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Tropical Paradise
Santa Catalina, Panama offers beautiful black sand beaches on the shores of the Chiriqui Gulf in the state of Veraguas. It is a fishing village which existed in quiet seclusion until discovered by adventurous surfers in the 1970s. Protecting their hidden world class surf, Santa Catalina was kept secret by the surfers for quite sometime.
Today, Santa Catalina offers a smattering of surf camps, low cost hotels and a few eating establishments. Still fairly secluded, the closest town with ATM, grocery, other basic service is Soná which is about an hour away.
Literally a tropical paradise, Santa Catalina offers some of the best surf in Panama, the closest access point to Isla Coiba with its world class diving, great local dives and fishing and quiet charm for relaxing. It's beautiful beaches, lush forest and friendly people make it a great stop for travelers wanting to enjoy some of the best of Panama's natural beauty and local flair on a minimal budget.
Santa Catalina Beaches
The beaches of Santa Catalina are wide black sand beaches created by rivers flowing from the surrounding hills and farms. The 2 primary beaches are Playa Santa Catalina located in front of town at the end of the paved road and Playa El Estero on the eastern edge of town at the end of the dirt road.The width of the beaches is determined by the level of the tides. Santa Catalina tide changes can be as much as 20 feet in a given cycle, creating an additional quarter mile of beach width and maintaining clean, uncluttered beaches.
Most of the fishing trips, dive trips, and other boat traffic launch from the beach at Santa Catalina. El Estero is a bit more secluded and home to the Oasis Surf Club. It El Estero offers gentle waves and a good sand bottom for learning to surf, body surfing or pleasant swims.
Surfing Santa Catalina
Surfing in Santa Catalina Panama is world class. Kept secret for years by Panama's surfing elite, word has gotten out about Santa Catalina's consistent and powerful break. Santa Catalina offers the most consistent, easy to line up, big wave in Central America if not all of the Americas. Even still, because of it's remote location and the number of options, surfing is relatively uncrowded much of the time.Most of the surf is for experienced surfers with the exception of Estero, where beginners can practice on smaller, yet consistent waves and a sand beach.. Lessons and board rental are available from a local surf camp.
For experienced surfers, Santa Catalina offers powerful hollows that break both left and right. The bottom is rocky and the volcanic rock can be tough on feet, heads and boards! The waves roll in year round and typically range 4 to 15 feet, with the largest between February and August when faces can push 20 to 25 feet.
The water is warm year round. Wetsuits are not needed. Bring plenty of sunscreen, warm water wax and a pair of reef shoes to protect against the volcanic rocks.
Cutting up some big Santa Catalina waves
Local Surfing star Cholito and friends for around the world cut up some impressive waves in Santa Catalina.
Scuba Santa Catalina
Like the surfing, Scuba diving in Santa Catalina is world class. Local diving is excellent and in just over an hour, you can be diving in the Isla Coiba National Marine Park. Isla Coiba is often referred to as a cross between the Galapagos and Cocos Islands.The word "panama" is an indigenous word meaning an abundance of fish. Diving in both of these areas illustrates the truth in Panama's name. Large schools of tuna, wahoo, and other game fish can be seen as well as numerous pelagics, such as white tip reef sharks. Seeing eagle rays, barracudas, and turtles are very common.
June to September, sightings of humpback whales, wintering from South America are possible. Depending on the season, possibilities include pilot whales, orcas and dolphins. Shark possibilities include whale shark, tiger, bull and hammerheads.
The only land based scuba operator in Santa Catalina is Scuba Coiba. They use a 25 foot fiberglass boat set up to accommodate 6 divers comfortably and have well maintained rental equipment. Their staff is mulilingual, including english, spanish and german.
Video of Scuba Diving near Isla Coiba
Isla Coiba is the a National Marine Park about an hour and a half offshore from Santa Catalina. Santa Catalina is the nearest launch point for this awesome dive and eco-tour site.
Incredible Video of Isla Coiba Fish, Flora, and Fauna
The diversity and beauty of Isla Coiba is illustrated beautifully in this video.
Getting To Santa Catalina
Santa Catalina is about an hour and a half drive South Southwest from Santiago. Whether you are coming from Panama City or David, you will travel through Santiago.Santa Catalina is a five to six hour drive from Panama City's Tocumen International Airport and a four to five hour drive from David. The roads have recently been paved up to the edge of Santa Catalina, making 4 wheel drive no longer a requirement.
If you are driving to Santa Catalina, the most difficult part is making the correct turns in Santiago. The guide books are inaccurate and signage is poor off of the Transamerica highway. For the best information available, see the "Getting here page on SantaCatalinaBeach.com". It includes pictures of the signs and landmarks for the turns.
Using public transportation, buses can be ridden from Panama City or David to Santiago. In Santiago, change to the bus to Soná. In Soná, catch the Santa Catalina bus.
Santa Catalina Links
- Santa Catalina, Panama - Surf, Scuba Dive, Fish, Chill
- The best general information site on Santa Catalina, Panama
- Scuba Coiba
- Dive information from Scuba Coiba. The only land based scuba operator in Santa Catalina
- Coiba National Park, Panama
- Coiba National Park, Panama Information
Catalina Culinary Options
The number of options for eating are as limited as the accommodations as other services in Santa Catalina, but they are amazingly good and extremely affordable. Most are open air and offer limited menus or none at all.The best breakfast in town is at the Tropical Fruit stand located a half a block from the beach on the paved road. Breakfast is about a dollar and they offer a variety of fresh fruit smoothes for about the same price.
Steaks and burgers are availabe at the Argentenian owned Los Pibes. Nightly pasta dishes are available under the palapa covered patio at the Italian owned Oasis Surf Club. Local fare is at Viankas and Pizza is made in a wood burning oven at the combination pizza shop and surfer hang out down the road.
Meals range in the $1 to $4 range for breakfast and $3 to $8 for dinner.
Accomodations in Santa Catalina
There are no Hiltons or Marriotts here!
The places to stay in Santa Catalina are a collection of surf camps and hostels which can be described as simple at best. Prices range from $5 per night for camping to around $60 per night for a house with a/c.
- Sol y Mar
- Offer 4 spacious rooms, all with air-conditioned, private bath with hot-water, satellite TV, mini-fridge. Rates start at $40 for 2 people.
Cabins with fans for $8 - Oasis Surf Camp
- Only place where you can walk out of you room straight on to the sand and look at the beach. Owned and run by a young Italian couple. Also offers very good italian food!
$20-$30 per night
Camping on the beach $4 per Person a day - Blue Zone Dive and Surf Camp Panama
- Mick & Hedi are the managers for Blue Zone Surf & Dive Hostel. It is 2 rooms and a patio with a hammock!
- Punta Brava Surf Lodge
- On the hill in front of th Santa Catalina Surf Break. 11 rooms, 6 in the main building with 5 cabanas. Only lodge with telephone and internet access in the area.
- Casa Maya
- Casa Maya rents to houses.
The "Blue House has 2 rooms, kitchen , private bathroom, hot shower, living room and a nice balcony on the back. $50 a day for 4 people or $60 a day for 5 to 6 people
The "Red House" has 2 rooms, kitchen , private bathroom and a/c. Price with a/c: 4 people $60 per day. - Rancho Estero
- Ranchero Estero overlooks Playa Estero and offers cabins or camping
Getting Around Santa Catalina
Most visitors to Santa Catalina travel around town by foot. There are two primary roads in Santa Catalina. The main street which is the paved road that brings you to town and ends at the beach, and an unpaved road that heads east to Playa El Estero. This road has several small branches that fork off and head toward the sea.
The whole area can be traversed by foot in 20 to 30 minutes. If you chose to drive, generally, 2 wheel drive is okay, unless you are going to venture further into the countryside, cross rivers, or drive on beaches. You will also find you make plenty of friends from the visitors who chose to travel by foot if you are one of the few that have an auto!
The whole area can be traversed by foot in 20 to 30 minutes. If you chose to drive, generally, 2 wheel drive is okay, unless you are going to venture further into the countryside, cross rivers, or drive on beaches. You will also find you make plenty of friends from the visitors who chose to travel by foot if you are one of the few that have an auto!
Know more about Santa Catalina?
Add your experiences in Santa Catalina or just comments about our lens!
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- MindGuru MindGuru Dec 6, 2008 @ 7:32 pm
- Excellent, thorough writeup--it sold me. Thanks!
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- Glenn Glenn Nov 18, 2008 @ 8:51 am
- Greetings from Santa Catalina. Be advised that there is new dive operation servicing Santa Catalina and Coiba National Park. Full service dive shop, new up to date equipment and experienced PADI instructors and divemasters. More information can be found by visiting www.coibadivecenter.com
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- Michael Michael Sep 25, 2008 @ 2:23 pm
- Hello interested world..
keep your sights set on Santa Catalina as a new ADVENTURE CENTER is coming-complete with Sea-kayaking trips!!
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- lifesgoodpanama lifesgoodpanama Sep 14, 2008 @ 3:10 pm
- Good lens. I love Santa Catalina and have spent quite a lot of time there. Be sure to see Rich at Santa Catalina Boat tours for good halp and pohotos. I have an article on Santa Catalina and Coiba on my blog at: http:www.traveltopanamablog.com
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- lifesgoodpanama lifesgoodpanama Aug 11, 2008 @ 11:27 am
- Great lens. We loved that area and expect to get back soon. In the meantime we are working on an eco project in the foothills on the Caribbean side. Ziplines,horses and birding. We apent a lot of time in Santa Catalina, Hicaco and Coiba should not be missed! Good Pizza too. Check out our new blog at: www.travelpanamablog.com
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- paul paul Aug 5, 2008 @ 1:46 pm
- am staying at sol y mar in santa catalina and it i sgreat.on top of everything I read online about it they now have internet and phone service
their phone is (00507) 2029214
and their web page www.solymarpanama.com
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- Jen Jen Aug 1, 2008 @ 10:05 pm
- We just got back from Panama and stayed at Hibiscus Garden just 10 minues from Santa Catalina. It was great. Excellent food, great service, and a private beach area that creates a beautiful little hide-a-way. The owners were fabulous. Wish we could have stayed longer.
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- Chris Chris Apr 25, 2008 @ 5:05 pm
- Brilliant write up. Santa Catalina is without doubt a real up and coming destination, if only as a gateway to the amazing Coiba Island. It's been 6 weeks since I was there and I still can't get over how amazing it was. Check out my trip details and tips at http://bigtravelweb.com/travel/2008/03/27/panama-road-trip-santa-catalina-coiba-island/
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- Simon Hurst Simon Hurst Jan 22, 2008 @ 8:43 am
- Big World Villas in Santa Catalina, Veraguas, Panama
Big World Villas is a planned luxury ocean front development located in Santa Catalina, Veraguas, Republic of Panama. Located on the Pacific Coast of Panama, close to Coiba island, this area is regarded as having some of the best diving, surfing and fishing in the world. It is the first such development in the area and offers investors a laid back lifestyle surrounded by a pristine coastline and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure.
Once completed, Big World Villas will boast several multi-villa structures positioned perfectly to allow all of them stunning views of 4 paradise islands close by, and the Veraguas coastline. The first phase will consist of 48 villas in six octagonal shaped buildings with a modern feel, each with its own roof top social area allowing for breathtaking 360 degree views.
More information on this exciting project can be found here http://www.bigworldvillas.com.pa/fullinfo.html
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- mick mick Dec 13, 2007 @ 5:05 pm
- hi folks,
there is a new hotel called "hibiscusgarden" in lagartero, only 10 minutes away from catalina. they offer shuttleservices, surftrips and courses and got beautiful accomodatzions for only 15$ with ac and everything! check it out
mick
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- Knowles Knowles Jun 8, 2007 @ 7:01 pm
- valuable lens--congrats
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- Christene Christene May 30, 2007 @ 8:08 pm
- Blessed by a SquidAngel
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- The_Bard The_Bard May 30, 2007 @ 7:51 pm
- Very good travel lens.
Hope to see it grow.
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- flaminglacer flaminglacer May 30, 2007 @ 11:04 am
- Squid Angel Star
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