Other Services and Amenities
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Crown Casino in Hotel Terraza or Casino Colonial in Santa Tecla
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL (San Benito) and Correos de El Salvador (Government mail)
- Tech Repair Services
- iShop (Apple Authorized) in La Gran Vía or Multiplaza
- Table Tennis Spots
- Palacio de los Deportes (INDES) nearby the National Stadium
- Language Classes
- Academia Europea (Multiple locations); approx. $120 per month for intensive Spanish
- Libraries & Study Spots
- BINAES (National Library of El Salvador) - open 24/7, high-tech, free WiFi
- Community Centers
- Centro Cultural de España en El Salvador (CCESV) in San Benito
- Gaming Lounges
- GG Tech El Salvador in various malls for e-sports
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,200 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = $99,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,400 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = $63,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 65 m² = $130,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 65 m² = $78,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,900 per m² (e.g., 90 m² = $171,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 90 m² = $99,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 30% (Standard rate for income over $150,000; 25% otherwise)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 5% (Standard for residents and non-residents)
- Tax System
- Territorial tax system (generally only income earned within El Salvador is taxed)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 30% (For income exceeding $22,857/year)
- VAT
- 13% (Impuesto al Valor Agregado)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules currently enforced
- Property Tax
- No annual property tax; however, there is a transfer tax on sales
- Property Transaction Tax
- 3% of the real estate value exceeding $28,571.43
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Recent law allows 0% tax on foreign income for digital nomads/tech workers for those who qualify under specific investment schemes
Essentials
- City
- San Salvador, San Salvador Department, El Salvador
- Population
- 1,100,000 (Metropolitan Area)
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-60 Mbps; Fiber optic available in San Benito and Santa Elena up to 200 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD) and Bitcoin (BTC) are legal tender. ATM fees approx. $1.50 - $5.00
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; bottled water (e.g., Agua Alpina) costs $0.50 per 500ml
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (same as USA)
- SIM Card
- Tigo or Claro; $10-$15 for 10GB-20GB packages valid for 30 days
- Banking for Expats
- Banco Agrícola, BAC Credomatic, and Chivo Wallet for Bitcoin transactions
- Accommodation
- Modern apartments in San Benito or Antiguo Cuscatlán; $800 - $1,500/month for high-end digital nomad builds
- Cashless Friendly
- Highly friendly; cards accepted in malls/upscale areas. Bitcoin accepted via Lightning Network
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb is dominant; average $45-$70/night in secure neighborhoods
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostal La Cancha (San Benito) approx. $15/night dorm; $35/night private
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Centro Histórico for sightseeing; San Benito (Zona Rosa) for nightlife and safety
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Colonia Escalón or Santa Elena for quiet, modern amenities and high-speed fiber
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Point San Benito; Day pass $15, Monthly $175. Located in Calle La Reforma
- Best Cafe for Work
- Viva Espresso in Multiplaza or Sucree in Santa Elena (excellent WiFi and AC)
- Networking Events
- Adigital (Salvadoran Digital Association) meetups and Bitcoin Tuesday events at various venues
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations San Salvador and 'Expats in El Salvador' Facebook group gatherings
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (standard) and Indriver (negotiable rates); typical city ride $4-$8
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- BiciRed for urban cycling; however, San Salvador is not very bike-friendly due to hills/traffic
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa El Tunco/El Zonte (Surf City), approx. 45 minutes drive from city center
- Top Regional Airline
- Avianca (Hub located at SAL airport)
- Top International Airline
- United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, and Volaris
- Highway Access
- Carretera Panamericana (CA-1) and Autopista Comalapa connecting to the coast
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Terminal de Occidente for buses to Santa Ana/Guatemala; Terminal de Oriente for San Miguel
- Public Transport Passes
- SUBES card for modern buses ($0.25 - $0.35 per ride), otherwise cash for older 'chicken buses'
- Regional Travel
- Buses/Shuttles to El Tunco ($1.50 public, $15 private shuttle) or Santa Ana ($1.00 public)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital de Diagnóstico (Colonia Médica or Escalón); International standards
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Akasha Yoga in San Benito; $12 drop-in fee
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- World Gym (Escalón) or Be Fit (Multiplaza); Monthly memberships approx. $45-$60
- Laundry Services
- DryClean USA or local 'Lavanderias' in Escalón; approx. $1.50 per pound
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PedidosYa and UberEats are the primary providers
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Pupusas (Revueltas or Queso); $0.60 - $1.25 each at Pupuseria La Ceiba
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- El Árbol de Dios in Escalón; Vegan-friendly menu with terrace views
- Best Dessert Spots
- The Coffee Cup for frozen drinks; Panaderia El Rosario for traditional 'Semita'
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Central for produce; Super Selectos for standard groceries
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Siman.com (Department store) and Hugo (Local delivery marketplace)
- Grocery Delivery
- App 'Selectos' or 'Luuk' for personal shoppers
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Zona Rosa (San Benito) and the new 'Via del Corso' in Tuscania
- Local Brewery
- Cadejo Brewing Company in San Benito; Craft beers approx. $5.00
- Wine Bars
- Lula's Wine Bar in San Benito; sophisticated selection and tapas
- Street Food Stalls
- Planes de Renderos; famous for late-night pupusas overlooking the city
- Popular International Cuisine
- Kamakura (Japanese) in Escalón; Faisca do Brasil (Steakhouse) in Real InterContinental
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Catedral Metropolitana and El Rosario Church (stained glass architecture)
- Museums & Art Venues
- MUNA (National Museum of Anthropology) and MARTE (Museum of Art of El Salvador)
- Historical Sites
- Joyas de Cerén (The 'Pompeii of the Americas') located 30 mins from city
- Religious Sites
- Iglesia El Rosario in the city center; Monsignor Romero Memorial at the Divine Providence Chapel
- Annual Events
- Fiestas Agostinas (August 1st-7th); massive parades and carnival
- Cultural Districts
- Centro Histórico (recently renovated with plazas and pedestrian zones)
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Nacional de San Salvador; French Renaissance style architecture
- Local Markets
- Mercado de Artesanías (Antiguo Cuscatlán) for souvenirs and textiles
- Music Scene
- Scenarium at Multiplaza; hosts international DJs and rock bands
- Street Art
- Murals throughout the Centro Histórico and Santa Tecla's Paseo El Carmen
- Cooking Classes
- Pupusa making workshops often hosted at Hostal La Cancha
- Art Galleries
- Galería de Arte El Árbol de Dios (Fernando Llort's work)
- Historic Buildings
- Palacio Nacional (National Palace) located in Plaza Libertad
- Local Heritage
- The Indigo dyeing tradition; products available at Casa de Añil
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- El Boquerón National Park (volcano crater); 20 minutes from the city center
- National Parks Nearby
- Cerro Verde National Park (views of Izalco and Santa Ana volcanoes)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Parque Bicentenario; safe paved trails for running and cycling
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Puerta del Diablo (Panchimalco) for rock formations and panoramic views
- Birdwatching Locations
- Walter Thilo Deininger Park near the coast (40 mins away)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated camping areas in Lake Coatepeque (approx. 1 hour away)