A new tourist pier in the port of La Libertad, built with an investment of over $18 million and support from the People’s Republic of China, was inaugurated on Wednesday. The 200-meter pier is part of the Surf City I project and features restaurants, a scenic viewpoint, and family-friendly spaces. It complements nearby attractions like Sunset Park and the Mercado del Mar, which have drawn over three million visitors this year.
Tourism Minister Morena Valdez praised the project as transformative, calling it “a dream come true” and a boost for local and international tourism. Chinese Ambassador Zhang Yanhui highlighted the pier as a symbol of the growing partnership between El Salvador and China, crediting it to agreements reached during President Nayib Bukele’s 2019 visit to China.
The pier incorporates modern, eco-friendly construction methods, minimizing its environmental impact while offering amenities like boat elevators and a restaurant with a wave-inspired design. The project is one of six grant-based initiatives by China, which also include a water treatment plant and a new national stadium.
Officials expect the pier to become a popular destination, solidifying El Salvador’s rising status in global tourism.