Panama
ESMy trip
Low sun over a bay, with the coast and vegetation in silhouette.

Panama · Azuero (Los Santos & Herrera)

Azuero Peninsula: Pedasí, Las Tablas
& Chitré.

Surf, whales, turtles and Panama's most traditional festivals.

See what to do (21)Destination map

Photo: Dimas Ruiz

Before you go,
understand the place.

Azuero is part of the Dry Arc, Panama's driest and sunniest strip. Chitré, capital of Herrera, is the peninsula's commercial hub; a few kilometers away, La Villa de Los Santos keeps the house of the first cry of independence (10 November 1821) and Parita a 1656 church with colonial altarpieces. North of Chitré, Sarigua National Park protects an arid landscape of dunes and petrified trees.

Best time to go
On the Pacific slope the dry season runs from December to April and the rains from May to November, with September and October the wettest months (IMHPA). Azuero lies in the Dry Arc: the MIDA–IMHPA agroclimatic bulletin for Los Santos forecast almost no rain from January to March 2024, highs of 35–38 °C and lows of 15–17 °C; December is the transition month and isolated showers can still fall in the dry season. The dry season is best for Sarigua, the museums and Carnival (6–9 February 2027). The rainy season brings the coast's main draws: whales from July to October (best in September), turtles on Isla Cañas from July to December and big waves at Venao from May to August (Visit Panamá). Festivals: Corpus Christi in La Villa in May or June, the Pollera Festival in Las Tablas on 20–23 July and the Mejorana Festival in Guararé in September.
Getting there
By car from Panama City: take the Pan-American Highway to Divisa, then head to Chitré and Las Tablas, about 3.5–4.5 hours to Las Tablas; Pedasí is about 1 hour further south and Tonosí 2 hours more (Visit Panamá). By bus: Expreso Santa Librada leaves Albrook Terminal (ticket office B-6) for Las Tablas for B/.9.70, with timetables that vary by day of the week (Buses Panamá, June 2026: check the one for your travel day); the ride takes about 4–4.5 hours (The Lost and Found hostel blog, March 2026). There are also buses from Albrook to Chitré (about 4 hours, Visit Panamá) and to Macaracas and Tonosí (about 5 h 20 min). The Animales Pedasí directory (checked October 2026) lists a minibus from Las Tablas to Pedasí every 30–45 minutes between 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. A 2018 VivaVenao page (publication date per its metadata) gave US$2.40 and about 45 minutes for that ride, and buses from Chitré to Las Tablas every 7–10 minutes for US$1.50, in about 30 minutes; current fares not confirmed. Animales Pedasí also publishes a timetable of five departures each way for the announced first stage of a Pedasí–Venao–Cañas route; current service and times to be confirmed. By air: Air Panama's Pedasí page (undated, checked October 2026) lists flights from Albrook on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays; its general schedule, as checked, does not include Pedasí but does include Chitré. Confirm the route and days before planning.

Five ways to explore

Themed guides

Places grouped by theme, to plan your day.

  • 5 places

    Islands, whales and turtles

    Azuero's marine life depends on the season: whales from July to October and turtle arribadas from July to December. Isla Iguana is open year-round, with online payment to MiAmbiente in advance.

    Open the full guide
  • 5 places

    Beaches and surf in southern Azuero

    From Pedasí to Cambutal there are more than ten surf spots. Venao has the most services; big waves arrive from May to August. There are usually no lifeguards.

    Open the full guide
  • 5 places

    History and museums

    The 1821 independence, the figure of Belisario Porras and colonial churches. Most Ministry of Culture museums open Tuesday to Saturday and are free.

    Open the full guide
  • 5 places

    Festivals and folklore

    Azuero hosts Panama's best-known traditional festivals: Carnival in February, Corpus Christi in May or June, the Pollera in July and the Mejorana in September.

    Open the full guide
  • 4 places

    Dry Arc nature

    Arid land, dry forest, mangroves and protected coastline. For Sarigua, the dry season and an early start are best because of the heat.

    Open the full guide

The place, in context

Everything you can do

Closed or restricted places are included and flagged, so you know what to expect.

Showing 21 of 21

Nature and jungle · 5

Sea, beach and reef · 5

Living culture · 11

Azuero Peninsula: Pedasí, Las Tablas & Chitré · Practical guide

The essentials

  1. Snorkeling and beach time on Isla Iguana, with the entry fee paid online to MiAmbiente.
  2. Humpback whales off Pedasí from July to October.
  3. Night arribada of olive ridley turtles on Isla Cañas with community guides.
  4. Surfing at Playa Venao.
  5. Las Tablas Carnival, 6–9 February 2027.
  6. The arid landscape of Sarigua National Park.

Azuero Peninsula: Pedasí, Las Tablas & Chitré · Practical guide

Suggested itinerary

  1. Day 1Herrera and La Villa (Tuesday to Saturday, when the museums open). Early, Sarigua National Park (opens at 8:00; go before the midday heat) and the colonial church in Parita. In the afternoon, the Herrera Museum in Chitré and the Museum of Nationhood in La Villa de Los Santos (both 8:00 to 4:00, free). Overnight in Chitré or Las Tablas.
  2. Day 2Las Tablas and Pedasí. Morning at Parque Porras and the Belisario Porras Museum; Tuesday to Saturday, also El Pausílipo House Museum (8:00 to 4:00). Continue by minibus or car to Pedasí (about 45–60 min). Pay the Isla Iguana entry online at miambiente.gob.pa for the next day. Afternoon at Playa El Toro or El Arenal.
  3. Day 3Isla Iguana and Venao. Early boat from Playa El Arenal to Isla Iguana (about 20–25 min), with water and food; from July to October, add whale watching under MiAmbiente's rules. In the afternoon, Playa Venao for a surf lesson. Alternative from July to December: a night turtle tour on Isla Cañas with community guides.

Azuero Peninsula: Pedasí, Las Tablas & Chitré · Practical guide

Where to stay

Pedasí
Small, quiet town. The most practical base for Isla Iguana and the whales, as boats leave from Playa El Arenal, a few minutes away.
Playa Venao
Surf camps, hotels, hostels, yoga retreats and surf schools on the beach. About 30–40 minutes from Pedasí.
Cambutal
More rustic and remote, with beginner and intermediate surf and yoga retreats. Starting point for the Cerro Hoya coast.
Chitré and Las Tablas
Towns with services, frequent buses and easy access to museums and festivals. Lodging fills up at Carnival and festival time: book early.

Azuero Peninsula: Pedasí, Las Tablas & Chitré · Practical guide

Practical tips

  1. Pay the Isla Iguana entry fee online before boarding, on MiAmbiente's portal (reservasap.miambiente.gob.pa), and keep the e-receipt. In January 2025 MiAmbiente stated payment by Clave, Visa or Mastercard; check the accepted methods when paying. Foreigners: B/.10 (MiAmbiente, 2025).
  2. Nothing is sold on Isla Iguana and alcohol is banned: bring water and food.
  3. The Ministry of Culture museums in Chitré and La Villa open Tuesday to Saturday; plan your museum day outside Sunday and Monday.
  4. Sarigua and the beaches can top 35 °C in the dry season: start early, with a hat, sunscreen and water.
  5. On Isla Cañas, at very low tide the boat cannot cross: agree the time with your guide.

Safety and precautions

  • Panama's beaches usually have no lifeguards, tides cause strong currents and rip currents are common; there are drownings every year (Government of Canada, June 2026). Ask about conditions before swimming, especially on surf beaches.
  • Telemetro reported the temporary closure of access to Isla Iguana and suspension of departures because of strong winds and rough seas on 2 November 2024, announced by MiAmbiente, the AMP and SINAPROC. The AMP port administrator in Pedasí, quoted by Panamá América in April 2025, said boats must carry life jackets, flares, a first-aid kit and fire extinguishers; that report also describes checks of each boat before departure.
  • In its 2021 guide to the 2017 whale-watching protocol, MiAmbiente states that boats must stay at least 250 m from whales, observe a group for no more than 30 minutes (15 with a calf), and that swimming or diving with them is prohibited. In August 2026 TVN reported a MiAmbiente investigation after a person swam next to a whale.
  • Roads have poor lighting and potholes, and driving is often reckless (FCDO; Government of Canada). Avoid driving at night and wear a seatbelt, mandatory for driver and front passenger.
  • Do not buy or eat turtle eggs: Law 371 of 2023 bans trade in sea turtles and their eggs, and penalizes taking turtles and their products (arts. 27 and 31).

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to visit Isla Iguana?

Entry is B/.10 for foreigners and B/.4 for nationals and residents; national students and retirees pay B/.2 and under-12s are free (MiAmbiente, 2025). Pay online at miambiente.gob.pa. The boat from Playa El Arenal is extra, about US$15–25 per person (The Lost and Found hostel blog, March 2026).

When can you see whales in Pedasí?

From July to October; the peak is August to October and September is usually the best month (Visit Panamá; Panamá América, 2025). Boats leave from Playa El Arenal.

When is the turtle arribada on Isla Cañas?

Nesting peaks between July and December, with mass arribadas mostly from September to November. The Libélulas Pedasí hostel, which sells these tours, gives two start dates for night turtle tours on the same page: 1 July in its English offer box and 15 July in the Spanish text, both until 15 December (published July 2024, checked October 2026). Confirm the start date with the provider.

When is Las Tablas Carnival in 2027?

From Saturday 6 to Tuesday 9 February 2027 (La Estrella de Panamá, February 2026). Ash Wednesday is 10 February.

How do I get to Pedasí without a car?

Bus from Albrook to Las Tablas (Expreso Santa Librada, B/.9.70; Buses Panamá, June 2026, publishes different timetables by day of the week: check the one for your travel day), then a minibus from Las Tablas to Pedasí (about 45 minutes; US$2.40 according to a 2018 VivaVenao page, current fare not confirmed). By air, Air Panama's Pedasí page lists flights from Albrook on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays, but its general schedule, as checked, does not include Pedasí: confirm the route and days before planning.

Which days are the museums open?

The Museum of Nationhood and the Herrera Museum open Tuesday to Saturday, 8:00 to 4:00, and are free; the Belisario Porras Museum, Tuesday to Sunday (SiCultura). El Pausílipo opens Tuesday to Saturday (La Prensa, 2026).

Azuero Peninsula: Pedasí, Las Tablas & Chitré · Practical guide

Sources consulted

Information checked in . Prices, hours and rules change: confirm them with the official source before you travel.

  1. Pedasi, Venao & Cambutal – Visit Panamá (ATP)2026
  2. Los Santos, Panamá – Visit Panamá (ATP)2026
  3. Surf in Pedasi, Venao & Cambutal – Visit Panamá (ATP)2026
  4. Parque Nacional Sarigua – Visit Panamá (ATP)2026
  5. Régimen pluviométrico de Panamá – IMHPA2026
  6. Boletín agroclimático Los Santos, dic. 2023–mar. 2024 – MIDA / IMHPA2024
  7. MiAMBIENTE insta a cumplir con los requisitos para visitar el Refugio de Vida Silvestre Isla Iguana – MiAmbiente2025
  8. ¿Qué debo tomar en cuenta durante el avistamiento de cetáceos? – MiAmbiente2021
  9. Terminal de Albrook → Las Tablas (Expreso Santa Librada) – Buses Panamá2026
  10. Chitré / Las Tablas – Get to Playa Venao (Viva Venao)2026
  11. Transportation: bus Pedasí to Playa Venao and Cañas – Animales Pedasí2026
  12. The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Isla Iguana from Pedasí – The Lost and Found Jungle Hostel2026
  13. Pedasí – Air Panama2026
  14. Carnavales 2027 en Panamá: ya hay fecha oficial – La Estrella de Panamá2026
  15. Temporada de ballenas jorobadas y arribadas de tortugas – Panamá América2025
  16. Chitré – Wikipedia2026
  17. Travel advice and advisories for Panama – Government of Canada2026
  18. Panama travel advice: safety and security – UK FCDO2026
  19. Las tortugas marinas vuelven a depositar sus huevos en las playas panameñas – Infobae2026
  20. Museo de la Nacionalidad de La Villa de Los Santos – SiCultura2026
  21. Sistema de Reserva de Áreas Protegidas – MiAmbiente2026
  22. Itineraries – Air Panama (consultado en octubre de 2026)2026
  23. Miambiente informa sobre cierre temporal de Isla Iguana – Telemetro2024
  24. Isla Iguana: el desafío del turismo sostenible – Panamá América2025
  25. MiAmbiente investiga avistamiento irregular: persona nadó cerca de una ballena – TVN2026
  26. Ley 371 de 1 de marzo de 2023, protección y conservación de las tortugas marinas – Gaceta Oficial 29730-A2023
  27. Isla Cañas es un refugio de tortugas y manglares – Libélulas Pedasí2024

Other destinations