One of the biggest questions people have before backpacking from Mexico through Central America is, “Is it actually safe?” The honest answer is more complicated than simply calling a country safe or dangerous. Every country on this route has places where you should be more careful, and every country has thousands of travellers moving around without experiencing anything worse than a stolen phone or a pickpocket.
For a tourist, the biggest distinction is between general crime levels and the crime that actually affects travellers. Organized crime, gang violence and drug trafficking can make crime statistics look frightening, but tourists are not automatically exposed to those problems. The more common traveller problems are opportunistic theft, pickpocketing, phone snatching, scams, robbery, ATM theft and occasionally assault. Canada's current travel advisories, for example, warn about high crime in several countries but also give specific regional guidance rather than suggesting that travellers should avoid the entire country.
So rather than asking “Which country is dangerous?”, a better question is “Where am I most likely to get into trouble, and how do I avoid becoming an easy target?”
🇲🇽 Mexico — Crime rating: 7/10
Mexico is enormous, so giving the entire country one crime rating is somewhat misleading. There are extremely tourist-friendly areas where millions of visitors travel every year, alongside regions affected by serious organized crime and kidnapping. Canada's current advisory recommends a high degree of caution because of high levels of criminal activity and kidnapping, with additional regional advisories for particular areas.
For the typical backpacker travelling through established destinations, the biggest practical concerns are usually theft, scams, robbery and occasionally violent crime, rather than randomly becoming involved with organized crime. The most important thing is to understand that Mexico isn't somewhere where you should simply wander into an unfamiliar neighbourhood because Google Maps says it's a shortcut.
Mexico is also a place where looking like you know where you're going can make a difference. Don't walk around with your phone held out constantly, don't flash expensive cameras or jewellery, and don't get completely wasted in an unfamiliar area. At night, use reputable transportation rather than wandering around deserted streets.
🇬🇹 Guatemala — Crime rating: 7/10
Guatemala has a reputation that can make first-time backpackers nervous, but millions of tourists visit places such as Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Flores and Tikal every year. The Canadian government currently advises exercising a high degree of caution because of crime, along with roadblocks and demonstrations.
The key is understanding where you are. Antigua and the major backpacker destinations can feel completely different from certain parts of Guatemala City. Don't assume that because one neighbourhood is full of tourists, every surrounding neighbourhood is equally suitable for wandering around at night.
Transportation deserves particular attention. Use established tourist shuttles, reputable buses or trusted transportation rather than accepting random offers from people who approach you. At Lake Atitlán, Antigua and Flores, you'll often be surrounded by other travellers, which makes things considerably easier.
Guatemala is one of those countries where common sense makes an enormous difference. Don't walk around alone at night with your phone in your hand, don't display large amounts of cash and don't take unnecessary risks simply because you want to save a few dollars.
🇧🇿 Belize — Crime rating: 7/10 overall, but highly location-dependent
Belize is an interesting case because the country can feel extremely relaxed in places such as Caye Caulker and San Ignacio, while Belize City has areas with considerably more serious crime. Canada's current advisory specifically recommends avoiding non-essential travel to Southside Belize City, south of the Haulover Creek, because of gang and drug-related violence, including shootings and murders.
For the average backpacker, this means you shouldn't look at Belize's crime reputation and assume the entire country is dangerous. Instead, know exactly which neighbourhood you're staying in.
On the islands and in major tourist areas, the main concern for travellers is more likely to be theft. Don't leave phones or wallets unattended on the beach, don't leave valuables visible in accommodation and be sensible after drinking.
Belize is a good example of why country-wide crime statistics can be misleading for tourists.
🇭🇳 Honduras — Crime rating: 7.5/10
Honduras has historically had a serious crime problem, and this is probably the country on the route where travellers need to be particularly conscious of their surroundings. But again, the experience of a backpacker travelling through Copán Ruinas, Utila or Roatán can be very different from the experience of someone living in a high-crime urban neighbourhood.
The Bay Islands are generally safer than many mainland areas. Canada's travel advice specifically notes that violent crime is lower there, although petty crime still occurs and foreigners have been assaulted on beaches, particularly at night.
For backpackers, Copán Ruinas is generally a much more relaxed experience, while cities and transportation routes require more awareness. Avoid wandering around unfamiliar urban areas after dark, especially alone.
Honduras is also a country where I'd take local advice seriously. If your hostel receptionist says, “Don't walk that way after dark,” don't decide that they are being overly cautious. They know the neighbourhood better than Google Maps does.
🇸🇻 El Salvador — Crime rating: 5.5/10 for tourists today
El Salvador is probably the country where the perception among travellers has changed the most dramatically in recent years. The country's previous reputation for gang violence was extremely serious, but the security situation has changed substantially following the government's massive crackdown on gangs.
That doesn't mean crime has disappeared, and travellers should still exercise caution. Canada's current advice warns against participating in demonstrations or political activities and recommends avoiding demonstrations and large gatherings.
For a tourist staying around the Ruta de las Flores, Santa Ana, El Tunco and other established destinations, the experience can be much calmer than the country's old reputation suggests.
I'd still avoid displaying valuables, walking around deserted areas late at night and getting involved in local disputes. And don't assume that because an area feels safe during the day, it automatically remains safe at 2 a.m.
🇳🇮 Nicaragua — Crime rating: 5.5/10
Nicaragua can feel surprisingly relaxed for backpackers. Granada, León, Ometepe and many of the popular surf destinations have a strong backpacker infrastructure and thousands of foreigners pass through them.
The current Canadian advisory nevertheless recommends a high degree of caution because of the political situation, potential civil unrest and crime.
The biggest advice here is don't get involved in politics. Don't participate in demonstrations, don't photograph sensitive political activity and don't assume that because you're a tourist you can safely comment on local political issues.
For normal backpacking, basic precautions go a long way. Keep your valuables secure, avoid isolated areas at night and use reputable transportation.
🇨🇷 Costa Rica — Crime rating: 5.5/10
Costa Rica is often perceived as one of the safest countries in Central America, and it is an extremely popular destination for independent travellers. But it isn't crime-free.
Interestingly, petty crime is one of the biggest concerns for tourists. Canada's travel advisory specifically warns that pickpocketing and purse snatching occur frequently and that tourists are common targets because they are perceived as wealthy.
That means the classic backpacker mistake of leaving a phone on a restaurant table, a backpack unattended on the beach or valuables visible in a rental car can become expensive.
Costa Rica is therefore a good example of a country where you don't necessarily need to be scared, but you absolutely need to protect your belongings.
🇵🇦 Panama — Crime rating: 5/10
Panama is probably one of the easier countries on this route for a reasonably experienced backpacker, but there are still places where you need to pay attention.
Canada's current advice specifically warns about petty crime such as pickpocketing and purse snatching and recommends avoiding displaying signs of wealth, securing belongings, using ATMs in public or inside banks/businesses and avoiding walking alone after dark. It also highlights airports and bus terminals as places where travellers should remain vigilant.
For most backpackers, the biggest difference is between being sensible and being careless. Casco Viejo, Boquete, Bocas del Toro and many other tourist areas can feel very relaxed, but that doesn't mean you should leave your phone on a beach towel while swimming or walk alone through unfamiliar neighbourhoods at night.
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The realistic ranking for backpackers
If I were giving a practical tourist-risk rating rather than a national crime statistic, I'd roughly put the route like this:
Mexico — 7/10
Guatemala — 7/10
Belize — 7/10
Honduras — 7.5/10
El Salvador — 5.5/10
Nicaragua — 5.5/10
Costa Rica — 5.5/10
Panama — 5/10
But these numbers need a huge asterisk. A 7/10 country can contain a 2/10 tourist destination and a 10/10 neighbourhood.
That's why I wouldn't use these ratings to decide whether to visit somewhere. I'd use them to decide how switched-on you should be.
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The golden rule: don't look like an opportunity
The single biggest thing a backpacker can do is not look like an easy target.
You don't need to dress like you're broke. You simply don't want to walk around with a $1,500 phone in one hand, an expensive camera around your neck, AirPods in your ears, a wallet sticking out of your pocket and $300 in cash in your backpack.
Keep your expensive electronics relatively discreet. Put your phone away when you're not using it. Don't count money openly. Don't flash large amounts of cash. And don't leave valuables sitting on tables in restaurants, hostels or buses.
The backpack itself isn't usually the problem. Being a backpacker doesn't automatically make you a target. What makes someone attractive to an opportunistic thief is usually vulnerability, distraction and visible valuables.
Don't fight over possessions
This is perhaps the most important rule of all.
If someone actually threatens you for your phone or wallet, give it to them.
A phone, passport or $100 is replaceable. Your health isn't. Trying to wrestle a robber over a phone can turn a relatively minor theft into a potentially dangerous situation.
Don't chase someone down the street either. Get to a safe location and report what happened.
Don't get spectacularly drunk
You can absolutely enjoy nightlife throughout Central America. But there's a huge difference between having drinks with people from your hostel and becoming so intoxicated that you can't remember how you got back.
Alcohol is one of the easiest ways to turn a relatively safe environment into a dangerous one. You become less aware of your surroundings, lose track of your belongings, become easier to manipulate and may accidentally wander somewhere you shouldn't.
Know how you're getting home before you start drinking.
Don't wander around because Google Maps says it's shorter
This is one of the biggest mistakes inexperienced backpackers make.
Google Maps might tell you that walking from your hostel to the bus station takes 25 minutes. That doesn't necessarily mean the route is appropriate for a tourist, especially after dark.
Ask your hostel where to walk. Ask which streets to avoid. If they recommend a taxi or Uber for a short journey at night, take the taxi.
Saving $3 isn't worth turning a straightforward journey into a potentially bad situation.
Buses and bus stations deserve extra attention
Public transportation is one of the best things about backpacking Central America, and you shouldn't be afraid of it. But bus terminals are exactly the kind of crowded environments where pickpockets can operate.
Keep your phone and wallet somewhere secure. Don't put your passport or money in an easily accessible outer pocket. Don't leave your backpack unattended.
And if you're carrying your entire life on your back, keep an eye on it.
Your hostel is one of your best safety resources
This is something backpackers sometimes forget.
The person working at your hostel probably knows the local area far better than you do. They know which taxi companies are trustworthy, which streets become empty at night, which buses are straightforward, and where tourists occasionally get robbed.
Ask:
“Is it safe to walk there?”
“Should I take a taxi back tonight?”
“Which neighbourhood should I avoid?”
“Is this bus okay for a tourist?”
Those four questions can potentially save you a lot of trouble.
The best mindset for Central America
You don't need to travel through Central America afraid.
You need to travel through it aware.
Don't assume that every person approaching you wants to rob you. Don't become paranoid every time somebody speaks to you. Most people you encounter will simply be ordinary people going about their lives.
At the same time, don't assume that because you're friendly and adventurous, everyone has good intentions.
The sweet spot is friendly but observant.
Enjoy the street food. Take the chicken bus. Talk to locals. Go hiking. Stay in hostels. Go out at night. Swim at the beach. Explore the cities.
Just keep your valuables secure, know where you're going, avoid obviously dangerous situations and listen to locals when they tell you that somewhere isn't a good idea.
Central America rewards travellers who use common sense. You don't need to hide in your hostel, but you also don't need to go looking for trouble.