ExperienceEl Salvador

El Salvador has quietly become one of the premier surf destinations in the world. The Pacific coastline stretches over 300 km and is blessed with consistent beach breaks, point breaks, and reef breaks that fire year-round. Spots like El Sunzal, Punta Roca, La Bocana, and El Zonte attract professional surfers and beginners alike.

The country's international surfing reputation peaked when Punta Roca in La Libertad hosted the ISA World Surfing Games — the same qualification event for the Olympic Games. Thousands of spectators watched top athletes from over 50 nations compete on waves that locals ride every single day.

Water temperatures hover around 26–29°C year-round. No wetsuit needed — just board shorts and sunscreen.

El Salvador's coffee story begins in the volcanic highlands, where rich mineral soils and ideal altitudes between 500 and 2,300 metres above sea level produce some of the finest Arabica beans in the world. Coffee cultivation here dates back to the 19th century — by the 1920s, it accounted for nearly 90% of the country's export revenue.

Today, the Ruta de las Flores — a scenic highland route connecting Ahuachapán, Ataco, Juayúa, Apaneca and Nahuizalco — is the heartbeat of coffee country. Small family-owned fincas open their doors for guided farm-to-cup experiences: picking, processing, roasting and tasting, all in one visit.

Swiss travelers with a refined palate for single-origin coffee will feel right at home — the quality rivals the best specialty roasters in Zurich.

El Salvador sits atop the Pacific Ring of Fire and is home to over 20 volcanoes, eight of which are considered active. This geological drama has shaped not only the landscape but also the country's culture, agriculture and identity.

Santa Ana (Ilamatepec), at 2,381 metres, is the highest volcano in the country and one of the most spectacular hikes in Central America. Its turquoise sulphuric crater lake — ringed by layered rock walls — is unlike anything found in Europe.

For Swiss hikers accustomed to alpine terrain, the volcanic trails of El Salvador offer a completely different and unforgettable dimension of mountain adventure.

El Salvador's transformation over the past five years is one of the most remarkable stories in Latin America. Under President Nayib Bukele's administration, a sweeping crackdown on organized crime reduced the homicide rate from over 100 per 100,000 people in 2015 to one of the lowest in the region by 2023–2024.

The results are visible on the ground. Streets that were once considered no-go zones are now lined with restaurants, markets and tourists. International visitors report feeling remarkably safe. Tourism numbers have surged.

As with any destination, basic travel awareness is recommended. But today's El Salvador is a far cry from its past — and the global travel community has taken notice.

In September 2021, El Salvador made history by becoming the first country in the world to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender. The decision sent shockwaves through global financial markets and put this small Central American nation at the center of the world's most consequential monetary experiment.

The movement started in El Zonte — a tiny surf village where a circular Bitcoin economy had been quietly running since 2019. Today, "Bitcoin Beach" is a pilgrimage site for crypto enthusiasts worldwide. San Salvador hosts major international events like Bitcoin Histórico and the Plan ₿ Forum.

Whether you hold Bitcoin or are simply curious — visiting El Salvador gives you a front-row seat to a real-world monetary revolution unlike anything happening anywhere else on earth.