The Libertad Tourist Complex, along with other destinations managed by Corsatur, received 3.8 million tourists in 2024, a significant milestone for the sector. This figure is part of the total of 12 million visitors that arrived to the country’s national parks last year, consolidating El Salvador as an attractive destination in the region. The Minister of Tourism, Morena Valdez, highlighted that this tourist flow continues to grow, reflecting the positive impact of government policies in the promotion of the country.
Of the 12 million tourists, 20% were excursionists, which is equivalent to 777,000 people, a figure that represented a decrease with respect to the one million excursionists that arrived in 2023. These tourists come mainly from nearby countries such as Guatemala and Honduras, who make one-day trips thanks to good connectivity and geographic proximity.
Meanwhile, 80% of visitors chose to stay more than one night in the territory, which represents a consolidation of overnight tourism, a key segment for the sector. This behavior of tourists has allowed various regions of the country, especially the coastal and cultural ones, to continue attracting international and domestic travelers throughout the year.
The increase in tourist arrivals is not only limited to beaches and archeological sites. The Instituto Salvadoreño de Turismo (ISTU) reported 4.2 million visitors to national parks under its administration, while 3.7 million chose to visit cultural and archeological sites. Likewise, the Ministry of Environment’s natural and protected areas received 221,000 tourists.
This growth in tourism is not only an indicator of the post-pandemic economic reactivation, but also a sign that El Salvador is positioning itself as a reference in the region. Minister Valdez stressed that this success is part of the effort of President Nayib Bukele’s government to promote the country’s natural, cultural and adventure diversity, reaffirming its commitment to sustainability and economic development.
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