El Salvador is the world’s first Bitcoin nation — but for most travelers and investors, the real question is simple:
Where can I actually spend Bitcoin when I’m there?
Until recently, finding real Bitcoin-accepting businesses meant relying on scattered maps, Telegram groups, or outdated directories. That has changed with the launch of Bitcoin Country, the official Bitcoin portal of El Salvador.
The official Bitcoin map of El Salvador
The website bitcoincountry.gob.sv is run by El Salvador’s National Bitcoin Office and serves as the official interface for the country’s Bitcoin economy.
One of its most powerful tools is a live interactive map that shows:
- Hotels
- Restaurants
- Cafés
- Shops
- Tourism services
- Local businesses
All of them accept Bitcoin payments.
These are not random listings. Businesses appear on the map because they registered themselves as Bitcoin-accepting merchants, making this the most reliable directory currently available.
If you’re planning to travel, relocate, or just spend time in El Salvador using Bitcoin, this map becomes your real-world spending guide.
What makes this map different from other crypto directories?
Most global crypto maps rely on third-party data or user submissions that are rarely verified. Bitcoin Country is different:
- It is operated by El Salvador’s Bitcoin Office
- Businesses opt in to be listed
- It is designed for tourists, investors, and Bitcoin users
- It is actively promoted by the government and Bitcoin ecosystem
In other words: this is the closest thing to an official Bitcoin merchant network that exists anywhere in the world.
Where Bitcoin spending is most common
While Bitcoin is used across the country, certain areas are especially Bitcoin-friendly:
San Salvador & La Libertad
These are the economic and tourism centers of the country. You’ll find a high concentration of Bitcoin-accepting:
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Cafés
- Shops
- Services
Bitcoin Beach (El Zonte)
This is where El Salvador’s Bitcoin movement started. Many businesses here operate almost entirely on Bitcoin and Lightning payments.
Berlin, Usulután
A growing Bitcoin city with a surprisingly large number of local businesses accepting BTC — from food to hardware stores.
Important things every Bitcoin traveler should know
1. Businesses on the map do accept Bitcoin
Bitcoin acceptance is voluntary nationwide — but if a business appears on the Bitcoin Country map, it means they actively accept BTC. The map is not theoretical. It reflects real, working Bitcoin commerce.
2. The map is growing
Not every Bitcoin-accepting business is listed yet. New merchants are being added as they register. This means the directory becomes more powerful over time.
3. Lightning Network is widely used
Most payments are processed through Lightning wallets, making transactions fast and cheap. Make sure your wallet supports Lightning before arriving.
4. Some merchants auto-convert
Some businesses receive Bitcoin and instantly convert to dollars, while others hold BTC. Either way, you pay in Bitcoin.
Why this matters for Bitcoin users
El Salvador is not just holding Bitcoin — it’s building an entire spendable economy around it.
The Bitcoin Country map removes the biggest friction Bitcoiners face:
“Where can I actually use my BTC?”
Now you can:
- Plan your trip
- Choose hotels and restaurants
- Find local services
- Live off Bitcoin
…all from one official portal.
Bottom line
If you want to know where to spend Bitcoin in El Salvador, the most reliable source is:
Bitcoin Country — bitcoincountry.gob.sv
It’s the world’s first government-backed Bitcoin merchant map, and it turns El Salvador into something no other country is yet:
A place where Bitcoin actually works in daily life. ⚡🇸🇻
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