Central America: Safest Cities Report 2026
Introduction: Security in Central America – Looking Beyond the Headlines
Intended Audience: Expats looking to relocate, businesses expanding or relocating, tourists and investors.
Admittedly, Central America doesnt have a great reputation, with international media headlines often referring to gang activity, including drug cartels, high national homicide rates, and political instability. Potential investors, foreign businesses looking to expand into emerging markets and expats can be deterred by reports of widespread crime, corrupt policing, and unreliable infrastructure.
These security challenges in Central America are mainly concentrated in the suburbs of larger cities, and yet a closer look at individual countries uncovers some hidden and much safer gems.
Some towns, cities and surrounding areas stand out as relatively safe, with low Numbeo crime indexes, strong TravelSafe-Abroad ratings, and endorsements from the US Overseas Security Advisory Council.
Central America could and should captivate expats, tourists, and foreign businesses from around the world, willing to look beyond the headlines. In this report, our analysis reveals the safest city in each of the seven countries:
Safer Central American Cities Selection Criteria
To decide which cities to present to you, we have applied strict research criteria, including:
- Favourable crime and safety indexes
- Active and uncompromised police forces
- Authorities proactively tackling crime and corruption
- Popularity among expats and foreign businesses
- Proven safety for visitors.
Important Caveat: We have selected cities with relatively low violent crime rates and a proactive approach to policing, but there are still risks throughout Latin America related to petty crime and scams, nighttime safety when alone, and road travel.
The Latest Crime and Safety Index for Central America
Country: Guatemala
Featured City: Antigua
Antigua stands out as the country’s safest city for expats and tourists, with great potential for developing or expanding leisure and tech businesses.
Tourists and Expats
A colonial atmosphere and a vibrant expat community create a welcoming environment. TravelSafe-Abroad rates it highly for walkable safety, with Numbeo crime indexes showing low violent crime compared to Guatemala City, which is known as the most violent city in Latin America. Expats praise its security. One forum user notes, “Antigua is really safe… no issues.”
Policing
Local police maintain an active, visible presence, focusing on tourist areas to deter petty crime. Authorities have ramped up anti-corruption measures and introduced community patrols offering a deterrent to crime and building trust and reassurance.
Business
Here are some of the reasons that businesses should be considering Antigua:
- Financial Incentives: Favourable tax framework and incentives include 10-year income tax holidays and VAT exemptions for export-orientated services
- Time zone: Antigua is aligned with U.S. Central Time.
- International travel: 45-minute drive to the recently modernised and extended La Aurora International Airport
- Operational Savings: Businesses typically see a 40–60% reduction in labour and real estate costs compared to the U.S. or Europe
- Recruitment: The city’s high safety ratings, UNESCO-protected environment, and warm year-round climate help attract and retain top international talent and digital nomads, while also tapping into the region’s youngest, most “digital-competent” native workforce.
- Proven Growth: Backed by the “Guatemala Moving Forward” initiative and a record $2.7 billion national Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) goal, the area has transitioned from mainly tourism to a sophisticated creative and tech hub. It is rated highly at 83% by the Chandler GOOD Government Index as an attractive prospect for business
Country: Belize
Featured City: Placencia
Our research indicates that Placencia is one of the safest places in Belize for retirees, tourists and businesses seeking relocation or expansion opportunities.
Expats and Tourists
For foreigners looking for a relaxed and inexpensive retirement or remote workers pursuing the digital nomad life, Placencia has much to offer. It is also becoming a tempting prospect for foreign businesses and investments.
Placencia claims Belize’s top safe spot, especially for expats. Low crime rates and community policing provide a contrast to the dangers in Belize City, with safety reports noting fewer incidents in rural tourist areas like Placencia. Tourists report feeling secure day and night. Expats favour the local beaches and relaxed vibe.
Policing:
Police forces are largely uncompromised by major scandals or corruption and work in partnership with locals to provide proactive patrols and crime prevention initiatives. Village committees deal with minor issues and local concerns swiftly.
Business
Here are some of the reasons that businesses should be considering Placencia for expansion or relocation:
- Tourism and Hospitality Services are in year-round Demand: There is a high demand for rentals, eco-lodges, restaurants, and dive operations. Steady cash flow from tourists makes Placencia attractive for holiday property, construction and leisure industry investments.
- Labour Costs and Advantages: Labour is up to 50% cheaper than in North America, with affordable beachfront living and lower energy costs
- Investor Incentives: Belize offers 100% foreign ownership of land/businesses and tax exemptions through fiscal incentives and free zones. No capital gains tax for non-residents means profits can be repatriated.
- Expat Business Hub: Strong networks for property management, real estate, fintech, and green energy. Local fluency in English makes things simpler
- Strategic Safety Edge: The area is calmer than mainland cities, with a community vibe that suits retirees/digital nomads and startup agencies and services.
- Liveability: Placencia offers a good climate, attractive beaches and good Wi-Fi access, plus proximity to US markets.
Country: El Salvador
Featured City: Santa Tecla
“El Salvador has undergone a spectacular security transformation since 2019. Once considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world, it now displays crime statistics among the lowest in Latin America”
Expats and Tourists
Expats are drawn by the green spaces, wide boulevards, and parks. The area provides quick access to San Salvador but avoids the big city chaos. With affordable property prices and rentals, international schools, modern retail facilities, decent hospitals and recent forum insights confirming improved security, there is an expat-friendly vibe about the place.
Policing
With a series of recent government crackdowns, Santa Tecla leads El Salvador’s safety rankings. Homicide rates are around 4.18 per 100,000, which is far below national averages.
The police have been active, conducting a series of anti-gang operations in the area. They operate effectively and without widespread compromise. Authorities fight corruption through transparency reforms. Suburbs attract tech firms and expats.
Business
Here are some of the reasons that businesses might consider Santa Tecla for expansion or relocation:
- Proximity to Capital: Just 20-30 minutes from San Salvador’s business districts, financial hubs, and international airport, Santa Tecla is a relatively easy commute
- National Incentives: Tax exemptions (up to 15 years) for tech, software, AI, and blockchain via Free Trade Zones/Service Parks nearby. Duty-free imports, low taxes for BPO/call centres/IT.
- Talent and Workforce Costs: There is a largely bilingual workforce available at lower costs than in the US/Europe. A growing fintech/crypto scene draws startups, and the local workforce provides the technology skills needed.
- Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): These boost infrastructure with collaborative contracts between government and private companies to deliver public infrastructure or services, such as roads, tech parks, or public utilities.
- Investment Climate: Streamlined business registration with 100% foreign ownership and profit repatriation unrestricted. Booming business sectors include ICT, manufacturing, construction, retail and services.
Country: Honduras
Featured City: Copán Ruinas
For those seeking peace and culture or perhaps a businessopportunity in Honduras one location to seriously consider is Copán Ruinas
Tourists and expats
Copán Ruinas is a select cultural destination. Away from urban violence, it boasts low tourist-targeted crime rates. Copán Ruinas draws a small but dedicated expat community with its Mayan heritage and relaxed way of life.
Retirees and tourists alike appreciate colonial-style streets and generous parkland, while expats value living alongside friendly locals and low-key international residents. A budget apartment can currently be purchased for between $60,000 and $90,000.
Policing
Policing emphasises tourist protection around heritage sites as well as in the town centre. Visible patrols focus on heritage sites via UNESCO partnerships, deterring petty theft with low-key but effective initiatives.
The police are integrated with the local community with responsive strategies that promote security and reduce the gang issues that plague urban Honduras. Safety reports note low expat and visitor-targeted violence, with quick incident response times for any incidents.
Business
Here are some of the reasons that businesses might consider Copán Ruinas for expansion or relocation:
- With more than 100,000 annual visitors, Copán Ruinas presents opportunities for niche tourism ventures like eco-lodges, touring and guiding, artisan retail outlets and food businesses.
- Low costs, English-speaking expats, and a stable archaeology-driven economy suit smaller operations.
- Its proximity to Guatemala is an incentive to cross-border trade
- Foreign Direct Investment in the area rose from $920 million (2022) to $1.8 billion (2023), fuelling hotel and property development and further investment in the tourism industry
Country: Nicaragua
Featured City: Granada
With good infrastructure, year-round cultural events and relatively inexpensive property and rentals, expats and startup businesses are drawn to Granada
Tourists and Expats
Granada, with its preserved colonial architecture, lakeside setting on Lake Nicaragua, and relaxed atmosphere, is a consistent draw for tourists and expat retirees. On the expat forums, Granada is praised for affordable rents, reliable Wi-Fi, levels of safety and year-round community events like international cultural and music festivals and the weekly gatherings in Parque Colón.
Although property prices are rising, you could find a fully restored 2-3 bedroom “Modern Colonial,” near the city centre, often with a plunge pool and open-air courtyard, in the $120,000 – $250,000 price range, while it is still possible to find a “fixer-upper” for upwards of $60,000
Policing
Policing is focused on visible, community patrols in expat and tourist zones around Parque Central and Calle La Calzada. The national police collaborate well with local tourism boards to combat petty crime, maintaining an effective deterrent without heavy-handed tactics.
Local Authorities tackle corruption through neighbourhood watch programmes and oversight committees. This results in low violent crime statistics and encourages quick response times from nearby police stations.
Business
Here are some of the reasons that businesses might consider Granada for expansion or relocation:
- Construction: There is a rising demand for secure, modern housing developments and gated communities known as “Residenciales” on the outskirts of the city that cater to middle-class Nicaraguans and retirees
- Cost and Demand Advantages: Low operational and labour costs paired with stable year-round demand make it ideal for eco-tourism startups and hospitality businesses near Lake Nicaragua.
- Commercial Redevelopment: There is a growing need for modern retail spaces and professional offices to provide modern infrastructure that older colonial buildings sometimes lack.
- Favourable Regulations: Encourage foreign business investment, with equal rights for foreign and local investors, including the right to transfer profits abroad and access to tax exemptions for some sectors.
Country: Costa Rica
Featured City: Escazú
With good infrastructure and non compromised policing that supports the foreign visitors, expats and startup businesses, Escazú is safer city and a serious contender for expansion and relocation
Tourists and Expats
Escazú ranks as Costa Rica’s leading expat hub for safety, just outside San José, blending suburban calm with urban access. Upscale malls like Multiplaza, gated communities, and international schools draw families, retirees, and digital nomads seeking reliable security and modern amenities. Tourists appreciate low violent crime, walkable dining scenes, and green hillsides for day trips. Numbeo data underscores its appeal with safety indexes well above national averages, fostering a thriving foreign community amid reliable infrastructure.
Policing
Fuerza Pública delivers professional, tech-enhanced policing with steady patrols in residential and commercial zones. Anti-corruption initiatives and surveillance cameras help police services remain effective and trusted, focusing on rapid response to petty theft while maintaining low violent crime stats. Community liaison programmes build local cooperation, keeping Escazú ahead of other cities in Costa Rica.
Business
Corporate businesses are flourishing. Escazú’s modern business parks attract foreign tech firms, finance companies, and consultancies that are tempted by an inexpensive yet skilled bilingual local workforce. Low taxes with added incentives, stable utilities and good WiFi support real estate and service businesses.
Country: Panama
Featured City: Panama Zona Viva and Casco Viejo
Retirees and businesses considering relocating to Panama will find modern amenities, old-world charm and a focus on safety and security in Zona Viva and Casco Viejo
Tourists and Expats
Panama City’s Zona Viva and Casco Viejo draw tourists and expats with their blend of modern nightlife and restored colonial charm. Zona Viva offers dining, bars, and shopping along Via Argentina, while Casco Viejo features cobblestone streets and cultural sites like the Panama Cathedral. Expats favour areas with safe, walkable amenities and established international communities. The latest safety reports indicate that these are safe zones.
Policing
There is a heavy police presence in both zones, with tourist police patrolling Casco Viejo’s central areas and tech-integrated police units in Zona Viva. Visible foot and vehicle patrols, backed by rapid response teams, are a consistent deterrent. Anti-corruption reforms and private security collaborations differentiate these areas from nearby higher-risk neighbourhoods like El Chorrillo.
Business
Global companies and new startups can thrive in Zona Viva’s corporate office facilities and within the Casco Viejo hospitality sector. Panama’s dollarised economy, low taxes, free trade zones, and developing tech services are ideal for real estate and tourism businesses.
Are You Looking for Reliable Security Services in Central America?
We offer an extensive range of security guarding services suitable for:
- Vacant commercial and residential properties
- Construction sites, renovations and infrastructure projects
- Retail stores & shopping centres
- Ports, ferry terminals and marinas
- Concert arenas, hotels, clubs, pubs and casinos
- Corporate offices & office buildings
- Private residential premises, gated communities and apartment complexes
- Boutique stores and multi-site luxury retail
- Warehouses and factories
- Hospitals and Health Centres
- Local and national government buildings
- Schools, colleges and universities
- Offshore energy production facilities
