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El Salvador Warnings or Dangers
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El Salvador Warnings or Dangers

Gays are not that welcome in El Salvador - El Salvador
Gays are not that welcome in El Salvador
by a005116
El Salvador travel tips posted by real travelers and El Salvador locals.
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El Salvador Warnings or DangersTips 1 - 10 of 25  
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Theft
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    • easterntrekker
  • By easterntrekker on February 5, 2007
  • El Salvador Page by easterntrekker
    • El Salvador Warnings or Dangers
    by easterntrekker
    Youcan't take the warnings lightly to watch your money and cameras in crowded El Salvador streets. I couldn't believe how blatantly we were being followed by a young guy, who had his eye on our camera, in the market of Zacateculuca. We were with a guide who told him to get lost and he still turned up on every corner trying to catch us off gaurd I can only imagine if it were in San salvador and we were alone what it would have been like!

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  • By MarcG on September 8, 2002
  • El Salvador Page by MarcG
    • El Salvador Warnings or Dangers
    by MarcG
    When travelling to El Salvador let your common sense be your guide. Salvadoreans are friendly people that warm up to foreigners with ease and will be helpful if you ask them for tips. Don't forget that El Salvador went through 12 years of civil war and is only begining to readapt, so don't be surprised if you see armed security in bank offices, same goes for many other countries in the region. As anywhere else in Latin America, Asia, Africa, etc, there are certain do's and don'ts. Avoid driving at night, don't go to the markets or downtown with all your tourist regalia - be discreet. There are strict controls for drunk driving. Don't eat raw fruits and vegtables (this is a tropical country) or buy food from street vendors, stick to the tested and tried visit a local supermarket which are well stocked if you wish to purchase fruits and vegtables. As in any tropical country drink only bottled water. Walking downtown San Salvador at night can be unsafe (OK during the day). Once again be discreet, use your common sense, don't be afraid to ask when in doubt, and enjoy your stay.

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    Buses
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    • easterntrekker
  • By easterntrekker on February 5, 2007
  • El Salvador Page by easterntrekker
    • El Salvador Warnings or Dangers
    by easterntrekker
    We saw the local buses that are used to get around the country and they looked pretty bad. They are so overcrowded. Basically they fill them untl they can't get anyone else on. They stop everywhere so it will take three times as long to get there, Plus they are a haven for robberies!

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    You must know if you go to El...
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  • By claudita70 on September 8, 2002
  • El Salvador Page by claudita70
    • You must know if you go to El Salvador, you should never wear any type of jewelry its dangerous, there is always someone that likes to take it from you. Also never travel by yourself specially if you are going from town to town. Please don't carry jewelry.

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    Language
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    • easterntrekker
  • By easterntrekker on February 5, 2007
  • El Salvador Page by easterntrekker
    • El Salvador Warnings or Dangers
    by easterntrekker
    There was very little if any English spoken here. The tourism infrastructor is not in place so you have to fend for yourself. A language dictionary was a big help.

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    Unfortunately there are young...
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    • jepclg98
  • Updated By jepclg98 on October 28, 2009
  • El Salvador Page by jepclg98
    • El Salvador Warnings or Dangers
    by jepclg98
    Unfortunately there are young men who belong to gangs and they are sometimes dangerous so it is not a good idea to wear jewelry when you come to visit my country, you can recognise them because the are tattooed with the number 13 or 18, I also recommend not to have much cash you´d better not forget your diner or visa card.

    I sometimes buy something to eat on the street but I am careful about the products because I have to check if the one who is handling the food has clean hands and if the product it´s cover because there are a lot of flies that contaminate and transmit sicknesses.

    Do not bring expensive gifts to give out to beggars or street children... This sets up false expectations for other families and travelers when they come to visit in the area. Many of the people you visit will be extremely poor, but the best thing to do is not to give them money, ESPECIALLY STREET CHILDREN WHO ARE WAITING IN TRAFFIC LIGHTS if you wish to donate, arrange to do so quietly with your native guide. village leader, aid worker or priest. Please do not offer anyone false promises of visas or work in the United States, etc... Always respect local culture and customs, never become argumentative nor critical and always have your native guide smooth out any disputes that arise.. keep a low profile and use Common Sense in El Salvador.

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    Safety
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    • a005116
  • By a005116 on June 3, 2003
  • El Salvador Page by a005116
    • El Salvador - El Salvador
    El Salvador
    by a005116
    I've never seen so many weaons than in El Salvador! Even a bakery is protected by a big ried gun! The civil war might be over, the're still thing hapening in El Salvador, not always that nice! Wathever you do watch out!
    Especialy if you're an American. They don't like gringos much because of their involvement in the civil war where the US suported the governement in his battle against the opossition.

    Also the immense pouverty and hunger in the country might get people to stealing. Violent armerys are comon.

    But of course I don't want to make you afraid! El Salvador is a wonderfull country and the people are the friendliest I've ever met!

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    Yeahh!! Make sure you wear...
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  • By nelsleon on August 26, 2002
  • El Salvador Page by nelsleon
    • Yeahh!! Make sure you wear your seat belt. If you don't have one...... hold on!!!!!!!. There are a lot of crazy taxi and bus drivers. If your renting a car be careful of pedestrians they don't fear cars and trucks missing them by centimeters. The civil war between 1980-1992 made them fearless of many things. No jewelry, nothing expensive. In your posession should be your driver's license or copy of passport, Maze or pepper spray it's a good idea, credit card, don't carry a lot of cash. if you do, carry the large bills hidden in your groin area in some type of pouch or belt you can easily take them out.

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    Watch the streets! There...
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  • By Cantu2001 on August 26, 2002
  • El Salvador Page by Cantu2001
    • El Salvador Warnings or Dangers
    by Cantu2001
    Watch the streets! There aren't strict raod rules here. Some people can't wear seatbelts and the buses are big and go faster than they should.

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    The seafood in El Salvador is...
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    • jglenn
  • By jglenn on August 25, 2002
  • El Salvador Page by jglenn
    • El Salvador Warnings or Dangers
    by jglenn
    The seafood in El Salvador is great, but you do have to take care if your system is not used to it. They eat a lot of ceviche (raw fished 'cooked' in lime), and raw shellfish. This is a picture from a seaside restaurant (La Dulce Vita) in La Libertad, only about 45 minutes from San Salvador.

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