In a historic move, the United States Department of State has reclassified El Salvador with a Level 1 travel advisory—the safest category—making it the only country in Central America to receive this distinction. The upgrade, announced on April 8, 2025, highlights El Salvador’s dramatic transformation in public security under President Nayib Bukele’s leadership.
“El Salvador has just received the U.S. State Department’s Gold Star for Travel: Level 1: The Safest,” President Bukele shared on X (formerly Twitter), celebrating the country’s recognition as a safe destination for international visitors. Level 1 advisories are typically reserved for nations with minimal risk, such as Japan, Austria, Finland, and Greece. The U.S. government now recommends that its citizens take normal precautions when visiting El Salvador.
This update replaces the previous Level 2 advisory in place since November 2024 and places El Salvador in a position of regional leadership in tourism and security. In contrast, other Central American nations currently hold higher-risk classifications: Costa Rica and Panama are under Level 2 due to rising crime rates, while Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua remain under Level 3, which warns travelers to reconsider visiting due to high levels of violence.
According to political analyst and sociologist Mauricio Rodríguez, this reclassification is a direct result of Bukele’s strong diplomatic ties with the United States and the bipartisan support El Salvador enjoys in the U.S. Congress. “This new status shows us to the world as a country that can be visited, a place where tourism is possible,” Rodríguez affirmed.
Recent crime statistics reinforce El Salvador’s rapid security gains. In 2024, the nation recorded a historic low of 1.9 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, the lowest in the region and the Western Hemisphere, according to President Bukele’s January 1 announcement. These improvements stem from the implementation of the Territorial Control Plan and the ongoing state of emergency targeting gang violence and organized crime.
Meanwhile, Costa Rica and Panama—once benchmarks of regional safety—have experienced significant increases in violent crime. Costa Rica is projected to reach a record-high 925–975 homicides in 2025, surpassing its most violent year on record. Panama saw a 4.4% increase in homicides in 2024, with provinces like Colón and Panamá Oeste reporting the highest incidence rates.
Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua continue to face persistent security challenges under leftist administrations. Efforts to replicate El Salvador’s emergency security model have so far struggled to yield similar results. According to Estrategia y Negocios, Honduras and Guatemala posted the region’s highest homicide rates in 2024.
As regional instability grows, El Salvador’s stable security climate and international recognition position it as a leading destination for safe tourism, investment, and economic growth in Latin America.