El Salvador is experiencing a significant boom in its tourism sector, while Costa Rica’s tourism industry struggles with a notable decline, driven by growing public insecurity. The disparity between the two countries was highlighted in a recent broadcast by Costa Rica’s Noticiero Repretel (NR), which noted that El Salvador and Guatemala have surpassed Costa Rica in attracting visitors.
According to NR, “Costa Rica is no longer the most visited country in Central America. Guatemala and El Salvador now attract more tourists.” The report highlighted that, in 2024, El Salvador is expected to welcome 3.9 million visitors, while Guatemala will receive 3.2 million. Costa Rica, once the region’s tourism leader, now ranks third with only 2.7 million visitors.
This trend is a stark contrast to the increasing violence and insecurity plaguing Costa Rica, where homicides have risen dramatically. Costa Rican citizens, including hoteliers interviewed by NR, revealed that the decline in tourism is largely due to the murder of foreign visitors and the country’s high costs. As one interviewee remarked, “I know Costa Ricans who prefer to go to other countries for tourism because Costa Rica is very expensive.”
El Salvador, under the leadership of President Nayib Bukele, has implemented significant security measures, such as a state of emergency, which have contributed to a safer environment for both locals and tourists. In contrast, Costa Rica continues to experience a surge in violent crime. In the first 22 days of 2025, Costa Rica saw five more homicides than during the same period in 2024, according to the country’s Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ).
As El Salvador continues to see increasing international interest, the country’s tourism sector is thriving, surpassing expectations, with nearly 4 million visitors projected for 2024. Meanwhile, Costa Rica’s tourism industry faces a tough battle to regain its position as the region’s top destination.