Central America is a convenient place to visit, particularly for North American and South American-based travelers. It’s generally cheap, the weather is warm year-round, the landscapes are wild and majestic, and the cultures are interesting. However, there’s a relatively common belief that Central American countries can be too dangerous to visit.
Fortunately, this is not entirely the case. Some Central American countries are definitely safe to visit! In fact, three nations in particular have lower violent crime rates than some of the most popular destinations in the world.
With that said, let’s take a look at the three safest Central American countries to visit.
1. El Salvador
El Salvador has undergone an incredible transformation over the past 10 years. In 2015, it had the highest homicide rate in the world. Today, El Salvador is the safest country in Latin America and one of the safest in the Western Hemisphere. In fact, its homicide rate in 2023 (2.4 per 100,000 residents) was more than two times lower than the United States’ in 2023 (5.8 per 100,000 residents).
How did this happen? In 2019, President Nayib Bukele made the controversial decision to essentially throw every person with gang affiliations in prison. This was met with some criticism, with allegations of major human rights violations such as using tattoos to justify arresting people.
However, this movement was still met with record-breaking support from Salvadorans, which should make you comfortable with visiting despite the external criticism. Because now, residents and tourists alike can walk the streets anywhere in El Salvador, day or night, and not have to worry about their safety. This was unfathomable just five years ago, when cities essentially had an unofficial curfew after sunset because of rampant gang activities and shootings.
The remarkable change has made a huge difference for El Salvador’s tourism economy too—it has one of the fastest-growing tourism sectors in the world. It’s expected that, by the end of 2024, the country will have doubled their number of annual visitors compared to 2019.
Recently, I took a 5-day trip to El Salvador and had a fantastic time. It really did feel perfectly safe, and now is the best time to go. In most small towns, many people still aren’t used to seeing visitors because the tourism surge is so recent, so you might get some prolonged looks. However, residents seemed particularly happy to see a foreigner visiting their country, and therefore they were extra friendly! There are so many great places to visit in El Salvador, ranging from beaches to volcanoes to colonial mountain towns.
Safety Score: 5/5
2. Panama
Panama, the gateway to the Americas, is considered one of the safest Central American countries. While not quite as popular as Costa Rica, Panama is worth visiting because you can get great nightlife in Panama City, relax on the barrier island beaches just a short boat ride from the city, or experience the remote jungle just an hour’s drive away.
When you land in Panama City, you’ll quickly notice that it’s much more modernized than other Central American cities. There are dozens of massive, modern skyscrapers along the coastline, signaling just how far the country has come economically.
As far as Central American capital cities go, Panama City is one of the safest. The Old Town is particularly safe and beautiful.
Once you leave the capital, you’ll find that most of the country is jungle. Though certain parts may feel very remote, rest assured that it’s pretty safe throughout Panama. Their crime index is lower than places like the U.S., France, and Belgium.
I visited Panama City for a weekend and had a really fun time. Buildings in the Old Town date back hundreds of years and it has a uniquely European feel. A boat ride on the Panama Canal is well worth your time as well. Safety was never much of a concern, and getting around was really simple, as rideshare apps like Uber are efficient, cheap, and reliable.
Safety Score: 4/5
3. Costa Rica
Costa Rica has been one of the safest places in Central America for many years.
Not only is Costa Rica safe, but it also has good tourist infrastructure. This might be why Costa Rica is the most-visited Central American country.
If you value your safety above anything, it might be wise to stay away from the capital, San Jose. While it’s not the most dangerous place you’ll find, most of the crime in Costa Rica happens in the capital (a common trend throughout all of Central America). The rest of Costa Rica is generally a very safe place to visit. The serious assault rate in Costa Rica is more than two times lower than places like the U.S., Argentina, France, and the United Kingdom.
Costa Rica is also one of the safest Latin American countries for LGBTQ+ travelers. In 2020, Costa Rica became the first Central American country to legalize same-sex marriage.
The one downside of Costa Rica? The good tourism infrastructure, solid economy, and general safety mean prices aren’t much cheaper than you’ll find in the United States. It’s the most expensive country to visit in the region.
Safety Score: 4/5 (Outside of San Jose)
In-Summary: Safest Countries in Central America
A trip to Central America can feel intimidating because of the stereotype that it’s a very dangerous place. Plus, most people don’t speak English, so the language barrier can be difficult if you don’t know Spanish.
However, you might be surprised at how safe places like El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Panama are compared to other heavily frequented tropical hotspots such as Mexico, Jamaica, and The Bahamas (and data backs this up). The tourism sector continues to grow in these countries, meaning more and more people can speak English, the roads are improving, and locals are becoming used to seeing foreign visitors.
