San Salvador historic district at night.
According to the Salvadoran Ministry of Tourism, El Salvador is preparing to receive an estimated 145,000 international visitors during the Holy Week period—March 28 to April 5, 2026. The projection surpasses last year’s total of 139,000 foreign arrivals during the same holiday period.
These estimates show the country’s tourism sector is steadily growing, helped by increased international attention and major events that brought in travelers earlier this year.
The Ministry of Tourism reported that 38% of expected visitors will arrive from Guatemala, 28% from the United States, and 20% from Honduras, underscoring strong regional and diaspora ties.
Another 14% of visitors are expected to come from countries such as Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico, and Colombia, indicating that interest in El Salvador is spreading beyond nearby countries.
Tourism Minister Morena Valdez attributed the recent surge in visitors to high-profile events, including a residency by Colombian singer Shakira, the Ironman 70.3 competition, and other international sporting tournaments that attracted foreign participants and spectators.
Valdez stated beach destinations are expected to be among the most visited sites during the holiday, while also highlighting growing interest in cultural and religious tourism across the country.
Other popular destinations during Holy Week include the Historic Center of San Salvador, Sensuntepeque, the Flower Route, and the eastern regions known for their religious traditions.
Minister Valdez noted that the holiday period represents a key opportunity for economic activity, as travelers across Central America take advantage of the season to vacation and explore regional destinations.
“The experience that visitors are having is positive, and that leads them to recommend us,” Valdez said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining service quality and visitor satisfaction.
She also urged residents to act as responsible hosts and protect tourist sites, noting that public cooperation is critical to sustaining the country’s growing reputation as a travel destination.
Domestic tourism is also expected to rise, with officials estimating that 1.7 million people will visit public attractions, including beaches and the Historic Center of San Salvador, during the holiday period.
The figure exceeds last year’s estimate of 1.6 million domestic visits, highlighting sustained local interest in travel despite broader economic pressures.
Some hotels have already reported full occupancy ahead of the holiday, according to the tourism ministry, suggesting strong demand that could further boost economic activity nationwide.
