levels of corruption in Zacatecoluca.
Petty crimes such as pickpocketing also seem to be a problem.
However, in terms of homicide, this city is considered one of the safest in El Salvador.
The city has a homicide rate of 3.64 homicides per 100,000 residents and has seen three homicides for the 2022 period.
Tourists come here to enjoy the food, sites, and history.
8. Usulutan
Usulutan is located in the southeast part of El Salvador.
It is the fifth largest city in El Salvador and forms part of the Usulután Department.
The city has a population of 71,687 residents.
The city is known for the Usulutan Volcano.
The residents are warm and welcoming, and there are many great restaurants here that you can visit to try the local cuisine.
This city has made it on our list for its low homicide rate.
Thus far, the city has seen 3 homicides for the 2022 period and, on average, a 4.18 incident rate per 100,000 residents.
The city features many tourist attractions and some incredible nearby cities that you can travel to.
9. San Marcos
San Marcos is located in a small valley and is a municipality of El Salvador.
The city has a population of 60,358 residents.
It is mainly made up of residential suburbs of middle and low-income families.
The city is surrounded by hills and is approximately five miles from San Salvador.
There are many reports of petty crimes.
The homicide rate in this city is also low.
There have been approximately 4.97 homicide incidents per 100,000 residents and only 4 homicides in the 2022 period.
Corruption is still a problem here as it is petty theft and some forms of property theft.
However, compared to other cities in El Salvador, it is pretty safe.
10. Metapan
Metapan is a municipality in the Santa Ana region.
It has a population of 71,949 residents and is one of the safer cities in El Salvador.
There have been five reports of homicides for the 2022 period, and the city has a homicide rate of approximately 5.56 incidents per 100,000 residents.
This city is most well known for its well-preserved colonial churches.
The city features many waterparks, national parks, and several destinations for tourists to enjoy and experience the Salvadorean way of life.
People traveling to this city should exercise a fair amount of caution and remain vigilant.
There are reports of bribery and corruption in this city as well.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to El Salvador
There are a few precautions to take when traveling to El Salvador.
- Always do your research before traveling to a destination. Review the climate, crime statistics, and safety advice.
- Don’t dress in a way that shows off wealth.
- Make sure that your cellphone is always fully charged before leaving your hotel.
- Always ask before taking pictures of locals.
- NEVER travel alone at night.
El Salvador Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: El Salvador Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: HIGH
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the top tourist destination in El Salvador?
People travel to El Salvador to experience the culture and visit one of the many famous volcanoes.
Which is safer, Honduras or El Salvador?
Honduras has the highest homicide rate in the world.
Is El Salvador worth visiting?
This small country has a lot to offer visitors.
Keep in mind that while it has a very high crime rate, there are many places you can visit that are not that dangerous.
However, always exercise caution.
I’m an American married to Salvadoran and 20yrs traveling and living half the yr here iv never seen or been scared .we have a great president who has cleaned the gangs and jailed over 70,000.its safer than America! Facts.its a beautiful friendly country.
As an American I was interested to find about all the 10 safest cities if I wanted to live in El Salvador To live on the coast are there any new homes to buy or build there. I would be interested in living there looking for a safe place to relocate. Any ideas?
I am am African American woman married to an el salvadoran man. I am thinking about retirement and would like to relocate to my husband’s home country. What is a safe and non racist city?
Not much a racism out there
I spent a week in El Salvador last month (7/2023). I am a brown skinned very short Asian woman, I did not feel like the local people noticed me at all, because a lot of them look like me 😀. Anyway, I also moved around a bit during my trip, and what I have found out is there’s also an indigenous population, although most Salvadorans have sharp noses, not flat 😀, and most were of medium height. I never felt discriminated due to my race or the color of my skin, I think the only places where I have felt/seen prejudice or racism, is in the US of A where I transplanted myself 30 years ago 🥲.
Likewise, I have not experienced racism nor prejudice until I transplanted myself to the US of A 30 years ago. But to answer your question, I spent a week in El Salvador last month, July 2023, and am a short brown skinned Asian woman, I think I blended in because most of the population look like me 😀. the Salvadoran people that I interacted with are friendly and welcoming, but it would help to at least be able to speak conversational Spanish, even if it’s just a beginner level.
I’m from Nicaragua, I didn’t know about racism till I came
To U.S.A.
Politicians keep it alive as a tool for gain. They won’t let it die because the spectar of racism keeps them in power.
I’m surprised to see Santa Tecla on the list! I visited last year, and it felt incredibly safe compared to other places I’ve been. The community and local authorities must be doing a great job of maintaining a secure environment.
It’s fantastic to see cities like San Miguel making strides in safety. I used to hear about security concerns in the past, but it seems like the efforts put into improving safety measures are paying off.