Lonely Planet has named El Salvador as one of the top ten destinations of 2010. Noting that the Central American country often gets overlooked by travelers in favor of Costa Rica and Guatemala, the publication points out that most visitors to El Salvador will have the beaches to themselves. Only Punta Roca, El Salvador's most famous surfing spot, is frequently overrun with people.

And though the country once had a reputation for being dangerous due to a civil war and gang violence, the majority of crime is concentrated among gang members and tourists are rarely caught in the crossfire. 

The capital city of San Salvador is also mentioned as a highlight, with a richness of intellectual stimulation including first-rate universities, galleries and museums. Lonely Planet UK's travel editor Tom Hall said, "San Salvador is an exciting capital and the country has fantastic national parks and volcanoes and great surfing opportunities. I don't think it's going to get flooded with people," he added, "But it will just raise people's awareness and open their eyes to a new place."

¡Felicidades El Salvador! We hope to visit soon.