As the year comes to a close, El Salvador has seen a significant surge in tourism, especially during the December 2024 holidays. The Minister of Tourism, Morena Valdez, announced that the country received 431,674 visitors in December, marking a record for the highest number of visitors in recent years. “Since 2019, this December was the month we received the most visitors,” Valdez said, adding that if this growth trend continues, El Salvador could welcome 4.2 million visitors by 2025.

Among the most visited destinations in 2024 were: the Puerto de La Libertad Tourist Complex, the National Library of El Salvador (BINAES), Sunset Park, Cerro Verde Natural Park, and Balboa Natural Park. These locations are testament to the country’s transformation, as many of them were previously abandoned but have now become key attractions for both national and international visitors.

In total, El Salvador received 3,956,794 international visitors in 2024, with 80% being tourists who stayed for more than one night. This reflects a 17% increase in visitors compared to previous years, with an increasing number of tourists from countries like Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia. Notably, tourists from Costa Rica have shown interest in visiting for the sense of security El Salvador offers.

The top countries of origin for tourists were the United States (39%), Guatemala (26%), Honduras (16%), and other countries making up the remaining 19%. The government, under President Nayib Bukele, plans to continue promoting tourism and improving infrastructure to keep this positive trend going, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all visitors.