Welcome everyone, we made it to to El Zonte, El Salvador! If you are thinking what the heck are you doing in El Salvador, well, the answer is Bitcoin! BITCOIN BEACH!
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El Zonte in particular has such a cool history.
El Zonte is known to be an awesome surf spot which attracts tourists from all over the world. A couple of years ago after visiting El Zonte, an anonymous someone decided to make a 100K donation to the town. There was one condition: the donation would be paid in BTC and had to be distributed directly to the residents of El Zonte. The goal was to kickstart a local bitcoin economy and El Zonte, El Salvador became known as Bitcoin Beach.
Forward to 2021, President Bukele of El Salvador was inspired by what was happening in Bitcoin Beach. In June, he declared that El Salvador would be the first country in the world to make Bitcoin legal tender. And in September 2021, Bitcoin became an official currency in El Salvador… right alongside the U.S. dollar.
I was reading about all of the bitcoin excitement in El Salvador and knew I had to go check it out. I wanted to be a part of history in real time. I booked a flight and planned my stay in El Zonte.
WHAT I DIDN'T EXPECT
- Though many businesses in El Zonte did accept Bitcoin, many places only wanted cash or card. I kept a tally while I was there and only 5 of the 11 business I went to in El Zonte, accepted my bitcoin.
- Another thing that threw me off is the prevalence of the lightning network In El Salvador. Which makes sense, businesses need to be able to confirm transactions on the spot. Load up a lightning wallet (Strike/Blue Wallet) with roughly the amount of bitcoin you plan to spend.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
--- Beach Town ---
El Zonte beach is absolutely stunning, it is nestled between rugged rock formations along the Pacific Coast.
It's around sunset that El Zonte becomes magical. As the sun is setting, rays of light illuminate the rock formations that are down the coastline. And if you walk north up the beach, it's like walking into a fairy tale.
When you're in El Zonte, make it happen. Start walking on beach towards the sunset and will know when you arrived. Then repeat every day are you're there.
--- Accommodations ---
We were adamant to stay in a place that accepts crypto. Luckily our number one choice, Palo Verde Sustainable Hotel, accepts bitcoin and had availability.
What a treat to stay here. It's an intimate hotel with only 10 rooms and 2 apartments. Each of the rooms have their own private lounge along the infinity pool which overlooks the ocean. We could hear the waves from our room.
The best part was the staff. The friendlies and most helpful people we met in El Zonte were team members at Palo Verde.
Our stay was worth every satoshi.
--- Food ---
When you're ready for dinner, there is one restaurant in particular that you have to check out.
The place that made me feel like I was truly getting the El Salvadorian experience was Papusaria Jeisy. DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED BY THIS PLACE. Pupusas are traditional El Salvadorian corn or rice tortillas stuffed various combinations of fillings and topped with tomato salsa and vineagar cabbage slaw. Pick um up with your hands, eat um, love um. They are incredible.
And YES, Pupusaria Jeisy accepts bitcoin!
FINAL THOUGHTS
- The biggest takeaway from my trip is that there is disconnect between the bitcoin bullishness of leadership in El Salvador and what's on the ground. Many people I talked with are either unsure about bitcoin and how to use it or are flat out against it.
- Local businesses that are accepting bitcoin and El Salvadorians who are bitcoin believers, are radiating hope and growth.
- El Salvador is safe.
If you have any questions about traveling to El Salvador, or staying in El Zonte, comment down below.
