El Salvador’s tourism industry has significantly increased in the past 26 years, with sales reaching $1.66 billion billion before the COVID-19 pandemic. This sector is the largest contributor to the economy, accounting for 3.2 percent of GDP. El Salvador is known for its natural attractions, including beaches with some of the best surfing breaks on the Pacific Coast. The country offers lush forests, abundant wildlife, and scenic mountain-top vistas, making it an ideal destination for both city and beach vacations.
The tourism sector in El Salvador has been a significant contributor to the economy, generating an average of 62,762 direct jobs between 2018 and 2022. In 2021, the sector accounted for 9.3% of El Salvador’s GDP, after experiencing a decline of over five years. The country’s natural beauty, including volcanoes, coffee plantations, and isolated regions, has attracted generations of international surfers.
El Salvador is poised to become the top tourism hotspot in Latin America, with a projected 157 growth in the first half of 2024. The travel and tourism market in El Salvador is projected to grow by 3.82 (2024-2029), resulting in a market volume of US$209.90m in 2029.
The changes in tourist demand since the end of the 20th century have impacted the emergence of new trends. In 2023, an estimated 3 million international tourists arrived in the national territory, highlighting the importance of tourism in El Salvador’s economy.
📹 10 Reasons NOT to Go to El Salvador
You definitely want to know what to expect before coming to El Salvador, so here are my top 10 Reasons NOT to Go to El …
Does El Salvador have a lot of tourists?
The Salvadoran Hotel and Restaurant sectors have seen significant improvements in 2022, with a 25% increase in spending in the Hotels/Catering category. The Minister of Tourism reported 2. 2 million foreign visitors in August 2023, a 25% increase from 2019. The tourism sector contributed about 10% to the GDP, double the previous contribution due to the pandemic. The country registered 100, 000 US visitors for the first time, mainly returning Salvadorans and their second or third generations. Many diaspora investors have returned to invest in new hotel and restaurant operations in the eastern region of the country.
What is the least visited country in the world?
Tuvalu, a small Pacific Ocean island nation, is the least-visited country globally, with only 3, 700 tourists per year. Its isolation deters mass tourism but preserves its natural beauty and cultural heritage. Visitors can enjoy traditional Polynesian hospitality, explore coral reefs, and witness the impact of climate change. The Marshall Islands attract 6, 100 tourists annually, known for their stunning atolls and rich marine biodiversity. However, their remote location and limited infrastructure keep tourist numbers low.
Niue, a self-governing territory of New Zealand, attracts 10, 200 visitors annually, offering rugged limestone cliffs, expansive cave networks, and pristine waters ideal for snorkeling and diving. The island’s tranquil atmosphere and dedication to eco-tourism ensure the preservation of its untouched natural beauty. Despite its remote location, the Marshall Islands offer a unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance.
Is Salvador rich or poor?
El Salvador’s economy is a developing/emerging lower-middle income economy with a population of 6. 83 million and a GDP of $37. 17 billion (nominal, 2024) and $77. 61 billion (PPP, 2024). The country is a member of several international trade organizations, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), and the Sistema de Integración Centroamericana (SICA). Its total trade value in 2024 was $5, 825 (nominal) and $12, 172 (PPP).
Which country is number 1 in tourism?
France leads the list of the most visited cities in Europe with 89. 4 million arrivals in 2019, thanks to its diverse regional cultures, historical sites, museums, gastronomy, and romantic charm. The country’s beautiful countryside, including villages, mountains, vineyards, and castles, attracts tourists. Spain follows with 83. 7 million arrivals, thanks to its historical richness, sunny coasts, architectural beauty, flamenco music, and bull running experiences.
Why do tourists go to El Salvador?
El Salvador is a country with numerous attractions, beautiful places to eat, and beautiful weather for beach and park activities. A recent visit to La Curva de Don Gere in La Libertad, El Salvador, showcased the stunning waves and perfect water for swimming. The beaches are known for their relaxation atmosphere. Bello Sol, a resort in Playa San Blas, is a popular choice for beach-goers. It offers affordable accommodations with meals ranging from $15-20, free Wi-Fi, and parking. The resort offers various room options and offers various room options to suit different preferences. Bello Sol is a great place for families to relax and have fun in El Salvador.
Has tourism increased in El Salvador?
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has ranked the Central American nation as the fourth globally in increasing tourist arrivals compared to pre-pandemic numbers. The country’s efforts under President Nayib Bukele’s government have resulted in an unprecedented positioning, with 35 more tourists in 2019 compared to 2019, placing it only below Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Albania, making it the first American continent to show positive figures in tourism.
Which country depends most on tourism?
The top 10 countries that rely the most on tourism are Albania, Morocco, Croatia, Belize, Jamaica, Antigena and Barbuda, and Madagascar. In 2022, tourists spent over $1 trillion globally, with six out of the top 10 countries being island nations. Small island nations, with their small economies, climate, and excellent beaches, rely the most on tourism. Georgia, which welcomed 3. 7 million visitors in 2022, spent $3. 5 billion, or 14. 3% of GDP, on tourism.
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) publishes tourist expenditure data, with Georgia taking 11th place. The pandemic-induced crisis has largely recovered the tourism sector, and small island nations are most attracted by beaches. The tourism industry’s growth is largely driven by the growing global population and the attractiveness of beaches.
Is El Salvador a rich or poor country?
The economy of El Salvador is a developing and emerging lower-middle income economy with a population of 6. 83 million and a gross domestic product (GDP) of $37. 17 billion (nominal, 2024) and $77. 61 billion (purchasing power parity, 2024). The country is a member of several international trade organizations, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), and the Sistema de Integración Centroamericana (SICA). Its total trade value in 2024 was $5, 825 (nominal) and $12, 172 (PPP).
What is the main industry in El Salvador?
El Salvador is the third largest economy in Central America, with the food processing, beverage, petroleum, and chemical industries representing the most significant contributors to its GDP. It is possible that the country’s GDP composition percentage may exceed 100, with manufacturing being included in industry figures and reported separately due to its critical role in many economies.
Is El Salvador becoming a tourist destination?
El Salvador is set to become the top tourism growth hotspot in Latin America, according to projections from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). The country is known for its captivating landscapes, short distances, delectable cuisine, rich culture, warm people, and privileged position as one of the safest countries in the region. According to the latest trends report for the first half of 2024 by the WTTC and specialized consultant ForwardKeys, El Salvador experienced a remarkable 157 growth in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period in 2019. The WTTC projects that El Salvador will lead in international tourist arrivals in Latin America from January to June 2023.
What does El Salvador depend on?
El Salvador, a Central American country, is the smallest and most densely populated of the seven. Historically an agricultural country, El Salvador heavily relied on coffee exports. However, by the end of the 20th century, the service sector had become dominant in the economy. The country was the focus of international attention from the late 1970s to the early 1990s due to its civil war and internal conflicts. The war was caused by decades of repressive rule and social inequality.
Following the 1992 peace accords, El Salvador began to recover from political and economic turmoil, but was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and a major earthquake in 2001. The country’s modern-day ethnic composition reflects the mixing of the Pipil and other tribes with European settlers. El Salvadorans are known for their industriousness and have produced several internationally acclaimed artists, including poet Roque Dalton.
📹 El Salvador: 7 Reasons to Visit! (& What to do)
El Salvador is a beautiful, small country filled with amazing scenery. Volcanoes, indigenous history, vibrant culture, beautiful …
Hi David, love your articles and editing skills – I’m sure it takes a great deal of time and effort. Hope you’re enjoying your stay in beautiful El Salvador. Just a friendly word of advise, most Salvadorans are very proud, protective and sensitive about their motherland and communities and can misconstrue subtle sarcasm with humor as literal. Although well intentioned, it may come across as off putting and insensitive to some. Don’t take the comments personal though, El Salvador has come a long way in recent years and most everybody (locals and foreigners) including the government are working really hard, pulling together for a bright and better future for everyone and can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. After all the struggles and setbacks, Salvadorans are finally feeling real good now and a complement or pat on the shoulder can go a long way too. Now, how about an updated “10 Reasons To Go To or Move to El Salvador” article!? – bet that would be an instant hit! 🙂🤩 — Our best to you and your adorable family🙏
I think this article should mention that this happens only in some areas, I live in the city and I have never seen a spider like that or a snake in my whole life in my home, only domestic animals… Cold showers are normal in a tropical country and some places have both… Also there are several places where the weather is not too hot, you just need to investigate and find what you like the most, thanks for the article it can be helpful somehow 🙂 ✨❤️
this is funny.. i just reacted to the 1st vid of you that i saw ( 5 reasons to..) and looked at youre website to see 10 reasons not to… i was like damn this is not good,did they gave up on E.S. or thid they find out it’s not good at all … A title can bee misleading but i was happy to have watched it! Now up to the next vid of you, like all the info so far thumbs up grts
Hey David da Silva, this is my first time perusal one of your articles, and I like the way you portrayed El Salvador, including your good sense of humor and/or double sense. I read a few comments, and realized some people don’t understand your sense of humor, or they don’t quite understand the way you stated something, and they start attacking or making negative comments. Keep up the good work, and I’m glad you’ve chosen to move to El Salvador along with your wife and kid, and ‘pets’! I’m a Salvadorean but I reside in the US for over 30 years. Many changes have happened since the new government took over, and everything it’s getting better, and keep improving, specially the fight against organized crime, gang members, vandalism, etc. and not only that, but you can see restorations all over, new roads and highways, many improvements in infrastructures, and so on. Many Salvadorean had decided to never come back to our country, but with all these new changes, improvements, and tougher laws to those who commit any crime, you can now feel a great sense of relief, and feel more safe when you travel. Hope to meet you and your family someday, and keep enjoying of our ‘pulgarcito de america’.
Most of the things you mentioned are not deal breakers. Australia has by far the scariest animals crawling in houses, and the water is not that cold like California for example that has melted snow. I’m glad security didn’t make the list since is something the government has focused their attention in.
Hi from Washington DC ☺ and I agree with you but with all those reasons I still love my country ❤ I grew up with all those things but we get better we need to educate more are people and we doing are president is working hard to getting there we not there yet but with God we can do and put all efforts to keep going on thanks so much for all the articles of my country I really love to fallow up hope your family enjoys my country ❤
Cada país tiene sus defectos y virtudes. Te diré algo con respecto a los demás países de Centroamerica: Guatemala: Extrema pobreza en el interior del país y carreteras en pésimo estado, un gobierno corrupto y un ambiente de inestabilidad política además de que la policía es corrupta, narcotrafico y lavado de dinero. Honduras: Un país con mucha pobreza extrema, delincuencia de pandillas y delincuencia común, un país donde sus ciudadanos huyen en caravanas todos los días, nulo sistema de salud. Nicaragua: Pobreza extrema y represión del gobierno, no hay libertad de expresión y el país vive sumido en una dictadura además de que la infraestructura del país es deficiente. Costa Rica: El país más caro de Centroamérica y sobrevalorado. Panamá: Es un Miami Subdesarrollado. En definitiva ningún defecto o problemática de los vecinos El Salvador los posee o en todo caso se están erradicando. EL salvador te atrapa, es inexplicable, aquí puedes tener la sensación de vivir en el país más desarrollado o de vivir en el país más subdesarrollado, la perspectiva, tus medios, tu estatus lo determinan.
All these things listed can be said about 95% of Latin America lol. I know these aren’t jabs specifically about ES…..but married to a Dominican wife. Its the exact same thing. Edit: warm up water on the stove for a warm shower. Thats what i have to do in Santo Domingo smh. And that doesnt mean all of DR or ES lacks hot water……its homes that lack updated systems.
I can only imagine your disappointment with the food and the weather after being in Mexico. Our lil country desperately needs knowledge about organic and grasfed products that are the best for our health. I believe there’s a guy from Australia that started his grasfed meats in ES and I do believe there are some farms that don’t use pesticides. I also agree about the bad drivers 😮💨 thanks for speaking about what you’ve discovered and hopefully this beautiful country won’t get saturated with too many ppl. 😂
Hot areas are mostly near Beaches on Beaches, remember,we are a tropical country, that’s the reason we have so many varieties on fruits,hot season is around August,ah ! San Miguel and La Union I understand is hot as well. Also we have a lot of rain which we enjoy !! That’s why you see our vegetation is always green everywhere,we never hose down our plants,rain does it.
Hey there! You forgot to mention that even though the weather is hot and humid you still can live in a nice and comfortable areas up in Chalatenango or like someone mentioned, in Ruta De Las Flores, even Morazan has nice and cold weather places. Also you forgot to mention that MOST Hotels have heater that helps with the warm shower you’ve talked about in the article. We. an go on and on disputing your reasons but I understand your list is in general and NOT the rule. I was born and raised there and know the country and weather a little bit, like going to the mountains and cascades you’ll feel like you’re in another world.
Your articles are great! Im Salvi, and I’ve lived in Canada my whole life. The last time I was in El Salvador to visit was in 2000 and 2001. I agree with everything you said in the article. I can’t believe there are people who don’t understand that it’s a hot country. I’ve literally seen articles on YouTube of people who just moved there and are complaining about the heat. They should research the country before selling their lives and moving to a different country, only to be surprised about the weather! Or they should spend some time there, more than just a four week vacation, otherwise they’ll be in for a huge surprise. Of course it’s hot there, it’s no secret. 😅
David! Love your articlegraphy. I want to improve my vids so they flow more like yours. Maybe we should do a collab vid because I live in the mountainous country so half of the things mentioned don’t apply…but you,ve given me some great ideas! Sarcasm is also not regular down here, thus the haters. Take care!
This article is interesting, I am from El Salvador but if you live in the capital is cooler than living in the coast, also it is rare to see a kind of spider, but it is common to see cockroaches. Then, about pollution and stray dogs 🙄 it is something that I really hate about people in this country 😤☹ (I hope it will change someday) and talking about summer, I don´t like summer almost all the year here 😥 I don’t understand why people from Europe or North America prefer summer than another season
As a dog lover, I really don´t like the fact that there are so many stray dogs in El Salvador, a country I would visit one day, but this reality is all over Latin America, otherwise El Salvador is the leading country in the continent when it comes to fighting organized crime, street violence and state corruption, thanks to it´s government, and I really admire that!! Enjoy and make yourself at home in this amazing tropical country!!
We built a house in Mexico 18 yrs ago. slowly they began to control the street dogs and some of the more severe problems. it’s so different now with many more amenities. Your President is moving fast. He has great vision so El salvador will fast tract to solving these issues. BTC as currrency is very progessive!:eyes-pink-heart-shape:
Many things to improve, but if you think how long took to developed countries to get were they are right now, El Salvador is not to far. All need is political will, education and economic improvement of the population. At least we can said the country is in the right path with new and fresh political faces. Remember the country is trying to get rid of people with 20 century life perceptions and priorities. Socialists that have a personality disorder with the end of the USSR and a Far Right with a Middle Age mentality. People that had been ruling the country for ever until these days when people said enough.
I’ve watched other articles from expats, or new inmigrants to El Salvador and I understand that, it’s done in a humoristic or sarcastic way, but it kind of bothers a little because we know it’s a developing country and of course there lots of “first world problems” that need to be taken care of but at the same time I can say proudly that this new government is doing an excellent job about what’s needed at this moment, later they will take of the “chuchitos aguacateros” 😉
so many homes have hot water in ES and have you seen the rats in NYC or the gators in SoFL (vermin are all over the world, even in big industrialized cities) … have you ever driven in Los Angeles or Miami … THAT’S AGGRESSIVE TRAFFIC !!!! I think the info here is a bit exaggerated but ok …. hope you’re enjoying ES 🙂
Hey, I like your article,BUT, you can NOT refer to El Salvador like that as whole country read your comments and people are telling you where are nicer places. so in my opinion you should’ve said in some places that could’ve give your article more credibility. also I can’t believe you referred to Nayib Bukele like that and you believe CNN.
Yeah… I get the sarcasm of the article.. But, El Salvador has things like any other country.. Bugs?.. Yeah dont move to Australia, pollution?… Ufff China is the king,.. Stray dogs?.. Thailand, Cambodia, etc.. Traffic?.. Oh man! I am a victim of that evil in Los Angeles.. And just like that.. I am Salvadoran and no offence taken.. Blessings brother..
if you have so many negative things about the country of el salvador what that hell are you doing over there ! obviously el salvador isn’t France or USA ! el salvador is a country that has been through alot and just now the government is trying to change things around and make the country a better place