How safe is San Salvador in October?

Question

Are the gangs bad? How should we dress? Are coastal resorts nice? Safe?

Answer 1

I'm American but my parents are from El Salvador. I've been there twice. Once when I was four and two years ago. I have relatives there so I stayed with them. Definately leave your luxury items at home. If you know Spanish SPEAK IT (but this alone won't be good enough since Salvadorian Spanish is different from the Spanish in other countries not just the accent but because instead of the word tu (you) we use vos so all the verbs are conjugated accordingly). When I went everyone knew I was American because I don't speak Spanish the way they do (I use tu not vos) so most people automatically think you have money, which is not something you want people to think over there. It's not safe at night so try not to stay out too late especially if you're alone. I've only traveled to San Salvador (capital), there's crime everywhere in the world but I never saw anyone beaten for shoes (although I don't doubt it) try to hang out with locals and don't go anywhere by yourself. Travel with someone who knows the country. They'll know the cool places and where it's safe. The most important thing is to enjoy yourself. It's a beautiful country and people travel there all the time.

p.s. if you are still worried about the safety keep in mind that my group consisted of four women and we went everywhere and I made it back safely.

Answer 2

My Salvadorean students told me that crime in San Salvador is terrible, and people are beaten and robbed because someone wanted their shoes.

Unless I were going on a tour or had friends there, I wouldn't go. And I certainly wouldn't walk in the streets alone or at night.
Here's a quote from Wikipedia about San Salvador

"In the past 15 years El Salvador has experienced a huge rise in gang related crimes, and gangs in general. Some say that this was a result of the deportation of thousands of Salvadorans from the U.S, (mainly California and Texas) in the mid-90s. The gangs that Salvadorans had been involved in the United States began to show up in El Salvador. Today El Salvador experiences some of the highest rates of gang related crimes in the world. In response to this, the government has set up countless programs to try to guide the youth away from gang membership, but so far their efforts have not rendered any quick results.

Pollution remains one of the city's biggest problems. Located in a valley, San Salvador is a perfect pollution trap (though not as bad as Mexico City). Fuelling this, the city struggles with an increasing traffic problem. New highways and arterial roads offer some relief. "

The coastal resorts are supposed to be wonderful...just don't wandering around without your group.
Good Luck!

Answer 3

Its not the safest place in the world, but its not the worst either. Just dont dress too flashy, no expensice jewelry, nothing like that. I havent been to to the resorts, but i hear they're nice, its relatively safe, but try not to be by yourself when you're out.

Answer 4

what