Sweet Surfing In Playa Santa Catalina

In my honest opinion, Playa Santa Catalina may probably be the best surfing spot in Panama. I consider it so because it has, by far , the most consistent breaks in Central or South America. Whenever — and I really mean any season — I visit the place, there will always be the waves to greet me like a dependable old friend. Even if you’re not a surfer, you can just watch (in awe or otherwise) the rollers from the beach.

The only reason that keeps it from being popular (which come to think of it also makes it a good thing) is its remote and isolated location. Playa Catalina is west of the Azuero Peninsula. This makes it near the Costa Rican border than the capital. So going here from the capital city would be off-putting and a chore. It’s a grueling 5-hour drive from Panama City to Playa Santa Catalina. If you really want to get away from it all, then Santa Catalina is your hideaway. But mind you, be prepared to go on a long, rough road away from anything approaching civilization.

Experience tells me that the best time to visit is February and August. For a surfer, this is a crucial time as the waves can get as high as twenty to thirty feet. To newbs, this might be staggering, but for experienced rollers, this is like surfer heaven. In most times, the waves can go on average of six to ten feet. Still, a size not something to sneeze at. Waves break from every direction. And you must mind the rocky sea bottom. I have had my nicks and scratches to learn how to evade the sea floor.

I recommend going to Casa Blanca Surf Resort. The accommodations are decent and their food is just right. But other than that, just concentrate on the beauty of the beach.

To get to Playa Santa Catalina from Panama City by car, proceed to Santiago. This big town is on the Interamerican Highway 155 miles from the capital. It would probably be a 3-and-a-half hour ride. When you get there, turn left off the highway into Santiago, then another left towards a small (but uninteresting) town called Sona. This is 31 miles southwest from Santiago. This is where you will test your Spanish-speaking skills as you may need to ask for directions. Turn left at the gas station before you enter Sona. There is a directional sign to help you. From there, you will take a very scenic nine kilometer path towards Hicaco. Turn right at the police station to a rough road (that can be quite hard to drive during the rainy season). Five miles after, you will reach your destination.

If you’re traveling by bus, there’s a bus terminal at Gran Terminal Nacional de Transportes in Albrook, Panama City. The seven dollar fare will take you to Sona. Buses leave every after 1.5 hours 8:30am to 6pm. Once you reach Sona, take the Santa Catalina bus ($3 fare) that leaves at 5am, noon, and 4pm, returning at 7am, and 8am. You can hail a taxi from Sona to Santa Catalina for $25 to $30. Please note that all the fares are subject to change when you do get there. So be prepared to shell out a little bit more, just in case.

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Horseback Riding In The Chiriqui Province

The best thing about Panama is that you can do lots of things in both sea and water. And while there are lots of sights to see in the water, there are as much wonders waiting for you on land. Panama is a big country and if you want to go nature tripping, your mode of transportation is crucial for your enjoyment. You might not be able to experience what you want to experience by car (too fast and doesn’t lend to a thorough survey of the sights) or by foot (too slow, can be tedious and tiring). So the serious tourist chooses the middle option: horseback.

There are many places in Panama that feature horseback riding tours but the best place to go is in the mountainous area of the Chiriqui Province. When you do get there, let me tell you in advance that this place rocks! There are many hiking trails used by the Native American Indians who have have lived in these valleys thru centuries. There are numerous rivers here where you can go rafting on thrilling Class III and Class IV rapids. By car, you feel like you’re driving by the misty Alpine pasture. Around the curve, however, a banana plantation reminds you that you’re in a tropical country. But why use a car when riding a horse makes more perfect sense?

In these parts, three locations are the best to visit if you want to explore the place through horseback.

The Highlands of El Valle de Anton
Imagine a rainforest that covers the whole rocky mountainside. It’s cool but you’re surrounded by thick tropical jungle. You have lush rainforests with lovely flora that forces you to gawk and wonder. Located in the Province of Coclé, El Valle de Anton is actually an ancient volcanic crater that has long been inhabited the by Guaymi Indian tribe. The big hole spans five kilometers and was created 5 million years ago. It is also the second largest extinct volcano crater in the world.

Just two hours by car from the capital, the scenery here is Paradise. Though El Valle de Anton is one big steep valley, you are actually following ancient historical paths 11,000 years old. Another special thing about this place is that the climate has maintained spring-like temperatures the whole year round. So every trip is almost always pleasant.

Next to the valley is El Gaital National Monument, a cloud forest nature preserve where you can do more hiking, birdwatching and nature tours. El Valle de Anton is a 90-minute drive from the Bridge of Americas and a 60-minute drive after San Carlos.

A View From The Top Of Boquete
Remember coffee country? Well, this small mountain village is also tucked away inside a volcano (Volcano Barú). Known for sweetest oranges and coffee, Boquete also happens to be a tourist destination. The weather is always sunny and cool, and the view is jaw-dropping amazing! And there many mountain trails that you can follow through horseback.

Also inhabited by the Guaymi, this place is an example of how people can sustain their community without harming the environment. And why would you? Boquette is just a beautiful place to live in. And I mean that with no irony. Boquete is a conservationist’s haven. Like a huge natural aviary, it is home to many bird species living in the cloud forests. You can find the prized quetzal in the forests here. Tours can be arranged through some of the coffee fincas of Boquete. These tours are designed to show tourists the origins of their coffee while watching the variety of bird life. Be sure to visit Boquete during the harvesting of coffee from October through February as the place can quite festive.

On horseback, you will come across some of the largest trees in the hemisphere. You hear the different birdcalls of exotic birds from the distance. And after that experience, you’ll finally now know how moss can drape and what the heck a “bromeliad” is. Bring a camera (preferably with zoom lens) and decent binoculars. You will need to see all the stuff happening around you that you thought you can only see in The Discovery Channel.

The Heights of Cerro Punta
Near Boquete is another small but quaint town in the western highlands of the Chiriqui province. It is a relatively new tourist destination but no less, a great place to visit and explore. It is called Cerro Punta.

Located almost 2000 meters above sea level, Cerro Punta is the highest valley in Panama. It is a bowl-shaped valley surrounded by lush mountains and one of the best trails that one can ever visit. It has always been cloudy here. Despite this, it has been one of the busiest agricultural centers in the country. Strawberries and other non-tropical fruits have also been successfully farmed here. But recently, government has stopped further deforestation to conserve the beautiful cloud forests surrounding the valley.

Following a trail, you can see many birds flying above you. Sometimes, if you stop for a while, you’ll see birds stop for a drink in the quiet pools by the banks. The air is cool and sweet. As you take everything in, you’ll be hard pressed not to feel revitalized by everything around you. You might even develop a relationship with your horse.

For more information on how you can explore the Chiriqui Province thru horseback, confer with your favorite travel agent. Or you can check out the sites here, here and here.

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A View Of The Beach From The Skies

Our friend Craig is back and he sent in this nice view of Bocas del Toro a few hundred feet up. Despite the grainy video, the beach still looks awesome!

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A Video Tour Of San Blas, Panama

You don’t need to understand French to see how San Blas can be such a wonderful place to spend your vacation with. But with this cute bikini babe with French rolling out of her tongue, hearing her talk and the sound of surf feel even more inviting.

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