Guatemala is preparing to receive a historic number of Salvadoran tourists during Holy Week 2026, according to projections by the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism (Inguat). The season, which will be held from Sunday, March 29th to Sunday, April 5th, will be key to the reactivation of the tourism sector in the Central American country, thanks to a large influx of visitors from El Salvador, the main country issuing tourists to Guatemala.
The Inguat estimates that, during these days, around 150,000 international tourists will arrive in Guatemala, of which 53.3% will be Salvadorans; that is, around 80,000 people. This figure reflects the relevance of El Salvador as a priority market for the Guatemalan tourism industry, consolidating a trend that has strengthened in recent years.
In fact, data from the Salvadoran Tourism Corporation (Corsatur) indicates that Salvadorans who traveled to Guatemala represented 60% of the total international departures recorded in 2025, which shows the preference for the neighboring country as a vacation destination.
The campaign “Holy Week is a break”, recently presented by Inguat, seeks to attract Salvadoran tourists with a proposal that combines culture, tradition, and landscapes.
According to official information released by the Central American Tourism Promotion Agency (CATA Central America), the launch of the tourism offer was held in a meeting with Salvadoran press and content creators, who were informed about the routes, activities and services prepared especially for the season. The Guatemalan authorities have arranged an attention plan that includes information centers in strategic places such as Ciudad Cayalá, the Palace of Culture, Antigua Guatemala, Panajachel, Petén, Quetzaltenango and Esquipulas, as well as an assistance system for visitors.
This tourist movement translates into a significant economic impact for Guatemala. Inguat projects that the influx of international tourists during Holy Week will generate $100 million for the national economy, especially boosting the sectors of accommodation, gastronomy, transportation, and local commerce.
The relevance of Salvadoran visitors is underscored by the closing figures for 2025, when Guatemala received more than 1.5 million tourists from El Salvador, equivalent to 45.7% of total international arrivals and an 11.4% growth compared to 2024.
The preference of Salvadorans for Guatemala responds to factors such as geographical proximity, land connectivity, and the diversity of tourist attractions. CATA Central America, in its recent publications, highlights that the interest of Salvadorans in discovering new destinations is reinforced by the ease of travel and the variety of experiences that Guatemala offers during Holy Week, from tours of historical sites to activities in natural environments and religious festivities.
