San Salvador revitalizes historic center, attracts investment
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San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, underwent an urban transformation of its historic center, combining preservation with modernization and public space recovery.
Starting in 2015 under the administration of Nayib Bukele, the city government addressed decades of informal commerce, urban disorder, and security concerns. Officials reorganized street vendors and improved public spaces, which previously discouraged citizens from visiting. The renovations attracted approximately 200 million dollars in private investment for new businesses like restaurants and cafes.
The Autoridad de Planificación del Centro Histórico (Aplan) reported this influx of capital is reshaping the area’s economy. In addition, the city invested around 100 million dollars in public works, including burying overhead cables to improve the appearance of streets and plazas. Today, 2.5 million people visit the historic center annually, drawn by attractions like the National Library of El Salvador, open 24 hours, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the National Palace, which offers guided tours.
The changes have also encouraged both Salvadorans living abroad and visitors from other Central American countries to return and explore the area, establishing the center as a hub for tourism, investment, and new business opportunities.
