It turns out that some expats are already planning to leave El Salvador, despite all the country has to offer.
If your mind is stuck in 2015, or even 2020, you may be imagining El Salvador as a nation plagued with crime and gang violence.
On the contrary, however, the country has dramatically enhanced their security since 2022, and has been attracting both tourists and expats from all around the world.
In addition to pleasant weather, expansive beaches, and Bitcoin payments, El Salvador also offers some of the best coffee in the world.
A New Cafe
Speaking of great coffee, some friends had been recommending a particular cafe that supposedly had a chill atmosphere and served high-quality coffee.
When I finally decided to check it out a few days ago I wasn't expecting to see that many foreigners..
The cafe doesn't have any flashy advertisements outside, but the Bitcoin sign is clearly visible once you get close to the entrance.
The door creeks loudly when opened, foiling any discreet arrivals. Everyone turned to see the new stranger who had arrived.
To my surprise, every patron at the cafe was a foreigner, and everyone was speaking English too. The cafe was also far cozier than I had expected, and it only had a few small tables to sit at.
In the back corner was a guy on his laptop discussing tax matters over the phone with a remote client.
I sat down at one of the tables and overheard two couples in the middle of a conversation about cryptocurrencies.
A Bitcoin Hangout
After ordering my drink and having a brief chat with the owner, it turns out that this cafe was actually a popular hangout for Bitcoiners.
When I joined the couple's Bitcoin discussion, the man guessed where I was from immediately.
"You Canadians are too nice", he joked, "You need to get your guns back" he said. I could agree with at least one of those statements.
It turns out that this American couple had been living in El Salvador for nearly two years, but were now planning to move to a different country in Latin America.
Disappointed Expats
When I asked them why, they said that they were particularly disappointed with the recent deal El Salvador struck with the IMF (ie: the Devil).
As a result of this deal, El Salvador has had to make some changes to their Bitcoin laws, which made Bitcoin acceptance voluntary, rather than obligatory.
So far I haven't noticed much of a difference, personally. The businesses that accepted Bitcoin before the changes are still willing to accept it now, and it's been mostly business as usual.
Until next time...
While there is definitely a noticeable increase in the number of foreigners walking the streets of San Salvador, some expats have been disillusioned by the recent agreements made, and are already making plans to bounce.
If you found this article interesting, 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.