Pedasí town
Quiet, foodThe town centre and park.
Town guide
Things to do in Pedasí
A small town on the tip of the Azuero peninsula: snorkelling at the Isla Iguana wildlife refuge, humpback whales in season, nesting turtles at Isla Cañas, and the surf beach of Playa Venao nearby.
20 min
To Isla Iguana
3–4
Days
The Azuero coast
Pedasí is a quiet town of low houses and a central park on the south-east tip of the Azuero peninsula, about five hours from Panama City. Azuero is Panama's folkloric heartland, home of the pollera dress and the country's most famous carnival at Las Tablas, just up the road.
Pedasí is the base for boat trips to Isla Iguana, a wildlife refuge with white sand, coral reefs and nesting frigatebirds, and for whale watching from about July to October. Isla Cañas, further west, is a nesting beach for olive ridley turtles.
Playa Venao, half an hour away, is a surf beach with hostels. Give the area three or four days.
Where to base yourself
Pedasí town for food and boat trips; Playa Venao for surf and a beach scene.
Playa Venao
Surf, socialA surf beach with hostels.
Playa El Arenal
BoatsWhere boats leave for Isla Iguana.
Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Pedasí
Take a boat from Playa El Arenal to Isla Iguana to snorkel the reef and walk the island; the crossing takes about 20 minutes. From about July to October, look for humpback whales on the way.
Surf at Playa Venao, a beach break good for beginners and intermediates, and learn on lessons there.
Visit Isla Cañas in the turtle season, roughly August to December, to see olive ridleys nesting, and spend a day at the beaches of Playa Los Destiladeros and Playa El Toro.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The beaches are free, and so is the town park. Watching the surf at Playa Venao costs nothing.
Cycling to the nearby beaches is free.
Boat trips and refuge fees cost money.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Fondas serve fish, rice and patacones for €4 to €7. Pedasí is known for its ice cream and seafood.
Playa Venao has beach restaurants.
A 10 per cent tip is usual in restaurants; check the bill first, as some add it.
Nightlife
Going out
Pedasí is quiet. Playa Venao has hostel bars and beach parties at weekends and in the high season.
Carnival in Las Tablas is the big party of the year.
A beer costs €1.50 to €3.
Getting around
Getting around
Buses run from Panama City to Las Tablas (about 4.5 hours), then on to Pedasí (about 45 minutes). Shuttles run in the high season.
Local buses and taxis go to Playa Venao. Boats to Isla Iguana leave from Playa El Arenal, a short ride from town.
A car or bike helps for the beaches.
Costs
What Pedasí costs
Hostel beds start at around €12 to €20 a night. Fonda plates cost €4 to €7.
A boat trip to Isla Iguana costs about €15 to €25 a person plus the refuge fee, a whale-watching trip about €30 to €50, and a surf lesson about €30 to €40.
Panama uses the US dollar, alongside its own balboa coins, which are worth the same. Pedasí has an ATM, but bring cash for Venao.
Safety
Safety and scams
Pedasí is safe and relaxed. At Playa Venao, currents can be strong; swim where locals do.
Boat crossings can be rough; check that life jackets are on board.
Tap water is safe to drink in Panama City and most of the country, but not in Bocas del Toro or on the islands; use bottled or filtered water there. In an emergency, call 911.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Carnival, whales and turtles.
February or March
Carnaval de Las Tablas
Las Tablas
Panama's most famous carnival.
About July to October
Whale season
Off Pedasí
Humpbacks.
Roughly August to December
Turtle nesting
Isla Cañas
Olive ridleys.
September
Festival de la Mejorana
Guararé
Folk music and dance.
When to go
December to April is dry and sunny, and Azuero is one of the driest parts of Panama. May to November brings rain. Whales pass from about July to October, and Carnival fills Las Tablas in February or March.
Jan
Dry
Feb
Dry, Carnival
Mar
Dry
Apr
Easter
May
Rain starts
Jun
Rain
Jul
Whales arrive
Aug
Whales
Sep
Whales, turtles
Oct
Turtles
Nov
Wet
Dec
Holidays
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Hot all year.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Pedasí prices.
Treat these as a guide. Boat trips cost extra.
—
- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Pedasí questions
The ones we get asked most.
How do I get to Isla Iguana?
By boat from Playa El Arenal, about 20 minutes.
When can I see whales?
About July to October.
Is Playa Venao good for beginners?
Yes, with lessons.
How do I get to Pedasí?
By bus via Las Tablas, about 5 hours from Panama City.
Is Pedasí safe?
Yes.
How many days do I need?
Three to four.
When is the best time to visit?
December to April, or July to October for whales.
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