El Salvador Fishing Trip Safety

U.S. State Department advisory for El Salvador: Level 1, Exercise normal precautions. Issued June 25, 2026; checked Oct 22, 2026.

What the advisory says

Gang activity "has decreased dramatically since 2022, causing a drop in violent crime and murders"^[1].
U.S. government employees may travel throughout the country in daylight but may not travel between cities or departments at night, because of road conditions, hilly terrain, possible rainy-season landslides and a lack of streetlights. Exceptions: travel at any hour between San Salvador and the international airport, and between San Salvador and La Libertad department^[1].
U.S. government employees may not use public buses^[1].
State of Exception: in place since March 2022. It lets authorities arrest anyone they suspect of gang involvement and suspends some constitutional protections. Several U.S. citizens have been detained under it^[1].

The State Department notes El Salvador's tourism industry "is not well regulated": safety inspections are rare and staff may not be trained or certified^[2]. Ask your charter about life jackets, radio and safety gear (see questions to ask).
If you are injured, you will likely need to travel to a major city for appropriate care, and medical-evacuation insurance is encouraged^[2].
Pacific beaches have strong currents and undertows; follow red and black flag warnings^[2].
Hurricane season runs June–November^[2]. Let your captain make the weather call.

Avoid driving at night and on unpaved roads^[2].
Zero tolerance for drinking and driving: any blood-alcohol level is a criminal offense, with prison sentences of 2–5 years^[2].
Use radio-dispatched taxis, hotel taxis or app-based ride-share^[2].

Non-U.S. travelers should check their own government's advice.