Town of La Palma

HISTORY AND CRAFTS OF EL SALVADOR

Countries
El Salvador

Zones
Central

Themes
Culture

La Palma is located west of the department of Chalatenango, 82 kilometers from San Salvador, and 8 kilometers from El Poy, the El Salvador-Honduras border.

La Palma is well-known for its wood crafts and designs in Naïf art, a creation of Salvadoran painter Fernando Llort, who also designed the mosaics of the Metropolitan Cathedral in San Salvador. Llort is one of the most emblematic people that has influenced this municipality, and with his hard work he taught the villagers the “naïf” art, a technique that basically consists of representing moments of everyday rural life, as well as typical flora and fauna of the place, made in copinol seeds. In most of the houses of La Palma you can find workshops where crafts are made in wood, leather, ceramics, different kinds of seeds and designs on cotton clothes. Currently, this craft activity is what generates more income and jobs in this town.

In addition to being renowned for its handicrafts, La Palma became the center of attention in 1984, when President José Napoleón Duarte met with rebel guerrilla leaders in an attempt to end the civil war, this being the first peace talk since the beginning of the war in 1980.

La Palma was part of the so-called Caminos Reales (Royal Roads), this being the route to get to Honduras. Since the first years of independence, it has been the scene of national battles, since it was municipal and government forces that fought against the troops of the ex-president Francisco Malespín, in both battles Malespín was defeated.

The city also offers hotel infrastructure and restaurants, as well as places to do hiking.

GEOPOSITION

Casa Blanca Archaeological Site
San Andrés Archaeological Park
  • Corn Island

    Corn Island

  • Granada and Cocibolca lake

    Granada and Cocibolca lake

  • Ballena Marine National Park

    Ballena Marine National Park

RECOMMENDED TOURS

Must see Guatemala & Belize

Cultural visits, discovering the ancient Maya heritage, and snorkeling are just some of the adventures offered by this amazing tour.

  • North
  • Adventure - Archeology and History - Culture - Sun and Beach
  • Belize - Guatemala
  • 10 - 13 days
See

The Green – Blue Caribbean

In this program we have included a magic touch for you to travel in eight days to Panama and the Dominican Republic.

  • South
  • Culture - Nature - Sun and Beach
  • Dominican Republic - Panama
  • 6 - 9 days
See

From Mayan Cities to World Class Snorkeling

Mayan ruins, nature, and the most beautiful beaches surround you in this tour through Guatemala and Belize.

  • North
  • Adventure - Archeology and History - Culture - Sun and Beach
  • Belize - Guatemala
  • 10 - 13 days
See

Mayan Triangle

On this tour, you will visit the most important Mayan remains of Central America: Joya de Cerén, Tazumal, Casablanca, Copán, and Quiriguá.

  • Central - North
  • Adventure - Agritourism - Archeology and History - Culture - Nature - World Heritage
  • El Salvador - Guatemala - Honduras
  • 10 - 13 days
See

Discovering Central America

On this trip through four Central American countries, you will visit the most impressive Mayan ruins, the best natural resources, and their colonial cities.

  • Central - North
  • Adventure - Agritourism - Archeology and History - Culture - Nature
  • El Salvador - Guatemala - Honduras - Nicaragua
  • 14 - 18 days
See