Beachfront boutique hotel
Catalina's Hideaway
Eleven private casitas between jungle and Pacific beach, near Santa Catalina
Santa Catalina and Coiba: Surf, Reef and a National Park Offshore
A surf village on the Pacific coast of Veraguas and the launch point for Coiba National Park, a UNESCO site on the largest island in Central America.
At a glance
- Fly into
- PTY (Tocumen), Panama City
- Then a charter flight from Albrook (PAC) to the Lago Bay airstrip, or go by road.
- Best weather
- January to March
- Dry weather, calm seas and the clearest water for snorkelling and diving.
- Pairs with
- Panama City
- Arrive and depart through the capital; shuttle services also link Santa Catalina with Boquete, Pedasí and Bocas del Toro.
Why go
A surf village with a marine park offshore
Santa Catalina is a village of about 1,500 people on the Pacific coast of Veraguas province. It grew up around fishing and now draws surfers to Punta Santa Catalina, where the waves break as powerful tubes and have hosted the ISA World Surfing Games. Most other visitors come for Coiba. Coiba Island covers 503 square kilometres and is the largest island in Central America. It was a penal colony until the prison closed in 2004. Most of its densely forested interior has never been logged, and the marine life of the park is protected from industrial fishing. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and every visit goes by boat with a licensed operator. Between boat days there is plenty to do close to town. You can paddle a kayak or stand-up board out to the small island off the town beach, cross to Cebaco, the third-largest island in Panama, or drift through the mangroves of the Gulf of Montijo with seabirds overhead. Days here follow the tide and the swell, not a timetable.
SurfPunta Santa Catalina breaks as powerful tubes and has hosted national and international championships.
CoibaA guided boat day to a UNESCO marine park: snorkelling, diving and, in season, humpback whales.
Islands and wetlandCebaco, Gobernadora and the Gulf of Montijo, all reached by boat from the Santa Catalina coast.
Places to know
- Santa CatalinaThe village itself: a surf break at the point, dive and snorkel operators on the main street and the departure beach for boat trips.
- Coiba National ParkCoiba Island, 503 square kilometres, plus smaller islands such as Ranchería (Coibita) and the Contreras Islands, where divers look for hammerhead sharks.
- Lago BayThe coastal area with the airstrip used by charter flights, about 15 minutes by road from the village. Catalina's Hideaway is here.
- Isla CebacoThe third-largest island in Panama, with beaches, forest trails and a waterfall in the rainy season; reached by boat.
- Isla GobernadoraA small island of about 8 square kilometres and some 200 people, mostly fishing families, with walking routes and boat trips.
- Gulf of MontijoA Ramsar wetland of mangroves and river channels, good for birdwatching by boat.
The map
Where the hotels we book are
2 hotels, numbered. Each one has its own page.
Hotels we book in Santa Catalina and Coiba
Each hotel below has its own page: what it is like, where it sits and how to get there.
Beachfront boutique hotel
Hotel Santa Catalina Panamá
A beachfront base facing the Santa Catalina surf break
Family-run boutique hotel
Villa Coco
Family-run garden hotel with outdoor showers and an infinity pool
When to go
When to go
January to March is the most dependable window for dry weather, calm seas and clear water, which suits snorkelling, diving and first visits. The wetter months bring humpback whales, with sightings peaking in August and September, and bigger swell for surfers. Whale sharks follow the plankton rather than the calendar, so we plan those dates with you.
Getting there
From Panama City (Albrook, PAC)Shorter than the roadPrivate charter flight to the Lago Bay airstrip, then a road transfer to Santa Catalina. There are no commercial flights to Coiba itself.
From Panama City by roadWe confirm it for your datesWest on the Pan-American Highway toward Santiago, then via Soná to the coast. Paved all the way; drive in daylight. Private shuttle, rental car or public bus.
From the Lago Bay airstripAbout 15 minutesRoad transfer to Santa Catalina.
From Santa Catalina to CoibaVaries by operator and seaBoat with a licensed operator, usually as a full-day trip.
From Santa Catalina to Isla CebacoAbout 30 minutesBoat from the Santa Catalina coast, the shortest crossing to the island.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Can we visit Coiba on our own?
No. Visitors go with a licensed operator, and Santa Catalina is the most common departure point. Panama runs a reservation system for its protected areas, and visitors need identification for registration. We arrange this as part of your trip.
When do we see whales and whale sharks?
Humpback sightings around Coiba peak in August and September. Whale sharks are seasonal and move with the plankton, so no operator can promise them for a given day. Tell us your dates and we will say what is realistic.
Is Santa Catalina only for surfers?
No. The Coiba day trip with snorkelling is the main draw for non-surfers, and operators supply snorkel gear and life jackets. You can also kayak to the small island off the beach, take a boat to Cebaco or Gobernadora, or go birdwatching in the Gulf of Montijo.
Where do we stay?
We work with three hotels here. Hotel Santa Catalina Panama is beachfront, in front of the La Punta surf break. Villa Coco is in Santa Catalina on Via Catalina Farms. Catalina's Hideaway is at Lagartero on Lago Bay, about 20 minutes from the village.
Is there an airport on Coiba?
No. There is no commercial flight or direct route to Coiba. Everyone arrives by boat. The nearest airstrip is Lago Bay on the mainland, near Santa Catalina.
What does the government travel advisory say?
The U.S. Department of State renewed its Panama advisory on August 19, 2026, at Level 2: exercise increased caution because of crime. It names crimes of opportunity such as pickpocketing in tourist areas, and lists Level 4 areas only in the Mosquito Gulf and parts of the Darién Region. Read the full text before you travel: https://pa.usembassy.gov/travel-advisory-panama-august-19-2026/
Plan your trip to Santa Catalina and Coiba
Tell us your dates and who is coming, and we will plan Santa Catalina and Coiba into a trip shaped around you.
Get A Quote