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El Salvador Secures CABEI Financing to Boost Surf City Phase II Development
El Salvador has signed a new financing agreement with the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) to advance the Surf City Phase II Program, reaffirming President Nayib Bukele’s commitment to modernizing the nation’s coastal infrastructure.
Minister of Finance Jerson Posada announced the agreement, emphasizing that the investment will continue transforming the road and environmental infrastructure along the coast of La Libertad. The initiative supports El Salvador’s goal of promoting sustainable tourism, improving connectivity, and strengthening the region’s competitiveness.
The Surf City program, launched under President Bukele’s administration, has positioned El Salvador as a leading destination for international surf tourism, fostering economic growth and local development across coastal communities.
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El Salvador Coffee Industry Rebounds as Export Values Hit 13-Year High.
For the first time since 2012, coffee exports from El Salvador have overtaken sugar, according to the Central Reserve Bank (BCR). The rebound of the country’s iconic crop has been driven mainly by record international prices, marking a symbolic comeback for what was once the backbone of Salvadoran agriculture.
From January to September 2025, coffee exports totaled $157.31 million, slightly above the $157.22 million reported for sugar in the same period. “This shift highlights the strong price momentum of coffee on the global market,” noted a BCR analyst.
Although export volumes fell by 0.9% compared to last year —around 532,600 quintals versus 537,200 in 2024— the higher prices compensated for the decline. The average export price per quintal reached $295.3, up from $227.8 last year, with 60-kilogram sacks selling for over $400 in international markets.
Coffee once placed El Salvador among the world’s top four producers during the 1970s. However, a severe coffee rust outbreak in 2012–2013 caused production to plummet, allowing sugar to dominate agricultural exports for more than a decade. Now, with improved prices and renewed optimism in the sector, the “golden bean” seems to be regaining part of its historic prestige.
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Google Cloud Summit Applauds El Salvador’s Visionary Tech Policies.
El Salvador received widespread praise during the 2025 Google Cloud Summit in Washington, D.C., where Stacy Herbert, director of the National Bitcoin Office (ONBTC), represented the country on a panel focused on artificial intelligence (AI) regulation.
“Just got off stage at the Google Cloud Summit in DC. Wow! El Salvador is an example for the whole world. The two panels before ours also talked about El Salvador. Everyone admires our pioneering attitude!” Herbert shared after her presentation.
During the discussion, she highlighted El Salvador’s model of promoting innovation through freedom rather than restriction. “El Salvador is seen as the pioneering tech nation to watch. I explained that this moment in history offers a perhaps brief window of infinite opportunity for a country like El Salvador to leap ahead by embracing exponential innovation,” she said.
Her appearance comes as El Salvador strengthens its national strategy for technological transformation. The recently created National Artificial Intelligence Agency (ANIA) has announced the AI Tutors Program, an educational initiative that will use locally developed AI to support public school learning starting in 2026.
With its presence at the Google Cloud Summit, El Salvador reaffirmed its position as a global leader in sovereign innovation—where technology, Bitcoin, and AI converge to shape a more inclusive and forward-looking economy.
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El Salvador Promotes Trade and Investment at Korea-LAC Business Summit 2025
Invest El Salvador represented the country at the 7th Korea–Latin America and Caribbean Business Summit (Korea-LAC 2025), held on October 27 and 28 in Seoul, South Korea. The event, organized by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in collaboration with Korean partners, served as a key platform to promote bilateral trade and investment between Asia and Latin America.
Through its participation, El Salvador reinforced its commitment to strengthening international trade relations and expanding export opportunities in the Asian market. The summit brought together leading business representatives, investors, and government officials to explore new avenues for cooperation in sectors such as technology, sustainable development, infrastructure, and innovation.
According to Invest El Salvador, the country’s engagement in global business forums like Korea-LAC 2025 highlights its growing reputation as a reliable partner for investment and trade in the region.
This initiative aligns with the Government of El Salvador’s ongoing strategy to diversify markets, attract foreign investment, and position the nation as a competitive hub for global business and economic growth.
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Daniel Habif Praises El Salvador’s Transformation: A Rebirth That Inspires Latin America
Renowned international speaker and author Daniel Habif shared an emotional reflection on his visit to San Salvador, highlighting the country’s transformation and the renewed spirit that defines today’s El Salvador.
Habif, who has been visiting the nation since the 1990s, described the capital as a city reborn — no longer marked by fear, but by trust, creativity, and pride. “San Salvador is undergoing a transformation that can’t be explained solely with statistics or urban projects, but with a new energy that permeates its streets,” he wrote.
During his visit, Habif toured landmarks such as the National Library of El Salvador, which he called “a gym for the new generations,” and admired the restored National Palace, the local gastronomy, and the hospitality of the Salvadoran people.
He emphasized that El Salvador’s progress under President Nayib Bukele’s leadership goes beyond infrastructure. “Innovation isn’t limited to technology or construction; it resides in the collective mindset, in the will to recover what seemed lost: trust,” Habif stated. “This tiny nation is the footprint of a giant.”
His message resonated deeply across social media, where he praised the country as a symbol of hope and renewal for Latin America. “What is happening in this city is not just a political or urban change—it is an awakening for Latin America,” Habif concluded.
El Salvador continues to gain international recognition for its revitalization, safety, and renewed national identity, attracting influential voices, tourists, and entrepreneurs from around the world.
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World Surf League Announces Surf City El Salvador Longboard Championship 2025 at El Sunzal Beach
The World Surf League (WSL) has officially announced the Surf City El Salvador Longboard Championship 2025, which will take place from November 5th to 9th, 2025, at El Sunzal Beach, one of El Salvador’s most iconic surf destinations.
This new tournament reinforces El Salvador’s global position as a leading destination for international surf events, following the continued success of Surf City, a government-led initiative that has transformed the country’s coastline into a world-class surf circuit.
The event will bring together top longboard athletes from around the world to compete on the waves of El Sunzal, known for its consistent swells and stunning Pacific backdrop. With this announcement, El Salvador continues to strengthen its reputation as a premier hub for global surf culture, sports tourism, and sustainable coastal development.
The Surf City El Salvador Longboard Championship 2025 will not only showcase the country’s natural beauty but also generate opportunities for local communities, small businesses, and tourism services along the coastal region.
For more updates on upcoming events and details about Surf City El Salvador, follow @wsl and @surfcity on social media.
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How Tourism Spaces and Businesses in El Salvador Can Earn the Family Friendly Seal
The Government of El Salvador, through the Ministry of Tourism, has launched the Family Friendly Seal, a national recognition designed to promote safe, inclusive, and high-quality experiences for Salvadoran families and international visitors alike.
The Family Friendly Seal certifies spaces, establishments, services, and events that meet specific standards of accessibility, safety, and comfort for all family members, including children, older adults, and people with disabilities.
Eligible applicants include recreational, natural, and archaeological parks; museums; libraries; theaters; national monuments; and cultural or tourist centers open to the public. Likewise, establishments such as airports, hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers can also apply for the certification, demonstrating their commitment to family-oriented hospitality and service excellence.
To obtain the Family Friendly Seal, interested entities must complete an online form and submit the required documentation for review by the Ministry of Tourism.
More details and the application form are available at: https://mitur.gob.sv/familyfriendly/sello-family-friendly/ -
El Salvador Expands Tourism with the Revitalization of Costa del Sol Recreational Park
The Government of El Salvador, under the leadership of President Nayib Bukele, continues to strengthen the country’s tourism sector with the complete revitalization of the Costa del Sol Recreational Park, a modernized seaside destination that promises comfort, family-friendly entertainment, and new opportunities for local communities.
The Minister of Tourism, Morena Valdez, and the President of the Salvadoran Tourism Institute (ISTU), Eny Aguiñada, announced on Televisa that the renewed complex will be inaugurated this afternoon with a formal ceremony. Starting Friday, October 31, the public will be able to enjoy all new facilities and attractions.
“The park opens its doors this Friday. New infrastructure has been built — it’s a complete transformation,” said ISTU President Eny Aguiñada. “Now, this new space will not only offer the option of spending the day, but will also feature 17 rooms, each with its own pool, 28 cabins, seaside palapas, a lactation room, and children’s play areas.”
The project also includes separate pools for adults and children, beachfront seating, and improved safety features to enhance the visitor experience. According to Aguiñada, the initiative has already generated more than 100 direct and indirect jobs, incorporating local residents into restaurant and service areas.
“We’ve involved the local community — from restaurant staff to small food businesses that will now have proper facilities with water, electricity, and clean spaces to serve visitors,” she added.
Tourism Minister Morena Valdez highlighted Costa del Sol’s importance as one of the most visited coastal destinations in El Salvador, particularly for travelers from Guatemala, Honduras, and the United States. She also noted the growing influx of visitors from Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Mexico, Spain, Argentina, and Chile.
“By 2024, tourism represented 10% of the national GDP, generating over $3 billion in foreign exchange,” said Valdez. “This year, we expect around 4 million international visitors, reaffirming that tourism continues to grow and provide opportunities, especially for communities near key destinations.”
The Costa del Sol Recreational Park reopening reinforces El Salvador’s position as a leading destination in Central American tourism, blending natural beauty, modern infrastructure, and local inclusion under President Bukele’s ongoing vision of national transformation.
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Bolivia’s President-Elect Seeks Nayib Bukele’s Guidance on Prison Reform.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele will serve as one of the key advisors to Bolivia’s president-elect Rodrigo Paz Pereira on prison policy, according to recent statements from the incoming Bolivian leader. Paz confirmed that he spoke directly with Bukele after his electoral victory and expressed interest in replicating elements of El Salvador’s controversial security model.
In a televised interview with Bolivisión, Paz said: “He surprised me on the phone. He is a very frank, very direct person. I told him ‘help me with the prisons because we are going to need many here.’” The Bolivian president-elect also confirmed that Bukele is expected to attend his inauguration on November 8.
El Salvador has gained international attention for its state of exception, introduced by Bukele in March 2022 as a strategy against organized crime and gang activity. The emergency measure temporarily suspends certain constitutional guarantees, including the right to legal defense. The Salvadoran government credits the policy with dismantling gang strongholds and drastically reducing homicide rates.
Paz has said he intends to strengthen relations with democratic nations as El Salvador, for cooperation in areas such as security and institutional development. Another Bolivian candidate, Samuel Doria, also met with Bukele earlier this year, a meeting that drew widespread applause on social media.
The policy continues to enjoy strong domestic support in El Salvador and is increasingly used as a reference by other Latin American leaders seeking to combat organized crime.
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El Salvador Plans Mega Expansion at Acajutla Port to Receive the World’s Largest Ships.
The Union Portuaria del Pacífico (UPDP) has submitted its design proposal for a new deep-water pier at the Port of Acajutla, a major upgrade that would allow El Salvador to receive the world’s largest ships and triple the terminal’s current capacity.
The project is part of the first phase of a $659 million investment commitment included in the $1.6 billion concession agreement signed between Turkish operator Yilport and El Salvador’s port authority, CEPA, for the 50-year administration of the terminals in Acajutla and La Unión.
Luis Canto, UPDP’s general manager, explained that the original plan called for a pier parallel to the coast, but maritime studies showed that such a layout would be exposed to strong swells. “The design initial that we had in mind was a pier parallel to the coast, but the studies showed that it would be very affected by the swells,” he told local business leaders during an event organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of El Salvador (Camarasal).
Weather disruptions have been a major challenge for the port. During the first half of 2025 alone, Acajutla recorded 2,483 hours of delays due to extreme weather conditions such as high tides and heavy rain. Strong swells forced the terminal to remain closed for eight days.
The new structure would be 510 meters long and 17.5 meters deep, designed to accommodate the largest container and bulk ships operating globally. “It will allow us to receive the largest ship that exists in the world today, whether for containers or bulk cargo,” Canto noted.
The Salvadoran government has one month to respond to the proposal. If approved, the bidding process would be launched and awarded in March 2026, with construction expected to begin by mid-2025. Once completed, the terminal’s capacity would rise from 350,000 TEUs to 1.2 million TEUs.
Canto added that early operational improvements have already surpassed expectations. Since UPDP took control in December 2024, the number of ships waiting offshore dropped from 17 to fewer than ten — a target originally planned for early 2026.