About Us: The Story of Tunco Life
Hi, I’m Salva.
the founder and CEO of Tunco Life. What started as a dream in 2017 has grown into one of the most trusted and celebrated tour agencies in El Salvador. Here’s our story—a story of passion, resilience, and love for this beautiful country.
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How It All Began
In 2017, I visited Tunco Beach for the first time, and to my surprise, there were some gringos enjoying the waves. After chatting with them, I realized something that changed my perspective. Most tourists who made it to Tunco didn’t explore beyond the beach—not because they didn’t want to, but because they didn’t know what else was out there. They lacked information about the country’s hidden gems, and many didn’t feel safe venturing out alone.
That’s when the idea hit me: what if I built something to help tourists explore El Salvador safely and with confidence? A project that showcased the beauty and culture of my country while addressing the concerns of security and accessibility.
Soon after, I pitched this idea at a contest hosted by CONAMYPE and the Ministry of Economy. Out of more than 500 participants, I was one of the lucky winners. That’s how Tunco Life was born.
The Early Challenges
When I started, I knew nothing about tourism. My background was in marketing and web development, so this was entirely new territory for me. I quit my job, ended a relationship, and left my friends and family in San Salvador to move to the beach. When I arrived in Tunco, I had no friends, no connections, and no money. Some days, I couldn’t even afford to eat.
Hotels didn’t know me. I had no idea how to sell tours, and getting my first clients felt like an impossible task. But I was determined to make it work.
A Turning Point
One day, I noticed two couples with professional cameras and microphones exploring Santa Ana Volcano and Ruta de Flores. I assumed they were content creators, but I couldn’t connect with them at first. Days later, I spotted them again in Tunco Beach and finally approached them.
They were the guys from The Nomadic Movement and Trand and Trent and Allie.
We hit it off immediately. I invited them to my small shop, and before I knew it, I was guiding them around El Salvador while they created content. One of their videos went viral, even catching the attention of President Bukele, who shared it on Twitter. Suddenly, I was getting hundreds of leads on my website and social media. People walking through Tunco Beach started recognizing me: “Hey, you’re the guy from YouTube!”
That viral moment changed everything. Tunco Life was officially on the map.
Where We Are Today
Today, Tunco Life is thriving. We partner with most hotels in the area, providing airport transfers and tours around the country. We’ve expanded to work with international agencies like G Adventures and travel companies from Canada, the USA, Germany, Poland, and Brazil.
What’s Next?
Our mission is to keep evolving. We’re always on the lookout for new experiences to share with our clients. Sustainability is now a cornerstone of our business—not just recycling, but creating opportunities for local communities. That’s why we hire local guides for every tour, even though we’ve done these routes over a thousand times.
Beyond that, we want to inspire other young entrepreneurs in El Salvador. We want to show them that success doesn’t come easy, but with hard work and persistence, anything is possible. Keep moving, keep pushing, and one day, luck will find you working.
Thank you for being part of our journey. At Tunco Life, we’re not just offering tours—we’re building connections, changing perceptions, and sharing the incredible story of El Salvador with the world.