In recent years Central America has experienced a boom in tourists and for good reason. As travellers from all over the world share their experiences on social media, more and more people are considering it as their next holiday or backpacking destination.
But with this comes the question, ‘is Central America safe to travel?’
It’s no secret that Central America has its issues. Located on the major drug trafficking route between South America and the USA, gang crime is rife and homicide rates high.
This has led to a not so rosy reputation that deters many people from visiting.
Though you can’t ignore these issues, it’s unfair to make a sweeping statement that Central America is unsafe. While there are areas to avoid, there are endless places that are perfectly safe, offering savvy travellers an epic adventure.
From pristine coastlines, lush, biodiverse jungle and dramatic volcanoes, to ancient ruins, indigenous culture and stunning colonial cities, it would be a shame to miss out on all that this region has to offer.
To help you have a safe trip, we’ve put together a list of safe places to visit in Central America, alongside some places to avoid and important safety tips.
Why trust our Central America recommendations?
I’m Megan, Moonsand writer and author of this post. So why should you trust me?
As a traveller myself I’ve never appreciated generic blogs that are clearly written by people who’ve never stepped foot into a country, especially when it comes to talking about safety.
Over the course of 5 months, I travelled across Central America with my partner Dan. I’d be lying if I said that we didn’t have any reservations about visiting this part of the world, especially after discovering its reputation.
However, once we arrived we felt completely comfortable, and with a bit of caution and vigilance, we didn’t have any issues during our trip.
Of course I can never say definitively whether a place or country is safe or not. This is all down to personal experience and can often change depending on your race, sexuality, gender and whether you’re travelling solo or not.
However, using both my own experiences and those of my fellow backpackers and solo travellers that I met along the way, I have put together a list of safe places to visit in each country across Central America, alongside some safety considerations and things to watch out for.
With that said, let's get into it!
1. Costa Rica
It might not come as a surprise that the safest country to visit in Central America is Costa Rica. With strong political stability and the absence of a standing army, Costa Rica is considered one of the most peaceful countries in the world.
It’s also a country that’s well known for its dedication to conservation. Its lush green, wild jungles are some of the most biodiverse on the planet, allowing visitors unique encounters with wildlife. This, alongside clean, pristine beaches, magical waterfalls and impressive volcanoes, attracts millions of visitors per year.
However, do not be deceived. This laid back and picturesque country with its Pura Vida moto (meaning pure or simple life), can often lure tourists into a false sense of security, particularly if it’s their first time visiting Latin America.
While violent crime is low, petty crime is prevalent. It’s important to keep your valuables secure as bags are often snatched off beaches when left unattended.
In fact, we even had a friend whose bag got taken when they were sitting right next to it. But before they knew it, the thief had disappeared into the dense jungle behind. Even shoes and clothes have been taken as their owners take a dip in the sea.
In terms of safety for women, the majority of female travellers visit Costa Rica without trouble. However, extra precautions should be taken, particularly in party towns such as Jacó, Tamarindo, Puerto Viejo and the capital, San Jose, as sexual assault cases have been on the rise in recent years. To be safe, it’s best to avoid isolated areas and walking alone at night.
That being said, with some vigilance and caution, there’s no reason you can’t have a perfectly safe and enjoyable trip to Costa Rica.
Safe places to visit in Costa Rica
- Hike volcanoes, swim in waterfalls and soak in natural hot springs in La Fortuna.
- Take a boat into Costa Rica’s mini Amazon, Tortuguero National Park.
- Get your adrenaline pumping in the adventure capital of Costa Rica, Monteverde Cloud Forest.
- Go whale watching in Uvita.
- Spend a day on the beach in Dominical.
- Get close to wildlife in Corcovado National Park.
- Party in Puerto Viejo (but stay vigilant).
2. Panama
Coming close second to Costa Rica in terms of safety is Panama. Thanks to the world-famous engineering feat, Panama Canal, the country has become an important trade route, bringing in wealth and security.
Panama flies under the radar when it comes to tourists, and is often left out of the Central America backpacking route. However, its postcard worthy tropical islands, jungle hikes, charming towns and vibrant capital, make it well worth the visit.
Serious crimes are infrequent in Panama. The main things to watch out for are pickpocketing and muggings, especially in large cities and busy tourist areas such as Colón, Panama City and Bocas del Toro.
Drug use and possession is a serious crime in Panama, leading to hefty prison sentences. As Panama lies between the cocaine growing region of South America and its largest consumer, the USA, police stops and checkpoints are common on roads between cities. The best thing to do is to not get involved with drugs at all.
Safe places to visit in Panama
- Climb volcanoes, trek to waterfalls and cafe hop in the quaint town of Boquete.
- Wander the streets of Casco Viejo, cycle Amador Causeway, and visit the famous Panama Canal in Panama City.
- Sail or island hop the San Blas Islands.
- Go hiking in Anton Valley.
- Head snorkelling and diving in Coiba National Park.
- Hit the waves in the surf town of Santa Catalina.
- Relax on the beaches of Bocas del Toro.
3. El Salvador
It might surprise you to see El Salvador so far up this list as it was once considered the ‘murder capital’ of the world.
Since a state of emergency was declared by President Bukele in 2022, the government began to crack down on gang violence, incarcerating around 2% of the country's population.
Though controversial, this has led to a remarkable transformation, with homicide rates dropping to the lowest in the region, and the majority of El Salvador's citizens claiming that they feel safe walking the streets at night.
This is great news for tourists wanting to discover the wonders of El Salvador. With some of the most welcoming and friendly locals, laid back surf towns and beautiful rural villages along the Ruta de las Flores, this country has so much to offer.
However there are still a few places that are best to avoid on your travels. Namely, San Salvador, Apopa, Ilopango, Mejicanos and Soyapango. However, it’s rare that tourists would want to visit these places anyway.
Aside from this, if you follow the usual precautions such as not flashing any expensive valuables, keeping an eye on your belongings and not walking in isolated areas, particularly at night, you’ll most likely have a trouble-free stay.
Safe places to visit in El Salvador
- Go surfing in El Tunco and its neighbouring beach towns of El Zonte, El Sunzal and Mizata.
- Take a trip along the Ruta de las Flores, visiting the charming colonial towns and rural villages. Don’t miss the 7 waterfalls hike in Juayua.
- Visit Santa Ana. Hike to the turquoise crater lake of Santa Ana volcano and head to Lago de Coatepeque.
- Head to El Cuco. Relax on the sands of Intipuca beach and book a stay at Tortuga Verde.
- Visit the colonial town of Suchitoto.
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4. Nicaragua
Next on our list of the safest places to visit in Central America, is Nicaragua.
Ruled by a dictator that works to repress all forms of dissent, violating freedom of expression and human rights, political stability is a concern here.
With a ban on abortion, discrimination of indigenous people resulting in disproportionate poverty rates, and hundreds of people being stripped of their nationality for speaking out against the government, there’s no doubt that Nicaragua has its problems.
While this can’t be ignored, Nicaragua is still a relatively safe country for tourists. Violent crime is low here, and locals are friendly and welcoming, meaning most visitors have an incident-free stay.
But with high poverty rates, desperation can turn people to petty crime and muggings. Make sure to take extra precaution, particularly in large cities. Dress down, keep your belongings secure and if you do get mugged, don’t resist.
You should also be aware of scams, such as taxi drivers claiming that there is no bus or taking you the long way around.
Nicaragua is a popular country for female solo travellers and is generally safe. However, it’s extremely important not to walk alone at night, especially in cities such as Leon and Granada, as sexual assaults are not unheard of. Catcalling is common, though this tends to be more of a discomfort, rather than a safety concern.
Safe places to visit in Nicaragua
- Enjoy the thrill of volcano boarding on Cerro Negro.
- Wander the colonial streets of Leon.
- Watch lava bubble inside the crater of Masaya Volcano.
- Take a boat tour around the Islets of Granada.
- Spend a few nights at Laguna Apoyo.
- Relax or snorkel on the Caribbean island of Little Corn.
- Ride a moped around the volcanic island of Ometepe.
- Surf or enjoy the parties of Sunday Funday in San Juan del Sur.
5. Guatemala
Guatemala is fast becoming one of the most popular countries to visit in Central America. Perhaps this is due to its unique hiking opportunities and the chance to see volcanoes up close, or its diverse landscapes and rich culture.
Despite sensationalist media tarnishing this country's reputation with outdated coverage and overcautious warnings, with some vigilance, savvy travellers will discover an epic destination worth exploring.
If you research crime statistics it doesn’t look good for Guatemala. However, most violent, gang-related crime occurs in specific areas and doesn’t impact tourists.
The capital, Guatemala City is one place to avoid. Though there are a few safe zones, much of the city is considered dangerous. If you fly into the city's international airport, it’s safe to transit through, but we wouldn’t recommend sticking around.
One of the most popular activities in Guatemala is hiking. Due to risks of robberies on remote trails, and the fact that many hikes take place on active volcanoes, we recommend going with a guide, even if it’s not required.
Bus travel, particularly on the iconic chicken buses is often advised against. Though it’s true that they haven’t always been a safe mode of transport, they are now much safer, so it’s unlikely that you’ll have any issues. In fact, it's a fun local experience and cheap way to get around.
In regards to theft, chucking your large luggage on top of the bus is absolutely fine, but make sure to keep your personal belongings close and not on the overhead racks.
Safe places to visit in Guatemala
- Get lost in the cobblestone, colonial streets of Antigua.
- Hike to the top of Acatenango Volcano and camp overnight to watch Fuego’s eruptions.
- Stay on the shores of the picturesque Lake Atitlan.
- Visit Flores and take a trip to the ancient Mayan city of Tikal.
- Swim in the turquoise pools of Semuc Champey.
- Go hiking around the city of Xela.
- Hit the waves in the surf town of El Paredon
6. Belize
As Belize experiences high levels of crime and consistently ranks in the top 10 countries in the world for homicide rates, it’s not considered one of the safest countries to visit in Central America.
However, tourists aren’t usually the target of violent crime, with most of the crime restricted to small sections of Belize City.
As a general rule, it’s best to avoid Belize City altogether, however you may have to transit through it. If this is the case, make sure to avoid the ‘Southside’ of Belize City, which is anywhere south of Haulover Creek Canal, and avoid going out after dark.
Aside from this, Belize is a welcoming country for tourists, attracting thousands of holidaymakers and backpackers per year. Islands such as Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye are popular destinations that are safe from violent crime. As long as you take the usual precautions here to avoid being a victim of petty crime, you should have no issues.
Alongside this, Belize is an English-speaking country which makes it easier to navigate and interact with the locals for non-Spaniah speaking tourists.
Safe places to visit in Belize
- Relax on palm tree lined beaches and enjoy unmatched snorkelling on the laid back island of Caye Caulker.
- Get off the beaten path to the rustic island of Tobacco Caye.
- Enjoy a resort stay, and the buzz of nightlife in San Pedro on Ambergris Caye.
- Fly over the iconic Blue Hole or go scuba diving on Lighthouse Reef.
- Explore the jungle, take a dip in swimming holes and waterfalls, and head out on the hiking trails of Hummingbird Highway.
- Visit the adventure capital of Belize and explore Mayan ruins in San Ignacio.
7. Honduras
To state that Honduras is a safe country wouldn’t be true.
Homicide rates are the highest in Central America and in the top 5 in the world. Corruption, drug trafficking, gang crime, and poverty are all very real issues that occur here everyday. For the locals that live here, life can be challenging and very dangerous. So if you’re concerned about safety then you have every right to be.
But, as with the rest of Central America, there are places that you should absolutely avoid, and others that are generally safe for tourists to visit. This means you shouldn’t immediately write it off as there are adventures to be had here and the majority of tourists have little to no issues.
Make sure to take a few extra precautions such as travelling with reputable bus companies or on tourist buses, avoiding drugs and limiting alcohol intake, not flashing your wealth and keeping your valuables secure.
Though we’re all for getting off the beaten path, we do not recommend this in Honduras. The more well-known, touristy places here are that for a reason, because they’re safe. Besides, with few tourists visiting here, the country itself could be considered ‘off the beaten path’ anyway.
Rather than going into all the places to avoid, it’ll be easier to share the safe places to visit below and assume that everywhere else should be avoided.
Safe places to visit in Honduras
- Head to the island of Utila, popular with travellers and backpackers wanting to learn to scuba dive on a budget.
- Relax on the beaches of Roatan.
- Enjoy a jungle get-away and white-water rafting in Rio Cangrejal and Pico Bonito National Park.
- Visit the small, rural town of Los Naranjos on the edge of Lago de Yojoa.
- Discover Mayan history at the Copan Ruinas.
Final thoughts on the safest places to visit in Central America
While travelling Central America requires a little more thought than other regions such as South East Asia, it really is an incredible place to visit. We guarantee that if you give it a chance, you’ll fall in love.
If you follow the safety advice and avoid dangerous areas, you’ll more than likely have a safe and comfortable trip.
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