El Salvador is experiencing a dramatic transformation. Once considered one of Latin America’s most dangerous countries, it is now drawing record numbers of tourists, thanks largely to President Nayib Bukele’s aggressive anti-gang crackdown launched in 2022.

Under a prolonged state of emergency, tens of thousands of suspected gang members were detained. The government says the policy slashed the murder rate by roughly 98 percent compared with 2015 levels. For many Salvadorans — and regional visitors — the improved security has been welcome. Beaches like El Tunco are now packed with tourists who once might have avoided the country.

The shift has boosted tourism significantly. El Salvador received 4.1 million visitors last year — 60 percent more than in 2019 — generating $3.6 billion, nearly 10 percent of GDP. Major events, including a five-date concert run by Shakira, have reinforced the country’s new image as a safe and viable entertainment destination.

However, the crackdown has drawn criticism from human rights groups, who say thousands of innocent people were detained and that some prisoners have faced abuses. Families of detainees argue that rising tourism masks ongoing injustices.

Still, for many visitors, safety outweighs controversy — underscoring how Bukele’s hardline strategy has reshaped El Salvador’s global reputation.