San Salvador Historic Downtown. SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — With more than half a million visitors during Holy Week, San Salvador’s revitalized Historic Center reaffirmed its status as the country’s top destination, drawing national and international crowds to its vibrant plazas, cultural showcases, and renewed public spaces.
According to Manuel Rodríguez Joachín, director of the San Salvador Historic Center Planning Authority (APLAN), more than 533,000 people visited the area during the holiday period, making it the most frequented public site in the nation.
“This reflects that the Historic Center and tourism continue to position themselves as the driving force of economic development for our country,” Rodríguez said during a televised interview on Channel 10’s AM program.
Rodríguez attributed the surge in visitors to the public’s growing interest in exploring the city’s restored landmarks and cultural attractions.
He emphasized that the area’s transformation has enhanced safety and invited significant private investment, surpassing $20 million in the first quarter of 2025 alone. Officials expect investment to exceed $136 million by the end of the year.
San Salvador city councilor Francisco Garay highlighted the municipal efforts to enrich the visitor experience through cultural programming.
Events included performances by the Bicentenario Band, public exhibitions, and the unveiling of a 600-meter-long Good Friday carpet—the largest of its kind in the country.
“The Historic Center has become a meeting point for families and friends, as well as national and international tourists,” said Garay. “That’s why we developed a series of activities during Holy Week.”
Both Rodríguez and Garay credited the city’s revitalization initiatives for transforming the downtown area into a hub of tourism and economic activity. “People are now visiting public spaces where they previously couldn’t even walk due to fear of gangs,” Rodríguez said.
The influx of visitors and investments continues to underscore the Historic Center’s emergence as a cornerstone of urban and economic renewal in El Salvador’s capital.
Once considered one of San Salvador’s most dangerous areas due to gang violence, the Historic District has transformed under the President Bukele administration into a safe, vibrant hub and top tourist destination.
