Palapa

Palapa may refer to several concepts in different contexts. In Indonesian telecommunications, Palapa is the name given to a series of communications satellites used for national and international telecommunications. The first satellite, Palapa A, was launched in 1976, followed by Palapa B, C, and D in subsequent years. The Palapa system formed the backbone of Indonesia’s satellite communications for decades. In the 2010s, the Palapa Ring project constructed a nationwide fiber-optic network linking the archipelago to improve broadband access and resilience; the project was completed in 2019.

In architecture and hospitality, a palapa is a thatched-roof, open-sided shelter, typically built with palm leaves and wooden posts. Palapas are common in Mexico and parts of Central America, where they are used at beaches, resorts, markets, and outdoor eateries. They vary in size and can be either temporary or semi-permanent. The term is often used in English-language tourism to describe beachside palapas that provide shade and a casual dining or lounging space.

The two primary senses of the word Palapa are distinct and historically unrelated, connected mainly by a shared spelling and pronunciation rather than a common origin. In different regions, the term can appear in technical, cultural, or commercial contexts referring to either Indonesia’s satellite infrastructure or traditional palm-leaf shelters.