Visiting El Salvador is Safer But Mosquito-Transmitted Diseases May Disrupt Vacations

Over the past few years, the Republic of El Salvador has significantly rekindled its tourism industry. During 2024, market research data indicates about 17% more people, about 4 million, visited this Central American country's beaches and mountains.

One of the factors behind this tourism increase is safety.

In March 2022, the Government of El Salvador declared a "State of Exception", which remains effective in late February 2025.

The U.S. Department of State reissued its Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, Travel Advisory, which stated that crime activity has dropped significantly over the last three years.

The State Department wrote on February 7, 2025, that hikers should engage local guides certified by the national or local tourist authority when in backcountry areas. They should also use caution and follow water condition warnings when swimming near El Salvador's beaches.

Additionally, the U.S. recommends enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive Alerts from the U.S. Embassy, which can help locate you in an emergency.

From a health perspective, El Salvador, like its neighboring countries, continues reporting mosquito-transmitted diseases such as chikungunya (2), dengue (411), and Zika (6) cases as of February 25, 2025.

Last year, the U.S. Embassy reported that a Red Alert warning had been issued for excessive dengue cases in 2024.

"Because of its natural beauty and improving public safety, more travelers are choosing a vacation getaway to El Salvador. While there is no risk of malaria and yellow fever, visitors do need to protect against other mosquito diseases like dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika and use insect repellents for skin and clothing," Jeri Beales MSN, RN, BS informed Vax-Before-Travel News.

"Some travelers to El Salvador may benefit from the chikungunya vaccine, but there is no vaccine available yet in the US against dengue fever and zika."

"Other routine and travel vaccines like hepatitis A and typhoid fever are recommended by public health, but it's best to speak with your doctor or local travel clinic to review your vaccine records before leaving, added Beales, with Destination Health Travel Clinic in Massachusetts (Braintree, Natick, Longmeadow).

The U.S. CDC suggests speaking with a travel vaccine expert about vaccination options at least one month before visiting disease outbreak areas such as El Salvador.

Note: This news article was updated on Feb. 26, 2025, to include travel vaccine expert insight.