Palmar

Introducing Palmar

This unremarkable, flat village lies right in the center of the banana-growing region of the Valle de Diquis. The Río Grande de Térraba bisects the town, creating Palmar Sur and Palmar Norte.

Most of the facilities – hotels, banks and buses – are in Palmar Norte, clustered around the intersection of the Carratera Interamericana and the Costanera Sur (Pacific Coast Hwy). About 1km to the south, linked by a sturdy metal bridge, Palmar Sur is the locale of the airstrip. On any given day, you’ll find a large percentage of the population lounging in the shade outside the local pulpería watching the traffic on the Interamericana. This is a hot, dusty, uneventful place.

At the intersection of the country’s two major highways, Palmar is a transportation hub. It serves as a gateway to the Península de Osa, as travelers arrive by airplane and bus and pass en route to Sierpe. This route goes straight through the banana plantations, so keep your eyes peeled. Situated strategically between San Isidro (125km to the north) and the Panamanian border (95km to the southeast), Palmar is also a key transportation link in any north–south migrations.

Lack of charm aside, Palmar is one of the best sites in the country to see the granite spheres (esferas de piedra), a legacy of pre-Columbian cultures – some of which exceed 2m in diameter. They are scattered all over town, including at the airstrip; some of the largest and most impressive are in front of the peach-colored school (el colegio) on the Interamericana.

To get from Palmar Norte to Palmar Sur, take the Interamericana southbound over the Río Grande de Térraba bridge, then take the first right beyond the bridge.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009