El Salvador is not famed among tourists for as the safest of the places to travel however bold backpackers travel the country to discover that although the statistics may be horrifying, the locals are friendly and warm. However, this does not mean the statistics lie which means there are some serious hazards awaiting visitors.

Traveling info

All visitors traveling to El Salvador must have a valid passport. Nationals from the EU and certain other countries do not require to obtain a visa upon entry whilst others must obtain the document prior to departure. All nationals, however, require a return or continuation ticket in order to enter El Salvador. Nationals of CA-4 are also exempt from obtaining a visa. (List of requirements for all nations in sources). Visitors deciding to drive in El Salvador must have a valid license and an international driving permit. Those who decide to stay and drive for a period exceeding 30 days must obtain a Salvadoran driving license. The right-hand side of the road is used for driving.

Traveling hazards

Road conditions vary greatly throughout El Salvador, main highways are in good condition and are among the best in Central America however other roads even in main cities can be very poorly maintained and riddled with hazards such as potholes or uncovered manholes. It is also advised not to drive outside of the capital or major cities at night. Cars often lack adequate lighting. Traffic law is not sufficiently enforced by the local police or obeyed by the locals. Due to these factors, defensive driving is advised.

Environmental hazards

El Salvador is home to several species of poisonous snakes. Among these is the coral snake, central American rattlesnake and pit vipers. A bite of any of these can be fatal. El Salvador also houses 2 species of crocodiles, the smaller species called the cayman crocodile grows up to 5 meters in length making it quite a sight and the larger American crocodile reaching lengths of up to 6 meters. These animals are to be avoided as interaction can be fatal. Crocodiles are nocturnal creatures and hunt at night, it is advised to avoid bodies of water after dusk and stay vigilant in the day. Lying in the tropical region El Salvador has a variety of dangerous creatures including scorpions, spiders, and centipedes. It is advised to handle these creatures with care if in the way or to avoid them. Shaking out clothes and shoes before wearing them is important to avoid getting a bit as these creatures ten to enter homes.
Coastal waters of El Salvador are generally safe, particularly the west coast where some of the largest surfing festivals in the world are held however it is advised to avoid swimming after dusk whether is it east or west coast or a lake due to increased activity of large predators such as sharks or earlier mentioned crocodiles. Stingrays and jellyfish are also very common in the Salvadoran waters however none of these creatures will attack directly but are to be treated with respect due to potential danger.
El Salvador lies in the Pacific ring of fire which means earthquakes are not a rarity and can occur at any time. 2 active volcanoes also create potential danger. Due to deforestation, even light rain may cause landslides that can be devastating.

Health hazards

Every visitor traveling to El Salvador from a country with a risk of yellow fever must present proof of yellow fever vaccination. (list of yellow fever risk countries in sources). There are several other vaccines that are not required but recommended. These include the routine vaccines, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, rabies and malaria vaccine. The healthcare level in El Salvador is struggling just like in the rest of the region. Public healthcare is on par with other Central American systems however it is far from the European standard. The hospitals and clinics are underfunded, understaffed and often lack supplies. The private healthcare system, however, is keeping a good standard with some clinics being comparable to those in Europe. Private clinics and hospitals can only be found in San Salvador and major cities in the country and may be quite expensive. It is vital to purchase medical insurance to cover the costs of service. If taking prescribed medicine it is best to supply before leaving for El Salvador as such medication may not be readily available.
In case of an emergency dial 911.

Crime

El Salvador has a massive problem concerning crime. The homicide rate in the country is the highest in the world leaving a massive gap behind the second place. Gang members known as maras amount to almost 70 thousand people in El Salvador alone. Skirmishes between gangs and the ongoing war on drugs are partially the cause of the homicide rate. Homicide does not directly affect tourists however certain precautions are to be taken into consideration when traveling to El Salvador. It is best to consider staying in one of the safer areas around the country, these include Escalon, San Benito, Zona Rosa, Maquilishuat, La Gran Via, and Multiplaza. It is advised to avoid using ATMs as robbers often target unaware visitors and follow them until an opportunity for a robbery arrives. It is best to keep money out of view, money belts are a good way of doing so. Wearing flashy jewelry is like an invitation for a robbery. Leaving goods unattended will usually result in theft. It is advised not to go outside at night. Secluded places may be dangerous even in the daytime. Drug law in El Salvador states that it is illegal to be in possession of any kind of narcotics, amount and kind may result in different punishment among these being jail time, expulsion from the country.

Summary

Although El Salvador is regarded as one of the most dangerous countries in the world, it is a host of some of the largest surfing festivals in the world boasting best surfing spots in Latin and Central America. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
http://visados.com/en/visa-for-El-Salvador-2
(Vaccines)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/el-salvador
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/yellow-fever#5291
(US travel advisory)
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/el-salvador-travel-advisory.html