On January 16, 2001 the US Department of State issued a warning against travel to El Salvador, due to adverse conditions caused by the massive earthquake of January 13, the worst tremor in a decade. A national state of emergency was immediately declared after the initial quake, and the most serious of more than 3000 aftershocks rippled through the region east of San Salvador on February 13th.

Not all areas of El Salvador have been affected by the quake, but landslides and collapsed buildings are rampant in the regions around San Salvador. Travelers should expect widespread disruption of communications, transportation and basic public services, as well as an increased probability of lawlessness.