Honestly, if you still think El Salvador is just a place you skip over on a Central American backpacking trip, you’re living in 2015. It's different now. Things have changed so fast that even the guidebooks from three years ago feel like ancient history. We’re talking about a country that just broke a record by welcoming over 4.1 million international visitors in 2025. People aren't just passing through anymore; they’re staying.
The Land of Volcanoes is literal
You've probably heard the nickname. It’s not just marketing. There are over 20 volcanoes packed into a space about the size of New Jersey. Because the country is so small, you can basically see a volcano from almost any point in the territory. It’s wild.
Some are extinct, but others are very much awake. The Santa Ana Volcano (Ilamatepeque) is the highest in the country, and the hike to the top gives you a view of a neon-green sulfuric crater lake that looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. Then there's Izalco, once known as the "Lighthouse of the Pacific" because its constant eruptions served as a literal beacon for sailors for over a century.
Bitcoin and the Volcano Bonds
You can’t talk about interesting facts El Salvador without mentioning the "Bitcoin experiment." In 2021, it became the first country in the world to make Bitcoin legal tender. If you walk into a Starbucks in San Salvador or a surf shack in El Zonte (now famously called Bitcoin Beach), you can pay for your latte or your board rental with a lightning wallet.
But the real "mad scientist" move is Bitcoin City.
The plan is to build a circular city at the base of the Conchagua volcano. Why? To use geothermal energy from the volcano to power Bitcoin mining. They even launched "Volcano Bonds" to fund it. While the adoption among locals is still a bit of a mixed bag—many still prefer the US Dollar, which has been the official currency since 2001—the move has turned the country into a massive hub for tech nomads.
📖 Related: Why San Luis Valley Colorado is the Weirdest, Most Beautiful Place You’ve Never Been
The Pompeii of the Americas
History buffs usually flock to Tikal in Guatemala or Chichen Itza in Mexico. They often overlook Joya de Cerén. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it’s fascinating because it isn’t a temple for kings. It’s a glimpse into how regular people lived.
Around 600 AD, the Loma Caldera volcano erupted and buried a small farming village under layers of ash. Unlike Pompeii, no bodies were found; it seems people had enough warning to run. But they left everything behind. Garden tools, half-eaten meals, and even footprints in the garden beds were preserved perfectly. It’s the only place in the Mayan world where you can see the actual "daily life" of the common folk rather than just the monuments of the 1%.
The obsession with Pupusas
If you visit and don’t eat a pupusa, did you even go?
A pupusa is basically a thick, handmade corn (or rice) tortilla stuffed with cheese, beans, or chicharrón (pork). They’ve been around for over 2,000 years, dating back to the Pipil tribes. It's the national dish, and in 2024, Salvadoran chefs in D.C. actually made a 20-foot pupusa to break a world record.
- The Pro Tip: Never, ever eat them with a fork. It’s a social sin. You use your hands, tear off a piece, and use it to scoop up the curtido (pickled cabbage) and tomato salsa.
- The Rice Variation: If you go to the town of Olocuilta, they specialize in rice-flour pupusas, which have a totally different, slightly crispier texture.
Forest growth in a world of deforestation
Here is something that actually shocks most people: El Salvador is one of the few countries in the world where forest cover has actually expanded in the last two decades. For a long time, the country was heavily deforested for coffee and indigo. But reforestation efforts and a shift in how land is used have led to a green comeback.
👉 See also: Why Palacio da Anunciada is Lisbon's Most Underrated Luxury Escape
The El Imposible National Park is the crown jewel here. It got its name because of a dangerous gorge that used to claim the lives of farmers and pack mules trying to transport coffee to the coast. Today, it's a massive tropical forest with over 500 species of birds and even pumas.
Surf City and the 2026 vibe
The government has gone all-in on "Surf City." The waves at Punta Roca and El Sunzal are world-class. In 2025, the country hosted multiple international surfing competitions, and it’s now a regular stop on the pro circuit.
What's interesting is how the "surf vibe" has changed the economy. The coast used to be sleepy. Now, you have luxury boutiques and high-end hotels like the new JW Marriott project in the works. The contrast is sharp—modern glass buildings popping up next to traditional colorful villages.
Short and strange cultural bits
Salvadorans call themselves Guanacos. No one is 100% sure why, but most people embrace it.
You’ll also see people drinking Kolashampan. It’s a bright orange soda that tastes like... well, it’s hard to describe. Sort of like bubblegum mixed with tropical fruit? It’s made from the mamey fruit and is basically the unofficial drink of every family party.
✨ Don't miss: Super 8 Fort Myers Florida: What to Honestly Expect Before You Book
Also, watch out for the national bird, the Torogoz. It has these two long tail feathers with little tufts at the end that look like tennis rackets. It’s beautiful but very shy. Finding one in the wild is considered a stroke of great luck.
Actionable insights for your trip
If you’re planning to visit in 2026, keep these things in mind.
First, rent a car. While the country is small, public buses (the colorful "chicken buses") are fun for the experience but slow for a tight schedule. The roads have improved massively, especially the coastal highway.
Second, bring USD. Even with the Bitcoin hype, cash is still king in small towns and local markets. Make sure you have small bills ($1, $5, $10) because nobody ever seems to have change for a $20.
Third, don't skip the capital. San Salvador’s Historic Center has undergone a massive renovation. The National Palace and the El Rosario Church—which looks like a concrete hangar from the outside but has a breathtaking rainbow of stained glass inside—are absolute must-sees.
El Salvador isn't a "hidden gem" anymore. The secret is out. But it still feels authentic, slightly chaotic, and incredibly welcoming. Go before the crowds double again.