El Salvador, a territory of gangs that has become a new tourist Eldorado

El Salvador, once a Latin American country plagued by crime, has experienced an unprecedented tourism boom since the imposition of a state of emergency that has imprisoned tens of thousands of suspected gang members.

On El Tunco beach, on the Pacific coast, numerous foreign tourists enjoying the waves and postcard-perfect sunsets are praising President Nayib Bukele for his armed offensive against gangs, which has allowed for arrests without warrants, while acknowledging that many innocent people may have fallen victim.

“If you want to test El Salvador’s safety, go to the ugliest, darkest place, sit on a rock, and wait for dawn,” the president advised potential visitors on his social media.

The country is “changing,” he asserted, highlighting the stop in El Salvador on Colombian star Shakira’s tour.

This radical transformation stems from President Nayib Bukele’s « iron fist » policies and the imposition of a prolonged state of emergency, which led to the incarceration of over 75,000 suspected gang members (maras), causing the homicide rate to plummet to one of the lowest levels on the continent.

Now perceived as a haven of safety, this « Little Thumb » of Central America is attracting a new wave of international travelers, from seasoned surfers to digital nomads, drawn by the iconic « Surf City » project and the adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender, which facilitates technological transactions.

Massive investments in infrastructure, particularly the renovation of San Salvador’s historic center and the modernization of access to volcanic national parks like Santa Ana, are transforming former gang strongholds into thriving recreational areas.

While this security strategy remains controversial among human rights organizations, its economic impact is undeniable: tourism revenue now represents a vital part of the GDP, propelling El Salvador to the status of a « trendy » destination whose resilience and natural beauty, from crater lakes to cloud forests, are gradually erasing the scars of a violent past.