Santa Catalina - Panama's Top Destination for Diving and Surfing
- Traveltide
- Jan 8, 2024
- 5 min read
Travel effortlessly from Santiago to the once modest fishing village of Santa Catalina. From surfing to kayaking to Isla Santa Catalina, the activities are diverse. Enjoy the sunset at Playa Santa Catalina and explore the highlight of the region, Isla Coiba.
In this blog, we share everything about the various activities, the best restaurants, and the coziest hostels and hotels in Santa Catalina. Read below to learn how to travel to Santa Catalina and discover how this village has become a tourist hotspot in Panama.
HOW TO GET FROM SANTIAGO TO SANTA CATALINA?
To travel to Santa Catalina from David or the direction of Panama City, you should take the bus to Santiago. Buses to Sona depart from the Santiago bus terminal. In Sona, transfer to another bus heading to Santa Catalina. The last bus from Sona to Santa Catalina typically departs around 1:00 PM. The bus journey from Santiago to Sona takes approximately half an hour to an hour. From Sona, it takes another hour and a half to reach Santa Catalina. The cost from Santiago to Sona is $3, and the cost from Sona to Santa Catalina is $5.
Did you just miss the last bus? A taxi from Sona to Santa Catalina will cost you $30 after negotiation.
BACK IN TIME IN SANTA CATALINA
Santa Catalina, once a modest fishing settlement on the Pacific coast of Panama, holds a rich history dating back to its origins as a simple village where the local community thrived on fishing. In the '70s and '80s, Santa Catalina was discovered by surfers drawn to the impressive waves along the coastline. What started as a destination for surfers grew into a favorite spot for adventurous travelers.
The rise in tourism also brought attention to Santa Catalina's proximity to the impressive Coiba National Park, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This recognition led to efforts to protect the marine ecosystem around Santa Catalina, where sustainable tourism and ecological awareness became central aspects. Coiba was once a prison island during Panama's dictatorship and has a tumultuous history. For years, the island housed a notorious prison, but today, it is primarily known for its pristine nature, rich biodiversity, and the protection it enjoys as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The accessibility of Santa Catalina has improved through the development of transportation infrastructure, such as the bus connection from Santiago. This has attracted a diverse group of visitors to the village, ranging from surfers seeking to conquer challenging waves to nature enthusiasts wanting to explore the beauty of Coiba National Park.
Santa Catalina's evolution from a traditional fishing village to a versatile destination reflects the delicate balance between tourism and heritage preservation. It remains a unique place where history and nature converge, providing travelers with the opportunity to enjoy surfing, diving, and the stunning surrounding environment.
WHAT TO DO IN SANTA CATALINA?
SURFING - Santa Catalina is the surfing capital of Panama. Another excellent spot is Playa Venao, but in Santa Catalina, you can enjoy a fantastic surf session at any tide. The beach break is suitable for both beginners and advanced surfers, and with the right swell, waves of up to 3 meters can easily form. On calm days, the waves at mid-tide are ideal for surfing. Keep in mind that the current can be strong to the left at times. Playa El Estero is the hotspot where everyone surfs, and next to Estero is Playa Arrimadero, also popular among local surfers. The atmosphere in the water is friendly.
In Santa Catalina, there are various places where you can rent a surfboard. For beginners, Oasis Surfcamp, located at Playa El Estero, is the ideal spot. They offer a variety of different soft-tops to beginner hard-tops. The cost is $10 for half a day (09:00 to 13:00 or 13:00 to 18:00) or $15 for the whole day. If you want to rent a more specialized board like a shortboard, Agua Salada is the best choice. This shop is located in the center, and the cost is $20 per day.
Oasis Surfcamp also offers surf lessons at a price of $30 for an hour of surf instruction. You'll be taught by a local surfer with a focus on personalized attention.
KAYAKING - Next to Santa Catalina is Isla Santa Catalina. You can go to this island for a day of relaxation, and a fun way to do this is by kayaking. You can rent a tandem kayak from Agua Salada for $25 for the whole day. However, it's not possible to kayak to locations other than the island and back due to the currents and waves around the island. On both sides of the beach, you can enjoy snorkeling by the rocks to spot fish or lobsters. It takes about half an hour to paddle to the island.
However, a small note should be made about this activity. The beach on the island is facing a waste problem. Currently, there are no community initiatives for cleanup, making it feel less picturesque.
WATCHING THE SUNSET - Watching a sunset is always a beautiful way to end the day. At Playa Santa Catalina, locals gather at the end of the day to play football and volleyball while the sun slowly sets behind the island of Santa Catalina. It's a lovely spot to enjoy the setting sun.
ISLA COIBA - Our highlight in Santa Catalina is a visit to Isla Coiba. This island complex is a 1-hour boat ride away and is considered the Galapagos Islands of Central America. Since Isla Coiba served as a penal colony for many years and has been recognized as a biosphere reserve since 2004, the impact of human activity has remained limited. The waters around the island are rich in diverse life, ranging from whales, whale sharks, reef sharks, blacktip sharks, and turtles to a variety of fish species, including tropical small fish and larger sea fish such as barracudas and snappers. The underwater landscape is mainly rocky with scattered coral formations.
We have dived in these fantastic waters and are very satisfied with our choice. An excellent dive school is the Panama Dive Center. They have many years of experience, excellent equipment, and guides. They take the time and, if necessary, refresh your diving knowledge. Each diver receives a dive watch, and the group consists of a maximum of 6 people. For 3 dives, you pay $175, excluding a $20 park entrance fee. You can also opt for two dives ($150) and decide this on the boat. After the first dive, you get a snack, and after the second dive, you receive a sandwich or rice dish on one of the beaches around Isla Coiba. The beaches around Coiba are protected and very remote. This makes you feel like you're on the most paradisiacal beaches without other tourists! Click here to visit their website for more information.
Of course, you can also snorkel in these waters, with various providers available. Although we don't have personal snorkeling experience, the experiences of other travelers are excellent. For $80, excluding a $20 park entrance fee, you can join a snorkeling tour that takes you to 3 different spots. Expedition Coiba is highly regarded as a provider for booking a snorkeling tour. Click here to visit their website for more information.
WHERE TO STAY IN SANTA CATALINA?
CASA PABLO/LA PERLA HOSTEL - Our favorite hostel is La Perla Hostel, also known as Casa Pablo on Booking. The private rooms have very comfortable beds and are equipped with air conditioning. The bathrooms are shared, and there is a communal kitchen for personal use. The dorm beds are slightly less convenient as there are no lockers for your valuables, and there are no partitions between the beds. Pablo is a fantastic host, and his arepas for breakfast are delicious. Click here for current prices and availability for your dates.
BODHI - Bodhi is another favorite option if your budget allows a bit more flexibility. With multiple locations across Panama, Bodhi provides quality rooms and dorm beds. The private rooms at Bodhi are small bungalows in the garden, equipped with a small porch and a private bathroom. Breakfast, consisting of pancakes, is included. Click here for current prices and availability for your dates.
HOTEL OASIS & SURFCAMP - This place is located in a prime spot at Playa El Estero. Despite being 2 km from the town center, you are right on the surf beach, allowing you to roll out of bed and into the sea in the morning. It also features an excellent restaurant and bar for a post-surf beer. Click here for current prices and availability for your dates.
COIBAHOUSE - This picturesque hotel is located on the beach in Santa Catalina, surrounded by mountain scenery. It has only 3 rooms with a shared bathroom and offers a fantastic view of the sea and Isla Santa Catalina. This allows you to watch the sunset while relaxing in a hammock. Due to the limited number of rooms, they fill up quickly. Click here for current prices and availability for your dates.
Tip - In Santa Catalina, there is now a well-functioning ATM where you can withdraw cash. This means you don't have to bring a lot of cash, as some other blogs mention. Most restaurants and hostels also accept card payments.
THE BEST EATING & DRINKING SPOTS IN SANTA CATALINA
LA PERLA RESTAURANT - Not only is the hostel excellent, but Pablo's arepas are also very flavorful. He offers arepas with various toppings, including fish, shrimp, chicken, and veggies.
LA PULPERIA - This is, for us, the best restaurant in Santa Catalina. They combine Asian/local tapas with Neapolitan pizzas. A unique combination, but both are of very high quality. Also, their pizzas are the best choice in Santa Catalina compared to the Italian pizzerias.
EL PACIFICO - If you want a local dining experience, we recommend going to El Pacifico. It is the best seafood restaurant in Santa Catalina. It has an authentic ambiance, and the dishes range from fresh fish, octopus, shrimp to chicken.
DOÑA SABY - If your budget is not extensive, then Doña Saby is the best place to go. They serve burgers and chicken dishes for a price around $5.
CAFÉ PANACHOCOLAT - Craving delicious coffee? This is the place to go. They also have delightful smoothie bowls and sandwiches.
LA MONCHERIA - For Italian ice cream, La Moncheria is the place to be. Creamy chocolate ice cream or refreshing passion fruit ice cream makes for a tasty dessert or a good refreshment after a surf session.
For tips, questions, more inspiration, or a friendly chat, feel free to send us a message via the chat!
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