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Public Parks, Beaches, and Cultural Events Drive El Salvador’s Year-End Tourism Surge
El Salvador is experiencing a strong year-end tourism season, driven by high attendance at public parks, beaches, and cultural attractions across the country. According to the Salvadoran Tourism Institute (ISTU), the final month of the year is expected to significantly boost visitor numbers and economic activity.
ISTU President Eny Aguiñada explained during an interview with Radio YSKL that international tourism has already shown positive results. “As of the end of November, we had already received 3.6 million international visitors. Forty-four percent entered by air and 56 percent by land,” she said.
Looking ahead to the holiday season, Aguiñada noted that from December 1 to 31, national parks, public beaches, and the Christmas village are expected to receive a combined total of 3.6 million visitors. “We also expect to welcome around 448,000 visitors this month alone, including members of our diaspora and foreign tourists,” she added.
Among the most visited destinations this year are Parque Natural Balboa and Puerta del Diablo in San Salvador, followed by Sunset Park at Costa del Sol, which has gained popularity since its opening. Cerro Verde National Park also ranks among the top destinations, attracting both local and international visitors.
Aguiñada highlighted that tourism benefits the entire value chain, including restaurants, lodging, recreation services, tour operators, certified guides, and tourist transportation. “Tourism contributes directly to economic development and reminds us that it is beneficial for everyone,” she stated.
To accommodate increased demand, several parks will operate extended hours, including nighttime schedules and openings on December 24 and 31. The government has also deployed more than 100,000 personnel nationwide through civil protection agencies to ensure safety during the peak season.
As part of the festivities, ISTU has invited the public to a year-end celebration at Costa del Sol Recreational Park on December 27, featuring a live performance by Marito Rivera y su Grupo Bravo and a drone show. Authorities emphasized that strong security conditions and a diverse events agenda continue to position El Salvador as an attractive holiday destination for both locals and visitors from abroad.
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Shakira Expands Historic El Salvador Residency After Fans Sell Out Shows in Hours.
Following the unprecedented sell-out of her initial concert dates, global music icon Shakira has confirmed the expansion of her historic residency in El Salvador, reinforcing the country’s growing prominence as a regional hub for major international events. The residency, part of the Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, is Shakira’s only Central American stop scheduled for 2026.
Originally announced with three performances in San Salvador on February 12, 14, and 15, ticket sales opened on December 17 and sold out in less than 24 hours. The rapid sell-out triggered a massive response from fans across El Salvador and the region, with thousands taking to social media to request additional dates.
The overwhelming demand drew public attention from President Nayib Bukele, who highlighted the cultural significance of the moment and joined calls for more shows. “El Salvador is changing, and Central America too. Shakira sold out all tickets for her three dates in less than 24 hours. I know the enormous effort producers are making to extend this impressive Central American residency based in our country,” Bukele wrote in a social media post.
In response to the continued public demand, Shakira confirmed the addition of two more concert dates on Sunday. “Thank you, El Salvador and Central America. Let’s go with two more dates!” the artist shared, officially expanding what is already considered a landmark event for the country.
The confirmation of additional shows further cements the residency as a historic milestone for El Salvador and Central America, marking the visit of one of Latin America’s most influential artists and one of the most successful figures in global music history. The expanded residency is expected to amplify the cultural, tourism, and economic impact already projected for the country in early 2026.
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El Salvador Gives Citizens Free Access to Platzi’s 1,600 Online Courses in Tech, AI, and Business.
El Salvador is expanding access to digital education through a nationwide partnership with online learning platform Platzi, granting citizens free access to more than 1,600 courses through the government’s Certifícate program. President Nayib Bukele described the initiative as an opportunity for growth, development, and expansion, emphasizing its potential to strengthen both professional and personal skills across the country.
Through his official X account, Bukele highlighted the value of the platform’s offerings and the mindset required to take advantage of them. “Platzi free for all Salvadorans. Those who seek to grow will find opportunities, tools, old paths and new paths, doors that open and windows too. Those who seek excuses will find excuses. One finds what one seeks,” the president wrote.
The alliance allows Salvadorans to enroll at no cost in courses covering technology, artificial intelligence, business, digital marketing, and English, among other fields. Platzi’s content is updated regularly and can be accessed from any internet-connected device, offering flexible and practical training aligned with global market demands.
Speaking on Diálogo 21, Innovation Secretary Daniel Méndez said the program reflects the government’s strategy to develop digital talent nationwide. “As President Bukele mentioned, those who look for opportunities to grow will find them,” he stated.
Méndez explained that the government has enabled free access through the portal certificate.gob.sv, eliminating payment barriers for users. “The platform is virtual, free, asynchronous, and hybrid, allowing access both online and offline,” he said, noting that Platzi has more than six million users worldwide.
The Certifícate program is structured around 17 schools and 155 learning paths, including preparation for TOEFL certification. Registration requires only a name, last name, and email address, after which users receive an activation message to begin their training. According to Méndez, the platform will remain free for Salvadorans throughout 2026.
Interest in the initiative has been strong, with more than 60,000 registrations recorded within the first 24 hours of the portal’s launch. English courses have been among the most in-demand, reflecting the country’s growing tourism sector and the increasing importance of bilingual skills. “With just a mobile phone, people can access the platform and explore the full range of training available,” Méndez concluded, encouraging Salvadorans to take advantage of the opportunity.
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Frontier Airlines Adds Five Direct U.S. Routes From El Salvador, Expanding Regional Air Travel.
Frontier Airlines has inaugurated five new direct routes connecting El Salvador with major cities in the United States, strengthening air connectivity and expanding travel options for passengers. The new flights link the El Salvador International Airport “San Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez” with Washington Dulles, Miami, Houston, Orlando, and Dallas.
Federico Anliker, president of the Executive Commission of the Port Authority of El Salvador (CEPA), described the expansion as a key step in the country’s connectivity strategy. “Today we are taking an important step in air connectivity with the opening of five new Frontier Airlines routes,” he said, noting that the airline already operates flights to Atlanta, bringing its total to six routes from El Salvador.
According to CEPA, the new direct flights provide more options for Salvadoran travelers, promote tourism, and increase competition. “We are a country with an open skies policy, and these advances are reflected in announcements like the one we are celebrating today,” Anliker added.
Tourism Minister Morena Valdez highlighted the impact on visitor arrivals, noting that El Salvador has received 3.8 million international visitors so far this year, including around 1.2 million from the United States. “These routes help strengthen tourism and generate economic growth,” she said, pointing to tourism revenues of approximately $3.5 billion.
Frontier Airlines said the expansion reflects its confidence in El Salvador’s market and growth potential. The new routes are expected to support tourism, facilitate travel for the Salvadoran diaspora, and further integrate the country into U.S. air travel networks.
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US-Backed Airport Security Upgrades Strengthen Justice and Border Control in El Salvador.
Key security and justice-related improvements were inaugurated today at El Salvador’s International Airport with the support of the United States Government, reinforcing bilateral cooperation in the fight against transnational crime.
The new upgrades include specialized areas for tattoo inspection, intelligence interviews, and enhanced internet connectivity that enables real-time biometric verification. These capabilities are designed to strengthen screening processes and speed up the identification and processing of returned individuals, while improving coordination among security institutions.
Officials highlighted that the modernized infrastructure allows authorities to operate more efficiently without compromising security standards. “These improvements significantly enhance our ability to verify identities and share information in real time,” an official involved in the project said.
The initiative reflects the ongoing collaboration between El Salvador and the United States to address regional security challenges, underscoring a shared commitment to strengthening justice systems, border control, and public safety in the country.
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San Salvador Historic Center Sees Job Growth and New Coffee Openings Amid Revitalization.
Sustained government efforts under President Nayib Bukele have strengthened investor confidence and created new economic opportunities in the heart of El Salvador’s capital, positioning San Salvador’s Historic Center as an increasingly active hub for business and employment.
This momentum is reflected in the opening of a new Viva Espresso location in the Historic Center, an investment that contributes to urban renewal and local job creation. The General Director of the San Salvador Historic Center Authority (Aplan), Adriana Larín, highlighted the economic impact of the project. “An investment close to $150,000 and the generation of direct and indirect jobs, together with a broad network of suppliers, show that this is a meaningful contribution to the local economy,” she said.
Representatives of Viva Espresso pointed to growing confidence in the area as a key factor behind the decision to expand downtown. “We believe in this revitalization process and in the Historic Center as a living space for Salvadorans and tourists,” said Alejandro Menéndez, adding that the new space respects the area’s heritage while showcasing Salvadoran coffee.
According to Aplan, a streamlined one-stop permitting system has reduced approval times and improved legal certainty for investors. Since 2023, the authority has supported projects representing approximately $176 million in private investment, reinforcing the Historic Center’s role as a driver of job growth, tourism, and economic activity in San Salvador.
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El Salvador Prepares for Shakira Residency as Sold-Out Shows Boost Hotels and Jobs.
El Salvador is preparing to welcome thousands of visitors as global music star Shakira brings her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour to the country for a highly anticipated Central American concert residency. All tickets for the three scheduled performances in San Salvador sold out, underscoring the strong demand and regional impact of the event.
El Salvador has emphasized continuous improvements in public service efficiency, positioning the country as a safe, organized, and visitor-ready destination. Strategic planning has focused on innovation, streamlined processes, and timely attention for both citizens and international travelers entering the country.
Ricardo Cucalón, director general of Migration and Foreigners Affairs, said the institution is working to ensure an agile, orderly, and secure migration control system across all points of entry and exit. “Day by day we are innovating and making procedures easier. At El Salvador International Airport ‘San Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez,’ more than 300 migration officers are on duty, with over 400 assigned to land borders and more than 100 handling maritime operations,” he said.
Authorities noted that strengthened operational capacity allows migration services to respond effectively to high-volume travel periods, reducing wait times and ensuring smooth processing for Salvadorans and foreign visitors alike. Cucalón added that Migration is fully prepared to manage the expected influx of travelers attending Shakira’s concerts, with reinforced protocols at airports, land borders, and maritime entry points. “We are ready to receive everyone who will be visiting the country for the concert, and we are prepared to speed up entries and exits,” he stated.
Shakira’s residency includes three shows in San Salvador on February 12, 14, and 15, 2026, and is expected to attract approximately 82,000 attendees. Official estimates indicate that 12 percent of the audience will come from abroad, driving full hotel occupancy nationwide. The event is projected to generate around 4,000 direct jobs, 7,000 indirect jobs, and an estimated $25 million in economic impact.
Government officials reaffirmed their commitment to delivering high-quality public services and strengthening El Salvador’s profile as a destination capable of hosting major international events, positioning the country as a welcoming hub for tourism, entertainment, and economic activity.
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EU Ambassador Duccio Bandini Celebrates Collaboration With CAF and El Salvador on Strategic Submarine Cable.
European Union Ambassador to El Salvador, Duccio Bandini, highlighted the growing international support for the country’s first submarine cable project, noting the benefits it will bring to Salvadoran citizens and the digital economy. The initiative is made possible through a collaboration between the public sector, the European Union, international technology partners, and funding from the Latin American Development Bank (CAF).
“This project is possible thanks to the collaboration between the public sector, the European Union, and top-level international technology partners, with CAF financing the main infrastructure and a non-reimbursable EU contribution,” Ambassador Bandini wrote on his official X account.
The project will expand El Salvador’s internet capacity and resilience, improve access to education, healthcare, commerce, and innovation, and create better conditions to attract investment, strengthen the digital ecosystem, and generate quality employment.
In addition, the EU’s support will enable El Salvador to integrate into BELLA II, the network connecting Europe and Latin America to promote education, research, innovation, and digital cooperation. “Thanks to the support of the European Union, El Salvador will be able to join BELLA II, facilitating collaboration and access to international data for universities, research centers, and innovation hubs,” the ambassador added.
Experts say the combined efforts of Liberty Networks, CAF, and the European Union will solidify El Salvador’s position as a regional digital hub, enhancing connectivity and expanding opportunities for citizens, businesses, and public institutions alike.
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DoctorSV’s 93% Accuracy Positions El Salvador as a Global Benchmark in AI-Assisted Healthcare.
El Salvador is gaining international recognition for its use of artificial intelligence in public healthcare following a high-level meeting between President Nayib Bukele and Eduardo López, Google Cloud’s Director for Latin America. The visit focused on the results of the joint work between Google Cloud and the Salvadoran government on DoctorSV, the country’s AI-powered digital health platform.
President Bukele shared the meeting through a video posted on his X account, highlighting one of the platform’s most striking achievements. “Our AI-assisted doctors in @doctorsvapp achieve a validated diagnostic accuracy of 93%, among the highest reported globally,” the president stated.
During the visit, López praised the rapid adoption and performance of DoctorSV, noting that the platform is already handling around 10,000 medical consultations per day. He emphasized that achieving such scale and stability within the first weeks of launch is highly unusual for health systems of this complexity. According to López, the platform exceeded initial expectations, particularly in appointment speed and accessibility for patients.
The Google Cloud executive also explained how AI has improved diagnostic certainty, raising accuracy from regional averages of around 50% to over 90% by integrating advanced models trained not only on global medical knowledge but also on local factors such as Salvadoran diet, climate, customs, and epidemiological patterns. This localized approach, he said, allows DoctorSV to support physicians with insights drawn from tens of thousands of medical texts while continuously learning from real-world data in El Salvador.
López described the system as a glimpse into the future of healthcare, where AI-driven data can support better public health decisions, anticipate disease trends, and expand access at lower cost. He concluded by reaffirming Google Cloud’s commitment to the project and its long-term impact on the country’s healthcare system, positioning El Salvador as a global reference point for AI-assisted medicine.
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President Trump Highlights El Salvador as Key U.S. Partner, Announces New Ambassador Nominee.
U.S. President Donald Trump highlighted El Salvador’s strategic importance in the region after announcing his nomination of Troy Edgar as the next United States Ambassador to El Salvador in a post on Truth Social. The message underscored the close ties between Washington and San Salvador and emphasized cooperation on security and regional stability.
President Trump praised President Nayib Bukele, describing El Salvador as one of the United States’ most important partners in the Western Hemisphere. “President Nayib Bukele has been a tremendous ally in the fight against Crime, Cartels, and Chaos, and together, we are building the safest and strongest neighborhood our hemisphere has ever seen,” Trump wrote.
The U.S. president added that Edgar’s experience in border security and Western Hemisphere challenges positions him to advance bilateral cooperation and support shared goals related to safety and prosperity for both nations.
President Bukele responded publicly to the announcement, stating, “We will welcome him with open arms, President T.”