{"id":1307333,"date":"2026-10-12T13:42:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T13:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?page_id=1307333"},"modified":"2026-10-12T13:57:03","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T13:57:03","slug":"santa-catalina","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/panama\/santa-catalina\/","title":{"rendered":"Santa Catalina"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":0,"parent":1306304,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"hw-hub-city","meta":{"footnotes":"","hw_hub_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_hero_image":"","hw_hub_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_why_title":"","hw_hub_why_body":"","hw_hub_why_link_label":"","hw_hub_why_link_url":"","hw_hub_why_cards":"","hw_hub_stats":"","hw_hub_countries_title":"","hw_hub_countries_intro":"","hw_hub_featured":"","hw_hub_regions":"","hw_hub_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_hostels":"","hw_hub_when_title":"","hw_hub_when_intro":"","hw_hub_seasons":"","hw_hub_costs_title":"","hw_hub_costs_body":"","hw_hub_cost_rows":"","hw_hub_cost_note":"","hw_hub_money_reads":"","hw_hub_rail_title":"","hw_hub_rail_body":"","hw_hub_rail_link_label":"","hw_hub_rail_link_url":"","hw_hub_rail_image":"","hw_hub_routes":"","hw_hub_events_title":"","hw_hub_events_intro":"","hw_hub_events_source":"","hw_hub_events_continent":"","hw_hub_events_count":"","hw_hub_events_cache":"","hw_hub_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_events":"","hw_hub_events_pills":"","hw_hub_reads_intro":"","hw_hub_article_rows":"","hw_hub_show_read_time":"","hw_hub_all_title":"","hw_hub_all_body":"","hw_hub_all_cta":"","hw_hub_trips_title":"","hw_hub_trips_note":"","hw_hub_trips":"","hw_hub_faq_title":"","hw_hub_faq_note":"","hw_hub_faqs":"","hw_hub_cta_title":"","hw_hub_cta_body":"","hw_hub_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_hub_term":"","hw_hub_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_country_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_country_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_country_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hero_image":"","hw_hub_country_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_country_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_country_stats":"","hw_hub_country_intro_title":"","hw_hub_country_intro_body":"","hw_hub_country_facts":"","hw_hub_country_cities_title":"","hw_hub_country_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_country_cities_live":"","hw_hub_country_cities":"","hw_hub_country_trips_title":"","hw_hub_country_trips_intro":"","hw_hub_country_trip_types":"","hw_hub_country_do_title":"","hw_hub_country_do_body":"","hw_hub_country_do_points":"","hw_hub_country_do_tag":"","hw_hub_country_do_more":"","hw_hub_country_food_title":"","hw_hub_country_food_body":"","hw_hub_country_food_points":"","hw_hub_country_food_tag":"","hw_hub_country_food_more":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_country_transport_title":"","hw_hub_country_transport_body":"","hw_hub_country_transport_points":"","hw_hub_country_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_country_transport_more":"","hw_hub_country_money_title":"","hw_hub_country_money_body":"","hw_hub_country_money_points":"","hw_hub_country_money_tag":"","hw_hub_country_money_more":"","hw_hub_country_safety_title":"","hw_hub_country_safety_body":"","hw_hub_country_safety_points":"","hw_hub_country_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_country_safety_more":"","hw_hub_country_entry_title":"","hw_hub_country_entry_body":"","hw_hub_country_entry_points":"","hw_hub_country_entry_tag":"","hw_hub_country_entry_more":"","hw_hub_country_season_title":"","hw_hub_country_season_intro":"","hw_hub_country_season_note":"","hw_hub_country_season_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_title":"","hw_hub_country_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_country_budget_note":"","hw_hub_country_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_country_events_title":"","hw_hub_country_events_intro":"","hw_hub_country_events_source":"","hw_hub_country_events_country":"","hw_hub_country_events_count":"","hw_hub_country_events_cache":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_events":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_country_hostels":"","hw_hub_country_team_title":"","hw_hub_country_team_intro":"","hw_hub_country_team":"","hw_hub_country_faq_title":"","hw_hub_country_faq_note":"","hw_hub_country_faqs":"","hw_hub_country_cta_title":"","hw_hub_country_cta_body":"","hw_hub_country_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_country_h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guide","hw_hub_city_hero_h1":"Things to do in Santa Catalina","hw_hub_city_hero_intro":"A small Pacific surf village and the gateway to Coiba National Park: a powerful right-hand reef break, diving with sharks, turtles and huge schools of fish, snorkelling around wild islands, and not much else, which is the point.","hw_hub_city_hero_image":"1308057","hw_hub_city_hero_overlay":"light","hw_hub_city_hero_cta":"Plan your days | #do\r\nWhat it costs | #money","hw_hub_city_live_stats":"1","hw_hub_city_stats":"1 | Hour by boat to Coiba\r\n3\u20134 | Days","hw_hub_city_intro_title":"Surf and Coiba","hw_hub_city_intro_body":"Santa Catalina is a fishing village on the Pacific coast of Veraguas, about six hours west of Panama City. It has one main road, a handful of hostels, surf shops and dive centres, and a famous reef break that draws surfers from December to April.\r\n\r\nOffshore lies Coiba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of islands that were a penal colony until 2004, which kept them almost untouched. Its waters are part of the Eastern Pacific marine corridor and have whitetip reef sharks, turtles, rays, dolphins and, in season, humpback whales.\r\n\r\nGive Santa Catalina three or four days.","hw_hub_city_facts":"Language | Spanish\r\nCurrency | US dollar\r\nFrom Panama City | About 6 hours\r\nGetting around | Walk\r\nEmergency | 911\r\nTap water | Drink bottled or filtered\r\nTipping | 10%\r\nMust-do | Dive Coiba\r\nHow long to stay | Three to four days\r\nBest months | December to April","hw_hub_city_areas_title":"Where to base yourself","hw_hub_city_areas_intro":"Stay near the main road for dive shops and food, or near Playa Estero for the beach and beginner waves.","hw_hub_city_areas_map":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_zoom":"13","hw_hub_city_hostels_pins":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_live":"","hw_hub_city_areas":"Village centre | Dive shops, food | Along the main road. | 7.6320 | -81.2560 |  | \nPlaya Estero | Beach, beginners | The sandy beach east of the village. | 7.6380 | -81.2450 |  | \nLa Punta | Surfers | The point break. | 7.6290 | -81.2600 |  | ","hw_hub_city_itin_title":"How long have you got?","hw_hub_city_itin_intro":"Surf, dive and snorkel.","hw_hub_city_itin":"","hw_hub_city_do_title":"Things to do in Santa Catalina","hw_hub_city_do_body":"Surf the point break at La Punta, best for experienced surfers, or learn at Playa Estero, a sandy beach break.\r\n\r\nDive or snorkel in Coiba National Park on a day trip, with chances of whitetip sharks, turtles, eagle rays and big schools of fish. Snorkel trips stop on islands such as Granito de Oro.\r\n\r\nWatch humpback whales from about July to October, and take a boat to Isla C\u00e9baco for beaches.","hw_hub_city_do_points":"Coiba diving | Sharks and turtles\r\nLa Punta | The reef break\r\nPlaya Estero | Learn to surf\r\nGranito de Oro | Snorkelling","hw_hub_city_do_tag":"things-to-do","hw_hub_city_do_more":"All things to do in Santa Catalina","hw_hub_city_free_title":"And what it costs nothing to do","hw_hub_city_free_body":"Playa Estero and the beaches around town are free, and so is watching the surfers at La Punta.\r\n\r\nSunsets cost nothing.\r\n\r\nCoiba trips include park fees.","hw_hub_city_free_points":"Playa Estero | Free\r\nSurf watching | Free\r\nSunsets | Free\r\nBeach walks | Free","hw_hub_city_free_tag":"free","hw_hub_city_free_more":"All free things to do in Santa Catalina","hw_hub_city_food_title":"Eating and drinking","hw_hub_city_food_body":"Small restaurants serve fish, rice and patacones for \u20ac5 to \u20ac8. Pizza and Italian food are popular, thanks to European residents.\r\n\r\nTry fresh ceviche.\r\n\r\nThere are few shops, so stock up in Son\u00e1. A 10 per cent tip is usual in restaurants; check the bill first, as some add it.","hw_hub_city_food_points":"Fish plate | \u20ac5\u20138\r\nCeviche | Fresh\r\nPizza | Local favourite\r\nShops | Few","hw_hub_city_food_tag":"food","hw_hub_city_food_more":"All food guides for Santa Catalina","hw_hub_city_nightlife_title":"Going out","hw_hub_city_nightlife_body":"Santa Catalina is quiet: a few bars and occasional parties in the high season.\r\n\r\nDivers and surfers go to bed early.\r\n\r\nA beer costs \u20ac1.50 to \u20ac3.","hw_hub_city_nightlife_points":"Bars | A few\r\nParties | Occasional\r\nEarly nights | Dawn dives\r\nBeer | \u20ac1.50\u20133","hw_hub_city_nightlife_tag":"nightlife","hw_hub_city_nightlife_more":"All nightlife guides for Santa Catalina","hw_hub_city_transport_title":"Getting around","hw_hub_city_transport_body":"From Panama City, take a bus to Santiago (about 4 hours), then to Son\u00e1 and Santa Catalina (about 2 hours more). Shuttles run from Panama City, Boquete and Santa Fe.\r\n\r\nThe village is walkable. Dive shops run boats to Coiba, about an hour each way.","hw_hub_city_transport_points":"From Panama City | About 6 hours\r\nVia Santiago and Son\u00e1 | Buses\r\nShuttles | From Boquete\r\nCoiba | About 1 hour by boat","hw_hub_city_transport_tag":"transport","hw_hub_city_transport_more":"All transport guides for Santa Catalina","hw_hub_city_money_title":"What Santa Catalina costs","hw_hub_city_money_body":"Hostel beds start at around \u20ac12 to \u20ac20 a night. Meals cost \u20ac5 to \u20ac8.\r\n\r\nA two-tank Coiba dive costs about \u20ac100 to \u20ac160 including park fees, a snorkel trip about \u20ac50 to \u20ac80, and a surf lesson about \u20ac30 to \u20ac45.\r\n\r\nPanama uses the US dollar, alongside its own balboa coins, which are worth the same. There is no reliable ATM in the village, so bring cash; the nearest is in Son\u00e1.","hw_hub_city_money_points":"Bed | From around \u20ac12\u201320\r\nCoiba dive | About \u20ac100\u2013160\r\nSnorkel trip | About \u20ac50\u201380\r\nCash | No reliable ATM","hw_hub_city_money_tag":"budget","hw_hub_city_money_more":"All budget guides for Santa Catalina","hw_hub_city_safety_title":"Safety and scams","hw_hub_city_safety_body":"Santa Catalina is safe and relaxed. The La Punta reef is shallow and powerful; surf it only if you are experienced.\r\n\r\nOn Coiba trips, use certified dive operators and follow park rules.\r\n\r\nTap 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.","hw_hub_city_safety_points":"Emergency | 911\r\nReef | Shallow and powerful\r\nDiving | Certified operators\r\nCash | Bring enough","hw_hub_city_safety_tag":"safety","hw_hub_city_safety_more":"All safety guides for Santa Catalina","hw_hub_city_trips_title":"Worth the trip","hw_hub_city_trips_intro":"Islands and the coast.","hw_hub_city_trips":"","hw_hub_city_trips_tag":"day-trips","hw_hub_city_trips_more":"All day trips from Santa Catalina","hw_hub_city_season_title":"When to go","hw_hub_city_season_intro":"December to April is dry, with the best visibility for diving and the biggest surf at La Punta. May to November brings rain and is quieter, with whales from about July to October.","hw_hub_city_season_note":"Average highs, rounded. Hot all year.","hw_hub_city_season_rows":"January | 32 | 5 | Dry, surf\r\nFebruary | 33 | 5 | Dry, clear water\r\nMarch | 33 | 5 | Dry\r\nApril | 33 | 4 | Easter\r\nMay | 32 | 2 | Rain\r\nJune | 31 | 2 | Rain\r\nJuly | 31 | 3 | Whales arrive\r\nAugust | 31 | 3 | Whales\r\nSeptember | 30 | 2 | Whales\r\nOctober | 30 | 2 | Wettest\r\nNovember | 30 | 2 | Wet\r\nDecember | 31 | 4 | Holidays","hw_hub_city_events_title":"What is on while you are there","hw_hub_city_events_intro":"Seasons and holidays.","hw_hub_city_events_source":"manual","hw_hub_city_events_count":"8","hw_hub_city_events_cache":"24","hw_hub_city_events_cta_label":"All events in Barcelona","hw_hub_city_events_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/events\/europe\/spain\/barcelona\/","hw_hub_city_events":"Coiba diving season | December to April | Coiba | Clearest water. |  | \nSurf season | December to April | La Punta | The biggest waves. |  | \nWhale season | About July to October | Offshore | Humpbacks. |  | ","hw_hub_city_budget_title":"What your trip will cost","hw_hub_city_budget_intro":"Per night, for one person, based on Santa Catalina prices.","hw_hub_city_budget_note":"Treat these as a guide. Diving costs extra.","hw_hub_city_budget_rows":"Shoestring | 14 | 10 | 2 | 15\r\nMiddle of the road | 35 | 20 | 5 | 60\r\nComfortable | 80 | 35 | 10 | 120","hw_hub_city_budget_currency":"\u20ac","hw_hub_city_hostels_title":"Where to stay","hw_hub_city_hostels_intro":"The highest-rated hostels in Santa Catalina, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_label":"All hostels in Panama","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/north-america\/panama\/","hw_hub_city_hostels_source":"api","hw_hub_city_hostels_count":"12","hw_hub_city_hostels_cache":"12","hw_hub_city_picks":"Best for solo travellers |  |  | \nBest for a party |  |  | \nQuietest |  |  | ","hw_hub_city_hostels":"","hw_hub_city_team_title":"","hw_hub_city_team_intro":"","hw_hub_city_team":"","hw_hub_city_faq_title":"Santa Catalina questions","hw_hub_city_faq_note":"The ones we get asked most.","hw_hub_city_faqs":"How do I get to Santa Catalina? | By bus via Santiago and Son\u00e1, or shuttle, about 6 hours from Panama City.\r\nCan I dive Coiba from Santa Catalina? | Yes, dive shops run day trips.\r\nIs there an ATM? | No reliable one; bring cash.\r\nCan beginners surf? | At Playa Estero.\r\nWhen is the best time to visit? | December to April.\r\nIs it safe? | Yes, it is safe and relaxed.\r\nHow many days do I need? | Three to four.","hw_hub_city_cta_title":"Say yes to hostels, meet the world","hw_hub_city_cta_body":"Compare hostels across Panama: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.","hw_hub_city_cta_buttons":"Find hostels in Panama | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/north-america\/panama\/\r\nGet the app | https:\/\/hostelworld.onelink.me\/IdiK\/f5a50nhd","hw_hub_city_newsletter_title":"Get the good stuff monthly","hw_hub_city_newsletter_body":"New city guides, deals and route ideas. 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filler.","hw_hub_city_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_city_hub_term":"santa-catalina","hw_hub_city_city_slug":"santa-catalina","hw_hub_city_country_slug":"panama","hw_hub_city_parent_hub":"north-america\/panama","hw_hub_city_good_for":"","hw_hub_city_currency":"EUR","hw_hub_city_scope_rows":"1","hw_hub_country_states_title":"","hw_hub_country_states_intro":"","hw_hub_country_state_regions":"","hw_hub_country_states":"","hw_hub_state_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_state_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_state_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_state_hero_image":"","hw_hub_state_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_state_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_state_live_stats":"","hw_hub_state_stats":"","hw_hub_state_intro_title":"","hw_hub_state_intro_body":"","hw_hub_state_facts":"","hw_hub_state_areas_title":"","hw_hub_state_areas_intro":"","hw_hub_state_areas_zoom":"","hw_hub_state_hostels_pins":"","hw_hub_state_areas":"","hw_hub_state_itin_title":"","hw_hub_state_itin_intro":"","hw_hub_state_itin":"","hw_hub_state_do_title":"","hw_hub_state_do_body":"","hw_hub_state_do_points":"","hw_hub_state_do_tag":"","hw_hub_state_do_more":"","hw_hub_state_free_title":"","hw_hub_state_free_body":"","hw_hub_state_free_points":"","hw_hub_state_free_tag":"","hw_hub_state_free_more":"","hw_hub_state_food_title":"","hw_hub_state_food_body":"","hw_hub_state_food_points":"","hw_hub_state_food_tag":"","hw_hub_state_food_more":"","hw_hub_state_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_state_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_state_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_state_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_state_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_state_transport_title":"","hw_hub_state_transport_body":"","hw_hub_state_transport_points":"","hw_hub_state_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_state_transport_more":"","hw_hub_state_money_title":"","hw_hub_state_money_body":"","hw_hub_state_money_points":"","hw_hub_state_money_tag":"","hw_hub_state_money_more":"","hw_hub_state_safety_title":"","hw_hub_state_safety_body":"","hw_hub_state_safety_points":"","hw_hub_state_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_state_safety_more":"","hw_hub_state_layout":"","hw_hub_state_cities_title":"","hw_hub_state_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_state_cities_live":"","hw_hub_state_cities":"","hw_hub_state_cities_tag":"","hw_hub_state_cities_more":"","hw_hub_state_season_title":"","hw_hub_state_season_intro":"","hw_hub_state_season_note":"","hw_hub_state_season_rows":"","hw_hub_state_events_title":"","hw_hub_state_events_intro":"","hw_hub_state_events_source":"","hw_hub_state_events_count":"","hw_hub_state_events_cache":"","hw_hub_state_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_state_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_state_events":"","hw_hub_state_budget_title":"","hw_hub_state_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_state_budget_note":"","hw_hub_state_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_state_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_state_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_state_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_state_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_state_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_state_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_state_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_state_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_state_picks":"","hw_hub_state_hostels":"","hw_hub_state_faq_title":"","hw_hub_state_faq_note":"","hw_hub_state_faqs":"","hw_hub_state_cta_title":"","hw_hub_state_cta_body":"","hw_hub_state_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_state_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_state_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_state_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_state_hub_term":"","hw_hub_state_country_slug":"","hw_hub_state_parent_hub":"","hw_hub_state_currency":"","hw_hub_state_scope_rows":""},"class_list":["post-1307333","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","wpbf-post"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Santa Catalina Guide: Surf and Coiba Diving<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Plan Santa Catalina: surf at La Punta and Playa Estero, diving and snorkelling in Coiba National Park, whales, costs and where to stay.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/panama\/santa-catalina\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Santa Catalina Guide: Surf and Coiba Diving\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Plan Santa Catalina: surf at La Punta and Playa Estero, diving and snorkelling in Coiba National Park, whales, costs and where to stay.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" 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