Official advice for New Zealanders living and travelling overseas

  • Reviewed: 9 January 2024, 09:35 NZDT
  • Still current at: 29 March 2024

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COVID-19

If you are planning international travel at this time, please read our COVID-19 related travel advice here, alongside our destination specific travel advice below.

Exercise increased caution

Exercise increased caution in El Salvador due to violent crime (level 2 of 4).

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El Salvador

Violent Crime
Violent crime remains a serious problem throughout El Salvador, including in San Salvador. Much of this crime is drug and gang related and foreigners are not usually targeted, however tourists have been the victims of serious crime, often involving firearms, in the past, including armed robbery, kidnapping, murder, carjacking, sexual assault and assault.

New Zealanders in El Salvador should remain vigilant and exercise a high degree of security awareness at all times, particularly in downtown San Salvador. You should avoid walking alone, and to isolated areas, particularly at night. No resistance should be given if you are the victim of crime as this could lead to an escalation in violence.

In March 2022, the Government of El Salvador declared a State of Exception (emergency) to address high gang-related homicide rates. The measures have been extended several times and remain in effect. Since the measures were introduced, authorities have detained several thousands of gang members, and the homicide rate has continued to decrease.

State of Exception measures suspend some constitutional rights. These grant authorities power to arrest suspects of gang activity and deny right to defence during initial investigations. Although not targeted, overseas visitors including New Zealand citizens could be subject to State of Exception measures.  Follow the instructions of local authorities.

Kidnapping
“Express kidnappings” occur in El Salvador, where criminals abduct a victim for a short amount of time and force them to withdraw funds from automatic teller machines (ATMs) to secure their release. When using ATMs, we recommend you be discreet and use machines located within banks, hotels and shopping centres during daylight hours only.

Crime
Petty crime is common with robberies and theft often occurring on public transport and in tourist areas, including pickpocketing, mugging and bag snatching. Theft from vehicles is also common. As victims of robbery are often targeted due to their perceived wealth, it is advisable to avoid wearing or displaying items that appear valuable, such as electronic devices, cameras and jewellery. Keep the doors of your car locked and windows up at all times. We also advise New Zealanders to take steps to safeguard and secure their personal belongings. 

Local Travel
Public transportation and transport in unofficial taxis should be avoided for safety reasons. Armed robberies on public transportation occurs. We recommend using reputable coach companies and radio dispatched or hotel taxis.

Road travel outside major cities and towns is dangerous, especially at night due to carjackings and robbery. You should avoid travelling at night and always travel with doors locked and windows up.

Exercise vigilance when leaving El Salvador International Airport as criminals have been known to follow travellers to private residences or secluded stretches of road where they carry out robberies.

Particular care should be taken when travelling to and in border areas with Guatemala and Honduras, and at border crossings. Violent attacks and robberies have been reported at border crossings, particularly on the Guatemalan side of the border, and gang activity is frequent.

When travelling to remote areas it may be safer to travel with others or a reputable tour company. This includes while hiking in national parks and visiting volcanoes; criminals have targeted tourists in these areas.

Civil Unrest
Protests and demonstrations occur from time to time in El Salvador and have the potential to turn violent and cause travel disruptions with minimal notice. These happen most frequently in and around the capital San Salvador. We advise New Zealanders to avoid large gatherings and protests and follow any instructions issued by authorities. Political activity by foreigners is prohibited and may lead to detention and/or deportation.

Landmines
Unexploded landmines in rural and remote areas remain a danger, especially in the Chalatenango and Morazán districts. We recommend you travel on well-used roads and paths, as mined areas are often unmarked.

Terrorism
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in El Salvador, attacks cannot be ruled out.

General Travel Advice
El Salvador is in a highly active seismic zone, there are several active volcanoes and earthquakes are common. Tropical storms and hurricanes also can lead to high winds and flash flooding. Familiarise yourself with the proper safety measures to take in the event of a  storm, earthquake or volcanic eruption. 

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe and can include lengthy imprisonment or fines.

There are limited healthcare facilities in El Salvador. New Zealanders travelling or living there should have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place that includes provision for medical evacuation by air.

Swimming at El Salvador’s Pacific coast can be dangerous, even for experienced swimmers, due to strong undertows. Lifeguards are not always present at beaches; swimming conditions can become dangerous quickly.

Photography of official buildings is prohibited. Check with local authorities before taking photos. Ask for permission before photographing individuals, especially in more rural and Indigenous areas.

Keep your passport in a safe place and carry a photocopy for identification purposes.

New Zealanders in El Salvador are encouraged to register their details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

 

Travel tips


The New Zealand Embassy Mexico City, Mexico is accredited to El Salvador

Street Address Jaime Balmes No 8, 4th Floor, Los Morales, Polanco, Mexico D.F. 11510 Telephone +52 55 5283 9460 Fax +52 55 5283 9480 Email nzmexico@mfat.govt.nz Web Site http://www.mfat.govt.nz/mexico Hours Mon - Fri 0930 - 1400

New Zealand Consulate San Salvador, El Salvador

Street Address Civitas, SA de CV Edificio World Trade Center, Torre II, Local 303. San Salvador, El Salvador Telephone +503(2556)0450 Fax +503(2264)4466 Email elsalvadorkiwi@gmail.com

See our regional advice for Central/South America

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Accredited New Zealand Embassy Mexico

Street Address
Jaime Balmes No 8, 4th Floor, Los Morales, Polanco, Mexico D.F. 11510

Telephone: +52 55 5283 9460

Fax: +52 55 5283 9480

Email: nzmexico@mfat.govt.nz

Website: http://www.mfat.govt.nz/mexico

Hours: Mon - Fri 0930 - 1400

Related advice from other countries

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