Playa Las Lajas is a 12 km-long beach located in the Gulf of Chiriqui. The shoreline seems to go on endlessly, accompanied by a line of majestic palms. The beach is not an upscale tourist center as not many people have heard of the beauty of Playa Las Lajas.
The beach gets crowded on holidays and weekends as city dwellers flock here to escape their busy lives. However, the beaches are almost empty during the week, except for a few locals. You can enjoy having the entire shore to yourself and just relax all day.
The endless broad beach is of gray sand and can get quite hot during the day, especially at noon, so make sure you have all your beach essentials, especially sunscreen. If you are not used to the heat, make sure you stay hydrated; either a cold beer or fresh fruit juices sold on the beach will do the trick.
Surfing and Swimming
Playa Las Lajas has smooth, mild waves that offer the perfect swimming and surfing experience. If you want to learn surfing, this is one of the best places to learn. While you go swimming here, you need not worry about the waves as they are not strong enough or wild enough pull you in. The waters here are very warm and are an added advantage. Adding to this, bodyboarding is also famous here and most of the stays here provide the boards.
Isla Ensenada
From the beach of Las Lajas, you can spot Isla Ensenada in the distance. It is the closest island to the beach and is a popular point for surfing.
Isla Silva de Afuera
Along with Isla Ensenada, this is another popular surfing spot from Las Lajas and is also visible in the distance from the coast. The island has two breaks for surfing, one on the right and one on the left. The left brake is longer than the right and both are of medium tide. Isla Silva de Adentro is an island a little further from here that offers a great surfing experience with long rides and lots of power.
Isla Ensenada and Isla Silva de Afuera also conduct surfing camps and different points of the year.
Las Lajas
Las Lajas is a small town that the beach belongs to. It is a typical village with farmland and vast agricultural landscape. As Las Lajas and the beach are still off the radar for mainstream tourism, you will find that the town is also untouched by urbanization, just like the beach. This is one of the main reasons why the few visitors here love the place; its raw and authentic charm appeals to them more than any world-famous tourist spot could.
Camping
As the beach is almost deserted most of the time, it has become a popular spot for beachside camping.
Stays
Choosing a suitable stay in Las Lajas is very important as it will determine your overall experience. Make sure you choose a place that fits your budget and also guarantees you the experience you are aiming for. Here are the top recommendations for stays in and around Playa Las Lajas.
Las Lajas Beach Resort
One of the largest and most popular stays on the beach, it has fourteen beautifully designed rooms with an indigenous touch. The service here is great and the place feels very welcoming. A unique feature offered here is horse riding. The resort opens to the beach where you can take a stroll for a dip or enjoy the pool.
The resort also arranges trips to visit the indigenous Ngobe community. The restaurant here serves U.S. American cuisine and is famous for its cheeseburgers.
Nelly's Beach Bar and Cabins
There are five cabins here that are very close to the beach. The tides can reach up to six meters. The cabins are isolated from the main beach and serve as the best option for anyone who is looking for a timeout from the hustle of everyday life.
Finca Buena Vista
If you are looking for a stay away from the beach, you can choose Buena Vista. It is a bed and breakfast run by Germans and is known for its hospitality. The place is best for families and large groups. You can also ask the hosts to arrange day trips for fishing, mangrove excursions or to visit the local community.
Nahual Eco Hostel
A favorite spot for backpackers, the rooms are in the form of ranchos and small cabins. The hostel is set in a beautiful garden just across the road from the beach. There are single rooms as well as dorm rooms available. A unique aspect of this hostel is that it serves excellent tasty vegan food! Don’t worry, you’ll have meat options as well. There’s also an open-air kitchen cum dining area where visitors can cook.
While you’re here, don’t forget to ask the locals for the reason behind the name ‘nahual’. A nahual is a person, according to popular legend, who can turn into a puma, jaguar or other such animals, either physically or spiritually.
Naturalmente
A cute and simple stay, it has natural cabins that are thatched huts. It’s in the town of Las Lajas and accommodates around four people. Among the gardens, there’s a small pool here as well. The restaurant here offers Mediterranean cuisine and is a favorite food stop for locals and tourists alike.
Getting There
Playa Las Lajas is easily accessible as it is located just 75 km from the city of David and very close to the Interamericana. From David, you can reach Playa Las Lajas by bus; there are buses at frequent intervals.
Nearby Attractions
If you take a boat ride along the coastline, you will reach the famous Gulf of Chiriqui. This gulf consists of dozens of islands that house exotic flora and fauna; the rich underwater kingdom found here offers the best snorkeling and scuba diving experience.
- Coiba Island National Park: The park is home to unique species of terrestrial and aquatic life and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is a must-visit place if you wish to explore the underwater world of sharks, dolphins, and colorful fish as well as the tropical trails through the rainforests and mangroves.
- Boca Chica: It serves as the entrance to the Gulf of Chiriqui and is one of the best places to put up in if you want to explore the islands of the gulf.
What’s Nearby?
