Punta Patiño

Punta Patiño is a nature reserve along the Pacific coast featuring beaches, coral reefs, and mangrove estuaries spread across a coastal plain. The site displays three distinct habitats situated close together within its protected boundaries.

The site gained international protection as a Ramsar wetland in 1993 and became part of a global conservation network. This designation represented a turning point for formal preservation efforts.

Local communities practice traditional fishing methods while collaborating with conservation programs to manage resources sustainably. Visitors can observe how these practices are integrated with environmental protection efforts.

Visitors should prepare for changing weather conditions along the coast, as rain and humidity occur year-round in this region. Insect protection and water-resistant clothing are essential for exploring the different zones.

The reserve contains albinas, natural salt deposits that form in dried-out pools and create an unusual geological feature seldom seen elsewhere. These formations develop through a specific combination of climate and soil conditions.