According to news sources in an interview, Minister of Tourism Morena Valdez stated that El Salvador welcomed 3,956,790 international visitors between January and December 2024.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the country’s international tourism sector has steadily recovered. In 2024, visitor numbers exceeded 3.9 million, marking the second consecutive year surpassing the 2019 pre-pandemic level of over 2.6 million. This follows a significant rebound from 1.4 million visitors in 2021 to over 2.5 million in 2022 and over 3.3 million in 2023.

The Historic Center of San Salvador is the number one attraction, with the National Library of El Salvador (Binaes) as the main attraction. It is followed by the Puerto de La Libertad Tourist Complex, Sunset Park, Cerro Verde Natural Park, and Balboa Natural Park.

Local tourism also thrived, with 1.7 million Salvadorans visiting national parks and beaches by January 1st. The Historic Center of San Salvador remained the most popular destination, attracting over 745,000 visitors, with the National Library of El Salvador (Binaes) as a significant draw. Other top attractions included the Puerto de La Libertad Tourist Complex, Sunset Park, Cerro Verde Natural Park, and Balboa Natural Park.

Tourist arrivals in El Salvador are primarily driven by visitors from Guatemala and the United States, representing 34% of the total. Hondurans constitute 18%, while the remaining 14% comprise travelers from various countries in the Americas.

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Elizabeth and I were very sick over the Christmas holidays. Elizabeth recovered much faster than I did. I finally started feeling better on New Year’s Eve, so we had a very nice dinner on New Year’s Day.
We hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year. We wish everyone much happiness and prosperity in 2025.
I have added some pictures from our New Year’s Day.

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We have put together a slide show from our New Year’s Day.

We are closing out another year, another chapter in our lives. Elizabeth and I thank everyone who has followed and read our blog posts over the past year. We enjoy writing about our lives and the lives we have here in El Salvador. We have to make a decision by January 4th on whether to renew our blog site. It takes a lot of time and expense to have this site. We must renew our web hosting provider and domain name yearly for $300. When we visit restaurants and tourist sites, this is at our expense. I am in no way complaining about this. However, we have yet to receive the following that we had thought we would over the last year. What helps is when people subscribe and comment on our posts. This encourages us and lets us know your likes and dislikes so we can improve our posts.

We would like to get your feedback on our post in the next couple of weeks, and you can let us know if you would like us to continue with our site, https//ourlifeinelsalvador.com. If you find our content helpful and informative and would like us to continue for another year, please subscribe and leave a comment.
We have put together a slide show from over the past year. See Below.

Our daughter Marisol returned with two sons, Daniel and Jacob, for a week’s visit. They arrived on Tuesday, 22 October, and we went to the beach near our home for the day on Wednesday. It was a very enjoyable day. We spent the day swimming, playing, and enjoying good food.
I have added a slide show of the day below.

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El Salvador ranks eighth in Gallup’s global security report

The nation ranks eighth in Gallup’s global security report. According to the organization, a sense of security is crucial for human development, which is why the United Nations incorporates this measure as an indicator in the Sustainable Development Goals.

Due to President Nayib Bukele’s security strategies, El Salvador has, for the first time in history, been ranked among the top 10 countries in Gallup’s 2024 Global Security Report, which includes the Law and Order Index Scores for 2023.

El Salvador’s improved security ranking can be attributed to several factors. According to Gallup’s 2024 Global Security Report, the country is now ranked 8th globally, with 88% of the population feeling safe walking alone at night. This results from comprehensive security measures and effective law enforcement strategies implemented by the government.

In response, President Bukele posted on X: “Gallup: El Salvador ranks among the ‘safest’ countries (in the world) for the first time.” He added: “We have just become the safest country in the Western Hemisphere, and now we aspire to achieve it worldwide.”

According to the polling company, sustainable growth begins with ensuring that people feel safe. The Global Security Report examines this by analyzing “who feels more and less safe around the world, based on parameters such as the security they feel when walking alone at night and their confidence in the local police.”

After declaring war on gangs, which were responsible for 75% of violent crimes, El Salvador transformed from one of the most dangerous countries in the world in 2015 to one of the countries with the lowest homicide rates (2.4 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023). This transformation has made El Salvador a model for neighboring nations and the continent.

Gallup reports that El Salvador has surpassed countries like Bahrain, Iceland, Kosovo, Luxembourg, and Switzerland, where 87% of people feel safe walking alone at night.

The top ten countries with the highest percentages of people feeling safe walking alone at night are Kuwait (99%), Singapore (94%), Norway (92%), Saudi Arabia (92%), Tajikistan (92%), Slovenia (91%), the United Arab Emirates (90%), El Salvador (88%), Montenegro (87%), and Bahrain (87%).

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We’ve experienced a significant increase in seismic activity this year, with more frequent and intense earthquakes than in previous years. Last night’s tremor was just the latest in a series of unsettling events.

Last night, a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 5.5 was recorded, alerting Salvadorans. According to revised data from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN), the earthquake occurred at 8:25 PM this Saturday, off the coast of La Libertad, 45.0 km south of Playa El Sunzal, at a depth of 49 km. MARN has ruled out any tsunami threat to El Salvador.

These tremors have been particularly concentrated along the coasts of Sonsonate, following a 5.7 magnitude earthquake that struck at a depth of 41 kilometers. This earthquake, which occurred at 10:58 PM on September 14, 2024, was centered 57.0 km southwest of Los Cóbanos Beach.

Between 3:21 PM on September 13 and 10:00 AM on September 20, 2024, the National Seismic Network of El Salvador registered 74 earthquakes, 24 of which were felt by the population. The magnitudes of these earthquakes ranged from 2.7 to 5.7 on the Richter scale.

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On September 15, during the 203rd anniversary of El Salvador’s independence, President Nayib Bukele reaffirmed his commitment to the country’s foundation and reinvention. Political analysts and sociologists Mauricio Rodríguez and René Martínez concurred with this sentiment.
René Martínez, a sociologist, described President Bukele’s speech as a masterclass in simplicity and relatability. It was not just a speech but a call to action aimed at inspiring the populace to participate actively in the nation’s transformation. Mauricio Rodríguez, a political analyst, emphasized that the message highlighted the government’s efforts to propel El Salvador forward, marking new dynamics and significant changes.
René Martínez noted that the president’s address was straightforward yet visionary, a quality that inspired hope and optimism. It was not just a speech but a roadmap for the future. At the same time, Mauricio Rodríguez identified four key themes: solidarity, collective action, eliminating fiscal debt, and ongoing transformation, all of which contribute to a brighter future for El Salvador.
Both analysts acknowledged that the reforms initiated during Bukele’s first term have enabled El Salvador to redefine itself and gain international recognition. Martínez highlighted Bukele’s ‘step by step’ metaphor, which aimed to reshape the country according to the people’s aspirations and needs, instilling confidence in the audience.
Political scientist Óscar Martínez Peñate remarked that Bukele’s speech portrayed El Salvador as a place where utopias become reality, noting the country’s removal from the list of the world’s most violent nations. He predicted El Salvador would achieve economic and financial independence, essential for future prosperity.
The three experts also praised Bukele’s announcement to submit a self-financed state budget for 2025 to the Legislative Assembly by September 30. As they explained, this budget would mark the first time El Salvador’s budget is entirely funded without debt for current expenditures, a significant step towards the country’s economic and financial independence.

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We are going to experiment with something new. We are going to post some videos to see how you like them. Our topics will be on El Salvador, our views on the topics on the news, and our views on the many things that affect our lives. We hope our followers will enjoy what we do. Everyone has their own opinions and feelings on these subjects, so please express yours and keep it respectful for everyone. Let us know what you think in the comments.

During today’s 17th plenary session, the Legislative Assembly approved a favorable opinion with 59 votes on behalf of the Commission on Children and Integration to declare September 7 as the Capital of the Republic of El Salvador for one day, designating the municipality of Ahuachapán Centro. This decision is part of the celebration of the Day of the Lanterns.
The Day of the Lanterns, a cherished tradition with over 170 years of history, is deeply rooted in our country’s cultural fabric. It draws in thousands of national and international tourists and is celebrated on the eve of the Virgin Mary’s birth, a tradition that resonates with our shared cultural heritage.
This recognition of the Lanterns as a symbol of cultural and spiritual richness is a tribute to Ahuachapán. It honors the value of tradition and the dedicated individuals who, year after year, bring it to life. By bestowing the title of capital upon Ahuachapán, we are not only reaffirming the importance of our traditions but also paving the way for a brighter economic future. This initiative is expected to significantly boost the local economy, giving the tradition greater prominence and publicity. We anticipate a surge in tourism, with thousands of visitors flocking to Ahuachapán to partake in the festivities and savor the local gastronomy. This promising economic impact is a cause for optimism and excitement for the future,” said Herber Sierra, deputy of Nuevas Ideas and representative of the department of Ahuachapán.
The celebration has extended to western districts, including Ataco, Tacuba, and Apaneca. Sierra emphasized that President Nayib Bukele’s government’s security measures, including increased police presence and crowd control, have encouraged more people to participate, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
This year, the Ahuachapán Centro mayor’s office has organized a preview event on September 6. The event will feature a cultural parade starting at 5:00 p.m. from the iconic Arco Durán and proceed to Concordia Park.
Following the crowning of the queens of the lanterns, the festivities will conclude with a dance party featuring Julissa Ventura, Sonora Maya, the Silver Band, and a mobile disco.
On September 7, the streets will again be illuminated with thousands of lanterns in honor of the Virgin Mary’s birth. At 7:00 p.m., the procession of the Virgin Child will depart from La Asunción church.
A traditional tunnel is constructed in front of the Municipal Palace. It provides a perfect backdrop for visitors to capture their best photos. The festivities will also include a performance by the philharmonic orchestra, an opera concert, and a fireworks display.

Our daughter, Marisol, son-in-law, Alex, and grandchildren, Kristian, Jacob, and Danny, spent a delightful two-week vacation with us here in El Salvador this July.😊

We spent three days at the beach. We rented a house on the beach near Acajutla. We enjoyed this; we could spend quality time with our family. We were close to the beach and had a private pool that we spent a lot of time in. We had our kitchen and outside grill, so we had a lot of delicious food.

After returning from the beach, the family enjoyed visiting some of the sites in El Salvador.

My son-in-law, Alex, could travel to Guatemala and visit his family for a couple of days, and he enjoyed it very much.

The time went by very fast, and it was sad for us to see them leave.

I have added a slide show of pictures below; we hope you enjoy it.

If you enjoy our content, we would appreciate your support. Subscribe, like, and share our posts to boost our online visibility significantly. Additionally, your comments provide valuable insights and help us enhance our site. Thank you for being part of our community!