Surf Vacations in Santa Catalina Panama

You can’t stop the waves but you can learn how to surf. Panama offers just that, specifically Santa Catalina. Rising to fame, Santa Catalina has hosted two ISA surf competitions, drawing competitors from all over the world. Latin American competitions frequently take place in Santa Catalina, giving surfers the chance to catch a wave on Santa Catalina’s infamous point break - La Punta (The Point).

Accommodations

Whether you are headed to check out the waves for a competition or to cure your hunger for three to five meter barrel waves, or you are determined to learn how to surf in a renowned surf spot, Santa Catalina has the perfect accommodation.

Rancho Estero (www.ranchoestero.com) offers idyllic tiki huts resting on the edge of Estero beach, creating the perfect getaway for surfers to catch a wave. If you are a beginner surfer, you are in luck. Rancho Estero lies on Santa Catalina’s best beach for beginners. Rancho Estero is equipped with surfboards for rent, ranging from short boards, fun boards, to foam beginner boards. For prices and availability contact Rancho Estero at www.ranchoestero.com/surf-camp.php

If you are a surfer in need of a hotel with access to the point, Surfside Inn (www.surfsidepanama.com) has just that. Overlooking the scenic view of the point, Surfside Inn has dorms and private rooms suiting your needs. Surfside Inn does not have surf board rentals, so make sure to bring your own or rent a board from Surf and Shake.

Surf Shops

If you are looking to buy, sell or rent a surfboard, Santa Catalina Surf Shop (www.santacatalinasurfshop.com) provides a wide selection of boards, both new and used. The surf shop offers unique Santa Catalina shirts as a souvenir to show you surfed the infamous waves of Panama.

Now that you have a surfboard in your hands, be sure to visit Surf and Shake (www.surfandshake.com) for some wax, sunscreen, or fins. Try their delicious fresh fruit shakes before heading out to catch the renowned waves of Santa Catalina. Surf and Shake also offers surf lessons for beginner taught by surfing export, Zigor. For 25 dollars, you can take a one and a half hour lesson and a surfboard rental.

2014 Season

The start of 2014 has been comparable to the waves in the past few years. The waves of Santa Catalina are typically smaller during the months of January through April. The waves begin to get bigger as rainy season begins.

Conclusion

Santa Catalina provides a nice getaway for surfers looking to catch big and small waves for beginners and experts. If you are looking to surf the infamous waves of Santa Catalina, make sure to book your hotel reservations in advance. Chances are you aren’t the only one escaping reality to surf the wave of a lifetime.

Climate and Weather in Santa Catalina, Panama

Are you thinking about booking a plane ticket to the pristine, luxurious beaches of Panama?

There are many decisions to consider when planning your vacation - the ultimate being the time of year in which to plan your visit. Here in Santa Catalina, we welcome you with open arms whenever you decide to check out our paradise. There is a reason to be in Santa Catalina during each month of the year.

January is the busiest month in Santa Catalina and one of the best times to visit as it is the start of dry season. Panama is a country with two, six-month seasons: rainy and dry, and in Santa Catalina, in both seasons, temperatures hover between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit (30-34 Celsius) during the day and drop into the 70’s (20’s C) at night.

Santa Catalina offers world class diving, and January is one of the best months of the year for it. Whale sharks can be seen on Isla Coiba during this time, attracting a crowd of SCUBA divers looking to bring in the New Year with the blessing of these gentle giants. January is a month with almost no rain, creating perfect sunny days spent relaxing on the beach and in the crystal blue ocean.

February through May mimic January’s dry air, warm sun, and cool waters. Catering to the diving crowd, March is the season of the giant Mobula manta rays which can be seen on Isla Coiba while diving or snorkeling. The waves in this time of year are beginning to improve from the smaller waves of the beginning of the dry season.

Starting in June, Santa Catalina enters the start of rainy season. Rainy season is different every year in terms of when the rain begins, how long it lasts and total precipitation. June calls for a light, much-needed rain, typically once or twice per week. In this time Santa Catalina receives light rain showers during the mid-afternoon, cooling off the atmosphere and creating a relaxing breeze. The end of June is the beginning of Whale season, bringing in the orca and humpback whales to begin calving. 

June, July, and August are all busy months in Santa Catalina as tourists from all over the world visit on their summer vacation. The surfing crowd begins to get bigger too as it chases big waves throughout Central America.

September through November is a quiet time in Santa Catalina because rainy season has officially set in bringing heavy rain and thunderstorms until December.  A common misconception of travelers is not to travel through Panama and Santa Catalina during these months, but it is also the best time for world-class surfing as barrel waves greater than four meters tall hit almost every day at the point break.

Santa Catalina provides a reason to visit at any time of year and has just what you are longing for in each season.  For more information about Santa Catalina, please visit our homepage at www.santacatalinabeach.com.  We hope to see you soon in Santa Catalina, Panama.

Santa Catalina, Panama

Santa Catalina is located on the Chiriquí Gulf in the state of Veraguas, Panama. It is a fishing village which existed in quiet seclusion until discovered by adventurous surfers in the 1970s. Protecting their hidden world class surf, Santa Catalina was kept secret by the surfers for quite some time. 

Today, Santa Catalina offers a smattering of surf camps, low cost hotels and a few eating establishments. Still fairly secluded, the closest town with ATM, grocery, other basic services is Soná which is about an hour away.

Literally a tropical paradise, Santa Catalina offers some of the best surf in Panama, the closest access point to Isla Coiba with its world class diving, great local dives and fishing and quiet charm for relaxing. It's beautiful beaches, lush forest and friendly people make it a great stop for travelers wanting to enjoy some of the best of Panama's natural beauty and local flair on a minimal budget. 

The main street in Santa Catalina is the end of the road from Soná. The pavement ends at the Santa Catalina beach where local fishing boats anchor just past the break waiting their next fishing expeditions and surf and scuba visitors mix with locals for pick up soccer games. To learn more about activities in and around Santa Catalina, please click here.