If you had asked me a year ago where we would be spending Christmas, I never would have guessed we’d be surrounded by palm trees, pupusas, and thousands of twinkling lights in Santa Tecla.
Moving our family from Canada to El Salvador in 2024 was a leap of faith. We were looking for a life aligned with our Christian values, financial freedom, and a better future for our three kids. But as any expat knows, the holidays can be the hardest time to be away from “home.”
We wondered: Would it feel like Christmas without the snow? Would the kids miss their old traditions?
The answer came to us at El Cafetalón Park.
A New Kind of Winter Wonderland
In this video, we take you with us to experience the absolute magic of the holiday season here. We traded our winter parkas for short sleeves and headed out to explore the famous Christmas displays.
The atmosphere was electric. Unlike the quiet, cold nights we were used to in Canada, Christmas here is loud, vibrant, and incredibly communal. Families were everywhere—grandparents, toddlers, teenagers—all enjoying the safe, festive environment together.
Food, Fiesta & Family
It wouldn’t be a celebration in El Salvador without the food! We dove right into the local street food scene. Seeing our kids try new flavors and embrace the local culture is exactly why we made this move. Anneke even tried “elote loco”, which is corn on the cob on a stick with ketchup, mayo, I believe, and cheese on it. We want them to be citizens of the world, comfortable in new environments and appreciative of different ways of life.
In this vlog, you’ll see:
- The spectacular light displays that rival anything we saw back North.
- Our family’s reaction to the festive atmosphere at El Cafetalón Park.
- The reality of celebrating a major holiday in a new country.
Why This Matters to Us
Building a new life in El Salvador isn’t just about buying land or figuring out utilities (though we cover that on the channel too!). It’s about these moments of pure joy. It’s about showing our children that “home” isn’t just a place—it’s where we are together.
Check out the full video below to experience the lights and laughter with us!
Watch the Video Here:
