When El Salvador hosts a big event, the impact goes far beyond a single weekend. According to a report by Diario El Salvador, Minister of Tourism Morena Valdez said that February brought in record numbers of visitors, thanks to concerts, sports, and more people around the world taking notice of the country.
From February 1 to 15, Shakira’s residency helped bring 231,000 international visitors to El Salvador. A few years back, numbers like this would have been hard to imagine. Now, the IRONMAN 70.3 San Salvador event has attracted even more travelers, with organizers saying over 4,000 people came just for the competition.
A Renovated Lake Ilopango Becomes an International Platform
IRONMAN organizers considered several locations before choosing Lake Ilopango, impressed by its natural beauty and global appeal. To get ready, the government fixed up the Apulo recreational park, which hadn’t been updated in years, and finished the work in just two months. The park will reopen to the public on March 2, providing the community with a lasting benefit after the event.
Tourism’s Economic Ripple Impact
Minister Valdez said that events like IRONMAN help not just tourism, but the whole economy:
hotels
restaurants
transportation
tour operators
guides
food and beverage suppliers
Every visitor who comes for a competition or concert adds to the country’s story. Their experience is defined by the hospitality, safety, and warmth they feel from the moment they arrive.
Why These Events Matter
El Salvador is building a reputation as a host of major international events. Each one brings more than just photos and news stories. These events create new infrastructure, jobs, and greater confidence in what the country has to offer.
As Minister Valdez said, these events are helping “strengthen tourism and the economy,” and the momentum continues to grow each month.
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For Salvadorans living abroad, voting has always meant a lot. Even far from home, many people see voting as a way to stay connected to their roots. This year, there’s an important reminder: February 27 is the last day to update your address abroad if you want to vote online in the upcoming elections.
The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) says this update is required for anyone who wants to vote from abroad. After the deadline, you won’t be able to make changes. For Salvadorans living around the world, this simple step makes sure their vote is counted.
The process is simple. The TSE has set up official online channels where Salvadorans abroad can check and update their information. This small step matters. In recent years, more Salvadorans living abroad have become eligible to vote, and online voting has enabled many who couldn’t before.
This change is part of a bigger shift. As El Salvador updates its voting systems, people living abroad are now seen as an important part of the national conversation. Whether someone left many years ago or just recently, voting online gives them a way to stay connected and take part in the country’s democracy.
For those of us living in El Salvador, it can be easy to overlook how important that connection is. For Salvadorans abroad, updating an address is more than just paperwork. It’s a way of saying, I still belong here.
With the deadline only a few days away, here’s the main message:
If you are living abroad and want to vote online, make sure to update your information before February 27.
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This post draws on reporting from Diario El Salvador’s coverage on Salvadoran coffee shop Alquimia
Every so often, a story reminds us of El Salvador’s progress—not through big announcements, but through the steady efforts of its people. This week, Alquimia Coffee gave us that reminder by being namedthe third-best coffee shop in the world by The World’s 100 Best Coffee ranking.
Alquimia Coffee opened its doors in November 2024, which makes this achievement even more impressive. The ranking, considered the most respected in specialty coffee, judges coffee quality, sustainability, atmosphere, and barista skill. It’s exciting to see a Salvadoran café join the ranks of top spots alongside places from France, Colombia, Malaysia, Austria, Singapore, Australia, Norway, and the United States.
The report describes Alquimia as a “world-class specialty coffee shop and roastery.” Federico Bolaños, the most successful coach in World Barista Championship history, started the café. The ranking highlights that Alquimia’s goal is to create memorable experiences by offering specialty coffee, great food, unique drinks, and warm hospitality, making each cup feel like art.
Bolaños expressed his gratitude for the honor and dedicated it to Alquimia’s customers and the country’s coffee growers. He told Diario El Salvador that this achievement is not just for the café: “este es un logro de país,” a national accomplishment that comes from the quality of Salvadoran coffee.
One standout detail is that all thecoffee Alquimia serves comes from El Salvador, sourced from more than 30 producers across different regions. Their menu includes local varieties like pacamara, bernadina, bourbon, and geisha. This proves the world is noticing what we sometimes miss: El Salvador produces some of the best coffee anywhere.
Alquimia’s rise from #14 last year to #3 this year is more than just a number. It shows what can happen when passion, skill, and national pride come together. For Salvadorans, it’s another proud moment and a reminder that even a small country can achieve excellence and gain worldwide recognition.
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This post draws on reporting from Diario El Salvador’s coverage of IRONMAN 70.3 San Salvador.
This week, El Salvador is getting ready to host something new: IRONMAN 70.3 San Salvador. This international triathlon will bring athletes from all over the world to our lakes, highways, and historic streets. After years spent rebuilding our sense of safety and hope, welcoming an event like this feels especially meaningful.
The Vice Ministry of Transportation says nearly 4,000 people will help support the race. Members of the Armed Forces, the National Civil Police, traffic managers, and other groups will work together to ensure the event runs smoothly and safely. This kind of teamwork would have been hard to imagine not long ago, and officials say the country’s improved conditions made it possible.
The race will show off some of El Salvador’s most famous places. Athletes will start by swimming in Lake Ilopango, known for its volcanic history and natural beauty. Next, they will cycle along Boulevard del Ejército and the Panamericana toward Cojutepeque. The final part, the run, will take them through the renewed Historic Center of San Salvador, finishing in the heart of the city where public spaces are being restored.
Officials also expect the event to help tourism and the local economy, as athletes and their families visit and explore the country. The Vice Minister pointed out that many participants come not just to compete but also to travel. This means even more when you remember how much things have changed in recent years.
For people living here, IRONMAN 70.3 is more than just a sports event. It shows that our country is finding a new identity. We are still humble and not perfect, but we are more confident in our ability to host, welcome, and take part in the world. Even if you are not a sports fan, it is hard not to feel proud seeing El Salvador recognized for something so positive.
The race will happen this Sunday, February 22. Even if you are not near the route, you might still feel the excitement across the country. For a small nation with a big heart, this is another moment worth noticing.
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Some places in El Salvador hold memories of what they once were and what they couldn’t be for a long time. For me, El Espino is one of those beaches. It’s a long stretch of sand on the eastern coast, quietly beautiful, but for years, fear kept people away. You heard about it more often than you actually visited.
Reading about its transformation today, I felt something change. Not a dramatic feeling, but a steady, grounded sense of pride—the kind that comes when a place is finally allowed to breathe again.
In recent years, El Espino has come back to life. Local officials say there are now more than 85 businesses between El Espino and Arcos del Espino, including small restaurants, pupuserías, hostels, hotels, Airbnbs, and tourist centers. This growth comes from one important change: people feel safe visiting again. Entrepreneurs are investing, families are returning, and workers are finding jobs close to home rather than leaving.
A business owner said he started his small business because he felt the country was heading toward a better future. That idea stuck with me. It shows something important about El Salvador right now: people aren’t just waiting for change, they’re making it happen.
There are also the everyday stories that matter most. A woman from Arcos del Espino, now working at a tourist center, is thankful she can work without leaving her community. A family from El Tránsito says they can now go to the beach without the fear that used to come with even simple trips. These stories aren’t dramatic, but they show real change.
I haven’t visited El Espino in a while, but I can picture it: the long, flat shoreline, the warm water, and the sounds of small businesses starting their day—kitchens opening, music playing, families relaxing in the shade. A beach that once felt distant now seems to be coming back.
What’s happening there is about more than just tourism. It shows how communities come back to life when fear fades, how dignity returns in small steps, and how a country heals not just through big news, but through the quiet return of places that once felt lost.
One day soon, I hope to visit and see it for myself—not just the new businesses or better roads, but the feeling of a place that’s alive again. For now, it’s good to know that El Espino isn’t just in the background anymore. It’s part of the new story happening across El Salvador, one community at a time.
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Image created • El Salvador’s economic growth showcased
Sometimes, a news story makes you realize just how much our country has changed. Recently, I wrote about a travel magazine naming El Salvador a safe place to visit—something many of us have already seen in our everyday lives.
Now, a different magazine is taking notice, but this time with a new angle.
The Business Year, an international economic magazine, is preparing its 2026 edition about El Salvador. They’re highlighting the country’s economic progress, improved business environment, and the industries that are beginning to expand. Some notable examples include the Port of Acajutla modernization project, which is boosting logistics and trade; the rapid growth of local tech companies like Hugo App; and new hotels such as the Hilton San Salvador that are helping to strengthen the tourism and hospitality sector. Manufacturing is also seeing a boost, with several apparel companies expanding their operations and creating new jobs.
A Second Look from the Outside
This is the second year in a row that The Business Year has covered El Salvador, which means a lot. Their team spent six months here, meeting face-to-face with 150 leaders from both the public and private sectors to understand the country’s situation and progress. As local entrepreneur Sofia Menendez shared with them, “El Salvador is full of people ready to build something new every day. The recent changes in security have given us both confidence and opportunity.” Voices like hers show how real people are helping shape this new chapter for the country.
The magazine describes El Salvador as an “interesting case of international positioning,” mostly because of its major improvements in security. They think this shift has opened up new economic opportunities.
What They’re Seeing
The upcoming edition highlights three main areas where El Salvador is moving forward:
Construction and real estate
Tourism and hospitality
Logistics and digital connectivity
These changes aren’t just ideas on paper. Many of us notice them when we drive through towns, visit the coast, or see new businesses opening up. The magazine also discusses how the country is modernizing through the use of artificial intelligence, improved logistics, and the development of new industries.
Why This Matters
When a global economic magazine takes a close look at a country, it sends a message to investors, entrepreneurs, and the world: pay attention, something important is happening here.
For those of us who live here, this recognition feels like another chapter in a bigger story. First, the world noticed the improvements in safety. Now, they’re seeing the economic growth that came with it.
A Country in Motion
Living here in Cara Sucia, I see these changes in small but steady ways—new buildings, more visitors, businesses trying new things, and a general sense that people feel more hopeful about the future.
It’s not dramatic or showy, but it’s real. Of course, there are still challenges ahead and work to be done, whether that means further improving infrastructure, supporting more small businesses, or ensuring progress reaches every community. When a magazine like The Business Year features El Salvador again, it feels like another sign that the world is beginning to notice what many of us already know: the country is moving forward, finding its place, and creating new opportunities.
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El Salvador received two pieces of good news today, both showing that the country is steadily building its reputation as a regional cruise destination.
On the west coast, the Hebridean Sky arrived at the Port of Acajutla as it continued its Pacific route. This ship, run by Noble Caledonia, is a small luxury vessel known for bringing travelers who value unique experiences to new destinations.
Meanwhile, another cruise ship from London docked for the first time at the Port of La Unión yesterday. Over 100 international tourists arrived and soon visited places like Perquín, Alegría, El Mozote, Olomega Lagoon, Conchagua Volcano, and Punta Chiquirín. Their visit gave a boost to local businesses in transportation, food, crafts, and tourism.
A Country Benefiting on Both Coasts
What stands out today is not just the arrivals, but also the balance between different regions:
Acajutla (west) continues to receive established cruise lines.
La Unión in the east is now welcoming international visitors for the first time. This is a major milestone.
With two active ports, cruise tourism is no longer limited to one area. Now, the economic benefits are reaching many towns, from the coast to the mountains.
Why This Matters
Cruise passengers usually spend money right away at local businesses, such as restaurants, transportation, guides, crafts, and tours. Today’s reports show that the Hebridean Sky’s visit is part of a trend. Six cruise ships are expected in the 2025–2026 season, with three already planned for 2026. This shows growing confidence from international cruise operators.
For El Salvador, which is working to grow its tourism economy, these back-to-back arrivals are more than just a symbol. They show:
Strengthening port infrastructure
Rising international visibility
A broader distribution of tourism income
Renewed interest from European and boutique cruise lines
A Quiet but Meaningful Shift
Days like this might not make international news, but they matter to local communities. Drivers, artisans, restaurant owners, and guides all see immediate benefits when a ship arrives.
Two ports. Two ships. One message stands out:
El Salvador is becoming a country that cruise lines trust and tourists are eager to explore.
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Today, it was announced that U.S. President Donald Trump has invited a group of Latin American leaders to a regional presidential summit. The meeting will take place on March 7 in Miami, and El Salvador Times reports that President Nayib Bukele is on the guest list.
The guest list includes leaders from countries that currently maintain close cooperation with Washington: El Salvador, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Honduras. For the United States, this will be the first major regional gathering since Trump returned to office, and it comes at a moment when global power dynamics are shifting quickly.
A Summit With Clear Strategic Intent
AFP reports that the summit’s main goal is to develop a joint strategy to push back against China’s growing influence in Latin America. The meeting comes after two major regional events:
The fall of Nicolás Maduro’s government in Venezuela after a U.S.-led military operation
The inauguration of a new Honduran president, who received strong support from Trump during the campaign
The article explains that the administration sees this as a modern version of the Monroe Doctrine, highlighting U.S. influence in the region and stressing the need for “special vigilance” against outside powers.
Who Will Be at the Table
The invited presidents are:
Nayib Bukele (El Salvador)
Javier Milei (Argentina)
Santiago Peña (Paraguay)
Rodrigo Paz (Bolivia)
Daniel Noboa (Ecuador)
Nasry Asfura (Honduras)
El Nuevo Herald notes that all of these leaders have close ties with Washington and have worked with the U.S. on security, migration, or economic matters.
Why This Matters for El Salvador
For El Salvador, being invited shows that the country remains important in regional diplomacy. Bukele’s government has become a trusted partner on security and migration, and this summit puts El Salvador among a select group of leaders shaping the future of U.S.–Latin American relations.
It also brings up some important questions:
How will this summit influence regional cooperation?
What role will El Salvador play in discussions on security and economic strategy?
How might China react to a more united U.S. approach in the region?
These developments can have wide-ranging effects, shaping trade, investment, and the overall geopolitical climate.
Closing Thoughts
Moments like this show just how connected our region is. A meeting in Miami can lead to decisions that affect small towns, border crossings, markets, migration routes, and the daily lives of people throughout Central America.
For now, everyone will be watching March 7 and what this meeting of presidents means for the year ahead.
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El Salvador welcomed 2026 with a wave of encouraging economic news: inflation dipped to 0.65% in January, extending last year’s downward momentum. According to the Central Reserve Bank (BCR), this 0.26-point drop from December’s 0.91% may seem modest, but it is a difference that many Salvadoran families notice each time they shop for daily essentials.
What stands out most in these numbers is their steady rhythm. In 2025, inflation averaged just 0.93%, placing El Salvador among the lowest rates in Latin America. The BCR attributes this rare stability to calm international markets, smart local strategies, and a focus on keeping essential goods within everyone’s reach.
Food Prices Hold Steady
Food, always a touchstone for Salvadoran families, saw inflation hold at 0.89% in January. Officials point to more than 60 agricultural markets and to Soyapango Central de Abastos, which now allow shoppers to buy directly from producers and importers. With middlemen out of the picture, prices remain low while freshness and quality stay high.
Some Sectors Saw Prices Fall
Some categories even posted negative inflation, meaning prices fell compared to last year. These include:
Transportation: –3.27%
Recreation and culture: –0.61%
Communications: –0.53%
Clothing and footwear: –0.49%
Furniture and household items: –0.13%
These falling prices echo the trend seen in 2025, when transportation, communications, and recreation also became more affordable. The BCR credits this to shifting international prices and local businesses working hard to spark demand at home.
A Broader Picture of Stability
BCR President Douglas Rodríguez said that low inflation has helped families keep their buying power, especially with the 12% minimum wage increase in June 2025 and a 17.8% rise in remittances over the year. He explained that families did not face sudden price jumps or shortages of basic goods.
By the end of 2025, El Salvador stood alongside Panama and Costa Rica as one of the three Latin American nations with the lowest inflation rates. For a country striving to transform its economy, this is a milestone worth celebrating.
Looking Ahead
January’s numbers reveal a country stepping into 2026 with a rare sense of economic calm. Inflation remains low and steady, and the sectors that matter most to families—food, transportation, and communications—are holding firm or even becoming more affordable.
For many Salvadorans, this translates to something both simple and vital: a little breathing room. There is a growing sense of predictability and renewed confidence that everyday essentials will remain within reach.
For those experiencing these changes firsthand, it is yet another sign that the country is regaining its balance and pressing forward with quiet determination.
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El Salvador is heading into 2026 with momentum that seemed impossible ten years ago. The country’s focus on security has grown into a strategic partnership with the United States and Google, making El Salvador a regional center for technology and business. This week’s events, from diplomatic meetings to digital upgrades, show a nation moving forward with confidence.
A Country With Unusual Political Stability
A recent poll from La Prensa Gráfica shows President Nayib Bukele with a 91.9% approval rating. No matter how people feel about his policies, this number shows a rare level of political stability in the region. This stability helps make new partnerships possible and sets the stage for other changes in the country.
A Trade Breakthrough: The End of the 10% Tariff
On January 29, El Salvador and the United States signed a Reciprocal Trade Agreement that removes the 10% tariff on Salvadoran exports. For industries such as textiles, agriculture, and manufacturing, this is more than just a diplomatic move. It directly helps these sectors compete in the U.S. market. Bukele called it “the first agreement of its kind in the Western Hemisphere,” and it shows a move toward closer economic ties with Washington.
Washington Signals Strong Support
At the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, President Donald Trump publicly praised Bukele, calling him “one of my favorite people” and “a great ally.” Moments like this matter because they show El Salvador is now seen as a reliable partner in the region, not just a problem to solve.
EXIM Bank Arrives — And With It, New Investment Channels
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank) has officially started working in El Salvador. This creates new opportunities, such as:
Long‑term financing for public projects
Credit lines for Salvadoran companies buying U.S. goods
Guarantees that reduce risk for international investors
This kind of support shows long-term confidence in the country’s future.
Google + El Salvador: A Digital Transformation From the Ground Up
The partnership with Google Cloud is now about more than just infrastructure. It is changing daily life in several ways:
Education
Now, every public school student has a laptop or tablet, and teachers are learning to use digital tools and AI-assisted teaching methods.
Health
The new Doctor SV platform uses AI to support diagnoses, provide digital prescriptions, and enable virtual consultations. This is a big step for rural areas where there are few specialists.
Government Modernization
Over 7,000 public officials have been trained to use Google tools. This is part of a larger effort to digitize government services and reduce bureaucracy.
Bukele says the goal is clear: to create a fully digital state that attracts global tech investment and provides equal opportunities for both rural and urban communities.
Cybersecurity, 5G, and the Regional Stock Market
El Salvador is adopting U.S. standards for 5G networks and submarine cables. This helps improve cybersecurity and makes the country a safe digital route for the region.
At the same time, the government is getting ready to host the Regional Securities Market. This is a step toward making El Salvador a financial center for Central America.
Personal Reflections
Living out here in Cara Sucia, on our few quiet acres, I notice these national changes mostly from a distance. When my wife and I travel toward San Salvador, the landscape feels different—not just in how it looks, but in its energy. It’s clear the country has stopped shrinking and is pushing forward again, trying to build something stronger for the future.
And I understand why this growth matters. For El Salvador to stand on its own and lift more of its people out of poverty, these partnerships with the U.S. and Google are essential. They’re part of a larger effort to modernize, educate, and connect the country to the wider world.
But at the same time, I’m grateful for the life we have out here — the quiet, the space, the slower rhythm that hasn’t changed much at all. It feels good to watch the country move ahead while still having a peaceful corner to call home. It makes me reflect on the balance between progress and simplicity, and on what kind of El Salvador we’re becoming.
Looking Ahead
With almost 92% approval and a clear plan, Bukele is focusing on a future based on technology, security, and strong partnerships. Some may see this as a new beginning, while others see it as a risk, but it’s clear that El Salvador is no longer on the sidelines. The country is moving forward, and the world is watching.
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