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El Salvador’s Pacific Coast Becomes a World-Class Surfing Hotspot Under Bukele’s Vision
El Salvador is rapidly positioning itself as a leading surf tourism destination in Latin America, driven by President Nayib Bukele’s ambitious development strategy. With 320 miles of pristine Pacific coastline, the nation is transforming into Surf City, a large-scale hub designed to attract international surfers, investors, and travelers.
According to Surfer Today, the initiative reflects Bukele’s bold vision of modernizing El Salvador’s image while boosting sustainable tourism and economic growth. The Surf City project has already placed the country on the global surfing map, hosting international competitions and drawing athletes from around the world to renowned beaches such as El Tunco, Punta Roca, and El Zunsal.
The government’s long-term plan includes infrastructure upgrades, coastal development, and international promotion campaigns aimed at making El Salvador not only a surfing hotspot but also a gateway for broader tourism opportunities in Central America.
As momentum builds, El Salvador’s Pacific shoreline is increasingly recognized as one of the most dynamic surf destinations in the region, combining world-class waves with a revitalized national brand.
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El Salvador’s Security Strategy Shows the Traditional Approach Against Crime Is Broken.
President Nayib Bukele reacted to recent news from Belgium with a brief but pointed comment: “The irony…” The report from Brussels highlighted a surge in drug-related shootings so severe that the government is considering deploying soldiers to patrol alongside police in metro stations and troubled neighborhoods. Officials there admit dealers operate openly, “like they’re running outdoor cafés in broad daylight.” More than 50 shootings have taken place this year, and even the city’s top prosecutor is under police protection due to threats from traffickers.
Bukele’s reaction is widely seen as a response to critics of El Salvador’s Territorial Control Plan, which has relied heavily on military support to restore public safety. While international voices initially opposed the strategy, El Salvador has since recorded dramatic drops in crime, positioning the country as one of the safest in the region.
The developments in Europe come at the same time that the United States has also extended military support on its own streets. President Donald Trump announced that the deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C. will continue until December under what is called the “Safe and Beautiful Task Force” mission. Officials insist the measure is “just for continuity,” ensuring Guard members keep benefits, but in practice it also means soldiers will remain in the capital through election season and the holidays.
For Bukele, these global examples reinforce a point he has long made: El Salvador acted early, decisively, and effectively by integrating the military into its security plan. “There is no doubt that El Salvador acted before anyone else to stop crime, proving that the current system no longer works,” has been the underlying message of his administration. What was once controversial in El Salvador is now becoming a strategy mirrored in some of the world’s most developed nations.
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From Literature to Finance: El Salvador’s Bitcoin Zone Offers Books, Data, and Education at The National Library BINAES.
El Salvador has opened its first Bitcoin Zone at the National Library (BINAES), a space designed to highlight the country’s unique approach to digital finance and education. Inaugurated on the fourth anniversary of the Bitcoin Law, the initiative is part of a broader effort to bring financial literacy and innovation closer to the public.
The new space, located on the fifth floor of BINAES and shaped like the letter “B,” is open daily and offers specialized literature in Spanish and English. Among its featured works are The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous, Broken Money by Lyn Alden, and What Is Money? by Lina Seiche. Visitors can also access information about El Salvador’s bitcoin reserve and the government’s monetary policies tied to it.
Minister of Culture Raúl Castillo emphasized the role of the project in expanding financial understanding among Salvadorans. “The Bitcoin Zone will be a space to dialogue, debate, and learn about finance, about how to invest, and about the use of bitcoin,” he said.
Stacy Herbert, director of the National Bitcoin Office (ONBTC), credited the initiative to a proposal made in 2024 by a graduate of the CUBO+ program, who now leads Node Nation. She noted that President Nayib Bukele’s support was crucial in turning the idea into reality. “Today we celebrate four years of the Bitcoin Law in the Bitcoin country. One of the first things bitcoin did for El Salvador was rebrand the nation. Suddenly, the world was paying attention because there was a new story about money and finance.”
According to Herbert, studies show that 72 percent of Salvadorans have used bitcoin, with 30 percent currently holding it. She highlighted how youth-oriented programs are reshaping the country’s outlook, keeping talent at home while attracting global professionals. She also pointed to the upcoming arrival of bitcoin banks and the growth of capital markets, with firms like NEXBRIDGE and NEXPLACE raising millions and hiring local talent to expand blockchain infrastructure.
By blending culture, education, and digital finance, the Bitcoin Zone positions El Salvador not just as a pioneer in cryptocurrency adoption, but as a nation inviting its citizens to actively engage in shaping the future of money.
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El Salvador Launches $25 Million CoreNest Fund to Boost Startups and Innovation.
El Salvador has strengthened its role as a hub of innovation with the launch of CoreNest, a $25 million fund and startup accelerator designed to support 100 high-potential companies over the next three years.
“CoreNest arrives at the perfect moment, injecting more dynamism into the ecosystem we’ve built with our partners,” said Economy Minister María Luisa Hayem. She emphasized that the initiative will attract startups from across the region, generating investment, jobs, and growth.
CoreNest plans to expand the fund to $100 million in the coming years, with a focus on artificial intelligence, fintech, e-commerce, and telecommunications. Each startup will receive $125,000, access to a 12-week accelerator program, mentorship from global experts, and opportunities to partner with major companies.
“These $25 million are dedicated to those who dream big,” said CoreNest Capital partner Pedro Crespo, adding that the model seeks to replicate the success of Silicon Valley in El Salvador.
The project will also benefit from 15 years of tax exemptions under El Salvador’s innovation law. “We thank CoreNest’s founders for believing in the purpose of transforming countries through technology and capital,” noted José Roberto Rodríguez, CEO of CoreNest Accelerator El Salvador.
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El Salvador Parks Celebrate Civic Month with 2-for-1 Deals and Central American Tourist Benefits.
El Salvador’s national parks, managed by the Salvadoran Institute of Tourism (ISTU), have seen a strong influx of both domestic and international visitors this year, according to ISTU President Eny Aguiñada. Between January and July, more than 3 million people visited the country’s 17 parks, with projections to reach 4 million by the end of 2025.
“So far this year, we have received over 3 million visitors, both nationals and foreigners. This is significant because last year we closed with 3.8 million visitors. Our goal is to reach 4 million by year’s end,” Aguiñada stated.
In July alone, the parks welcomed 391,034 visitors. The most popular destinations included Parque Natural Balboa with 90,847 visitors, Sunset Park with 43,323, Puerta del Diablo with 41,648, Cerro Verde with 36,333, and Amapulapa with 33,747.
Aguiñada highlighted that the government’s efforts under President Nayib Bukele have transformed El Salvador into a safe and attractive destination. “These changes have allowed Salvadoran families to enjoy our parks, which are now modernized, affordable, and accessible to all,” she said. Entry fees remain low, at $1.50 for Salvadorans and $3 for foreigners in certain parks, while others only charge for rides or attractions.
The modernization of parks continues, with improvements already completed at Puerta del Diablo, Cerro Verde, and Sunset Park. The Costa del Sol Recreational Park is nearing completion and will soon open its beachfront facilities.
To encourage visits during the civic month of September, ISTU is offering a 2-for-1 entry promotion across all parks, also extended to Central American tourists on September 15 with valid ID. “Our recreational parks are ready to provide a safe and welcoming environment for families to celebrate traditions and enjoy nature,” Aguiñada affirmed.
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El Salvador Hosts Mesoamerica Project 2025 Committee to Boost Regional Development and Cooperation
El Salvador hosted the Third Executive Committee of the Mesoamerica Project 2025, bringing together presidential commissioners and regional partners to advance the Mesoamerican Work Agenda.
As Pro Tempore President of the initiative, El Salvador reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation in key areas such as the environment, energy, telecommunications, health, and risk management. The meeting highlighted the importance of promoting a shared vision and joint actions aimed at boosting the prosperity and development of Mesoamerican populations.
Adriana Mira, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador and current Pro Tempore President of the Mesoamerica Project, underscored the nation’s leadership role: “We will continue to promote a shared vision and joint actions that strengthen the region’s social and economic progress.”
Also present were Alejandra Del Moral, Executive Director of AMEXCID; Roberto Carlos Salazar, Executive Director of the Mesoamerica Project; as well as presidential and deputy commissioners and officials from El Salvador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Mesoamerica Project—which includes Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama—seeks to consolidate regional integration and accelerate social and economic development through cooperation and shared initiatives.
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El Salvador Grants Diaspora Tax-Free Entry of Household and Work Goods
Salvadorans living abroad who wish to return now benefit from a landmark measure that allows them to bring in household and work goods tax-free. The policy, enshrined in the Special Law on Benefits and Protection for the Diaspora and People in Human Mobility, took effect on August 19 following its publication in the Official Gazette and unanimous approval in the Legislative Assembly with 60 votes.
The legislation provides up to $100,000 in exemptions for the importation of household goods, defined as furniture and accessories for one family’s use, as well as up to $100,000 in tax-free work materials. In addition, returning Salvadorans are entitled to duty-free importation of up to two motor vehicles.
This initiative reflects the government of President Nayib Bukele’s commitment to recognizing the diaspora not only as contributors of remittances but as essential members of the nation’s development. In contrast, past administrations—ARENA and FMLN—were criticized for sidelining Salvadorans abroad and valuing them primarily for electoral purposes.
The law is designed to encourage the return or temporary settlement of Salvadorans abroad by reducing financial burdens and offering both economic and social incentives. By extending tax exemptions and legal protections, the Bukele administration underscores the strategic importance of the diaspora in strengthening national growth.
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Nayib Bukele Secures Future by Increasing Gold Reserves Previously Sold Off by leftist FMLN government.
El Salvador has taken a decisive step to rebuild its financial strength by purchasing nearly 14,000 troy ounces of gold for $50 million. The Central Reserve Bank (BCR) confirmed the acquisition of 13,999 ounces, raising the nation’s holdings from 44,106 to 58,105 ounces, now valued at approximately $207.4 million.
This move is part of a strategy to recover the gold reserves sold by the FMLN government in 2015, when the transaction generated $200 million for the country. Today, the same amount of gold is worth about $600 million, underscoring the long-term value of the asset.
The BCR emphasized that the purchase strengthens the nation’s international reserves for the first time since 1990 and helps diversify the portfolio. Gold accounts for around 20 percent of central bank reserves globally, second only to the U.S. dollar.
According to the institution, the acquisition aims to protect the economy from international market fluctuations, reinforce financial stability, boost investor and citizen confidence, and secure a safer reserve composition. “This decision reflects the commitment to maintaining a strong financial system with diversified reserves that safeguard the country’s future,” the BCR stated.
The operation was made possible by the bank’s stronger equity position in recent years, within the stability framework promoted by President Nayib Bukele’s government.
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El Salvador Proves Security and Order Can Be Restored Under Bukele
International voices continue to recognize the achievements of President Nayib Bukele in restoring public safety through the Bukele Security Model.
Commentator Jack Posobiec, speaking through Human Events, praised Bukele’s leadership, declaring: “You proved that when you fight crime with courage, when you take your nation back from the gangs, safety and order can be restored.”
The statement underscores El Salvador’s transformation in recent years, as the government’s firm policies against organized crime have drastically reduced violence and strengthened national security. Posobiec also extended his gratitude to former U.S. President Donald Trump, while placing special emphasis on Bukele’s role in reshaping the nation’s future.
El Salvador now stands as a global example of how strong political will and decisive action can change the course of a country once plagued by gang violence. The Bukele Security Model continues to attract international attention as a case study in crime reduction and effective governance.
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El Salvador’s Security Success: “The Danger of Bukele Is That He Exposes Other Politicians”
In a striking endorsement, Macarena Olona recently stated, “What is the danger of Bukele? That he exposes other politicians.” This remark was reposted by President Nayib Bukele, underscoring the growing international recognition of the so-called «Bukele Security Model.»
Olona’s commentary highlights a central tenet of Bukele’s administration: transparency and effectiveness that set him apart from conventional political figures. The post references a prominent digital voice, @navedelmisterio, declaring that he “perfectly describes the miracle of the Bukele Security Model,” signaling strong online advocacy and viral interest in El Salvador’s law-and-order achievements.
Moreover, the post extends a heartfelt invitation to Iker, presumably a public figure or content creator: “My dear Iker, now all that’s left is for you to visit the country of eternal smile. Its people will steal your heart.” This adds a welcoming, human touch to national branding efforts, positioning El Salvador not only as a leader in security but also as a warm, inviting destination.