Dispelling the Myths about El Salvador

#1 Myth: El Salvador is a dangerous country.

El Salvador, like every other country, has it's challenges. Crimes related to gangs are on the rise in cities like San Salvador. Gang related crime is also on the rise in many U.S. and European cities, but does that keep travelers from visiting those cities? No, it does not. Using common sense and taking simple precautions when traveling anywhere are always advisable -- just as locking your doors at home and while driving in a car are advisable even if you live or drive in a safe areas close to your home. The important fact on which to dwell is that crimes against tourists are nearly non- existent in El Salvador. When traveling to El Salvador, if you are staying in San Salvador, it is imperative to know the area of town in which you are going to stay. It is also not advised to explore the city of San Salvador by foot. The hotel concierge is a great resource for sightseeing information. There are many beautiful, upscale, and safe areas of San Salvador -- but you can not assume you can walk from one area to another. Traveling with a tour guide or by taxi is recommended.

Once you leave the city of San Salvador, you will find the country to be much less chaotic and the pace of life much slower. You will also discover that the Salvadoran people very kind and helpful. It is highly recommended to venture out of the city and explore some of El Salvador's beautiful nature areas and attractions; El Impossible, Monte Cristo, Apaneca, Suchitoto, Morazan, Joya de Ceren, National Volcano Park, Ilopongo Lake, El Pital, the beach areas and estuaries -- and all of these areas are quite safe. Infact, El Salvador was the first, and continues to be the only, Central American country that has established a System of Tourism Safety (STS). At a January 2008 meeting of the Central American Council of Tourism (CCT), it was determined that the System of Tourism Safety developed in El Salvador would be adopted throughout the Central American region. This system provides trained tourism police in the popular tourist areas.

In El Salvador, many businesses employ armed guards to protect their property and patrons. This can be unnerving at first since most travelers are not used to seeing this type of security in other countries. This seems to be a result of cultural traditions mixed with the need to employ people who had developed few skills during the civil war years. Most often you will find these guards very friendly and willing to help you in any way. At worst, they are reserved, but are never threatening.

If you don't speak Spanish, driving in El Salvador -- or any Central American country -- can be quite challenging as most people in the rural areas do not speak English and you will not find street signs in English. In the rural areas, often times the roads are not well marked. Getting lost or disoriented in any foreign country can increase your chances of falling victim to a crime. It is advisable to hire a tour guide for your adventure travels throughout El Salvador.