Is traveling in El Salvador safe for female solo travelers?

Traveling Solo to El Salvador as a Female Solo Traveler Is Safe. Period, Bye, You Can Get On With Your Life (?)

I was in El Salvador from late November through late December 2023, and it was one of the countries I’ve enjoyed most in all my years of traveling. Yes, you read that right.

I traveled solo and was lucky enough to meet a ton of local people, as well as other travelers and many women traveling on their own. I did Couchsurfing, stayed with locals I’d met in another country, and stayed in hostels. Basically did it all.

Why do I say traveling in El Salvador is safe?

Because the local people are amazing, but also — and this needs to be said because it’s part of the picture — ever since the president started cracking down on gang members, apparently some people who have nothing to do with it get swept up in the process too. What does that mean? It means people try to give the police or military the least possible reason to arrest them. As a result, as a traveler, you’re going to find it safe, since no one is going to risk robbing you, scamming you, etc. You’ll see a lot of police and military patrolling the streets.

Whether that’s right or wrong is up for debate, and you’re entitled to decide for yourself whether to visit that country or not. Objectively, it’s safe. You can go wherever you want, at any hour — something that as women we usually have to hold back on depending on where we are.

Here I am with a friend I made in Santa Ana; an Irish woman who was also traveling solo. If you’re scared to go alone but don’t have another option, don’t worry — in El Salvador you’re likely to find another solo traveler like yourself to team up with.

Final Thoughts

It’s not an “easy” country to travel through, in the sense that, for example, public transport still leaves a lot to be desired, and to get from one side of the country to the other you’ll probably need to make several connections. That alone is the only reason I’d say it might not be a country I’d travel to solo for the first time — unless you’re coming from another Latin American country and are already used to the constant detours, disorganization, and ending up stranded on the side of the road, etc. But if that doesn’t hold you back, then go for it. I also think El Salvador is going to become the new Costa Rica pretty soon, and what you can enjoy for free today will end up costing quite a bit down the line.

If you have any specific questions, write to me — I’m happy to help.

Happy travels, friend!

Titín

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