The tourism landscape in Central America is undergoing a significant transformation, with El Salvador and Guatemala at the forefront of this change. The two nations are witnessing a surge in mutual tourism, creating one of the region’s most dynamic travel markets. In 2025, El Salvador welcomed 4.1 million international tourists, a testament to its growing appeal. Notably, Guatemalan visitors constituted a substantial portion of this influx, with approximately 1.5 million Guatemalans making the journey to El Salvador.
Conversely, the trend is reciprocal, as over 1.75 million Salvadorans made trips to Guatemala, underscoring a burgeoning enthusiasm for regional travel. Unlike traditional tourism, heavily reliant on air travel, this boom is largely driven by road trips. Nearly 50% of El Salvador’s tourists arrived by land, while Guatemala reported even higher figures for overland arrivals, emphasizing the convenience and accessibility of such travel.
This rise in tourism is characterized by what experts call “exploration tourism,” where travelers embark on brief excursions to enjoy beaches, cultural landmarks, mountain towns, and natural sites. For Guatemalan visitors, El Salvador’s coastal attractions like Playa El Tunco, El Sunzal, and El Zonte are popular choices. Meanwhile, Salvadorans often explore Guatemala’s volcanic landscapes, hot springs, and mountainous regions, showcasing the diverse appeal of both countries.
Enhanced border facilities and streamlined migration processes have significantly contributed to this tourism boom by minimizing travel delays between the two nations. This burgeoning tourism corridor is not only boosting economic activity for local businesses, restaurants, and hotels but is also set to grow further, with expectations of continued increases in overland travel through 2026.
This regional travel trend poses new challenges for Costa Rica, which traditionally relies more on long-haul tourists from North America and Europe. Analysts suggest that Central America is increasingly being marketed and experienced as a unified, multi-country destination. As a result, tourism operators are encouraged to develop regional travel packages that cater to this interconnected market, further promoting the area’s unique attractions.