Aside from the fact that El Salvador's Bitcoin has increased in value by $100,000,000 over the past week, and that the government continues to invest heavily in national infrastructure, there are plenty of reasons to feel optimistic about this small up-and-coming independent country.

In the last post, we ventured up Boquerón Volcano (otherwise known as the San Salvador Volcano) for a view of the crater and lush vegetation below. Conveniently, a trip from the mountain down to the beach doesn't take very long in El Salvador, seeing that it is one of the tiniest countries in the Americas.

The Bitcoin movement here started in the seaside village of El Zonte, which is about a one hour drive from San Salvador. A very modest town, El Zonte has since gained international recognition for its adoption of Bitcoin as a currency in their local community, and has influenced the rest of the country to adopt it (to a limited degree).

There has been quite a bit of development in El Zonte since the Bitcoin law passed back in September of 2021. One particularly nice hotel/restaurant is called Puro Surf. It offers spectacular views of the ocean and greenery below. Of course, being located in "Bitcoin Beach", they will accept Bitcoin as payment (using their IBEX wallet).

As you are eating, a group of friendly small cats may come to greet you. I'm sorry to say they probably don't want your genuine friendship though - just your food! They may actually climb up on your seat and table if you don't keep them at bay. However, the restaurant staff won't scold you if you choose to offer them a french fry for keeping you company.

About a 15 minute drive down the coast is the more active El Tunco town, where you'll find a few ourdoor bars and clubs to have some fun with your friends (if that's your thing). Although a lot of businesses accept Bitcoin in El Tunco as well, you will need to bring American cash as a backup, just in case (don't tell me you're going to use a credit card!?).

When the tide is low, you are able to walk along the beach, from which you can enjoy the supposedly hog-shaped rock in the ocean ("Tunco" means pig in Spanish), as well as the surfers catching waves in the world-renowned surf waters. You will also notice more foreigners and hear more English in El Tunco, compared to San Salvador.

Sudden showers are also common around this time of the year, as the rainy seasons lasts until the beginning of November, so it might be a good idea to bring an umbrella with you, because you never know when a heavy downpour will arrive out of the blue. It's either that or find some improvised shelter nearby.

As Bitcoin reaches new highs and becomes more socially acceptable worldwide, I think more businesses here will start accepting it as payment. While El Salvador may remain "Bitcoin country" in this part of the world, we will likely see other cryptocurrencies gaining a foothold in other parts of the world as our entire industry continues to expand.

Further Reading

• Should Bukele Be Condemned For Buying Bitcoin With Tax Dollars?
• How El Salvador Transitioned From The Most Violent Country In The Americas To The Safest
• The Uncertain Future of Bitcoin in El Salvador and Other Nation States
• Paying For Chicken Wings, Starbucks, And Groceries With Bitcoin In San Salvador
• Will Traditional Nation States Survive As Crypto Adoption Takes Off?
• Even More Posts About El Salvador

Until next time...

If you learned something new from this article, be sure to check out my other posts on crypto and finance here on the HIVE blockchain. You can also follow me on InLeo for more frequent updates.