El Salvador received 473,000 international visitors in April, a 36 percent increase from the same month in 2025, according to figures from the country’s Ministry of Tourism. The April total made it the strongest month so far in 2026. Visitor arrivals rose from 413,049 in January, to 402,581 in February, and 452,736 in March before reaching the April high.
From January through April, El Salvador welcomed 1.7 million international visitors, up 35 percent compared with the first four months of the previous year. Guatemala remained the country’s largest source market in April, with 231,000 visitors. The United States followed with 105,000 visitors, while Honduras accounted for 83,000.
For the full January-to-April period, Guatemala sent 748,000 visitors to El Salvador, followed by the United States with 440,000 and Honduras with 319,000. The numbers continue a strong post-pandemic tourism recovery for El Salvador. In 2025, the country received a record 4.1 million international visitors and generated $3.6 billion in tourism foreign exchange. Officials are projecting 4.2 million visitors for 2026.
Tourism Minister Morena Valdez said the early-year results show the country is on track to meet its annual goal. Corsatur president Alejandra Durán said April marked a new monthly high for the year, with steady growth from Central American and North American markets.
The ministry has set an interim target of 2.5 million international visitors by the end of June. If current trends continue, the full-year goal appears within reach. Tourism revenue for the first four months of 2026 has not yet been released, but authorities said foreign exchange earnings continue to rise alongside visitor numbers.
El Salvador has become one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations globally, according to UN Tourism data. The growth has been driven by regional visitors, improved security perceptions, expanded air access, and tourism investment along beaches, airports, and key travel corridors.
Surf City, along the La Libertad coast, remains one of the country’s main draws for visitors seeking beaches and waves. The volcano-to-sea circuit, which links inland volcanoes with Pacific coast stops, has also helped strengthen El Salvador’s appeal for short regional stays.
Many visitors from Guatemala and Honduras combine beach trips with day excursions to the San Salvador volcano, coffee-growing areas, and other inland attractions. U.S. travelers have also increased their share as direct flights and stronger security perceptions attract repeat and first-time visitors.
Both land border crossings and airport arrivals contributed to April’s total. Land entries from Guatemala and Honduras remained the largest share, while air arrivals from the United States continued to grow. Officials reported no major travel disruptions during the period and expect the momentum to continue into the second half of the year.
The Ministry of Tourism said it will continue publishing monthly arrival data through its statistical system. The next release, covering May figures, is expected in June.
