Following extensive infrastructure upgrades led by the Ministry of Public Works, Apulo Recreational Park on the shores of Lake Ilopango has experienced a major surge in popularity, effectively doubling its monthly attendance. Eny Aguiñada, President of the Salvadoran Institute of Tourism (ISTU), revealed that the revamped destination now attracts between 45,000 and 50,000 visitors every month, up from its previous average of 25,000 to 30,000.
The lakeside park reopened to massive crowds during Holy Week after undergoing comprehensive renovations from November 2025 to March 2026. Beyond refreshed public facilities, the site introduced extended operating hours, welcoming guests seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. “Sometimes people lose track of time, and we have to gently remind them that it’s closing time,” Aguiñada noted during a recent interview on radio station YSKL.
This revitalized space represents a dramatic transformation for an area historically impacted by gang activity in Ilopango. Enhanced public safety and modern amenities now allow families and tourists to enjoy late-evening visits with complete peace of mind, signaling a broader shift in how public recreational spaces are utilized across the region.
The resurgence of Apulo underscores the growing appeal of state-managed leisure sites across El Salvador. According to the Salvadoran Tourism Corporation (Corsatur), 44% of the more than 4.68 million domestic tourists in the first half of the year chose to visit one of the 18 public parks managed by ISTU, highlighting strong demand for updated recreational infrastructure.