SANTA CATALINA
SANTA CATALINA
Things To Do!
Surfing
Among Central America’s top surf spots that attract surfers from all over the world, Santa Catalina has right and left breaks comparable to Oahu’s Sunset Beach on a good day. Enjoy it while it’s still somewhat remote, undeveloped and home to some seriously awesome surf. There is a wave for every type of surfer here. The most popular surf break in Santa Catalina is La Punta. It’s classed as one of the best waves in Central America and is only meant to be surfed by the pros. Killer waves can be found year-round. Playa El Estero is ideal for learning, since it has small waves, without many people. Lessons are around $25 per hour and board rentals are $5 for half day/$10 full for a full day at Playa El Estero. There are no dangerous reefs or rocks since this beautiful beach has a sandy bottom. After this beach is Punta Brava, where another famous wave is located. You can even surf the public beach of the town, Playa Santa Catalina when there is a big swell. The water is warm year-round in Santa Catalina and wetsuits are not needed.
Snorkeling & Scuba Diving
Santa Catalina is currently the best mainland base from which to launch day scuba dive and snorkeling trips to the famous Coiba National Park. With an hour to an hour and a half boat trip to Coiba from the beach at Santa Catalina, time to access the national park is cut by at least half compared to most other launching points along the Panamanian Pacific coast.
There are 5 diving centers in Santa Catalina and several snorkeling companies. Scuba diving to Coiba National Park costs around $160 for 3 tanks (including gear) and prices are comparable in all of the dive centers. The recommended snorkeling company is Discover Coiba because they offer new equipment, quality service, and large portions of traditional foods. They also offer multi-day overnight camping trips on the islands or multi-day trips sleeping in a hotel. Regardless of whether you choose to dive or snorkel, all visitors to Coiba National Park must pay a park entrance fee in addition to the cost of diving or snorkeling. Foreigners pay $20 and Panamanian residents pay $5 per day.
Kayaking
&
Paddle Boarding
You can rent a kayak for around $40 USD per day or stand up paddleboards for around $30 USD per day in the town of Santa Catalina. Half-day rentals are also possible. Isla Catalina, or Santa Catalina Island, is about an hour paddle away and boasts pristine white sand beaches and snorkeling. You can also just stay closer to Santa Catalina mainland and enjoy the beautiful views if you don’t feel like paddling that far.
World Class Sport Fishing
Santa Catalina boasts world class sport fishing, including Wahoo, YellowFin Tuna, Snapper, Mahi Mahi, Sailfish, and more! The warm waters in Santa Catalina, Panama attract seasonal fish from both the northern and southern hemispheres escaping their winters, making it an abundant fishing location year round. Half day, full day, and multi-day trips can be arranged, with half day trips starting as low as $50 per hour. There are lots of local “panga” boats going out daily, so reserving your spot on a boat does not necessarily need to be done before you come.
Seafood Galore
There are many daily ‘catch-of-the-day’ dishes and specials in town. A great spot for seafood is Restaurante Pinguinos. They serve pasta dishes with fish or grilled fish with rice and beans. You can enjoy the sunset from the terrace located on the Santa Catalina main beach.
There are many daily ‘catch-of-the-day’ dishes and specials in town. A great spot for seafood is Restaurante Pinguinos. They serve pasta dishes with fish or grilled fish with rice and beans. You can enjoy the sunset from the terrace located on the Santa Catalina main beach.
Horseback Riding
Ride a Horse on Estero Beach
Walking, bicycling, and riding horses are the primary methods of transportation in Santa Catalina. Plenty of locals own horses and some ride their horses to work every day here. Pretty cool, huh? It’s not difficult to arrange a tour once you arrive with one of the locals, just walk along the main road and look for a friendly horse! The cost is around $20 per hour and can vary depending on which horse you choose.
Watch Stunning Sunsets
Santa Catalina sunsets are second to none. Both locals and tourists head out around 6 pm to the beach and wait for these incredible sunsets to appear. The best sunsets can be seen from the main beach, Santa Catalina Beach. Bring a beer or two and simply enjoy the view and the vibe.