Surf City and Antigua Guatemala inaugurate land route to boost multi-destination tourism in Central America

June 5, 2025 (Central America) – Antigua, Guatemala, and Surf City, El Salvador, are now connected by a new direct land route through the Central America Shuttle, an initiative that marks a significant advance in promoting multi-destination tourism in the region. This connection represents a firm step toward greater Central American tourism integration, facilitating travel between two of the isthmus's main attractions.

During the reception ceremony for the inaugural trip, authorities from both countries emphasized the strategic value of this alliance. El Salvador's Minister of Tourism, Morena Valdez, highlighted the collaborative work between El Salvador and Guatemala to offer international tourism a shared experience between neighboring nations. Meanwhile, Carlos Umaña, president of the Salvadoran Chamber of Tourism (CASATUR), emphasized the positive impact of this binational effort in building a more united and collaborative Central America.

The implementation of the Central America Shuttle occurs amidst a context of sustained growth for the regional tourism industry. In 2024, Central America and the Dominican Republic welcomed more than 26 million international visitors. The United States and Canada accounted for more than 50% of these arrivals, followed by growing intraregional tourism (29%) and a strong European contribution (14%).

Guatemala and El Salvador stand out as key destinations in this scenario. El Salvador reached 3.9 million international tourists in 2024, while Guatemala welcomed 3 million, figures that reflect a sustained recovery and a shared vision toward a more integrated, sustainable, and competitive tourism model.

Beyond connectivity, the new route offers travelers the opportunity to enrich their experience by experiencing multiple cultures, landscapes, and heritage in a single trip. This approach extends the average length of stay, increases tourism spending, and generates direct benefits for local communities linked to the tourism value chain.

The Central American Tourism Promotion Agency (CATA) supports this initiative as part of its strategy to position the region as a diverse, accessible, and internationally interconnected destination, reaffirming its commitment to promoting shared and sustainable experiences among neighboring countries.