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Light sandy beach with palms and vegetation beside the sea.

Panama · Coiba and Santa Catalina

A day without a boat in Santa Catalina

For your arrival day or when the sea rules out Coiba: beaches, a surf lesson and kayaking near the village.

4 places

  1. 1

    CultureOpen

    Santa Catalina village

    South coast of Veraguas, at the end of the road from Soná.0 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
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    Booking
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    Former fishing village in Soná district, now a base for surfing, diving and fishing. It is the most touristic port for Coiba, with lodging and dive centers.

    Source: Santa Catalina – Visit Panamá (ATP) · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: Bring cash: according to the operator Premier Coiba Tours (page checked October 2026), there is only one ATM in the village, not every restaurant takes cards and frequent power cuts knock out card payments; Soná has ATMs and a bank.

    Nearby: Scuba diving Coiba from Santa Catalina (0.4 km) · Humpback whale watching (0.6 km) · Coiba snorkel day tour (0.6 km)

    Sources: Santa Catalina – Visit Panamá (ATP) · Coiba National Park – Visit Panamá (ATP) · Travel Information – Premier Coiba Tours

  2. 2

    BeachOpen

    Playa El Estero

    East of the village, along Vía El Estero.1.3 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
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    Wide sandy-bottom beach by the mouth of the El Estero river. Its small waves make it Santa Catalina's learning beach.

    Source: Santa Catalina – Visit Panamá (ATP) · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: Visit Panamá recommends it for beginners in the dry season. There are surf schools and board rentals in the village.

    Nearby: La Punta surf break (0.9 km) · Punta Brava (1.3 km) · Santa Catalina village (1.3 km)

    Sources: Santa Catalina – Visit Panamá (ATP) · Surfing Santa Catalina – santacatalinabeach.com · Santa Catalina, Panama – Premier Coiba Tours

  3. 3

    WaterOpen

    Isla Catalina by kayak

    Off Santa Catalina cove, southwest of the village.2.6 km from the centre

    Entry
    Last known: May 31, 2025
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Small island off Santa Catalina cove with white-sand beaches, reached by kayak from the village.

    Source: Santa Catalina, Panama – Premier Coiba Tours · 2025 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Estimate from Premier Coiba Tours' Santa Catalina guide (31 May 2025): about US$40 per day for a kayak and about US$30 for a paddleboard, in the village; half-day rentals are also possible. Not a rental quote.

    Tip: Paddle when the sea is calm and ask about tides and currents before setting out.

    Nearby: Santa Catalina beach (2 km) · Coiba snorkel day tour (2.1 km) · Scuba diving Coiba from Santa Catalina (2.2 km)

    Sources: Santa Catalina, Panama – Premier Coiba Tours · Panama travel advice – Government of Canada

  4. 4

    BeachOpen

    Santa Catalina beach

    Santa Catalina cove, west of the village.0.7 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Main beach in front of the village, next to the dock where boats leave. It also has surfable waves during big swells.

    Source: Santa Catalina, Panama – Premier Coiba Tours · 2025 · +1

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: Panama's beaches are not usually supervised by lifeguards and rip currents are common (Government of Canada, 2026). Ask locally before swimming.

    Nearby: Coiba snorkel day tour (0.2 km) · Scuba diving Coiba from Santa Catalina (0.2 km) · Humpback whale watching (0.4 km)

    Sources: Santa Catalina, Panama – Premier Coiba Tours · Panama travel advice – Government of Canada

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