IMG
© Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos

Barra de Santiago RAMSAR Site

13.70081 , -90.01205

El Salvador

The Site contains an area representative of the mangroves of the dry Northern Pacific ecoregion of Central America and a palm tree (Brahea salvadorensis) swamp representative of an ecosystem specific to the Mesoamerican dry tropical forest ecoregion. It supports numerous threatened or endangered species. It was declared a RAMSAR Site in 2014 and it has an extension of 11,500 hectares. It is an important place for the critically endangered Yellow-naped Parrot. The Intertidal Mudflats support a lot of migratory Tern, Gulls and Shorebirds. 

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Site name was changed by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos into "Barra De Santiago RAMSAR Site" (2021-08-01 14:54:03 )

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : 13.7008/-90.0121 (2021-01-22 17:57:49 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "ANP Barra De Santiago" (2021-01-22 17:57:49 )

Edited by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos on 2021-08-01 14:53:52
The Site contains an area representative of the mangroves of the dry Northern Pacific ecoregion of Central America and a palm tree (Brahea salvadorensis) swamp representative of an ecosystem specific to the Mesoamerican dry tropical forest ecoregion. It supports numerous threatened or endangered species. It was declared a RAMSAR Site in 2014 and it has an extension of 11,500 hectares. It is an important place for the critically endangered Yellow-naped Parrot. The Intertidal Mudflats support a lot of migratory Tern, Gulls and Shorebirds. 

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Rufous-necked Wood-Rail (Aramides axillaris)
American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus)
Snowy Plover (Anarhynchus nivosus)
Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica)
Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius)
Plumbeous Kite (Ictinia plumbea)
American Pygmy Kingfisher (Chloroceryle aenea)
Yellow-naped Parrot (Amazona auropalliata)
Rufous-breasted Spinetail (Synallaxis erythrothorax)
Mangrove Vireo (Vireo pallens)

American Pygmy Kingfisher (Chloroceryle aenea) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-01 14:59:16)

Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-01 14:59:03)

Mangrove Vireo (Vireo pallens) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-01 14:56:27)

Plumbeous Kite (Ictinia plumbea) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-01 14:56:03)

Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-01 14:55:40)

Snowy Plover (Anarhynchus nivosus) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-01 14:55:30)

Rufous-necked Wood-Rail (Aramides axillaris) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-01 14:55:16)

Rufous-breasted Spinetail (Synallaxis erythrothorax) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-01 14:54:55)

American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-01 14:54:41)

Yellow-naped Parrot (Amazona auropalliata) was added by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos (2021-08-01 14:54:25)

  • Timing and strategy

It takes around 2 hours to get there from San Salvador city. The best time to start birding is around Sunrise specially if you are exploring "Colegio de las Aves" spot. It is a small area by the road to the main pier. Take stop should take you around 45 minutes then it is time to move and from the main pier get a boat to explore "Canal del Zapatero" where you can spot Boat-billed Heron and American Pygmy Kingfishers among other species this has to be done at least 4 hours before the lowest point of the tide. If the tide is already low you can head first to the intertidal mudflats of El Zapote where depending the time of the year there may be hundreds of individuals of terns, gulls, skimmers, godwits, whimbrels, plovers and sandpipers.

If you can stay in the area from the night before even better to avoid leaving San Salvador very early in the morning. For sure to plan a visit to this spot you need to take a look a tide times in the area.

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos on 2021-08-02 00:25
It takes around 2 hours to get there from San Salvador city. The best time to start birding is around Sunrise specially if you are exploring "Colegio de las Aves" spot. It is a small area by the road to the main pier. Take stop should take you around 45 minutes then it is time to move and from the main pier get a boat to explore "Canal del Zapatero" where you can spot Boat-billed Heron and American Pygmy Kingfishers among other species this has to be done at least 4 hours before the lowest point of the tide. If the tide is already low you can head first to the intertidal mudflats of El Zapote where depending the time of the year there may be hundreds of individuals of terns, gulls, skimmers, godwits, whimbrels, plovers and sandpipers. If you can stay in the area from the night before even better to avoid leaving San Salvador very early in the morning. For sure to plan a visit to this spot you need to take a look a tide times in the area.
  • How to get there

You can get there by taking the Highway to the city of Sonsonate, then continue the way to Acajutla. 5 kilometers before getting to the port, you will see a detour to Frontera Hachadura which is the border with Guatemala. You continue for 18 kilometers and you will see a detour to the left saying Barra de Santiago. You just need to follow the road as it gets to the small town of Barra de Santiago and then follow the signs to the "Embarcadero" for the pier. 

If you decide to go by bus, from San Salvador you will need to get a taxi to "Terminal de Occidente" then take bus 205 to the city of Sonsonate. Right there at the terminal you change to bus 285 the full bus trip can take around 3 to 4 hours. 

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos on 2021-08-02 00:36
You can get there by taking the Highway to the city of Sonsonate, then continue the way to Acajutla. 5 kilometers before getting to the port, you will see a detour to Frontera Hachadura which is the border with Guatemala. You continue for 18 kilometers and you will see a detour to the left saying Barra de Santiago. You just need to follow the road as it gets to the small town of Barra de Santiago and then follow the signs to the "Embarcadero" for the pier.  If you decide to go by bus, from San Salvador you will need to get a taxi to "Terminal de Occidente" then take bus 205 to the city of Sonsonate. Right there at the terminal you change to bus 285 the full bus trip can take around 3 to 4 hours. 

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Not available yet
  • Other attractions

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Not available yet

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Not available yet

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Not available yet
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

Local guides

Gallery

Reports

Season:
to
Species:
2019-02-11 Parque Nacional El Imposible and Barra de Santiago with Guy Poisson and his friends from Decameron Salinitas Resort Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos
2019-11-08 to 2019-11-11 Chris Fischer's 2019 Central American Big Year El Salvador Trip 2 Julio Cesar Acosta Burgos
Barra de Santiago RAMSAR Site - Orniverse