Retire in El Salvador > La Libertad >
La Libertad, El Salvador
A Canadian retired in La Libertad, El Salvador to enjoy the lower cost of living, beach life and stable political climate. He has found that the medical care is better than he had in Canada, he can live without a car and there is very little crime (petty crime).
La Libertad
Economic reasons, weather, the people.
All year
I could drive here from Canada, cheap housing prices, tropical climate, on the ocean and stable political situation.
No
5 years
Looking for a moving company for your move to El Salvador? Sirelo offers you a simple and hassle free solution to plan your move. You'll get up to 5 FREE quotes from trusted international movers. Get free quotes now!
4, I never lived in my home country Canada as a retiree
Learning the language, applying for residency, getting married.
Cheap living, palm trees, beach, house with pool, living near the beach 1/2 hr from the airport and the capital city San Salvador.
Have all the Canadian documents for residency before leaving Canada.
There is only 1 expat couple living in my community year round. The rest is what you make it within the local community.
Passport, birth certificate, criminal record from home country and El Salvador Proof of guaranteed pension income, local bank account, medical from local doctor, local address, all documents notarized and translated into Spanish, process is simple but a SalvadoraƱ Immigration lawyer simplifies the process.
Bought a house, same process as in Canada, have a lawyer make sure everything is done properly.
It has met them, I did my homework before the move.
Open a US bank account to have pension direct deposited, Canadian money is useless in SV.
Without an inordinate amount of partying US $650 will keep up the house-pool, pay utilities, food, car expenses, maid & caretaker.
A better doctor than I had for the past 30 yrs in Canada runs the FREE clinic in town 10 minutes away. Ambulance in our community 3 minutes away. Good hospitals in San Salvador 1 hour at a fraction of Canadian prices.
Expats living in El Salvador interested in expat health insurance should take a minute to get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA.
Other than some petty theft, if you're not vigilant, next to none. I personally have never had any problems and I ride the chicken buses locally and into the city quite often.
A car is completely unnecessary! There is a direct bus to San Salvador every morning at 05:20 for 60 cents. Local bus service to La Libertad 06:00 - 18:00 every 1/2 hr for 25 cents. Regular bus service La Libertad - San Salvador 06:00 - 21:00 every 20 minutes for 60 cents. Buses to eastern beaches every 1/2 hr for a quarter. In town micro bus service every 10 min for a quarter. Tica Bus coaches run a couple times daily to the other CA capitals. I have actually travelled from Playa San Diego (my community) to Peterborough ON, Canada by bus.
Unfortunately not here on the beach but there is in town.
Do your homework, rent for a year before buying and GO FOR IT!
Get a quote for expat health insurance in El Salvador from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
Get a Quote
Information about healthcare, expat health insurance and hospitals in El Salvador.
From the best beach towns to buying property, expats in El Salvador offer advice for expats and people moving to El Salvador.
Expats talk about some of the biggest challenges they've faced living in Latin America. Whether you're moving to Panama City or Punta del Este, this article is a must read to help you prepare (hint: you'll be much happier if you learn the language) and adjust your expectations (realities: the roads are rough, the pace of life is slower and bureaucracy is unavoidable). Despite all of the challenges, the list of what expats like about life in Latin America far exceeds the challenges.
The beach life is wonderful but what else is there to do for entertainment? Can you expound on restaurants in your area or San Salvador? Is there a "high" season when "snowbirds" arrive to take advantage of the tropical climate? Thanks!
2cartalkersMore questions: You mentioned opening a U. S. bank account; how do you access funds from the account? What currency is used in El Salvador, the U. S. dollar? Do you transfer funds into an El Salvadoran bank or use an ATM? How are bills like rent paid, in cash or deposited into a local bank, etc? Thanks again.
busman72cartalkers I am not much for fancy entertainment, just make do with the Saturday or holiday night music at the local Bamboo Bar on the malecon or local entertainment events. The local restaurants also have good food at good value for the buck. However in the city less than an hour away there are clubs, movies, dining and sports events. The main tourist time is Dec thru Feb mainly on the surfing beaches near La Libertad but never an influx of "snowbirds. However on holidays there are lots of locals from the city invading the beaches. The US dollar is the currency used in El Salvador, currently I use a debit card to access funds which I then deposit in my local account however once I get my residency my US bank has an agreement with a local bank where I can do a monthly transfer of funds for free. I own my home so no rent, the electricity bill can only be paid in cash but other bills can be paid by debit/credit card though I usually pay everything in cash.
themayorThanks Busman7. Its great to know one can retire to a simple, inexpensive beach lifestyle. If I may ask, you mentioned you can drive from Canada. Have you done it> How long and any tips on border crossings in Mexico and central America?
souixExcellent tips from an intelligent ex pat. ESP about...going first for a visit. If you still see a wife...let me know. I am 63 yrs old. Good sense of humor & solvent!
cntroesGreat advice. I'd like to chat with you more as my wife and I are considering moving to a beach home in that area. If you have time please email me at [email protected] Thanks Charles
tinapatitaHi , very happy to read about how much you loved El Salvador . I was born in Candelaria de la Frontera , depto of Santa Ana , El Salvador , I lived in USA , just retired and back to my hometown . I'd have never been so happy . The future here is turismo , just like in those small countries in Asia .
Get a quote for expat health insurance in El Salvador from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
Get a Quote
Support your favorite restaurants in La Libertad as they recover from the pandemic. Submit a free listing for them on Expat Exchange to help spread the word about them to the expat community.
From the best beach towns to buying property, expats in El Salvador offer advice for expats and people moving to El Salvador.
Expats talk about some of the biggest challenges they've faced living in Latin America. Whether you're moving to Panama City or Punta del Este, this article is a must read to help you prepare (hint: you'll be much happier if you learn the language) and adjust your expectations (realities: the roads are rough, the pace of life is slower and bureaucracy is unavoidable). Despite all of the challenges, the list of what expats like about life in Latin America far exceeds the challenges.
Copyright 1997-2021 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.