Whether relaxing on the beach at Descanso or surfing the waves, Santa Catalina is an amazing destination with a lot to offer. One of Central America’s top surf spots also has lodgings, fresh seafood, and the Catalina Island Museum for history buffs and curious travelers.
It’s very easy to reach Santa Catalina from Panama City. J take a bus to Santiago, then another to Sona, where you can catch a bus to Santa Catalina.
Surfing
Santa Catalina is a prime surfing spot. Unlike the Caribbean, the Pacific offers consistent surf sets throughout the year. However, the best waves are from December to April so it is better to plan a trip then.
Accommodations also offer surfing lessons if you’d like to be better prepared. You can rent a surfboard as well. The Santa Catalina Surf Shop, now in the Hotel Santa Catalina, offers both services.
Fishing
Santa Catalina is great for fishing, especially if you’re looking to catch yellowfin tuna, wahoo, snapper, Spanish mackerel, jacks, and roosterfish.
If you are determined enough, you will find reef fish in the hidden spots along the coast and lobsters hiding in the rocky ledges. Though in Santa Catalina, there are no large sport fishing operators, the locals will rent their boats and services to visitors for the day.
Local operators such as Cabanas Rolo arrange half-day trips to Isla Cebaco, along with a well-informed local captain. Similarly, Scuba Coiba can set you up with the gear you need and local fishers will help you to get the best out of the experience. There are also some restricted areas where a permit from any mainland Ministerio de Ambiente office is necessary, including the Parque Nacional Coiba.
Discovery of the Mystical World after Diving and Snorkelling
To explore the marine life of Isla de Coiba, diving and snorkeling are the best. Santa Catalina offers an incredible variety of fauna, and even sharks have been spotted here. Multiday trips to Coiba are pretty expensive due to the new rule requiring boats to stay with clients overnight. There are a variety of options – some of the trustworthy shops are Dream Diving, MC Diving Coiba, Panama Dive Center, and Coiba Dive Center. Furthermore, Snorkeling Adventure Tour offers trips to Coiba with four stops and an inshore fishing trip along with snorkeling facilities.
Adventures of Hiking
Sendero De La Cresta is a new trail just over a kilometer east of Santa Catalina. This amazing half-hour trail leads to the hilltop with a spellbinding view of the Golfo de Montijo.
Tasting of Delicacies
Any trip is incomplete without a bite of the authentic flavors of the place you visit. The same is the case with Santa Catalina, which offers visitors a wide variety of dainty and authentic dishes.
One of the most famous restaurants for fusion dining is Hibiscus Restaurant. It offers a wide variety of dishes, from award-winning seafood dishes to dishes for the less adventurous diner, like burgers, fajitas, pasta, and salad. For North American cuisine, visit La Buena Vida, while Italian and Argentine dishes are served in Pinguino Café and Los Pibes respectively. If you are a seafood lover, Chano’s Point or El Encuentro will satisfy your foodie soul. If you love dessert, you must try La Vieja Panaderia bakery, and for ice cream, go to La Moncheria Heladeria for the best in Panama.
Conclusion
What are you waiting for? Book your trip to Santa Catalina today for all the surfing, fishing, snorkeling, hiking, and eating you can handle!
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