Santa Catalina & Coiba: Snorkeling and Surfing in Panama

th stop on our Panama road trip: heading to Santa Catalina and Coiba

To visit the Coiba Islands, there are several options. We chose Santa Catalina because it’s more accessible and offers a great variety of activities, especially with its famous surf spots.

Why visit Santa Catalina and Coiba?

Santa Catalina is a small coastal village known for its surfing and laid-back atmosphere. It’s also the gateway to Coiba Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site often called the “Galápagos of Central America” thanks to its exceptional marine biodiversity.

How to get to Santa Catalina?

From Boquete: Direct shuttle with Hello Travel ($35, approx. 5 hours).

From Panama City: Bus to Soná, then shared taxi to Santa Catalina (total duration ~6 hours).

Things to do in Santa Catalina and Coiba

Here’s our itinerary.

Day 1: Arrival and relaxation in Santa Catalina

We left in the morning with Hello Travel at 7:15 from our hotel.
The shuttle was packed, so not the most comfortable ride—I was squeezed in the back.
We stopped around 9 a.m. to eat at a roadside cantina and arrived around noon at our hotel.
We stayed at El Rancho Estero hostel (good value for money).

In the afternoon, we walked and swam at Playa Estero.

We booked our Coiba tour for the next day with Expedición Coiba ($65 + $20 for the national park fee).

Dinner at Restaurante Donde Vianca—amazing ceviche for $12!

Day 2: Coiba Island excursion

Boat departure at 7:30 a.m. with Expedición Coiba. Snorkeling: white-tip sharks, sea turtles, tropical fish.

All tour agencies follow the same structure:

3 snorkeling spots
Lunch at Isla Rancheria
Return to Santa Catalina late afternoon

We were very disappointed with Expedición Coiba’s organization. We were on a boat with scuba divers. The day before, we asked if the short hike on Coiba was included—they said yes. But the itinerary changed without notice, and everything was centered around the divers. Very little water time for us. Also, lunch was just a sandwich—not great!

Bad experience, so we did the tour again the next day with another agency—Discover Coiba—much more professional. Price: $90 + $20 park fee.

Day 3: Second Coiba Island tour

We did the tour again with Discover Coiba and it was a completely different experience!

More comfortable, real snorkeling sessions, an engaged and passionate guide. The food was much better too!

We saw way more turtles, did the famous jungle hike, saw howler monkeys, and the captain spotted dolphins multiple times and stopped the boat so we could watch them.

That evening, we ate at Fonda La Arena (great value) and watched the sunset at Playa Estero.

Other things to do in Santa Catalina and Coiba

Scuba diving at Coiba Island (Coiba National Park)

Agencies: Panama Dive Center, Scuba Coiba, Coiba Dive Center
2-tank dive: $150 to $180 per person
Check Google Maps for recent reviews

Surfing in Santa Catalina

One of the best surf spots in Central America, Santa Catalina attracts both pro and beginner surfers all year round.

Board rental: $10–15 per half-day
Surf lesson (1.5 to 2 hours): $30–45
Best beach for beginners: Playa Estero
For advanced surfers: Santa Catalina point break (one of the longest in the Pacific)

Kayak or paddle excursions

Explore the wild coastline, nearby islets, and mangroves at your own pace.

Single kayak or paddleboard rental: $15–25 for 2 hours
Guided tour (sunset, mangroves, wildlife spotting): $35–50

Whale watching (season: July to October)

Boat tours available to see humpback whales migrating through Panamanian waters.
Price: $50–75 per person
Duration: around 3 hours
Some tours include snorkeling or island visits

Yoga & wellness

Santa Catalina is also a peaceful retreat, ideal for slowing down and reconnecting.

Oceanfront yoga classes: $10–15 per session
Santa Catalina Retreats: wellness retreats (accommodation + yoga + meals) starting at $600 for 5 days

Santa Catalina & Coiba Budget

Accommodation: $30–50/night for basic options
Meals: $15–25/day
Coiba tour: $80–100
Local transport: $5–10

Estimated total for 3–4 days: $300–400 per person

Travel tips for Santa Catalina & Coiba

Bring cash—there’s only one ATM and it may be empty
Use biodegradable sunscreen to protect coral reefs
Book your Coiba tour in advance (limited spots)
Contact the agency early to check if you need to reserve—ours was booked the day before

Santa Catalina and Coiba are must-sees in Panama, combining wild nature and crystal-clear waters. Ready to dive into adventure?

Next steps

More in our full guide: Panama Roadtrip in 2–3 Weeks

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