last edited Dec 11, 2019
Health and Safety in Central America
Official Recommendations
In France, both for individuals and professionals, the "travel advice" from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding precautions for each country has legal weight. A similar online travel advice system exists in several countries:
Precautions
While Central America isn’t the riskiest region, it still requires some basic precautions. Health-wise, dengue fever, chikungunya, and occasionally malaria are present, but the risk of infection is very low if you take standard precautions. In another category, hurricanes (on the eastern coast), floods, earthquakes, and active volcanoes are also part of the "landscape."
However, of all these concerns, crime and delinquency remain the (major) issue in countries like Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and especially Honduras. In practice, this is what you’ll need to watch out for during your trip—without falling into paranoia, of course.
Health
Diseases
Even though the risk of infection is very low, dengue fever, malaria (in some areas), hepatitis, and cholera are present in Central America. That said, if you stick to well-trodden paths (or avoid regions like the Darién), basic hygiene and mosquito protection are generally sufficient. Beyond these diseases, it’s mostly "turista" (traveler’s diarrhea) that poses the biggest threat to travelers.
Hygiene
Here too, things vary depending on the location and type of stay. However, it’s still advisable to maintain good personal and especially food hygiene. So, avoid tap water and any dishes or foods that don’t appear completely fresh.
Safety
Crime and Delinquency
This is traditionally the main problem in several Central American countries.
In Mexico, organized crime and drug cartel wars claim thousands of lives each year. While travelers aren’t targeted, it’s still wise to be cautious if traveling in the northern part of the country, which is the most affected. However, as a tourist, you may encounter "traditional" delinquency, which is common in many parts of the country, particularly in large cities. Mugging, pickpocketing, scams, and even bus or private vehicle robberies are fairly frequent.
Elsewhere, Guatemala (especially the capital and the area around Lake Atitlán), El Salvador, and particularly Honduras (almost everywhere), as well as Panama (Colón, the Darién region), also come with their share of risks. You could also add bus stations and airports, which are prime spots for thieves.
In another area, be cautious when driving, especially if you’ve chosen to travel with your own vehicle. On that note, avoid driving at night outside urban areas, don’t hesitate to drive with doors and windows locked in cities, always use guarded parking lots, and never leave any valuables visible inside the vehicle.
Socio-Political Risks
While Central America has long faced violent internal conflicts, these have largely ended in recent years. The only exceptions (and even then, only partially) are the Chiapas region in Mexico, where the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) continues to fight the government for Indigenous rights, and the Darién region in Panama, which sometimes harbors paramilitary groups or Colombian traffickers. That said, "political risks" in Central America remain very limited for travelers, especially compared to the region’s health and, above all, crime issues.
Climate and Nature
Hurricanes along the Caribbean coast (May to November) and significant seismic risks in many areas are the two major natural hazards you may face in Central America. You could also add active volcanoes (Costa Rica, Nicaragua, etc.), as well as recurring floods and landslides in certain mountainous regions during the rainy season. To a lesser extent, be aware that some coasts have strong currents that make swimming dangerous.
In another area, while there are various venomous animal species, the chances of encountering them are low. If anything, stray dogs carrying rabies and, above all, mosquitoes transmitting malaria or dengue are more of a concern.