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

Panama · Azuero Peninsula: Pedasí, Las Tablas & Chitré

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.

5 places

  1. 1

    BeachOpen

    Playa Venao

    South coast of Azuero, in Pedasí district, just over 30 km from both Pedasí and Tonosí.21.4 km from the centre

    Entry
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    Azuero's best-known surf beach, with waves up to 3 m. It hosted the 2011 ISA World Surfing Games and the 2022 Pan American Surfing Championship, and has surf schools, board rental, hostels and hotels.

    Source: Surf in Pedasi, Venao & Cambutal – Visit Panamá (ATP) · 2026 · +4

    Practical details and sources
    Time needed
    About 30–40 minutes by car or taxi from Pedasí (The Lost and Found hostel blog, March 2026). The Animales Pedasí directory publishes a timetable of five departures each way for the announced first stage of a Pedasí–Venao–Cañas bus route (checked October 2026); current service and times to be confirmed.

    Tip: Visit Panamá says big, consistent waves run from May to August, for intermediate and advanced surfers, with gentler waves the rest of the year. Panama's beaches usually have no lifeguards and rip currents are common (Government of Canada, 2026).

    Sources: Surf in Pedasi, Venao & Cambutal – Visit Panamá (ATP) · Pedasi, Venao & Cambutal – Visit Panamá (ATP) · The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Isla Iguana from Pedasí – The Lost and Found Jungle Hostel · Transportation: bus Pedasí to Playa Venao and Cañas – Animales Pedasí · Travel advice and advisories for Panama – Government of Canada

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  2. 2

    BeachOpen

    Playa Los Destiladeros

    Pedasí district, between the town and Punta Mala.8.3 km from the centre

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    Beach south of Pedasí with surfable waves and hotels and restaurants nearby, according to Visit Panamá.

    Source: Surf in Pedasi, Venao & Cambutal – Visit Panamá (ATP) · 2026 · +3

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: There are usually no lifeguards and rip currents are common in Panama (Government of Canada, 2026): ask at your lodging about the day's conditions.

    Nearby: Pedasí town (8.3 km) · Playa El Toro (8.6 km) · Playa El Arenal (Pedasí) (11.5 km)

    Sources: Surf in Pedasi, Venao & Cambutal – Visit Panamá (ATP) · Pedasí & Tonosí Beaches – Visit Panamá (ATP) · Los Santos, Panamá – Visit Panamá (ATP) · Travel advice and advisories for Panama – Government of Canada

  3. 3

    BeachOpen

    Playa El Toro

    East coast of Pedasí district, east of the town.2.6 km from the centre

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    Beach close to Pedasí that Visit Panamá mentions for its good waves and for allowing camping.

    Source: Surf in Pedasi, Venao & Cambutal – Visit Panamá (ATP) · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: Swimming conditions not confirmed by an official source at the time of review. Panama's beaches usually have no lifeguards and rip currents are common (Government of Canada, 2026).

    Nearby: Pedasí town (2.6 km) · Playa El Arenal (Pedasí) (3.7 km) · Humpback whale watching from Pedasí (3.7 km)

    Sources: Surf in Pedasi, Venao & Cambutal – Visit Panamá (ATP) · Pedasí & Tonosí Beaches – Visit Panamá (ATP) · Travel advice and advisories for Panama – Government of Canada

  4. 4

    BeachOpen

    Playa El Arenal (Pedasí)

    East of Pedasí town, Los Santos.3.3 km from the centre

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    Fishing beach a few minutes from central Pedasí. Boats leave from here for Isla Iguana and whale watching; Visit Panamá lists it among the beaches with good waves.

    Source: The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Isla Iguana from Pedasí – The Lost and Found Jungle Hostel · 2026 · +4

    Practical details and sources
    Booking
    Boat captains offer trips early in the morning on the beach itself (The Lost and Found hostel blog, March 2026). In January 2025 MiAmbiente announced permanent staff and a satellite connection (Starlink) at the SINAPROC checkpoint on the beach to make it easier to pay the Isla Iguana entry fee online before departure; check that it is still available.

    Tip: Boats must carry life jackets, flares, a first-aid kit and a fire extinguisher, under Maritime Authority supervision (2025). Make sure you get a life jacket before leaving.

    Nearby: Humpback whale watching from Pedasí (0 km) · Pedasí town (3.3 km) · Playa El Toro (3.7 km)

    Sources: The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Isla Iguana from Pedasí – The Lost and Found Jungle Hostel · MiAMBIENTE insta a cumplir con los requisitos para visitar el Refugio de Vida Silvestre Isla Iguana – MiAmbiente · Isla Iguana: el desafío del turismo sostenible – Panamá América · Pedasí & Tonosí Beaches – Visit Panamá (ATP) · Los Santos, Panamá – Visit Panamá (ATP)

  5. 5

    BeachOpen

    Playa Cambutal

    Cambutal, Tonosí district (Los Santos).57.9 km from the centre

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    Rustic surf area in southern Azuero, for beginner and intermediate levels, with yoga retreats. It is the gateway for trips toward Cerro Hoya.

    Source: Surf in Pedasi, Venao & Cambutal – Visit Panamá (ATP) · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Time needed
    From Las Tablas it is about 2 more hours by car to Tonosí; by bus, Albrook Grand Terminal has departures to Macaracas and Tonosí (about 5 h 20 min) (Visit Panamá).

    Tip: Visit Panamá places Cambutal's best waves in the dry season (December–April).

    Sources: Surf in Pedasi, Venao & Cambutal – Visit Panamá (ATP) · Pedasi, Venao & Cambutal – Visit Panamá (ATP) · Los Santos, Panamá – Visit Panamá (ATP)

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