Long left on the margins of the major tourist routes of Central America, El Salvador is now beginning to appear on Pacific cruise itineraries. The port of Acajutla now welcomes international ships that offer passengers a first introduction to the country through day excursions.
This momentum comes amid strong tourism growth. According to official data, the country recorded a 92% increase in international arrivals compared with 2019 levels and surpassed 4.1 million visitors in 2025, one of the fastest growth rates in the sector worldwide.
An expanding cruise season
The 2025–2026 cruise season, which runs from October until the middle of the following year, is expected to become the most significant in the country’s history. According to industry estimates, between 14 and 18 international ships are expected to dock during the season, bringing more than 24,000 visitors.
Among the ships that have already called at the port of Acajutla are the Eurodam, the Viking Sky, the Amadea and the Zuiderdam, operating international itineraries that mainly carry passengers from Europe and the United States. At each stop, travelers can discover different regions of the country through excursions organized from the port toward the western and central parts of the territory, or through shorter tours along the coast.
Excursions between ocean, villages and volcanoes
Stops in Acajutla make it possible to organize excursions to several destinations located a short distance from the port. Among the closest is Playa Metalío, one of the most visited beaches on El Salvador’s Pacific coast, appreciated for its long stretches of sand.
Another regular stop is Los Cóbanos, a fishing community located about 11 kilometers from the port. The area forms part of a protected marine ecosystem known for its coral formations and relatively calm waters, which allow activities such as snorkeling, diving, or boat excursions. Between January and February, these waters also become a prime observation point for humpback whales during their migration in the eastern Pacific.
Excursions also extend inland. Among the most requested are visits to the archaeological site of Joya de Cerén, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the archaeological site of San Andrés. Other tours include Cerro Verde National Park, which offers views of the Santa Ana and Izalco volcanoes, or the villages of the Ruta de las Flores, such as Nahuizalco and Concepción de Ataco, known for their handicrafts and colorful atmosphere.
Cruises and tourism strategy
The development of this segment is part of a broader evolution in El Salvador’s international image, supported by several promotional campaigns and tourism projects such as Surf City El Salvador. In this context, cruise tourism complements the arrival of visitors by air and land.
The country is also seeking to strengthen its network of ports of call. Alongside the port of Acajutla, authorities are considering the development of tourism operations at the port of La Unión, located in the east of the country, in order to diversify excursion itineraries and better distribute visitor flows.
Our article: Surfing in Latin America: 6 spots to ride all year round
Thanks to the compact size of El Salvador’s territory, it is possible to connect Pacific beaches, volcanoes, historic villages, and archaeological sites within just a few hours — an advantage particularly suited to the pace of cruise stopovers. For many travelers, the visit to the country lasts only one day, but this first discovery often acts as an invitation to return. As maritime itineraries expand along the Pacific coast of Central America, El Salvador is gradually turning these stopovers into true gateways to a destination that remains largely to be explored.
Photo: El Salvador Travel
