🇸🇻 Is El Salvador safe to visit?
Daily safety index from official government advisories, plus the consular map of El Salvador: 12 diplomatic missions from 12 countries, local emergency numbers and language essentials.
Updated Sep 13, 2026 · Composite index recalculated daily from official government advisories.
What official sources say
Levels are normalized to Telcomia's 1–4 scale. Always read the full official advisory at the source.
What to know before traveling to El Salvador
Drawn from the linked official advisories — always check the full text at the source.
Trip essentials
- Emergency consular line available 24/7 at (+503) 7719 7311
- State of Exception in force nationwide since March 2022 — follow local authority guidance
- Private clinics in the capital offer adequate care but are very expensive; public healthcare is poor
- Travel insurance covering hospitalization and medical repatriation is strongly recommended
Risk areas and situations
- Criminal gangs known as 'maras' operated across the whole country; activity has dropped since 2022 but caution is still advised
- Under the State of Exception, certain civil liberties and procedural guarantees upon arrest may be restricted
Local laws and customs
- The State of Exception limits some public rights and freedoms, including legal guarantees if detained
Health
- Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika cases are recorded every year throughout the country
- Typhoid fever also reported, especially during the hot season (Jan–Apr) and rainy season (May–Nov)
- Comprehensive travel and medical insurance including repatriation cover is essential
Emergency numbers in El Salvador
Embassies and consulates in El Salvador
12 diplomatic missions from 12 countries, across 1 cities.
| Nationality | Missions | Cities |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇷 Argentina | 1 | San Salvador |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | 1 | San Salvador |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | 1 | San Salvador |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | 1 | San Salvador |
| 🇨🇳 China | 1 | San Salvador |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 1 | San Salvador |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | 1 | San Salvador |
| 🇫🇷 France | 1 | San Salvador |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 1 | San Salvador |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | 1 | San Salvador |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 1 | San Salvador |
| 🇺🇸 United States | 1 | San Salvador |
The full directory — addresses, phone numbers and locations on the map — is available in the Telcomia app.
Local language
The main local language in El Salvador is Spanish. The Telcomia app includes 16 emergency phrases in Spanish, with audio, ready to play when you need them.
See the 16 emergency phrases in SpanishTraveling to El Salvador?
Stay connected from the moment you land: prepaid eSIM data plans for El Salvador, delivered instantly, with the Telcomia safety layer included.
Frequently asked questions
Is El Salvador safe to visit right now?
The Telcomia Safety Index for El Salvador is 1.18/4 (Low risk, level 1 of 4) as of Sep 13, 2026. It is a composite of official advisories from Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States, recalculated daily.
What is the emergency number in El Salvador?
The general emergency number in El Salvador is 911. Save it before you travel — with a Telcomia eSIM you can call for help without hunting for Wi-Fi.
How many embassies are there in El Salvador?
Telcomia tracks 12 diplomatic missions from 12 countries in El Salvador, across 1 cities. The full directory with addresses and phone numbers is in the Telcomia app.
Informational only
This page is general information, not a substitute for official government travel advice. Conditions can change quickly — always check your own government's latest advisory before and during your trip.
Advisory levels summarize official sources: Spain's MAEC, the UK FCDO (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0) and the U.S. Department of State (public domain). Follow the links above for the full official text.