Hello, my name is Priscila, and I am a virtual assistant from El Salvador!
When I first started as a virtual assistant, I realized most of my potential clients did not know much about El Salvador. Some of them did not know how close we are to the United States!
So on this occasion, I wanted to share some general information about El Salvador.
Where are we located?
El Salvador is located in Central America, bordered by Guatemala to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the south. We are the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America, known for its diverse landscapes, including mountains, volcanoes, beaches, and tropical forests.
How’s the weather?
El Salvador has a tropical climate. We have only two seasons: the Dry season, typically occurring from November to April, is considered the peak tourist season, with great weather. During February-April, we experience very sunny days with lower humidity levels. The Wet season typically lasts from May to October. Rainfall tends to be heaviest in the months of June, July, and August. Overall, El Salvador’s climate is favorable for year-round travel.
In what time zone is El Salvador located?
El Salvador is located in the Central Standard Time (CST) zone, which is 6 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-6). However, El Salvador does not observe daylight saving time, so the time remains consistent throughout the year. This time zone places El Salvador in alignment with several other countries in Central America and parts of North America during the standard time period.
What is El Salvador’s currency?
El Salvador’s currency is the United States Dollar (USD). The country adopted the US dollar as its official currency in 2001, replacing the Salvadoran colón. On September 7, 2021, we started accepting bitcoin as legal tender.
What languages are spoken in El Salvador?
The primary and official language spoken in El Salvador is Spanish. The vast majority of the population speaks Spanish as their first language and uses it for communication in daily life, business, education, and government affairs. While English is taught in many schools and private classes as a second language, it is not widely spoken by the general population, especially outside of the major tourist locations.
Other general information about El Salvador
- The current population of El Salvador in 2024 is 6,396,289. Our entire population is even lower than the population of New York City.
- Salvadoran cuisine is diverse and flavorful. Signature dishes include pupusas (thick tortillas filled with cheese, beans, or meat), Salvadoran tamales, nuégados, and others.
- Our indigenous roots can be seen in our archaeological sites, such as Joyas de Cerén, a UNESCO World Heritage site known as the “Pompeii of the Americas.”
- Salvadorans are known for our warmth, hospitality, and strong sense of community. Family is highly valued, and we love gatherings, which generally include food, music, and conversation.
What about virtual assistants in El Salvador? What makes them different?
Salvadoran Americans (Americans of full or partial Salvadoran descent) are the third-largest Hispanic community in the United States. In 2001, Salvadorans made up 4.0% of the total Hispanic population in the US according to the Census Bureau.
Since most of us have relatives or friends in the US, and due to our closeness to the US, we have a lot of influence from the country in our films, music, brands, etc.
Salvadoran virtual assistants have the advantage of not only knowing the language but also being familiar with US culture.
If you are considering hiring a virtual assistant from El Salvador or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me via email at info@pmbassistance.com.