[QUOTE=Socker;2105949]But one thing to remember, the bad guys have cars and motorcycles. If they see you on a dark street and they're all dark. You might change your mind after your life is forever changed. In my earlier post I did not exaggerate. Count how many police are on the San Salvador streets at night.
As for being welcome by the locals that was never in question. It's the gangs and lone wolfs that are the problem and they come out at night. And they do have wheels. In Colombia the restaurant greeters don't strap shotguns on their backs like they do in SS. Maybe we're not talking about the same San Salvador.[/QUOTE]For a first timer it is shocking to see security guards standing outside of a Wendy's, Pharmacies, and gas stations with Rifles, Shotguns and machetes. Its also shocking to be patted down before entering certain restaurants, clubs ect. However, once inside it gives you a sense of safety. Those things are meant as a visual deterrent and they work. It always amazes me when tourists say El Salvador is so dangerous. Certainly it has a huge gang problem but, as a tourist would you ever go into Soyopongo or Apopa (the gang areas) in the middle of the night and walk around. Never, unless you are crazy. I am not sure where you are from but, I am sure your city has bad areas and you wouldn't be caught dead walking around that area in the middle of the night. The same is true with San Salvador. They have good areas and bad. I have been going to El Salvador for almost 20 years now. I have never once felt threatened or unsafe. Quite the contrary. Most people I run into make me feel safe and welcome. I know you have been there on more than one occasion but, some people watch the news and think the whole country is at war and as soon as you step off the plane you will be shot or kidnapped. That is not the case. There is a gang war for sure and the gangs do kill each other but, a crime against a tourist or foreigner is extremely extremely rare. Do you know that Chicago has a higher murder rate per capita than El Salvador? Does that mean the whole city of Chicago is dangerous?
El Salvador is a third world country. There aren't any mega resorts, pools where you get umbrella drinks, swanky restaurants, etc. If you want that I advise going to Jamaica, Cancun or the Bahamas. Because El Salvador does not have those things the people are incredibly friendly, there isn't the constant hassle of someone trying to sell you something at a straw market, a big gringo tax, or everyone asking for tips. However, along with that comes more run down buildings, less police presence, and overall a third world feel. Too some people that makes them feel uneasy, unsafe or out of there element and, I completely understand but, those sites do not make things dangerous. Anyway, just use basic common sense, stay out of areas you know you shouldn't go to just like you would at home, don't make a spectacle of yourself, don't go looking for trouble and, you will be perfectly fine.
