El Salvador Travel: Best Tourist Attractions to Visit as the Central American Country Sees a Tourism Boom

El Salvador's government is seeing a new tourism number growth with a 30 percent jump since it made the cryptocurrency legal tender.

This week, El Salvador's minister of tourism Morena Valdez said that the 1.4 million tourists surpassed the government's expectation of 1.1 million visitors, with Americans accounting for 60 percent of the tourists, Fortune reported.

But aside from the newly passed law making cryptocurrency its legal tender, there are other reasons to visit the Central American region, which had many tourist attractions, including beaches, lush landscapes, and Mayan ruin sites.

Travel in El Salvador

The U.S. Department of State advised travelers to reconsider traveling to El Salvador due to crime and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Travel Health Notice for the Central American region, currently at Alert Level 3.

The CDC advised travelers to ensure vaccination, and they are up to date with their COVID vaccines before traveling to El Salvador.

All travelers must also follow all airline mandates, such as any requirements at their destination such as mask-wearing, proof of vaccination, testing, or quarantine.

Travel requirements in other countries may be different from U.S. requirements. Those who refuse to follow their destination's requirements may be denied entry and required to return to the U.S.

The State Department also advised travelers to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate tourists in an emergency.

Travelers must also engage local guides certified by the national or local tourist authority when hiking in backcountry areas.

El Salvador's Department of Foreign Affairs described security status as a "high degree of caution." Travelers were also advised to bring vaccination proof with them as certain locations in El Salvador require those. Wearing face masks is still a requirement.

El Salvador's Tourist Attractions

El Salvador flaunts volcanic formations, natural areas, and historical buildings as tourist attractions. The Central American country houses Spanish-colonial villages in field valleys, with long, broad stretches that could accommodate avid surfers.

Tazumal is the place for those who wanted to see the most impressive Mayan ruin in El Salvador, with archaeologists estimating that it was first settled in 5,000 BCE and abandoned in the 13th century, according to Culture Trip.

The architectural site was extensively restored in the 1940s and 1950s. However, many of the ruins remain unexcavated.

Tazumal was reportedly known to have played an important role in trade. Its translation in the K'iche language means "pyramid where the victims were burned."

Travelers can also visit Joya de Ceren. It is a known UNESCO World Heritage site featuring a farming community.

The Mayan ruin site is also referred to as the Pompeii of the Americas after it was preserved for centuries beneath layers of volcanic ash from the eruption of Loma Caldera, according to El Salvador Info.

If beaches are more of your flavor, Playa El Tunco welcomes you as the beach town is a popular destination for backpackers and surfers.

For a gentler surf, Playa El Esteron is recommended. It is not as popular as many others in El Salvador but could provide you with a more tranquil ambiance in the absence of the usual crowd.

For history lovers, the former colonial city Suchitoto should be in your book. The architectural landmark had suffered structural damage in the civil war that started in 1980 and lasted until 1992. Its streets are filled with culture, arts, and food festivals.

Ruta de las Flores is another architectural landmark and one of the most visited destinations in El Salvador, according to Salvadorean Tours. Travelers can enjoy local traditions, coffee culture, adventure activities, local restaurants, and local markets.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: San Salvador, El Salvador Travel Guide 2022 - From Island Hopper TV