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Pacific West, Panama
Photo: Sebastiano Giardinella, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Santa Catalina is a small coastal village on the Pacific side of Veraguas Province, Panama. Known for world-class surfing, scuba diving, and access to Coiba National Marine Park, this peaceful town has evolved from an anonymous fishing community into a low-key travel destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
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The oldest diving and snorkeling shop in Santa Catalina, run by an Australian expat named Herbie Sunk. This shop is so laid-back the only thing they take seriously is minimalism.
Adrian, the hotel manager, is possibly the most hospitable person in the world. This hotel is near the center of the town and has five rooms available with AC, showers, and hot water. The restaurant on-site cooks fresh local food but is closed one day during the week. The hotel is affiliated with Scuba Coiba.
It has spacious, comfortable cabins spread on the slope of a hill overlooking the ocean and surrounded by tropical trees. The rooms have air conditioning, private bath with hot shower, satellite TV, mini-fridge, terrace with hammocks. The restaurant offers food, drinks, pool table, billiards and internet service. Credit cards accepted.
By bus
65 and takes around 2 hours. From there you can connect to Santiago. The bus leaves somewhat promptly from outside the Farmacia.
By taxi
Taking a taxi from Soná to Santa Catalina is faster than the bus and costs between $30–$40, depending on the time of day and negotiation.
On foot, one can walk the entire town including both beaches in about 2 hours. There are two major roads that intersect at the town center which allow access by car.
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Chitré · Regional · CTD
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