Palmar
Palmar is a fishing comuna on the Ruta del Spondylus, in Colonche parish, Santa Elena canton. It sits between Jambelí and Playa Rosada, a few minutes south of Ayangue.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Parish | Colonche, Santa Elena canton |
| Beach | About 1.3 km |
| Water | About 70% of the village on Aguapen's piped network (2023) |
| Nature | Mangrove estuary; its beach lies within the El Pelado Marine Reserve |
| Bus | Coop. Santa Rita de Palmar from Terminal Sumpa (window 15), or any Ruta del Spondylus bus |
The mangrove
Palmar has the largest mangrove in Santa Elena province. It once covered about 230 ha (1970); by 2005 only 33 ha were left, and today about 49 ha remain. Since 2010 a local youth group, Fundación Neojuventud, has replanted around 14 ha and works with fishers to keep rubbish out of the water.
A colony of about 300 frigatebirds nests here, and great egrets are so used to people that they almost lead the kayaks. Mullet and snook live in the channels.
A fishing town
About 80% of Palmar's people live from small-scale fishing, with nearly 300 boats working from the beach. Come early to see them land the catch. The village church is dedicated to Nuestra Señora de Fátima.
See also
Sources: PDOT cantón Santa Elena 2023–2027 (pp. 104, 220); El Comercio, "Palmar rescata su mangle".