💰 Cost of Living
Average monthly expenses for a digital nomad
🏠 Accommodation
🍜 Food & Dining
🚗 Transportation
🎯 Other
⚡ Digital Nomad Essentials
Everything you need to work remotely from El Tunco
📶 Internet
☁️ Weather
✈️ Transport
🛂 Visa
✓Advantages
- ✓World-class surfing with consistent waves year-round
- ✓Uses USD as official currency eliminating exchange hassles
- ✓Very affordable cost of living for Central America
- ✓Digital Nomad Visa available for up to 4 years tax-free
- ✓Incredibly vibrant nightlife and social scene
- ✓Spectacular Pacific Ocean sunsets every evening
- ✓Warm friendly community of locals and expats
- ✓Safety has improved dramatically since 2022
- ✓Close to San Salvador airport for easy access
- ✓Beautiful sea caves and rock formations to explore
✗Disadvantages
- ✗No formal coworking spaces in town yet
- ✗Internet can be unreliable especially during storms
- ✗Very small town with limited amenities
- ✗Party atmosphere may not suit everyone
- ✗Rainy season (May-Oct) brings afternoon downpours
- ✗Strong waves make casual swimming dangerous
- ✗Healthcare facilities are basic and limited
- ✗Need to travel to San Salvador for shopping
- ✗Accommodation prices rising with popularity
- ✗Rocky beaches not ideal for sunbathing
💼 Top Coworking Spaces
Best places to work in El Tunco
Day Cafe & Salad Bar
📍 Main Street, El Tunco • 30 Mbps
Dale Cafe
📍 Calle Principal, El Tunco • 25 Mbps
Point Break Cafe
📍 Near the beach, El Tunco • 20 Mbps
Papaya Lodge Workspace
📍 Papaya Lodge, El Tunco • 35 Mbps
Tunco Life HQ
📍 Main Street, El Tunco • 30 Mbps
Day Cafe & Salad Bar
📍 Main Street, El Tunco
Dale Cafe
📍 Calle Principal, El Tunco
Point Break Cafe
📍 Near the beach, El Tunco
Papaya Lodge Workspace
📍 Papaya Lodge, El Tunco
Tunco Life HQ
📍 Main Street, El Tunco
☕ Best Cafes to Work From
Laptop-friendly cafes with good WiFi
Day Cafe & Salad Bar
📍 El Tunco Centro
Dale Cafe
📍 El Tunco Centro
Point Break Cafe
📍 El Tunco Centro
Cafe Sunzal
📍 El Sunzal
La Bonita Beach Bar
📍 El Tunco Centro
Mopelia Restaurant
📍 El Tunco Centro
Day Cafe & Salad Bar
📍 El Tunco Centro
Dale Cafe
📍 El Tunco Centro
Point Break Cafe
📍 El Tunco Centro
Cafe Sunzal
📍 El Sunzal
La Bonita Beach Bar
📍 El Tunco Centro
Mopelia Restaurant
📍 El Tunco Centro
🏘️ Best Neighborhoods
Where to stay in El Tunco
El Tunco Centro
The main two-street town center where all the action happens. Lined with hostels, restaurants, bars, and surf shops. This is where the famous nightlife takes place and where you will find most travelers. Walking distance to the main beach and the iconic Tunco Rock. Can get loud at night, especially on weekends, but offers the most convenience and social opportunities.
El Sunzal
A quieter stretch of coast just north of El Tunco center, famous for the El Sunzal surf break which offers the longest right-hand point break in the area. More relaxed than Tunco Centro with upscale hotels and surf camps. Popular with serious surfers and those seeking a mellower vibe while staying close to the action. Walkable to El Tunco in about 15-20 minutes.
El Zonte
A separate beach town about 15 minutes south of El Tunco known as Bitcoin Beach where cryptocurrency adoption began. More family-friendly and laid-back than El Tunco with boutique hotels, yoga retreats, and a growing expat community. Better for digital nomads wanting focus and tranquility. Sandier beaches make it better for swimming compared to rocky El Tunco.
La Libertad
The larger port town about 20 minutes east of El Tunco serving as the regional hub. Features the famous La Libertad pier with fish market, more local restaurants, banks, and services not found in the smaller beach towns. Home to Punta Roca, considered El Salvador's best wave. More authentic Salvadoran experience but less tourist infrastructure.
El Tunco Centro
$$ Mid-rangeThe main two-street town center where all the action happens. Lined with hostels, restaurants, bars, and surf shops. This is where the famous nightlife takes place and where you will find most travelers. Walking distance to the main beach and the iconic Tunco Rock. Can get loud at night, especially on weekends, but offers the most convenience and social opportunities.
El Sunzal
$$$ PremiumA quieter stretch of coast just north of El Tunco center, famous for the El Sunzal surf break which offers the longest right-hand point break in the area. More relaxed than Tunco Centro with upscale hotels and surf camps. Popular with serious surfers and those seeking a mellower vibe while staying close to the action. Walkable to El Tunco in about 15-20 minutes.
El Zonte
$$ Mid-rangeA separate beach town about 15 minutes south of El Tunco known as Bitcoin Beach where cryptocurrency adoption began. More family-friendly and laid-back than El Tunco with boutique hotels, yoga retreats, and a growing expat community. Better for digital nomads wanting focus and tranquility. Sandier beaches make it better for swimming compared to rocky El Tunco.
La Libertad
$ BudgetThe larger port town about 20 minutes east of El Tunco serving as the regional hub. Features the famous La Libertad pier with fish market, more local restaurants, banks, and services not found in the smaller beach towns. Home to Punta Roca, considered El Salvador's best wave. More authentic Salvadoran experience but less tourist infrastructure.
🏛️ Top Attractions
Best things to do in El Tunco
Playa El Tunco & Tunco Rock
The iconic beach that gives the town its name, featuring the famous pig-shaped rock formation (Tunco means pig in Spanish). Dark volcanic sand beaches, powerful waves, and spectacular sunsets. The rock becomes silhouetted against the orange sky at sunset, creating one of Central America's most photographed scenes. Swimming is dangerous due to strong currents but surfing is world-class.
El Sunzal Surf Break
One of the most famous surf spots in Central America, El Sunzal is a long right-hand point break perfect for all levels. The consistent, mellow waves make it ideal for learning while still offering good rides for experienced surfers. Surf schools operate here daily. The walk from El Tunco takes about 20 minutes along the beach.
Sea Caves & Tidal Pools
At the eastern end of El Tunco beach, stunning rock formations create accessible sea caves and natural tidal pools. During low tide, you can explore these dramatic coastal features, peer into caves carved by the Pacific, and swim in protected pools. A magical experience that showcases El Salvador's volcanic coastline.
Tamanique Waterfalls
A stunning series of waterfalls hidden in the lush mountains about 30 minutes from El Tunco. The main waterfall drops into a refreshing swimming pool perfect for cooling off after the hike. The 3-hour round trip hike passes through beautiful tropical forest. Best visited with a local guide who knows the trails.
Cadejo Brewing Company
El Salvador's first craft brewery located just 20 minutes from El Tunco in the hills. Features a pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean, excellent craft beers, and good food. The perfect afternoon activity for beer lovers wanting to escape the beach heat. Tours available and the views at sunset are spectacular.
La Bocana Surf Break
El Tunco's most powerful wave breaking at the river mouth. An A-frame break famous for its fast, hollow left that attracts advanced surfers. Used for international competitions, it's best watched from the beach if you're not an experienced surfer. The right side also offers good waves but be aware of sea urchins.
Punta Roca
Considered El Salvador's best wave and one of the finest right-hand point breaks in Central America. Located near La Libertad, about 20 minutes from El Tunco. Long, fast walls that can run for over 200 meters on the right swell. Attracts international pro surfers and offers incredible spectating from the cobblestone beach.
El Tunco Street Art & Nightlife
The compact town center is adorned with colorful murals and street art celebrating surf culture and Salvadoran heritage. As the sun sets, the town transforms into one of Central America's most vibrant party scenes. Bars like Kako's Gastrobar, JungleSV, and La Guitarra come alive with music, dancing, and travelers from around the world.
Playa El Tunco & Tunco Rock
The iconic beach that gives the town its name, featuring the famous pig-shaped rock formation (Tunco means pig in Spanish). Dark volcanic sand beaches, powerful waves, and spectacular sunsets. The rock becomes silhouetted against the orange sky at sunset, creating one of Central America's most photographed scenes. Swimming is dangerous due to strong currents but surfing is world-class.
El Sunzal Surf Break
One of the most famous surf spots in Central America, El Sunzal is a long right-hand point break perfect for all levels. The consistent, mellow waves make it ideal for learning while still offering good rides for experienced surfers. Surf schools operate here daily. The walk from El Tunco takes about 20 minutes along the beach.
Sea Caves & Tidal Pools
At the eastern end of El Tunco beach, stunning rock formations create accessible sea caves and natural tidal pools. During low tide, you can explore these dramatic coastal features, peer into caves carved by the Pacific, and swim in protected pools. A magical experience that showcases El Salvador's volcanic coastline.
Tamanique Waterfalls
A stunning series of waterfalls hidden in the lush mountains about 30 minutes from El Tunco. The main waterfall drops into a refreshing swimming pool perfect for cooling off after the hike. The 3-hour round trip hike passes through beautiful tropical forest. Best visited with a local guide who knows the trails.
Cadejo Brewing Company
El Salvador's first craft brewery located just 20 minutes from El Tunco in the hills. Features a pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean, excellent craft beers, and good food. The perfect afternoon activity for beer lovers wanting to escape the beach heat. Tours available and the views at sunset are spectacular.
La Bocana Surf Break
El Tunco's most powerful wave breaking at the river mouth. An A-frame break famous for its fast, hollow left that attracts advanced surfers. Used for international competitions, it's best watched from the beach if you're not an experienced surfer. The right side also offers good waves but be aware of sea urchins.
Punta Roca
Considered El Salvador's best wave and one of the finest right-hand point breaks in Central America. Located near La Libertad, about 20 minutes from El Tunco. Long, fast walls that can run for over 200 meters on the right swell. Attracts international pro surfers and offers incredible spectating from the cobblestone beach.
El Tunco Street Art & Nightlife
The compact town center is adorned with colorful murals and street art celebrating surf culture and Salvadoran heritage. As the sun sets, the town transforms into one of Central America's most vibrant party scenes. Bars like Kako's Gastrobar, JungleSV, and La Guitarra come alive with music, dancing, and travelers from around the world.
🛡️ Safety & Healthcare
What to know about safety and medical care
🚨 Safety
🏥 Healthcare
💬 What Nomads Say
Real reviews from digital nomads
"El Tunco completely surprised me. I came for a week and stayed two months! The vibe here is incredible - surfers, digital nomads, backpackers all mixing together in this tiny town. Working remotely was easier than expected. I worked from Day Cafe most mornings (great WiFi and smoothie bowls) then surfed in the afternoons. Costs were insanely low - my total monthly spend including a nice private room, eating out daily, surf lessons, and partying was around $1,100 USD. The fact they use USD made everything so simple. The nightlife is legendary and the community is tight-knit. Safety was never a concern. Best decision I made was extending my stay!"
"El Tunco is perfect if you love surf culture and don't mind working around the infrastructure challenges. The good: It's beautiful, affordable (around $1,200/month total), the sunsets are unreal, and the community is amazing. I loved the pupusas - $1 each and so filling! The challenges: WiFi is hit or miss. My accommodation had decent internet but cafes were inconsistent. I had to plan video calls carefully and always had mobile data as backup. Also, it's a party town - if you need quiet evenings, stay in El Zonte instead. For focused work, I'd pick up a weekly rental with fiber internet and work from the accommodation. Overall, great for a month or two if you adjust expectations."
"I wanted to love El Tunco more than I did. The surf and sunsets are incredible, and the town has real character. But as a digital nomad who needs reliable internet for client calls, it was frustrating. My hostel WiFi dropped constantly, and cafe speeds varied wildly. No proper coworking space exists yet. The town is also really small - two streets - so you see the same people and places every day. If you're a serious remote worker, I'd base in San Salvador where there are actual coworking spaces and better internet, then visit El Tunco for weekends. That said, if you can work asynchronously and want the surf lifestyle, the price is right and the vibes are unmatched."
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