From a statement issued by the State Department of the United States:

The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens that crime and violence levels in El Salvador remain critically high. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning dated April 25, 2014, and includes updated information on crime and security in El Salvador.

Typical crimes in El Salvador include extortion, mugging, highway assault, home invasion, and car theft. xtortion is a particularly serious and very common crime in El Salvador. Some extortion attempts are no more than random cold calls that originate from imprisoned gang members using cellular telephones, and the subsequent threats against the victim are made through social engineering and/or through information obtained about the victim’s family. U.S. citizens who are visiting El Salvador for extended periods are at higher risk for extortion demands. Many extortions and other crimes are not reported by victims for fear of reprisal and lack of faith in the ability of the government to protect the victims.

More on this topic

New Travel Alert Over Insecurity in El Salvador

February 2017

The United States has renewed its travel alert warning that crimes such as extortion, assault and robbery are common in the country.

From a press release issued by the US State Department:

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to carefully consider the risks of travel to El Salvador due to the high rates of crime and violence. El Salvador has one of the highest homicide levels in the world and crimes such as extortion, assault and robbery are common. This replaces the Travel Warning for El Salvador dated January 15, 2016.

New Travel Alert Due to Insecurity in Honduras

January 2017

The United States has renewed its travel alert, warning that the levels of violence and crime in the the department of Gracias a Dios are very high.

From a press release issued by the US Department of State:

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to carefully consider the risks of travel to the Department of Gracias a Dios in Honduras.

Travel Alert Over Violence in Honduras

March 2015

The US Government has renewed its travel alert warning stating that the levels of violence and crime remain "critically high, but have declined in the past two years."

The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens that the level of crime and violence in Honduras remains critically high, although it has declined in the past two years.

Travelers Alerted Over Violence in El Salvador

April 2014

The U.S. Government has renewed its travel alert warning stating that the levels of violence and crime remains high.

From a statement issued by the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador:

The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens that crime and violence levels in El Salvador remain critically high.