10 Best Things to Do: Santa Catalina & Coiba Island (2026 Travel Guide)
- 22 jul
- 5 min de lectura
Actualizado: 6 ago
Welcome to the ultimate adventure hub on Panama’s Pacific coast! Whether you are seeking world-class marine life, pristine surf breaks, quiet nature trails, or relaxed beachfront dining, the region surrounding Santa Catalina, Coiba Island, and Lago Bay offers an unforgettable tropical escape.
Here is your quick-look list of the top 10 experiences, followed by a detailed breakdown of each activity to help you build your perfect itinerary.
Top Activities Coiba
At a Glance: The Top 10 Must-Do Experiences:
Coiba Island Boat & Snorkel Tour (UNESCO World Heritage Marine Reserve)
Beach Day & Beginner Surfing at Estero Beach (Sand, Waves & Oasis Beach Bar)
Bird Watching & Permaculture Trails (Directly on-site at Lago Bay)
Yoga & Stand-Up Paddle Boarding (At Catalina's Hideaway)
Kayak Expedition to Isla Santa Catalina (3-Hour Paddling & Trail Lookout)
Sunrise Horseback Riding (Playa Lagartero Beach & Tidal Flats)
Local Beach Day at Playa Banco (Rancho Hammocks & $1 Local Beers)
Lago Bay Mangrove & Nature Boat Tour (Gulf of Montijo Biodiversity)
International & Local Culinary Dining (Seafood, Argentine Steaks & Sunset Views)
Advanced Surfing at 'The Point' (Panama’s Legendary Point Break)
1. Coiba Island Boat Tour
(Launch Point: Santa Catalina)
Coiba National Park is a world-class destination located just off the coast of Santa Catalina. As the largest island in Central America, Coiba is a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its untouched primary rainforests, vibrant coral reefs, and incredible marine biodiversity.
On a single day trip, visitors frequently swim alongside whale sharks, white-tip reef sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, and massive schools of tropical fish.
Want the Complete Coiba Deep Dive?Read our ultimate guide: Coiba Island Panama: The Complete Tour, Diving & UNESCO Guide for trail maps, dive site breakdowns, and seasonal wildlife calendars.
✈️ Smart Logistics Tip: Standard road travel requires an exhausting 7 to 8-hour drive each way. By booking a 45-minute private charter directly to Lago Bay Airstrip (MPLY), you land just 15 minutes from the boat launch—saving 2 full days of vacation. Compare travel options in our How to Get to Santa Catalina Guide or explore our all-inclusive Coiba Tour Pack (flight, villa, rental car, and island tour included).
Coiba Dive Island Coiba ISland Panama Diving Coiba
2. Estero Beach & Beginner Surfing
(Location: Santa Catalina)
Located on Panama’s Pacific coast, Estero Beach is the region’s premier spot for family beach days and beginner surf lessons. Its soft, sandy bottom and consistent, gentle wave breaks make it ideal for practicing your pop-up at high tide.
Surf Rentals & Lessons: Local shops along the beach path offer daily surfboard rentals and bilingual instruction.
Relax at Oasis Beach Bar: Unwind right on the sand with fresh ceviche, gourmet burgers, and tropical cocktails while watching the evening surf session.
Surf Santa Catalina Santa Catalina Panama Best Surf
3. Nature Trails & Bird Watching
(Location: Directly at Lago Bay)
You don't need to travel far to experience Panama's wild exotic fauna. Guests staying at Lago Bay enjoy premier bird watching right from their private balcony or rooftop deck with a morning coffee.
For active birders, our private estate trails wind through permaculture groves, manicured gardens, around freshwater lakes, and along quiet beaches. Expect to log sightings of toucans, parrots, herons, motmots, and hummingbirds.
Stay Right at the Activity Site:Enjoy private lake access, nature trails, and direct beach access right outside your front door by booking a Lago Bay Vacation Villa.
4. Yoga & Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
(Location: Catalina's Hideaway)
Located right next door to Lago Bay, Catalina's Hideaway offers daily oceanfront yoga classes, open pool access, stand-up paddleboard rentals, and a farm-to-table restaurant. It's a peaceful sanctuary to re-center after a full day of island boat tours or surfing.
5. Kayak to Isla Santa Catalina (3 Hours)
(Location: Santa Catalina Beach)
Feeling active? Head to the main boat beach in Santa Catalina and rent a sea kayak from Hotel Rolo to paddle across to Isla Santa Catalina—the small island sitting directly offshore.
The Crossing: A manageable 25-minute paddle each way across calm water.
Island Exploration: Arrive at a secluded white-sand beach and hike short jungle trails up to a elevated lookout point over the Pacific ocean.
6. Sunrise Beach Horseback Riding (2 Hours)
(Location: Playa Lagartero / Reservations Required)
Begin your day with a guided horseback tour along the wide sands of Playa Lagartero directly in front of Lago Bay. The golden morning hour offers cool ocean breezes and ideal light for photography. At low tide, the expansive sand flats team with thousands of feeding shorebirds, pelicans, and crabs.
7. Local Beach Day at Playa Banco
(Location: 22 km Drive from Santa Catalina)
For an authentic local experience off the main tourist track, take a short drive to Playa Banco.
Highlights | What to Expect |
Shaded Ranchos | Beachfront wooden huts equipped with hammocks and benches |
Local Cantinas | Cold local beers ($1 each) |
Fresh Seafood Fondas | Family-style kitchens serving whole fried fish, patacones (fried plantains), and coconut rice ($7–$8 per plate) |
8. Lago Bay Mangrove & Nature Boat Tour (3 Hours)
(Location: Gulf of Montijo / Seasonal & Tide Dependent)
The Gulf of Montijo is one of Panama's most vital marine ecosystems and a primary artisanal fishing ground. Local coastal communities rely on these fertile mangrove estuaries to harvest clams, blue crabs, langoustines, and concha (black oysters).
A private boat tour through these winding mangrove channels reveals an amazing nursery for marine life, caimans, monkeys, and coastal sea birds. (Optional light fishing can be integrated upon request).
9. Local Dining & Culinary Hotspots
While all Lago Bay Vacation Homes feature fully equipped modern kitchens, sampling the regional dining scene is a must:
El Pingüino: Famous for fresh seafood, fine wines, and front-row sunset views over the ocean.
Iguanito Restaurant: Highly rated for fresh catches, lively atmosphere, and creative fusion plates.
Argentina Steak House: Serving premium imported cuts, wine pairings, and grilled favorites.
Jammin' Pizza: Artisanal thin-crust pizza baked fresh with custom toppings.
10. Advanced Surfing at 'The Point'
(Location: Santa Catalina)
I know what you're thinking...surfing at the point should be #1 or #2 on the Top Ten list. Estero beach is really for everyone to practice, take lessons and go wild with the sandy bottom. The Point, however, is for advanced surfers only...so it gets the finale here at #10. With its rock bottom and powerful wave it draws the diehard international surfing community. Here in Panama, most serious surfers agree that The Point is the best wave in Panama.
The Point (La Punta) is the crown jewel for seasoned international surfers.
Featuring a rock-bottom reef and powerful, hollow Pacific swells that hold up to double-overhead height, The Point is widely considered the #1 wave break in Central America. Advanced surfers come from across the globe to ride its long, peel-off right-hand barrels
Local Shopping & Essential Supplies
Planning your self-catering menu? Here is how to stock up:
Major Grocery Stock-up: We recommend buying specialty grocery items, wines, and meats in Santiago or David prior to arriving on the coast.
Fresh Local Seafood: Visit the local fish market in Hicaco to purchase fresh corvina, red snapper, lobster, and octopus directly from local fishermen.
Santa Catalina Services: Santa Catalina features two mini-supers, a fruit/veggie stand, a pharmacy, and a local ATM.
Lago Bay 'Fly In' Concerige: Fly-In guests can coordinate with Lago Bay for specialty items prepared and stocked for your vacation home.
Ready to Plan Your Adventure?
Getting to Santa Catalina and Coiba National Park has never been easier. Skip the long 8-hour highway drive and fly directly to Lago Bay Airstrip (MPLY) in just 45 minutes!
Fly Direct: Reserve your seat on a private flight via our ✈️ Charter Flights Page.
Where to Stay: Book a vacation home on the Lago Bay Accommodations Page.
Book Your Tour: Explore complete vacation bundles on our Coiba Tour Pack Page.