Panama is a country that lies between two continents and two oceans having a rich culture as well as an amazing history.
It is among the most beautiful countries in Latin America, and it is coastline contributes to this beauty with breathtaking beaches.
The climate is amazing with summer being the predominant season all year round with a few little bit of rainfall in other months.
As a tourist destination, it has some of the best-kept secrets for beach lovers looking for tranquility, peace, and relaxation.
From Panama City to David, this nation’s beauty can be found virtually everywhere. If you’re wanting to get from the crowds with the family, friends or colleagues, here are six of the best beaches you can visit in Panama.
- Santa Catalina
- The San Blas Archipelago
- Cayos Zapatilla, Bocas del Toro
- Starfish Beach, Bocas del Toro
- Playa Venao, Azuero Peninsula
- Red Frog Beach
- Isla Coiba, in Coiba National Park
Best Beaches in Panama MAP
Santa Catalina
The name may sound familiar because of the Catalina Islands in La, California, but don’t worry, these are two different places. Santa Catalina is really a small , mellow fishing village situated outside Panamanian surfers.
Santa Catalina, today, is a burgeoning surfing and fishing hotspot, but not just for the locals since it is on the Panamanian Highway 1.
The south side from the highway has a beautiful area of beaches and a lovely little town with lots of restaurants, bars, and shops. If you are in Panama, Santa Catalina is where you log on or fishing. Surfers will find some good waves, including perennial favorites Caballito and El Tamarindo. In addition, surfing Santa Catalina also provides excellent opportunities for boat fishing as several mangroves inside a few hundred meters of this beach make it ideal for fly fishing. Additionally, it enables you to launch your standup paddleboard or take a kayak trip in the beach to Isla Catalina.
Why Recommend this Beach?
It is great for getaway fishing and excellent for that surfers out there. Moreover, the region is not crowded; it’s peaceful and quiet, so you can visit the beach with the family and revel in yourself without any worries. Cost: This beach is on the “budget.”
Where to Stay?
In Santa Catalina, there is no accommodation other than the camping spots in the nearby capital of scotland- Estero Hondo. So if you're thinking about staying a few days or a couple of weeks, we don’t recommend it. There are also accommodations in Panama City, however they might be more expensive than Estero Hondo.
The San Blas Archipelago
This archipelago of islands is located in the Caribbean Sea, east of Panama, which is known for snorkeling. The San Blas Islands happen to be an extremely remote, undeveloped, unspoiled destination that has remained a mysterious. The indigenous Guna individuals are descendants of the Kunas who live on these islands.
Europeans first arrived at the San Blas Islands in 1503 but little did they know, it would take more than 400 years before anyone else set foot on these islands again. In those days, they were known as “Islas de Escudo” and only later renamed after their indigenous inhabitants. Today, foreign travelers can visit these islands and experience local life with a Guna family.
The San Blas beach dazzle with its power and beauty. Don’t hesitate of its vastness; enjoy the fascinating colour of its waters and it is white sands. The San Blas archipelago is one of the best-kept natural secrets globally, a paradise of turquoise seas and white beaches that no tourist has ever visited.
Why Recommend this Beach?
The San Blas Islands are among the best places in Panama to go snorkeling. Along with having the best beaches in Panama for snorkeling, you may also enjoy day and night cruises, fishing, and tours with Guna families. These tours are fascinating to visitors which have never seen the Guna people before. The San Blas Islands can be found on the Panamanian Highway 1, near Gamboa (also known as El Chorrillo), plus they can be simply reached by bus or boat from most major cities in Panama.
Cayos Zapatilla, Bocas del Toro
The Cayos Zapatillas or Zapatilla Keyes is really a group of islets found in the Caribbean Sea, off mainland Panama in the Bocas del Toro Province. They are a top-rated destination for backpackers and budget travelers who wish to explore the region by boat or kayak. This is actually the best beach to take photos of at Bocas del Toro.
Unlike the beautiful beaches on the islands, the Cayos Zapatilla includes a very rocky and rough coastline. However, it has earned an identity as one of Panama’s most beautiful beaches because of its water and immaculate pristine. The water here is calm and inviting for swimming and snorkeling, with large schools of brightly colored fish that make this place stunning.
Reasons for Recommending this Beach
The Zapatilla Islands are an ocean area to be highly recommended due to its deep blue-green marine waters and pristine beaches. The San Blas archipelago is also a top-rated destination for backpackers who want to go scuba diving or love the calm, clear waters and delightful scenery. Therefore, if you are planning to go to Bocas del Toro like a tourist, be sure you also take a look at these two areas.
Starfish Beach, Bocas del Toro
The beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Panama, with white dunes and rustic beach-style cabanas. It is a great place to swim, snorkel and make friends with the local fish and manatees. Starfish Beach is a wide-open beach with lots of people walking onto it or running along its shoreline.
The beach sits directly on the Indian River, emptying into Bocas Bay. It can make for just one of the greatest places to go to relax and consume some sun. It is located near the Boca del Drago beach around the main island of Isla Colon. It's a good way to go if you want to do some hiking as there are over 100 steps in the island. It's perfect for swimming and admiring sea stars as its waters are shallow and translucent.
Reasons for Recommending this beach
The beach is situated in the Bocas del Toro, a sub-district of Panama City, and it’s probably the most beautiful, laid-back places to visit. There are no lights on the shore, lots of mangroves, a fresh sea breeze, and a calming marine atmosphere. It has palm trees that offer more contrast in color and also the required shade. It’s an ideal spot to go if you wish to see some wildlife in its natural habitat, as Starfish is home to over 1,000 manatees.
To get to the mangroves, you may either make use of the floating chairs, ride a kayak or use the water bikes which increase the fun and thrill of visiting this beach. The journey only takes around an hour.
Playa Venao, Azuero Peninsula
Playa Venao is situated off the main highway in the eastern end of Panama City with easy access towards the beaches of Talamanca Park and other attractions,Fifteen minutes from Puerto Angel. With seven kilometers of golden sand beach, an abundance of campsites with water that is clean, and ample seafood restaurants, this beach is a popular option for tourists who get down to Panama City to go to the hawaiian islands.
Venao is also an excellent spot to watch dolphins, snorkel, and hike because all of this can be done from one location.
It is undoubtedly one of the best-surfing destinations in Panama. This is the best beach to make friends using the monkeys in abundance on the beach and are very curious about humans. It has backpacker lodges, luxury hotels around the beach, and cheap places in Pedasi town for accommodation purposes.
The journey between Playa Venao and Pedasi is around 34 km with options to either travel by car or by bus.
Why recommend this beach?
o It is located in an excellent location
o It's beautiful white sand
o The beach is children friendly and safe
o The beach stretches about 18 KM long hence more room to enjoy yourself without any crowding.
Red Frog Beach
If you have not visited Panama City or require a break from all the hustle and bustle, this little village is only the spot for you! It's a sleepy little town with a beautiful beach, untouched by modern civilization. The largest islet on which Red Frog lies is in the shape of a huge frog, hence its name.
It was initially built in 1877 by Irish settlers; a hurricane eventually destroyed it in 1905. It had been rebuilt again in 1957 by Manuel Freyre Ferrer, who had it rebuilt due to the fact of their link with his dear late mother. This beach is well known, however it doesn't feel crowded, while you will find lots of people walking around.
Red Frog Beach is another great place to look at monkeys, parrots, and other wildlife. The sandy beach of Red Frog is among the most breathtaking beaches in Panama, with white sands and gentle waves. It’s a great spot for scuba diving and snorkeling, too, because it has numerous sea turtles, rays, eels, sea horses, and countless kinds of fish. The optimum time to visit this beach is between May-October because it receives the least amount of tourist trips because of its remoteness.
Why Recommend this Beach?
o The beach is really a hidden gem
o Lots of people visit the island to swim and snorkel, making the beaches full of life because of its clear waters.
o The sunset from the beach is breathtaking
o The ocean is clean and includes a protective barrier, thus making it ideal for swimming and snorkeling
o There's a lovely walk down to the beach, passing through the pretty little cottages on stilts.
If you’re looking for beautiful beaches in Panama, this is the list to select from. Panama beaches are becoming increasingly popular with tourists and backpackers year after year because of their crystalline waters, white sand, palm trees, and tranquility. Many happen to be described as the very best beach in Guatemala.
Regardless which beach you choose in the list above, it’s guaranteed that your vacation is going to be 100% enjoyable. Many backpackers love this area, and they are never bored of it. Whether you choose one of the beautiful beaches in Panama or you prefer to go to the islands, it doesn’t matter as this country has something for everybody. It’s also an excellent spot for tourists who wish to enjoy different activities such as swimming, fishing, diving, surfing, plus much more.
Are you planning a trip to Guatemala? Ensure you visit these beaches when you go onto Panama. I hope you enjoy it!
Isla Coiba in Coiba National Park
Isla Coiba is essential for anyone visiting Santa Catalina. Even though you may not dive or snorkel, browse the well-preserved national park, designated a global Heritage Site in 2005 ( UNESCO ).
The boat ride on the Coiba Express takes about 90 minutes, so if you're lucky, you might see a pod of dolphins following you for any small amount of time.
Enjoy an uninhabited forest island with beautiful beaches and various wildlife.
The main beach is really a beautiful crescent of sand, with a small island in the distance. Other beaches are clean, empty and only ten or twenty yards away.
Bring water, sunscreen, mats and hats. Finding shade might be difficult sometimes.
Coiba National Park is a 20-minute plane ride from Panama City to Santiago or a five-hour drive (245 kilometers). Upon arrival in Santiago, take the 25-kilometer visit to Puerto Mutis to achieve the area by water.
