Pedasi is a beautiful Panamanian town located on the edge of the southeastern part of the Azuero Peninsula. This town, known worldwide for fishing, is also a renowned spot of lively carnivals, pristine beaches, and adventure sports activities. Visitors to Pedasi can also take trips to the wildlife sanctuary of ‘Isla Iguana’ or head 34 km down to the beautiful white sand beach of Playa Venao. With its quaint architecture, neatly laid out streets, and close proximity to several of Panama’s national parks and preserves, Pedasi has become one of the main attractions of the Los Santos region.
Major Attractions and Activities
The major activities to do and places to visit in the town include:
Visiting Beaches
Beaching is the main activity to do in the town of Pedasi. It is a little more than 3 km from the coast, where tourists can find several sandy beaches. Tourists can find the Playa del Toro a mere walking distance from Pedasi. The best beach in the area is Los Destiladores, located six miles south of the town. Along with these two major beaches, there are many others including El Arenal, Playa Venao, Playa la Garita, etc. which are worth a visit.
Isla Iguana
Isla Iguana is a 58-hectare island wildlife reserve located just a 20-minute boat ride from the beautiful Playa el Arenal. The reserve houses several reptile species including the Black Iguana, for which the island is named, along with more than sixty-two bird species and a major hatching site for five thousand magnificent Frigatebirds, which constitute a major portion of all the birds living here. The reserve is surrounded by an extensive coral reef which has led to the formation of Playa el Cirial and Playita del Faro, two beautiful white sand beaches. It also comprises of a 40-hectare marine area, home to the migrating humpback whales between June and October.
Surfing
There are always waves breaking and closing out in the beautiful bays of the town’s beaches, perfect for surfing enthusiasts. Thousands of tourists visit Playa Venao every year to participate in surfing, which is twenty miles from the town. After hosting two World Surfing Championships in 2011 and 2012, Playa Venao was recognized as a major surfing spot internationally. Other moderate breaks exist on other beaches, ranging from small for beginners to overhead with the right swell. The Playa Arenal beach is the haunt for kitesurfers during the dry season.
Sportfishing
Sportfishing is an abundantly popular activity because of the diverse marine life dropping close to the shore. The major catches include Amberjack, Pacific Sailfish, Cubera Snapper, Roosterfish and Grouper, along with many other species that are found seasonally from November to April.
Handicrafts Shopping
Tourists can find La Arena in close proximity to the town of Pedasi. The place is famous for its clay pottery and handicrafts displayed almost everywhere. Other famous handicraft points in the city include Parita, which is the Carnival mask headquarters and Ocu, an area famous for uniquely designed Panama hats.
The Carnival and Other Events
The Carnival is considered as the highest annual point in the lives of the locals of Pedasi, which is celebrated with a lot of joy and fervor that attracts a lot of tourists every year. Similar to the celebrations in Las Tablas, the city divides itself into two factions, Calle Abajo (lower street) and Calle Arriba (upper street). Each street elects their queen and tries to unsettle the other in parades by throwing liquids, singing songs, and lighting fireworks. The festival ends by choosing the winner on the basis of the popular vote.
Apart from the Carnival, Pedasi also celebrates the feast day of Saint Catherine (Santa Catalina), Patron of Pedasi on November 25th every year. Another unusual fiesta is celebrated in late October, Desfile de Carretas, where bullock carts and young women dressed in Polleras are seen parading up and down the Ave central, followed by lots of merrymaking and the inevitable coronation of Senorita Pedasi.
Places to Stay and Eat
The town of Pedasi offers a wide range of choices for tourists as far as accommodations are concerned. The best of them include:
Dona Maria B&B
This small family-run lodging has six beautiful rooms above a family home, featuring tiles, comfortable queen-size beds, and cable TVs. The annex at the back also offers three additional bedrooms, one of which also has disabled access.
Casa de Campo
This B&B is by far the nicest place to stay in Pedasi. It contains seven named and themed rooms, the best one being ‘Marina’, measuring a full 380 square meters and featuring a full king-size bed. The place also offers a swimming pool and lovely landscaped grounds with thatched ranchos and hammocks. Guests share a table and enjoy a big breakfast, largely containing local dishes.
La Rosa de Los Vientos
This beautiful red-tiled Spanish set up gives a local feel and has colonial-style infrastructure. This place in close proximity to the beach has three smart rooms with colorful weavings, antique tiles, and ocean views. These are largely eco-friendly rooms with no ACs; ceiling fans do the trick.
Pedasito Hotel
This small boutique hotel has a fresh, modern look. The half a dozen rooms have polished concrete floors, king-size beds, and stenciled walls. Some rooms offer private terraces and the place also offers a small pool. The on-site restaurant has worthwhile international cuisine, including seafood.
Apart from the on-site hotel restaurants and B&Bs, major eating points in the city include:
Segreto
Pedasi’s best Italian restaurant feels like a glassed-in conservatory. The main courses include three meat and three fish dishes, but most of the customers come here for the pasta.
Mare Bonita
It is considered the best restaurant in Pedasi. It’s certainly an inventive place with the Chilean Chef Luis Morales innovating the menu all the time. The place offers ‘Teriyaki’ chicken and Thai-style pork one week and gourmet hamburgers and fired fish ceviche the next. The long, narrow dining room has an Asian feel to it.
Bienvenidush
The beautiful Middle Eastern restaurant serves inventive dishes with middle-eastern touches, along with a lot of vegetarian choices. ‘Tapas’ is the most famous here. The place also features a bar and a tiny restaurant-café. The ‘big bites’ include a great ‘humus’ plate. One can also find small handcrafted souvenirs for sale.
Fonda Mama Fefa
This Panamanian restaurant is very famous among the locals with its lunch generally running out by as early as noon. It is a cheap and cheerful place that offers meat, fish, rice, salad, and drinks. Customers are seated at outdoor tables. There is also a major supermarket nearby.
Conclusion
The town plays a major role in attracting tourists to Panama due to its adventure water-sport activities, wildlife reserve, handicraft shopping hubs, and the world-famous Carnival. Pedasi is a small and peaceful town, reflecting the culture of Panama.
What’s Nearby?
