Santa Catalina, Panama is located on the Pacific coast in the central province of Veraguas. It is a mixture of a quiet fishing village, a melting pot of foreign residents from all over the world, and low-impact tourism with small hotels and authentic local and international restaurants and bars.

Discovered in the late 70s by adventurous surfers, Santa Catalina was kept secret for years. In the early years of this millennium, dive tour operators and discovered Santa Catalina and the nearest access point and more convenient to the dive sites and world-class wildlife Coiba National Park. The clarity of its waters and the marine reserve available to this beach allows the practice of diving and snorkel.

Santa Catalina beach is known for its biggest natural attraction, waves of great strength that never get off the meter height, which attract surfers for their consistent and powerful break. 

Santa Catalina is considered by many surfing experts as having the best, most perfect, most consistent wave in Central America – but they are referring to “La Punta” of Santa Catalina (the point break).  The point break at Santa Catalina is world-famous for its’ amazing tubes, incredibly long rides, powerful surf, and consistency of swell, which is why the biggest international surfing competitions have been held at La Punta.  Of course, La Punta should only be surfed by advanced surfers.

For experienced surfers, Santa Catalina, Panama 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 sunscreens, warm water wax, and a pair of reef shoes to protect against the volcanic rocks.

Most of the surf is for experienced surfers except for Estero beach, where beginners can practice on smaller, yet consistent waves and a sand beach. Lessons and board rental are available from a local surf camp.

Being one of the main access points to Coiba and Cebaco Island and boat services are presented to the routes between islands that visitors can appreciate the company of dolphins playing in the foam left by the passage of their boats.

Other Surf Breaks off Isla Cebaco and Isla Coiba remain local secrets and are best visited by hiring a local operator such as the boats at Punta Brava Lodge. The boat ride to these pristine sites could be between 45 minutes to 4 hours depending on the site and the speed of the boat. For instance, the south shore of Isla Coiba in a boat with a large outboard engine could take an hour and a half or up to 3 hours in some of the smaller local pangas.

The town and its surroundings have more than 30 hotels, cottages, restaurants, bars, and supermarkets for the necessary time to go to enjoy the sea and its charms offered by the province of Veraguas among its top sightseeing shopping.

How to get to Santa Catalina?

  • Car: From Panama City you have to take the Interamerican Highway, heading to Santiago de Veraguas, then heads to Sona. Just before you will find an intersection, turn your Izquierdad and advancement. You will pass by the Town Tigers where you will find a sign towards Santa Catalina. From this point only 18 km left to reach your destination.
  • Bus: Addressing the Albrook terminal – to shed buying tickets indicating Veraguas – Santiago or a direct ticket to dreaming fee of $ 8.50, after reaching Soná you can take a bus to Santa Catalina departures at 5:00 am. 12:00 pm. and 4:00 pm.
  • Taxi: From Santiago fee $ 50.00 to Santa Catalina or from Sona $ 30.00
  • Boat: You can contact us and we will accompany this and other exciting destinations.

For more information visit the official site of Santa Catalina http://www.visitsantacatalina.com/

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