El Salvador
Small country. Big surf. Bitcoin legal tender. Make of that what you will.
The honest take
El Salvador made global headlines in 2021 by becoming the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, which attracted a specific type of person and a somewhat disproportionate amount of think pieces. The country itself is the smallest in Central America, has excellent Pacific surfing (La Libertad and El Zonte in particular), and has undergone a genuine security transformation under Bukele that has made previously difficult neighbourhoods significantly safer β though the methods used to achieve this are contested and worth understanding before you arrive. The coast is beautiful, the pupusas are excellent, and the cost of living is among the lowest in the Americas. Dollarised economy, no currency risk. The Temporary Residence visa is straightforward.
Cost of living
Estimates from Numbeo and community data. Actual costs vary by city, lifestyle, and how much you're willing to cook.
Practical details
Visa options
These are the main legal pathways. Requirements vary by nationality. Always verify with the official embassy or a qualified immigration lawyer.
Curated resources
Vetted links β official sources, active communities, and useful tools. Spotted something missing? Use the βImprove this pageβ button below.
Guides
How to actually choose your first country
The framework most people skip that separates those who move from those who keep researching. Spoiler: it's not about finding the perfect place.
Visa types for digital workers: the no-jargon guide
Tourist visa, digital nomad visa, freelancer visa, skilled worker visa β what they actually mean and which one is yours.
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