El Salvador celebrated a remarkable year for tourism in 2024, with record-breaking figures during the December holiday season. According to the Ministry of Tourism, the country hosted 431,674 international visitors throughout December, with 172,000 of them arriving between December 21 and 31—a 46% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
To meet the growing demand, the Directorate of Migration deployed over 450 officers to provide 24/7 service at land, sea, and air borders. Additionally, a pre-check system was implemented to streamline the processing of over 90,500 units of international and domestic transport, including private vehicles and tour operators.
The report highlighted that most tourists hailed from Guatemala and the United States (34% each), followed by Honduras (18%), and other regions worldwide (4%). Throughout 2024, El Salvador welcomed a total of 3,956,794 international visitors, marking a significant milestone for the nation’s tourism sector.
Among the country’s diverse attractions, the Historic Center of San Salvador emerged as the top destination, attracting more than 696,000 visitors. Other popular sites included the Port of La Libertad, the National Library and Archive (BINAES), Sunset Park, Cerro Verde Natural Park, and Balboa Natural Park.
El Salvador’s strong tourism performance has been attributed to the country’s enhanced safety levels and sustainable economic growth, positioning it as a top global travel destination. With its wide array of cultural, recreational, and natural attractions, the nation continues to draw travelers from across the Americas, Europe, and beyond.