- El Salvador has received the U.S. State Department’s highest travel safety rating, Level 1.
- President Bukele is expected to visit the White House following the Level 1 safety upgrade.
- The country is now considered safer to visit than Germany, France, and other parts of Europe.
El Salvador’s journey from one of the world’s most dangerous countries to a top-ranked travel destination has turned heads globally. This week, the U.S. State Department gave the country its highest safety rating, just ahead of President Nayib Bukele’s scheduled visit to the White House.
On Tuesday, the U.S. upgraded El Salvador to Level 1 in its travel advisory system, implying that it is the most safest place in Europe. “Exercise normal precautions in El Salvador,” the advisory read. With this upgrade, El Salvador surpasses locations like Germany, France, and Italy, which remain at Level 2 due to terrorist threats.
In a post on X, Bukele celebrated the news, while Ian Jaeger called it “one of the safest tourism destinations on earth.” Lina Seiche highlighted that the U.S. now ranks El Salvador safer than Germany. Further, President Donald Trump’s administration credited Bukele’s leadership for the improved rating.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the president on X, saying his efforts have made the country safer for American travelers. “Gang activity, violent crime, and murders in El Salvador have significantly dropped,” Rubio noted. This major upgrade comes ahead of Bukele’s White House visit on April 14.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the meeting, stating it will mark the first time a Western Hemisphere leader meets with President Trump since his return. The two will reportedly discuss the use of El Salvador’s mega-prison to house deportees from the U.S.
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Earlier, El Salvador was classified as Level 4, implying that it was the most unsafe place. However, following that label, El Salvador brought in a robust anti-gang crackdown, and sweeping security reforms have reshaped the country’s global image. Bukele’s policies have led to a dramatic fall in violent crime and earned him widespread domestic approval.
Meanwhile, the U.S. government employees working in El Salvador are allowed to travel throughout the country during the day but are advised to restrict activity at night, except while going to the airport. Further, they are prohibited from using public buses. El Salvador’s transformation also intersects with its pioneering Bitcoin adoption. As the world’s first nation to legalize Bitcoin, it continues to attract crypto tourism. With Bukele’s visit, the State Department’s new rating may gain a better reputation.
