El Salvador: The New Digital Nomad Destination
In April 2025, El Salvador officially launched its Digital Nomad visa, joining the list of countries welcoming remote workers. Ranked 4th best country for digital nomads according to CentralAmerica.com, El Salvador offers a unique mix: affordable cost of living, tropical climate, surf beaches, Bitcoin adoption, and renewed safety.
This guide covers everything Europeans, Canadians, and Americans need to know before moving.
El Salvador Digital Nomad Visa 2025
Requirements
- Minimum income: USD 1,460/month (single person)
- Family income (3+ people): USD 2,190/month
- Type of work: Remote employee, freelancer, or entrepreneur with clients outside El Salvador
- Passport: Valid 6 months after entry
- Criminal record: Clean (last 2 years)
- Health insurance: International coverage required
Duration and Renewal
- Initial duration: 1 to 2 years
- Renewal: Up to 4 years total
- Presence required: Minimum 6 months/year
- Local work: Prohibited
Required Documents
- Valid passport (all pages)
- Recent ID photo
- Proof of remote work (contract, employer letter)
- Bank statements (3-6 months)
- Apostilled criminal record
- International health insurance
- Certified Spanish translation of documents
Process
- Gather documents + apostille + translation
- Appointment at Salvadoran consulate or online application (USD 100)
- Wait for approval (~45 days)
- Arrive in El Salvador within 120 days
- Immigration registration (5 business days)
- Conversion to temporary residence permit (USD 55-240)
By Nationality
Europeans (French, Belgian, Swiss...)
- Visa-free (tourist): 90-180 days
- Time zone: UTC-6 (7-hour difference with Paris)
- Advantage: Can work evenings (2pm-10pm Salvador = European hours)
- Flights: Via Miami, Houston, Mexico, or Madrid (Avianca)
- Flight price: EUR 600-1,200 round trip
Canadians
- Visa-free (tourist): 90 days (CA-4)
- Time zone: Same as Chicago/Winnipeg (CST)
- Flights: Toronto/Montreal via Houston, Miami, or LA
- Flight price: CAD 500-900 round trip
Americans
- Visa-free (tourist): 180 days (USD 12 card)
- Time zone: CST (Houston, Dallas, Chicago)
- Direct flights: LAX, SFO, Houston, Dallas, Miami, JFK
- Advantage: USD = official currency
- Flight price: USD 250-500 round trip
Cost of Living 2025
Monthly Budget (single person)
- Budget accommodation: USD 350-600
- Comfort accommodation: USD 800-1,200
- Food: USD 200-400
- Internet + mobile: USD 30-60
- Transportation: USD 30-100
- Entertainment: USD 100-200
- Health insurance: USD 50-100
- TOTAL: USD 800-1,500/month
Actual Prices
- Pupusa: USD 0.50-1
- Local meal: USD 3-8
- Mid-range restaurant: USD 10-25
- Local beer: USD 1-3
- Specialty coffee: USD 2-4
- Average Uber ride: USD 3-8
- Local bus: USD 0.25-0.45
Best Spots for Nomads
San Salvador
The capital offers the best infrastructure.
- Neighborhoods: Escalón, Colonia San Benito, Santa Elena
- Internet: 30-100 Mbps (fiber available)
- Coworking: Impact Hub, The Office
- Studio rent: USD 400-800/month
- Advantages: Cafés, restaurants, nightlife
El Tunco / El Zonte
Paradise for surfer-nomads.
- Vibe: Relaxed, international community
- Internet: 10-40 Mbps (variable)
- Coworking: Tunco Work, WiFi cafés (Dale Café, Day Café)
- Studio rent: USD 350-1,000/month
- Advantages: Surf, sunsets, Bitcoin Beach
Santa Ana
Authentic colonial city.
- Vibe: Local, less touristy
- Internet: 20-40 Mbps
- Rent: USD 300-500/month
- Advantages: Volcanoes, Lake Coatepeque, Ruta de las Flores
- Cost of living: 20-30% cheaper than San Salvador
Internet and Connectivity
Providers
- Claro: Best national coverage
- Tigo: Good data plans
- Digicel: Budget option
Speeds
- San Salvador (fiber): 50-100 Mbps
- Medium cities: 20-40 Mbps
- Coastal areas: 10-30 Mbps
- 4G Mobile: 15-25 Mbps
Mobile Plan
Prepaid data: USD 7-28/month. Recommended eSIM: Airalo, Holafly.
Bitcoin and Payments
El Salvador is the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender (2021).
- Official wallet: Chivo Wallet (USD 30 bonus)
- Acceptance: Mandatory for businesses
- Bitcoin ATM: Available everywhere
- Crypto taxation: Bitcoin gains not taxed
Taxation
El Salvador applies a territorial system:
- Foreign income: NOT taxed
- Local income: Taxed (but prohibited with DN visa)
- Bitcoin gains: Tax-exempt
Note: Americans remain taxable on worldwide income (IRS).
Health and Insurance
Recommended Insurance
- SafetyWing: USD 45-70/month
- World Nomads: USD 50+/month
- Genki: EUR 35-60/month (Europeans)
Medical Care
- Private hospitals: Good quality in San Salvador
- Private consultation: USD 30-60
- Dentist: USD 20-50 (dental tourism developing)
Nomad Community
- Facebook: El Salvador Expats and Nomads, Digital Nomads El Salvador
- Nomad List: San Salvador and El Tunco listed
- Bitcoin Beach: Crypto community in El Zonte
- Meetups: Networking in San Benito
Checklist Before Leaving
- Passport valid 6+ months
- Digital Nomad visa or check tourist duration
- International health insurance
- Proof of income
- eSIM or local SIM card plan
- VPN installed
- Chivo Wallet app (Bitcoin)
- Spanish translations (if DN visa)
- First week accommodation booking
- A few Spanish phrases
Verdict: Who Is It For?
Ideal for:
- Nomads seeking low cost of living
- Surfers and beach lovers
- Crypto/Bitcoin enthusiasts
- Those escaping winter (November-April)
- Workers with American clients (perfect time zone)
Less suitable for:
- Those needing guaranteed ultra-fast internet
- Non-Spanish speakers refusing to learn Spanish
- Nomads seeking highly developed coworking scene
El Salvador is an emerging destination that is developing rapidly. Arrive now before everyone discovers this gem!