What is El Salvador like?

Question

I am going for my first time this summer in my life my dad is from their so I wanted to see what it is like! Well I read on the ariport thing that alot of American citizens get attacked on and raped and stuff. I also read that their is a lot of gang violence! Should I be worried or concerned about my visit?

Answer 1

sorry i just need to say this but the person above me is stupid.

el salvador is a nice beautiful country depending on wat parts u go to. My mom is from la union im going their this month but ive been their before its not a dangerous part. their is gang violence but not as how they say their is and u wont get attacked or raped unless u r goin to el salvador in ur car people might stop u and take ur jewlery and money but ryght in el salvador it wont happen to u u shouldnt be afraid its really nice ull like it

Answer 2

no you shuldnt be worried i go their mostly every year and if your careful  nothing bad will happen  cuz i ve been on the centro of el salvador and its not that bad i didnt see no violence jus have fun el salvador is awesome !!!

Answer 3

yes, you should be worried. i saw something on the discovery channel about gangs in el salvador and it was pretty horrible. a lot of people flee the country for this reason.

Answer 4

You should go, you  have family there. You think they are going to let you get into trouble?

What airport thing did you get your info from? Yes there is a level of voilence there.

There are also armed guards all over.People seem to be bothered more by the open display of fireams than actual crimes. I like seeing the guns, makes me feel safer.

I have made close to 25 trips there since 2001 never been raped at the  airport or anywhere else.  Don't think you will have a problem.

  Yes there are certain neighborhoods you shouldn't go to. But most are very safe at least as safe as any larger city in the U.S.

As other posters have stated there are many places for you to visit, new food to eat ,a different culture to experience.

The people you meet are some of the friendliest on earth

How can you not go.

Answer 5

Even as a guy I would not go.

Id tell your dad to keep you here, unless he just wants to sell you off to the s*x trade.

Answer 6

I feel a void in my heart when those who visit El Salvador, or those who have never visited, for that matter, only talk about rumors, the gangs (as if we were the ones to have invented the concept of gangs) and poverty.

They come to El Salvador and see how different  things are from their lives but fail to see the beauty of the people. Instead of respecting the differences, they criticize them. It is a great shame.

It's easy to talk about rumors and gossip, but how many people have personally experienced what they write about?

El Salvador is an extremely beautiful country. Warm oceans, a beautiful rain forest, rivers, Mayan ruins, volcanoes, culture. El Salvador is rich in culture and history. Please discover it for yourself.

Those who have never lived in the country or visited, have no idea what life in El Salvador is about. There's also those who have visited an area and have had a bad experience and thus label the entire country as being bad. That's like visiting NYC, getting mugged, and labeling the entire US as bad.

Yes, the country is poor. There is crime. There is poverty. But there is also beauty. There is kindness. There's hospitality. Salvadorans are very welcoming. They will bring you into their home and give you the best they have. They will give you their bed and sleep on the floor when you stay with them.

I encourage you to visit El Salvador with an open mind.

Answer 7

El Salvador is hella poor and ghetto. It makes East Los Angeles look like Malibu in comparison.

Answer 8

El Salvador is a charming country. I love the weather, it is always warm at around 32 - 34 C. Right now it's winter, and being in the tropics means it is rainy season. People are kind and friendly to visitors. There are certain areas you should avoid, like Ilopango, Soyapango, downtown.   Residencial areas like Colonia Escalón, San Benito and such are fairly safe. Of course, try not to look like a tourist...you don't wanna attract pickpockets or thieves and this applies to any country you visit. Always travel by car, don't take the bus in El Salvador. You can visit nice malls like La Gran Via, Multiplaza, Las Cascadas, Metrocentro, Galerías and Plaza Merliot. There are other impressive attractions outside the city. Visit: www.elsalvador.travel, www.turismo.com.sv, www.corsatur.gob.sv/home.htm

Have fun!

Answer 9

The crime situation is the same as everywhere in the world, including the US. I lived 7 years in El Salvador, not one scratch and that was during the war!. Another 14 in Mexico City and nothing either.

Guess where I was mugged, robbed and almost beaten senseless? San Diego, California!!!

El Salvador is Beautiful!! it sounds like you are a young person. There is a vibrant night life with lots of cafes and discos. The beaches are beautiful, but very different from the beaches in the USA which is where I live now. As with every country, common sense goes a long way.

Tell your dad to take you to Playa del Sol, beautiful beach! Or to the lakes and rent a boat or a jetski. cool.

Lots of museums too with local artists like Fernando Llort or JC Rivas, If you are into that kind of stuff.

But if you are of legal age to have a drink, don't pass the opprotunity to go to La Luna Casa Y Arte, http://www.lalunacasayarte.com/

Enjoy your trip and keep and open mind!

Salu, Bicho!

Answer 10

Lots of bad stuff be careful. There are also a lot of drug dealers.