El Salvador is reinforcing its position as one of Central America’s most competitive tourism destinations, driven by modern infrastructure, strengthened security measures and the use of the U.S. dollar. Tourism officials say these factors are setting the country apart from its regional neighbors and making it increasingly attractive to international visitors, including travelers from the United States.

Alejandra Durán, director of the Salvadoran Tourism Corporation (Corsatur), stated that while El Salvador maintains complementary tourism ties with Guatemala and Honduras, it leads the region in key areas. “With Guatemala and Honduras, we are complementary right now, but in infrastructure we must be clear — El Salvador is superior. In road infrastructure and in security, there is no comparison,” Durán said during a televised interview.

According to Corsatur, more than 3.4 million international tourists visited El Salvador in 2025. When same-day excursionists are included, the total reaches 4.1 million visitors. Guatemalan and Honduran travelers make up a significant share of arrivals, underscoring the strong flow of regional tourism across borders.

Durán also highlighted dollarization as a strategic advantage. “A difference that will be vital for us — aside from security and our modern infrastructure — is that dollars are used here. For visitors, it feels different. They are not going to the United States, but they are coming to a place where they can spend dollars,” she explained, noting that currency familiarity simplifies transactions for many international travelers.

Outbound tourism has grown as well, with more than 2.5 million Salvadorans traveling abroad for leisure in 2025, a 4.5 percent increase compared to the previous year. Officials view this growth in both inbound and outbound travel as a sign of expanding economic activity and deeper regional integration, further positioning El Salvador as a dynamic player in Central American tourism.