A Beginner’s Bitcoin Travel Guide to El Salvador

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El Salvador has been the world’s top tourist destination for bitcoins since 2021, when it became the first country to accept bitcoin as legal tender, becoming one of the favorite destinations for bitcoiners. In addition to the natural beauty of the region and the warmth of its people, the promise of a country that respects the economic ideology of bitcoiners is one of the biggest attractions of El Salvador.

Depending on where you are from, flights can range from $150 to $2,000. It all depends on your budget, your time and if you want to stretch your legs during the flight. Despite its small size, El Salvador International Airport offers all the amenities of a world-class airport, such as free Wi-Fi. This is very useful as there are no SIM card vendors inside the airport.

If you plan to stay, the immigration process is fast, fast, and friendly. You can even pay with bitcoins for the immigration cards, which are worth 12 USD. Immigrants from certain countries, such as Colombia, are exempt from paying this fee.

immigration checkpointBtc Andres

Before leaving the airport, there are several car rental agencies where you can rent a car if you wish. If you take this route, I recommend downloading maps of the country and regions you plan to visit before you go, as you won’t find a SIM card for your cell phone until you reach a populated area . There are also local driver services that accept bitcoin payments, like the one offered by Napolen Osorio (@bitdriver7 on Twitter). When it comes to accommodation, most hotels in the capital don’t accept bitcoin payments directly yet, so keep that in mind.

However, one hotel in the urban capital that accepts bitcoin is called the Bitcoin Landing Spot (@BTCLandingSpot on Twitter). Twitter can be a useful tool for finding bitcoin-friendly businesses in El Salvador.

Bitcoin Landing Spot El Salvador

Lorraine Ortiz

Another advantage of this place is its proximity to two bitcoiner event spaces: Casa de Mi Primer BitcoinBTC (@MyfirstBitcoin_) and Casa del Bitcoin (@CasadelBitcoin_). These houses frequently hold get-togethers where you can meet like-minded people. To stay up to date with their happenings, I recommend following their Twitter pages and direct message them if needed.

The School of Salvador National Institute of ApopaLorena Ortiz

Mi Primer Bitcoin is an educational project with a diploma program in bitcoin, so far 1,500 young students have obtained this diploma. Apart from bitcoin event spaces, there are very few places in the capital where you can make direct bitcoin payments. Most establishments still do not accept bitcoin. If one of your goals during your visit is to live several days using only bitcoin, then one of the must-see places is the coastal town of El Zonte, home to the Bitcoin Beach community.

to Juan Valdez, Salvador Lorena Ortiz

People have been earning and spending bitcoin at local businesses in the Bitcoin Beach neighborhood since 2019, with the goal of expanding the community across El Zonte. This includes charitable bitcoin initiatives that provide scholarships, help for the elderly, and local educational workshops in computer programming and English. Additionally, through their “Surf Para Todos” (Surf for All) program, members of the Bitcoin Beach community offer free surf lessons every Saturday morning. I recommend visiting the Hope House at Bitcoin Beach to learn more.

Bitcoin beach landscape

Mike Peterson

With regard to security issues, the security situation in El Salvador has improved considerably in recent years. During all my visits, I never felt any danger. If you’re curious to visit the first country in the world to make bitcoin legal tender, I hope this travel guide to El Salvador inspires you to enjoy a trip to the first bitcoin-friendly country.

Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website.

I am the founder of the Bitcoin Embassy Bar in Mexico, the Latin American community leader of the Bitcoin Fedi project, and the producer and host of the podcasts Tune Into The Block, “ZaiferPunkast” and “La Pastillita Anaranjada”. as a growth and marketing expert for mimLabs, which spearheads community initiatives for RSK bitcoin projects. I am passionate about financial education, especially in Latin America, and hold a modest amount of bitcoin.

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