El Salvador Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for El Salvador
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Normal Precautions
Updated April 8, 2025
El Salvador recorded 7.9 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2022, a rate that is moderate by global standards. That places El Salvador #49 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Americas average of 20.8 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide rates have fallen 81% over the past decade (from 42.4 in 2012). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates El Salvador at Level 1 of 4: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Homicide Rate
7.9 /100k
Safety Rank
#147 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 1 of 4
Data Year
2022
Homicide Rate Trend (1994-2022)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 81% over the past decade (from 42.4 in 2012). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How El Salvador Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In El Salvador, the homicide rate for men is 6.6× higher than the rate for women — 14.3 vs 2.1 per 100,000 (2022).
Homicide victims per 100,000 of each sex. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for El Salvador:
Updated due to change in travel advisory level to reflect changes in crime. Country Summary: Exercise normal precautions in El Salvador. Gang activity has decreased over the last three years. This has caused a drop in violent crimes and murders. U.S. government employees working in El Salvador are allowed to travel throughout the country during daylight hours. However, due to the risks, U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling between cities or departments at night. There are exceptions. U.S.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for El Salvador
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated July 08, 2025).
Crime
Crimes in El Salvador include robbery, car theft, sexual assault, and other crimes. In the past, gangs, primarily Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and 18th Street (M18) or sub factions of each, controlled a majority of the space in El Salvador and were the source of many crimes including extortion. Since 2022, the Government of El Salvador has severely disrupted gang-related activities. This has led to a significant reduction in crime throughout the country. While levels have dropped, crime, including violent crime, still occurs. U.S. Embassy government employees and their family members are permitted to travel throughout the country but may not travel between cities after dark, except for the route between San Salvador and the Comalapa International Airport, as well as the highway between San Salvador and tourist destinations along the littoral highway in La Libertad.
Victims of Crime
U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. Report crimes to the local police at 911 and contact the U.S. Embassy at (503) 2501-2999 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(503) 2501-2999. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime. See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas . We can: Help you find appropriate medical care Assist you in reporting a crime to police Contact relatives or friends with your written consent Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion Provide a list of local attorneys. We do not endorse or recommend any specific attorneys. Provide information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
Domestic Violence
U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. If you are in immediate danger, you may call 911.
Tourism
The tourism industry is not well regulated. Safety inspections for equipment and facilities are rare. Dangerous areas/activities are not always labeled properly. Staff may not be trained or certified by the host government or recognized authorities. If you get injured, you will likely only find appropriate medical treatment in or near major cities. First responders cannot reach areas outside major cities to provide urgent medical care. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage
Watersports
Surfing is extremely popular in El Salvador and one of the reasons for the growth in tourism. El Salvador's Pacific Coast beaches are very risky for swimming. Strong undertows and currents can be dangerous, even for skilled swimmers. Most public beaches have government lifeguards, but private beaches may not. Follow all instructions of any lifeguard, and do not enter the water anywhere you see red warning flags. In addition, El Salvador’s search and rescue capabilities are limited, and access to medical resources in beach areas is inadequate. Check the risks of recreational water activities. Also, think about your own abilities and skills. Be aware that drinking alcohol and swimming can be a deadly combination.
About This Data
Homicide figures are intentional homicides per 100,000 people, compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and published by the World Bank (indicator VC.IHR.PSRC.P5). Homicide is the most reliably comparable crime statistic across countries because definitions of other offences (assault, theft, robbery) vary widely between national legal systems and reporting practices.
Travel advisory levels are issued by the US Department of State and updated continuously. They reflect risks to travelers including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, and natural disasters — not only crime rates. Countries report crime data with different lags; the most recent available year is shown for each metric.
El Salvador Population & Demographics
Population of 6,338,193, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is El Salvador safe to visit?
The US State Department rates El Salvador at Level 1 of 4 (Exercise Normal Precautions). Cited risks include crime. The homicide rate of 7.9 per 100,000 is moderate by global standards.
What is the crime rate in El Salvador?
El Salvador has an intentional homicide rate of 7.9 per 100,000 people (2022, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #49 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for El Salvador?
El Salvador is currently at Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in El Salvador compare to other countries?
El Salvador's homicide rate of 7.9 per 100,000 is above the world average of 5.2 and below the Americas average of 20.8.