Essentials
- City
- Playa El Tunco, Tamanique, La Libertad, El Salvador
- Population
- Approximately 1,500 (Small coastal village)
- Internet Speed
- Average 20-50 Mbps; Starlink is now widely available in premium rentals reaching 150 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD) and Bitcoin are legal tender. 1 USD = 1 USD
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; bottled water (Garrafones) cost approx. $3.00 for 20L
- Power
- 110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (Same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Tigo or Claro; approx. $10 for 10GB data valid for 15 days
- Banking for Expats
- Banco Agricola, Banco Cuscatlán; Chivo Wallet for Bitcoin; Revolut/Wise work at ATMs
- Accommodation
- Boutique hotels, surf hostels, and luxury villas (e.g., Boca Olas Resort)
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate; major hotels and upscale restaurants accept cards/Bitcoin, but small pupuserias need cash
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and VRBO; prices range from $800 to $2,500/month
- Budget Accommodation
- Papaya Lodge or Tunco Lodge; dorms start at $15–$20 per night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Main El Tunco village for nightlife and surf access
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- El Sunzal (10-min walk) for quieter environment and better villa builds
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- SandBox El Tunco (approx. $20/day or $200/month)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Point Break Cafe or Dale Dale Café (excellent coffee and reliable Wi-Fi)
- Networking Events
- Bitcoin Beach meetups in nearby El Zonte; Surf & Tech mixers at Boca Olas
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats El Salvador Facebook Group; weekly beach bonfires at Monkey Lala
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (available but limited) or Indriver; local 'Conectas' shuttles
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Tunco Life (Scooters for $25–$35 per day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- El Sunzal (world-class longboard wave) right next door
- Top Regional Airline
- Avianca El Salvador
- Top International Airline
- United, Delta, American, Volaris
- Highway Access
- CA-2 (Carretera del Litoral) connects directly to La Libertad and the Airport
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Terminal de Occidente in San Salvador (no trains)
- Public Transport Passes
- Cash-only 'Chicken Buses' (Route 102 or 107) cost $0.50–$1.50 per ride
- Regional Travel
- Shuttles to Antigua Guatemala or Leon/San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua ($40–$60)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital de Diagnóstico (San Salvador, 45 mins away); local clinics in La Libertad
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Balance Yoga Retreat ($15 per drop-in class)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Tunco Muay Thai & Fitness; outdoor gym equipment at some upscale hotels
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia El Tunco; approx. $5–$8 per load washed and folded
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PedidosYa (Available from La Libertad restaurants)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Pupusas (approx. $1.00 each at Pupuseria La Esquina)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Daydreamer El Tunco; Bao El Tunco (offers tofu/veggie options)
- Best Dessert Spots
- La Michoacana for artisanal fruit paletas (popsicles)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Super Selectos in La Libertad (15 mins away) for groceries
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (via courier services like Aeropost in San Salvador)
- Grocery Delivery
- Hugo App (limited) or Super Selectos Online
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The main strip in El Tunco; Monkey Lala and La Guitarra
- Local Brewery
- Cadejo Brewing Company (available at most bars)
- Wine Bars
- Boca Olas (limited wine selection, mostly cocktail focused)
- Street Food Stalls
- Pupusa stands along the main entrance road
- Popular International Cuisine
- Take a Wok (Asian fusion), Coyote (Burgers/Tacos)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The 'Tunco' rock formation on the beach
- Museums & Art Venues
- MUNA (Museum of Anthropology) in San Salvador
- Historical Sites
- Joya de Cerén (Mayan site, 1.5 hours away)
- Religious Sites
- Iglesia El Rosario in San Salvador (modern architectural marvel)
- Annual Events
- ISA World Surfing Games (Variable dates); Bitcoin Week (November)
- Cultural Districts
- Historical Center (Centro Histórico) of San Salvador
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Nacional de San Salvador
- Local Markets
- Mercado del Puerto in La Libertad for fresh seafood
- Music Scene
- Live reggae and rock at La Guitarra on weekends
- Street Art
- Surf murals throughout the El Tunco village alleyways
- Cooking Classes
- Pupusa making workshops often hosted by Balance Yoga Retreat
- Art Galleries
- Small craft shops selling handmade indigo-dyed clothing
- Historic Buildings
- Palacio Nacional in San Salvador
- Local Heritage
- Surf culture blended with traditional Salvadoran coastal life
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Tamanique Waterfalls (30 min hike from Tamanique village)
- National Parks Nearby
- Parque Nacional El Boquerón (San Salvador Volcano)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- New pathway connecting El Tunco to El Zonte along the coast
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The cliffs at El Sunzal during sunset
- Birdwatching Locations
- Walter Thilo Deininger Park (15 mins away)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Main beach at El Tunco (permit/local check usually required)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL (San Salvador) or local couriers like Envia
- Tech Repair Services
- iStore or specialized shops in Multiplaza Mall, San Salvador
- Table Tennis Spots
- Tunco Lodge common area
- Language Classes
- Spanish school El Tunco (Spanish lessons near the beach)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- The public library in La Libertad (limited); Sandbox Coworking is better
- Community Centers
- Surf City community training center
- Gaming Lounges
- Aura Mall (San Salvador)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Siesta (San Salvador)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,000 per m² in El Tunco village (e.g., 40 m² = $160,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,500 per m² in surrounding hills (e.g., 40 m² = $100,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $228,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $132,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $280,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $160,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 30% (Standard rate; 25% for businesses with lower income)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 5% for residents and non-residents
- Tax System
- Territorial tax system (Only income earned within El Salvador is taxed)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 30%
- VAT
- 13%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No
- Property Tax
- No annual property tax (Real Estate Transfer Tax of 3% instead)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 3% of value exceeding $28,571
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Potential 0% tax on foreign-sourced income due to territorial tax laws