Biking the World’s "MOST DANGEROUS" Country (El Salvador) - Day 1
Вставка
- Опубліковано 15 чер 2024
- My goal is to change the perception of El Salvador. Welcome to my journey as I attempt to ride my bike across the entire country of El Salvador. El Salvador has been consistently ranked as having the most murders per capita in the entire world, leading El Salvador to acquire the perception of being the most dangerous country in the world. When most people hear “El Salvador”, their mind likely jumps to negative thoughts like murder and gang activity, but I KNOW there are beautiful places to see and kind people to meet in El Salvador.
Despite what I have heard in the news about El Salvador, I decided to purchase a bike in San Salvador, the capital city of El Salvador, and attempt to bike across the entire country. My goal is to meet and understand the local people and form my own opinions of “the world’s most dangerous country”. During my bike trip across El Salvador, I’m hoping to discover what the media doesn't show us, a beautiful country filled with a beautiful culture and people. I'm hoping to create El Salvador news that is positive.
When I told others I was going to travel El Salvador, most people told me I needed to be careful. Most people said they wouldn’t visit El Salvador, let alone ride their bike alone across the world’s most dangerous country. Most people only know El Salvador through the lens of the media, and view El Salvador as a dangerous country to travel to and visit, especially as a tourist. However, I hope that my journey traveling El Salvador in 2022 can change perceptions of the country and even more, encourage you to challenge your preconceived ideas of El Salvador and form your own opinions of “the world’s most dangerous country”.
Of course, before traveling El Salvador, like any other country in the world, I would encourage everyone to research the country’s current situation beforehand to remain safe and optimize your time in the country.
To start off my journey biking across El Salvador, I first take the public bus from San Salvador, the capital city of El Salvador, all the way to La Union, which is the Easternmost point of the country, and where I am starting my journey. After settling in to La Union, I wake up early the next morning to start my bike trip across El Salvador. Day 1 starts off with an unexpectedly difficult morning ride with tons of steep hills. After a few hours, I eventually make it to the town of El Carmen for breakfast, where I had the pleasure of meeting Douglas and tons of other incredibly friendly locals. After chatting with El Salvadoran locals about their country and learning first hand about El Salvador, I continued biking to San Miguel, which is where I stay the night to end Day 1.
0:00 Intro
0:35 Riding the Bus Across El Salvador
3:09 Getting to La Union
5:07 Why I'm Doing It
7:16 Day 1
9:25 My First Big Challenge
11:59 The First Town
13:26 A Local's Thoughts on El Salvador
15:45 Waterpark in El Salvador
17:04 Day 1 Final Thoughts
____________________
Thanks for watching and please hit the LIKE button, SUBSCRIBE if you have not already, and hit the BELL to get notified when I upload future videos.
____________________
If you are new to my channel, Welcome! My name is Matt and at the beginning of 2021 I decided to QUIT my job to pursue my dream and travel the world. In this series, I take you with me as I bike across the entire country of El Salvador, to meet the people and immerse myself in a commonly misunderstood place.
____________________
If you enjoy my content, you can help support my adventures here: www.buymeacoffee.com/mattkramer
Check out my instagram here: /
#elsalvador #elsalvadortravel #elsalvadorvlog
Welcome to Day 1 of my journey to ride my bike across the entire country of El Salvador. My goal in this series is to meet the local people, form my own opinions of El Salvador, and hopefully share with you another side of the country that you won't see in mainstream media. I'll be releasing daily videos for each day of my bike ride, so SUBSCRIBE to follow along the journey! 🇸🇻
Thank you! For being there! In El Salvador, great video you will get that journal who will be the real Salvadorian life people .
So what we love from you you're so kind man and sweet in the Salvadorian we appreciate ,🇸🇻❤️❤️🙏 God bless you !! Que cuidé de vos Todo Camino en Que Andes en bicicleta para tu journal.
🙏❤️❤️👍
Me encantó tu vídeo, wow amazing experience, meet nice people and feel welcome, that’s awesome.
I’m gonna to subscribe and follow you in your journal.
Good luck my friend.
Thank you so much Ingris, I am really enjoying my time in El Salvador!
Thanks so much Cristina! El Salvador is a special country!
Creo estas mal informado o eres uno de esos espías o difamador enviado por el gobierno basura de Biden
El Salvador stopped being the most dangerous country in America to being one of the SAFEST! Misleading title.
people keep using it for click bait. sad
Still definitely no where near one of the safest but bukele definitely made some good changes with the place
@@thomashernandez2078 as a matter of fact, it is the safest!
@@thomashernandez2078 u must not live there or don't know what research is. 🤷🏻♂️
@@strgzr2971 there's still a lot of websites not publishing current data I think. Going off 2018 data and making it seem like it's from 2021
El Salvador is not the most dangerous countrys in the world,but the friendliest!!!
That is what I am experiencing throughout my journey as well! So far, all the locals I've met have been incredibly kind and friendly and I can't wait to continue exploring the country!
El Salvador is no longer the most dangerous country it’s probably the safest in Latin America now
I flew in to El Salvador with my carbon fiber Cannondale Lefty FS. I rode it in the the city people had never seen a bike like it. Overall the Country is safe, people are kind and respectful to tourist, for sure no worries about racism or rude people. Everything is well guarded. Food is delicious! You can mountain bike everywhere. They have so many bike parks. The capital has a mountain biking park. Can’t wait to go back
Sounds like you had a great experience too Xavier! I hope you get the chance to go back soon!
Not so accurate Xavier; since we have a bike shop that sells Cannondale bikes in the city, is difficult to believe that nobody has ever seen a Cannondale Lefty at S.S., please do not missinform. Regards.
What I’m saying is based on my experience not yours. The people that rode my bike had never seen anything like it .I took it to the beach, took it to Walter Thilo, the military men asked “where did the other front shock go?” Out of 8 military men 1 knew it was normal. I took it to Cuatepeque, I took it to Guatemala the little kids played with the bike. It’s an unusual bike to most Salvadorans compared to here in the US. I’m sure some one knew it was a lefty. That Small Cannondale Shop doesn’t have shit. I went to it it’s by the Denny’s. They hardly had Cannondale’s, They had other brand bikes in the store.
@@MattKramerTravels Thanks Brother. I really did have the time of my life. The last thing I want is to be dealing with rude people on my vacation. I just wanna go back I hear it’s better since I went in April. I’ll continue taking my bike to El Salvador and maybe leave a car too.
El Salvador is small, but it is still larger than Puerto Rico and Israel. El Salvador is almost the same size as the state of New Jersey
It’s a small but really fascinating country!
El Salvador is now the most SAFEST country in Latin America
Eres bienvenido a nuestro país El Salvador. Saludos y bendiciones desde Santa Ana El Salvador 🇸🇻💙🙏🏻
Muchas gracias David!!
Hi amigo Matt!
It’s good to have you back have missed your weekly updates.
You have started another interesting adventure you are right most things in the past were all negative about the Country I’m pleased it’s no longer that way and the people you met were so friendly and welcoming.
Stay safe and well.
🇺🇸🏴
Hi George! I'm back with daily updates for this series! I hope I can share another perspective on El Salvador than the one constantly shown in mainstream media throughout this new adventure!
Thank you for sharing your journey through my beautiful country of birth, we have amazing, hard working, humble good hearted people, and yes i would buy vitamins from a random guy in the bus lol. my parents growing up used to sell things in buses to survive. Thank for showing the world how good the people from El Salvador are.
Yes, El Salvador really is a beautiful country filled with incredibly kind people!
Very nice, thank you for showing us something of El Salvador.
Thanks Jersondha, I'm excited to continue peeling back the layers of El Salvador!
Hi Matt--So glad to see you back! Missed you these past few weeks but what an amazing series in El Salvador. Can't wait to follow along with you!
Thanks so much Pat! El Salvador is an amazing country and I'm excited to continue sharing my experience as I bike through it!
Wow man! What an adventure you're having... totally crazy but at the same time amazing 🤘🏽
Thanks so much David!
Me encantó tu video amigo, sigue así.
Muchas gracias amigo!
Definitely giving me new perspectives on my perceptions of different countries!! Can't wait for the rest of the series
Thanks Stone, I'm excited to share the rest of the series!
Navegando por UA-cam me encuentro con este majestuoso video espero de todo corazón. Que disfrutes mi pequeño pulgarcito El Salvador 🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻y mi gente bella te haga sentir como en casa bendiciones
Muchas gracias! Disfruté mi tiempo mucho en El Salvador!
Just discovered your channel and loving your joy in discovering the simple pleasures as you travel. A good reminder to me of why I started traveling years ago. Best wishes from Florida on your current adventure!
Thanks so much David, I really appreciate it!
such a cool adventure!! Can't wait to follow along! ✨
Thank you!!
Awesome video, thanks Matt for an awesome job.
Thanks so much!
Welcome to El Salvador my amigo! Glad to see you here
Thanks so much, I am really enjoying El Salvador so far! The locals have been so friendly to me!
I'm exited to see the next part. thanks for sharing this video and telling the true about el Salvador. a good advise, get a reflective gear since the traffic is king of crazy. KEEP IT UP MATT.
Thanks so much Jose, I really appreciate it!
Congrats buddy! Great video. And the most important part of this story is that people can realize that now our country is the safest country to visit in the whole continent!!!! Thanks!!!!
Super video! Thank you! Got a new subscriber. Cheers!
Thanks so much WIlliam!
Cool video, really enjoyed it. El Salvador is changing and becoming safe. I'm planning a trip out there early next year.
Thanks so much and enjoy your trip, El Salvador is a special place!
Welcome to El Salvador, your title thought is misleading I should rather be “formerly amongst the most dangerous countries in the world and now the safest in Latin America “ I left El Salvador almost 40 years ago and I’m coming back to visit/ stay? because of the freedom, safety and new opportunities
ur such a W bro!!! amazing vibes and video
Thank you so much!!
I love to ride my bike too.....enjoy my beautiful COUNTRY.......thank you for talking to the locals this are the true amazing people
The locals really are incredible!!
Yes, we used to have a dangerous country, but NO MORE !! Thanks to our amazing, humble, and generous president Nayib Bukele 💙🙏🙏 Hope you enjoy our country 🇸🇻
Thank you Kelly! I really did enjoy my time in El Salvador a lot!
Matt thank you for visiting El Salvador, you are more than welcome, but I will appreciate it if you stop callings it the most dangerous country in the world, enjoy El Salvador.
Thank you Carlos! My goal with this video series is to share the side of El Salvador that mainstream media doesn't show, the beautiful and kind side to the country!
@@MattKramerTravels you know what you did, it’s disrespectful.
@@MattKramerTravels stop copy, paste man, your are delusional and you have to stop presenting fake information and rankings
Perhaps he usted that statement to catch the attention, negative yes but he’s got what he needed from all of us Salvadorans and non Salvadorans, it’s basically a fishing context. I don’t know if did in a sort of sarcasm or he did for real
But for sure as a Salvadoran I would say El Salvador it’s now a safer country than it was maybe 3 or 4 years ago.
I just subscribed to your channel 'cause I really like this video and hope the rest of what I'm about to watch. Love your spanish and sense of approach to people though.
Thanks so much Javier! I really appreciate it!
Welcome to El Salvador mi amigo, I'll exited waiting for the next videos.
Thank you! I'm excited to share the rest of my experience in El Salvador!
oh how i miss this little country. was there this past March. I am sooo looking forward to the rest of the videos of your travels in BEAUTIFUL El Salavador!!! what a way to see a country!!!
This is how I imagine myself on my Peloton bike... lol jk you're amazing Matt!!! So proud of you for embarking on this journey!
Thanks so much Meredith, I'm excited for the journey!
What an adventure!
Thanks for watching Michelle, the adventure only gets more interesting!!
Loved ur water park stop!
It was an unexpected, but great stop!
Glad you are having a good time, too bad you didn’t explore the beaches of La Union! We have really nice -black sand- beaches in El Cuco and towards El Tamarindo.
But, so happy you are enjoying your trip. Salvadorean people are known for being friendly and back in the day… around the 70”s was known as “el país de la sonrisa” the Country of the smile. Enjoy!
Thanks so much for sharing Ana! There is still so much of El Salvador that I would love to explore! I completely agree, the people of El Salvador are incredibly kind and I love the saying "country of the smile"!
nice and interesting video thanks for sharing it with the whole universe, always feel at home in el salvador, greetings from Mass
Thanks so much, I really appreciate it!
Awesome, I was raised in El Carmen off the Panamerican Highway. I hope you enjoy your trip and show the rest of the world how wonderful El Salvador really is.
Wow such great views. Thank you for sharing with us your beautiful video here. You are amazing. I am glad everything went great with your trip. One question though, I have seen dogs roaming around there in the cities. You were not afraid that they might chase you while you were on your bike? Keep those videos coming. Thank you again,
Thank you Carl! I'll be sharing daily videos of my journey biking across El Salvador! And I have had a few street dogs chase me while on my bike but usually after 20 meters or so, they back off and go back to their area.
@@MattKramerTravels Get an umbrella for the rain and for the street dogs too. They might run away when you open it. Stay safe out there.
Great video. El Salvador 🇸🇻 my country.
Thank you so much Jacky, your country is beautiful!
Gracias Joven por visitar anuestro país el salvador 👏, 👏👏👏👏👏👏
Gracias Jose!!
Buen Video , gracias
Gracias Hector!
simple bike ride...i like it...and your spanish is very good. inspiring...
We came off the list of the "most dangerous" over a year ago. Otherwise hope you enjoyed your bike ride and hopefully you come back soon
Thank you! My goal in this video series is to share the side of El Salvador that isn't show in mainstream media!
Hey Matt, El Salvador is no longer a dangerous place👍
Hi Ronald! My goal in this series is to share the beautiful side of El Salvador that isn't portrayed in the media and I am loving my time in El Salvador so far!
Catching up to your channel this week while I'm on vacay from work. Knowing Spanish helps a lot, how did you learn Spanish?
Thanks Connie! I've taken some classes online and also while I've been traveling, which have helped a lot!
Buen video guy
Gracias Juan!
gracias por este hermoso vídeo , me gusta mucho su español muy claro. gracias ppr visitarnos, las montañas tambien son hermosas ,el occidente esta la ruta de las flores y lugares mas frios . muy orgullosa de ser sslvadoreña, gracias por su visita
Muchas gracias Lissette! El Salvador es un pais hermoso!
Thanks for showing our country to the rest of the world; you ‘ll be surprised how save is El Salvador
Thank you Genoveva!!
Just got back from San Salvador. The people were the most friendliest I have ever come across. Out of the 5 Central American countries I visited, i felt the safest there. It may be dangerous back in the days but i felt safe in 2022. People just got on with their day. I expected the odd stares but people didnt give a fk. They just cracked on with their day. They were too busy doing their own stuff which was a welcome breath of fresh air instead of me worrying about a potential "attack or robbery". I will be back for sure.
I'm so glad you had a great experience as well! I completely agree that the people of El Salvador are incredibly friendly!
Hi Matt, what bus did you take from San Salvador? How often does it run? Can you walk to it from the airport? And how long was the ride?
Intend to visit El Salvador in December (born in El Salvador) but have only been back three times since I was 7 years old. I would like to immerse myself quite a bit on my visit and feel this would be a way to interact with locals….
Subscribed. Thanks for sharing. Also sharing your channel with my family.
Thanks so much Mauricio! I There are very frequent buses around the country from San Salvador and there are 2 main bus stations in the city. The ride from San Salvador to La Union was around 4 hours. I don't have experience taking public transit from the airport. Enjoy your trip in December!
There are many local buses within the capital but to travel outside you can go to either of the two main terminals. There's one where you can take buses that go to east of the country (terminal de oriente) and another terminal that goes west (terminal de occidente). I don't remember any bus routes as it's been many years since I was there.
@@V.E.R.O. gracias Verónica. Empezaré en la terminal plaza amanecer…
@@MauricioRafaelGonzalez Esa es la terminal de oriente.
THATS HOW WE SALVADOREAN PEOPLE ARE. WE'RE KIND HUMBLE HARD WORKING
I completely agree, the people of El Salvador are incredible!
Have you been to Chicago in the USA.........Now thats dangerous!!
Saludos amigo y bienvenido al Salvador
Gracias Mario!!
I love all your videos.....than you for showing what is like living in this amazing country that l love dearly ❤ * ♥
I'm so glad to hear this, thank you for your support Ruth!
I used to go to that water park when I was a little kid 🥺 damn thank you for bringing back so many good memories
Such a fun waterpark! Thanks so much Roberto, I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
Great video and thanks for sharing this view of our beautiful country.
The only thin I don't like is that you keep saying that El Salvador is the most dangerous country, since El Salvador is now one of the most secure countries in the region.
But just it.
Keep bringing this content!!!
Dios bendiga a El Salvador y a presi Bukele, vamos por un mejor camino
Si, estoy feliz por eso!
Nice video brother greeting from Virginia USA
Thanks so much Alexander!
Wow nice
Thank you Manuel!
Que disfrutes lo bueno de nuestro pais bendiciones
Muchas gracias Wilson!
Amigo lo felicito por su grandioso vídeo, sobre nuestro país, la verdad usted es muy amable, gracias por visitarnos y esperando haya sido de su completo agrado. Felicidades
Muchas gracias Marco! Disfruté mi tiempo en El Salvador mucho!
Quiero llorar es un vídeo increíble, amo aqui❤🌍
Muchas gracias Brenda!! El Salvador es un pais hermosos!
Wow the guy gave you a free water, that was amazing.
It really was!
Que hermosa aventura
Gracias, es un pais hermoso!
Question, do those buses have a working bathroom?
typically the local buses don't have bathrooms, however perhaps some of the fancier buses might
hi. how are you sir thank you for visiting my country I hope you enjoy your time what everything you do God bless you brother today 95% percent safer don't worry, just enjoy
Thanks Jose and I really enjoy my time in El Salvador!
Gracias amigo :)
Gracias Ricardo!
Amigo...
El Salvador is not the most dangerous country in the world like you put it.
I'm glad you're visiting many places in El Salvador hopefully you can find out for yourself how safe and a hidden paradise El Salvador is. Don't believe what the News said, You have to experience it for yourself.
Good luck on your journey.
Thanks so much Douglas! My experience in El Salvador so far has been amazing and I've met so many kind and friendly people!
@@MattKramerTravels We actually have a better Global Peace Index than the US. And significantly lower homicide rates than most US cities as of 2022. Thanks to Bukele my family lives way more peacefully than before. 2016 being the worst year.
¡Viva El Salvador! 🇸🇻🇸🇻 BUKELE 2024
Bienvenido a mi país, miraré los siguientes videos para conocer como fue tu aventura por acá!
Muchas gracias!!
Los vi todos, excelente aventura. Gracias por admirar y amar mi país. 💜
My family is from La Union, and I have been blessed to visit the country many times. But, since Bukele has been president, safety has improved immensely, and the government has improved so much. It’s now a safer country.
The generosity of Salvadorans is limitless👍✌😜
It really is amazing!
Gracias por visitarlo siempre serás bienvenido saludos !!!!!!
Muchas gracias Edwin!
Me gustó mucho el vídeo y muchísimas gracias por visitar nuestro lindo El Salvador, pero solo una cosita El Salvador ya no es como antes, El Salvador oy es muy seguro gracias Al presidente Bukele, El Salvador está cambiando apasos muy jigantes💙🇸🇻💙🇸🇻💙🇸🇻💙
Muchas gracias Jose!
Trust me bro our people isn’t as they said on the news . We are hard working people kind . Good luck, and I hope you have a wonderful ride.
Thanks so much and I completely agree, the people of El Salvador are so kind!
Saludos desde Costa Rica. Es cierto, pero creeme, el Presidente Bukele está trabajando duro contra la delincuencia...
Y that will be nice to have a bike road alongside off the road for safe driving
Thanks for watching Charly!
Waiting for part 2
I'm glad you enjoyed the video! The rest of the series is up on my channel!
What's weird is that the latest ratings don't even show El Salvador to be a dangerous country tho!
Did you get your info from a few years back?
Excelente 👍🏻,la unión es mi ciudad
Que chivo! Gracias!
👍👍👍👍👍disfruta mi amado país amigo
Gracias Carlos!
18:00 hey I get my budget bike parts in that shop from time to time, how small the world has become.
so funny, it is a small world!
Wao, such a good video, you have a puerto rican or Venezuelan Spanish accent, how is that?
Thank you Ronald! I'm not sure how as I have never been to Venezuela haha
Nuestro país Esta Abierto para todas las personas del mundo y hoy Con Nuestro presidente Bukele tenemos El pais mas seguro de latino América gracias por visitarnos
Gracias Oscar, disfruté mi tiempo en El Salvador mucho!
@@MattKramerTravels gracias Ty hermano por visitarnos A Nuestro país
Very true is probably the safest country in Latin America
Thanks to the president on the major crackdown on gangs and violence in the country and now El salvador having the largest prison in Central America the country has improved immensely. My family is from here and people were always afraid to be out after sunset but now El Salvador is being recognized for tourism and great hospitality. Alhamdulilah (Gracias a Dios)❤
Welcome, thanks to let the world know the safety of El Salvador.
Thank you Jose, El Salvador is a beautiful country!
Que bueno que amigo que decidiste venir a constatar por ti mismo la realidad que lo que se vive aquí y no es lo que los medios de comunicación informan gracias por tu visita me hubiera gustado estrechar tu mano welcome back soon.
Muchas gracias! Mi objetivo con esta serie de videos es compartir el otro lado de El Salvador que no se puede ver en los medios. El salvador es un pais hermoso!
👋👋👏👏
Gracias!!
Keep an eye on the traffic at all the time bro. Beware of the big rigs, a lot of these drivers don't respect bikers like we do here in the US, I'm an 18 wheeler and I noticed that couple of jerks scared you. Hey, an observation with your lodging is that you do not wait until night to ensure your stay. El Salvador is the land where I was born, enjoy your trip my friend.
Thank you so much, I really appreciate the recommendations!
Ahora es el pais mas seguro del mundo querido amigo visitante... el presidente Nayib Bukele con el regimen de excepcion encerro ya a todos los maras y delincuentes puedes circular facilmente por cualquier lugar, todo es maravilloso ahora. Debes regresar nos encanta que nos visiten, al fin podemos abrirnos al mundo 😏🇸🇻
Muchas gracias y espero volver pronto!
Ya no es el pais mas peligroso y se con seguridad q lo pudiste persivor en tu viaje ,El titulo de tu video no es correcto es amarillista ,los medios Internacionales venden ese titulo de mas peligroso por q a los politicos les conviene pero en el pais todos estamos felices con la seguridad q El presidente Bukele nos esta dando ,3 millones de turistas han ido al pais en una semana, gastan millones en noticias falsas pero por q no invierten esos millones en la pobeesa q hay ese pais q supuestamente es de primer mundo ?? Algo no esta bien en la cabeza de esos politicos corruptos
Mi objetivo de mi viaje es conocer a la gente local y compartir el otro lado de El Salvador que no se muestra en los medios
@@MattKramerTravels No fue lo que persivi en tu video ,Debe saber el mundo que ese lado que tu viste es el mismo que durante 40 años nos tubieron presos,esclavos y con la boca callada por los gobernantes que estubieron ,ellos fueron los Dictadores ,Ahora si tenemos Democracia ya estabamos cansados de tanra muerre y Reprecion ,espero que mi comentario lo puedan leer mucas naciones para que sepan que las noticias que difunden los medios Internacionales son falsas que deberian Invertir esos millones en la pobeesa de sus propios paises
Change the damn title smh wtf
Bendiciones amigo, suscrito a ti canal, salvadoreño 💯🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🇸🇻🫶🏻🫶🏻
Muchas gracias James!!
😃👍
Thanks for your support!
I personally suggest you to get a tourism second- hand bike since they are more comfortable to ride long distances and less heavy. They are usually brought from Canada or the US and sold in second hand stores such as premium center for example. The scope of prices is between 150 to 275 dlrs depending on the brand and size. You shouldnt pay more than that. Have a nice ride in our country!
Thanks so much for the suggestion Darvin!
thanks for visit El Salvador I m fron El salvador
Thanks Marcial!!
que bueno que conoca todo El Salvador
Muchas gracias!
El Salvador is not danger ⛔️ why you give the wrong information???
What a video
Thank you!!