El Salvador continues to strengthen its position as a top travel destination, attracting more visitors than ever. According to the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur), the country welcomed over 350,000 international visitors in January 2025 alone, surpassing figures from both 2024 and 2019.
Tourism Minister Morena Valdez highlighted this growth during a television interview, noting that the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) continues to compare global tourism recovery to 2019 levels, as many countries have yet to fully rebound.
“The majority of tourists come from Central America, especially Guatemala,” Valdez stated. “However, we have also seen an increase in visitors from the United States and Canada.”
While the Surf City project remains the country’s flagship tourism initiative, San Salvador’s Historic Center has emerged as one of the most popular attractions. “People want to see the transformation,” Valdez emphasized.
El Salvador also kicked off its cruise season in February with the arrival of The World, the largest private yacht in the world. The luxury cruise ship, carrying travelers from the U.S., Canada, and Australia, docked at Acajutla and later at the Port of La Unión. Many passengers, including retired scientists, explored key destinations across the country, with a strong interest in the Historic Center and El Salvador’s beaches.
Beyond tourism, El Salvador is also attracting international investors. Recent delegations have shown interest in business opportunities, with some already launching projects in the country.
Looking ahead, Mitur projects a total of 4.2 million visitors in 2025, primarily from the U.S., Canada, and Central America, with an estimated revenue of $3.5 to $3.6 billion in foreign exchange earnings.