Essentials
- City
- Playa El Tunco, La Libertad, El Salvador
- Population
- Approx. 500 permanent residents; grows significantly with tourism.
- Internet Speed
- Starlink is now common (100-200 Mbps); local fiber (Tigo/Claro) offers 30-50 Mbps.
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD) and Bitcoin (BTC) are legal tender. 1 USD = 1 USD.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable. Use 20L 'garrafones' (approx. $3.00) or filtered water provided by hostels.
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (US standard).
- SIM Card
- Tigo or Claro. Tigo has better coverage in El Tunco; $10 for 10GB/15 days.
- Banking for Expats
- Banco Agricola and Banco Cuscatlán; Chivo Wallet for Bitcoin; Revolut works at ATMs.
- Accommodation
- Mix of boutique surf hotels and social hostels; prices range from $15 to $200/night.
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate. High-end hotels/restaurants accept cards/Bitcoin; small 'comedores' need cash.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local Facebook groups ('El Tunco Rental'); $800-$1,500/month for private studios.
- Budget Accommodation
- Papaya Lodge ($15 dorm, $45 private) or Tunco Lodge ($18 dorm).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Main El Tunco village for proximity to nightlife and the 'Sunzal' surf break.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- El Sunzal or La Murena (walking distance to Tunco but quieter with better fiber internet).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Sandglass Coworking ($20/day, $180/month) - has AC and backup power.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Point Break Cafe. Quality coffee, decent Wi-Fi, and power outlets by the tables.
- Networking Events
- Weekly 'Bitcoin Tuesdays' at Hope House in nearby El Zonte (Bitcoin Beach).
- Social Events for Expats
- Saturday night party scene at La Guitarra or expat volleyball games at the beach sunset.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber works but is scarce; 'Indrive' is more common for trips to La Libertad or San Salvador.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Tunco Life ($25/day for scooter rentals). Bicycles are less common due to rocky terrain.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa El Zonte (15 mins west) for a chiller vibe; Playa San Diego (20 mins east) for sand.
- Top Regional Airline
- Avianca (Hub at SAL airport, 45 mins away).
- Top International Airline
- American Airlines, United, and Volaris (budget options to Mexico/USA).
- Highway Access
- CA-2 (Carretera del Litoral) connects all coastal towns; well-paved 'Surf City' highway.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains. The main bus stop is at the top of the El Tunco entrance on CA-2.
- Public Transport Passes
- No passes. Pay cash ($0.25 - $1.50) to the 'cobrador' on the Chicken Bus (Route 102 or 192).
- Regional Travel
- Chicken buses to La Libertad ($0.50) or private shuttles to Antigua, Guatemala ($40).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital de Diagnóstico in San Salvador (45 mins away). Local clinic in La Libertad for minor issues.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Balance Surf & Yoga Resort. Drop-in classes for $15 overlooking the ocean.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- The Gym El Tunco (Basic weights/outdoor setup); most nomads use the beach for calisthenics.
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia El Tunco (behind the main street). $1.00 per pound, wash and dry.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PedidosYa (only serves larger nearby towns like La Libertad; limited in Tunco).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Pupusas (Revueltas). Try 'Pupuseria El Tunco' - 3 pupusas for $2.25.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Bao Food (Asian fusion with tofu options) and Take a Wok.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Tunco Veloz Pizzeria (for dessert pizza) or the local 'Minutas' (shaved ice) carts on the beach.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Super Selectos in La Libertad (15 min drive) for standard prices.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Marketplace (Facebook) is the primary way to buy/sell locally; Amazon requires a US freight forwarder.
- Grocery Delivery
- Super Selectos App (delivery to Tunco is possible for a $5-8 fee).
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The main 'street' of El Tunco. Monkey Lala (sunset drinks) and La Guitarra (live music).
- Local Brewery
- Cadejo Brewing Company (available at many bars; try 'La Suegra' IPA).
- Wine Bars
- Lo Nuestro (Wine and local artisanal products).
- Street Food Stalls
- Pupusa stands at the entrance of the town, active every evening from 6 PM.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Esquina Los Amigos for high-end tacos and burgers ($10-15 per plate).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The 'Tunco' Rock (resembles a pig) sitting in the surf.
- Museums & Art Venues
- MARTE (Museum of Art of El Salvador) in San Salvador (45 mins away).
- Historical Sites
- Joya de Cerén (The 'Pompeii of the Americas') is 1.5 hours away.
- Religious Sites
- Iglesia El Carmen in Santa Tecla (35 mins away).
- Annual Events
- ISA World Surfing Games (International surf competition held frequently in Sunzal).
- Cultural Districts
- Paseo El Carmen in Santa Tecla for weekend food stalls and crafts.
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Nacional in Downtown San Salvador.
- Local Markets
- Mercado del Puerto de la Libertad (Fresh fish market is a must-see).
- Music Scene
- Reggae nights and local rock bands at La Guitarra almost every weekend.
- Street Art
- Various surf-themed murals throughout El Tunco main street.
- Cooking Classes
- Pupusa making workshops often hosted by local hostels like Papaya Lodge.
- Art Galleries
- Small surf photography galleries often pop up near the beachfront.
- Historic Buildings
- Palacio Nacional in the historic center of San Salvador.
- Local Heritage
- The 'Surf City' initiative representing the modern rebranding of coastal El Salvador.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Tamaulas Waterfalls (Cascadas de Tamaniq) - a 20 min drive + hike.
- National Parks Nearby
- Cerro Verde National Park (hiking Santa Ana Volcano, 1.5 hours away).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The paved shoulder of the Surf City Highway is popular for morning runs.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- El Peñon at Sunzal for the best sunset photography.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Walter Thilo Deininger Park (5 mins from La Libertad).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Beachfront at El Tunco (check with local surf clubs for designated spots).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correos de El Salvador (unreliable); Aeropost in San Salvador for US imports.
- Tech Repair Services
- Tech Stop in La Libertad or iShop in San Salvador for Apple products.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Some hostels like Tunco Lodge have tables for guests.
- Language Classes
- Spanish School El Tunco ($15/hr for private lessons).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- BINAES (National Library) in San Salvador - 24/7, ultra-modern, very safe.
- Community Centers
- Hope House in El Zonte (focused on digital education).
- Gaming Lounges
- None in Tunco; malls in San Salvador (Multiplaza) have arcade zones.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Monte Carlo in San Salvador.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,500 per m² ($180,000 for a 40m² beachfront studio).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,200 per m² ($88,000 for 40m² in La Libertad suburbs).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,000 per m² ($240,000 for 60m² near the beach).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,000 per m² ($120,000 for 60m² inland).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,800 per m² ($304,000 for 80m² beach villas).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,800 per m² ($144,000 for 80m² inland).
- Corporate Tax
- 30% (for companies with income over $150,000).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 5% for residents and non-residents.
- Tax System
- Territorial (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; there is a local municipal tribute (approx. $10-20/month).
- Property Transaction Tax
- 3% of the value exceeding $28,571.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- 0% tax on foreign-sourced income; Bitcoin Law offers path to residency for investors.