You just found the best landing page for activities around Lago Bay, Santa Catalina and Coiba Island. We’ll start by highlighting the top 10 must-do experiences, and then you can scroll down for detailed information on each activity.
The TOP 10 Activities to do around Lago Bay
Coiba Island Tour
Estero Beach
Bird watching
Yoga and paddle boarding
Kayak to Isla Santa Catalina
Horseback riding during sunrise
Local beach day: Playa Banco Beach
Lago Bay Mangrove Boat Tour
Restaurants
Surfing at The Point
(Launch from Santa Catalina)
Coiba National Park is a one-of-a-kind destination right off the coast of Santa Catalina Panama. Coiba Island is the largest island in Central America, located off the Pacific coast of Panama. Part of Coiba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s known for its rich biodiversity, pristine beaches, and crystal-clear waters. The island is a top destination for snorkeling, diving, and eco-tourism, offering sightings of whale sharks, manta rays, dolphins, and vibrant coral reefs.There’s so much more to share about Coiba Island, but it deserves its own spotlight! That’s why we’ve created a dedicated post diving deep into all the incredible activities you can enjoy on Coiba Island > All the information about Coiba.
Or check out our Coiba Tour Pack including a flight from Panama City, a stay one of our vacation homes at Lago Bay, your own car and an amazing tour to Coiba Island.
2. ESTERO BEACH
(Santa Catalina)
Located on Panama’s Pacific coast, Estero Beach is a popular spot for both beginners and experienced surfers due to its consistent breaks, especially during high tide. It’s also a family-friendly destination, with shallow areas for wading and plenty of space for beach activities. There's a great beach bar at this beach which will give you everything you'll need to relax > Oasis Beach Bar
All the information about surf board rentals at Estero Beach can be found here.
3. LAGO BAY NATURE TRAILS & BIRD WATCHING
The best bird watching in the area is right here at Lago Bay. For the casual birdwatcher, one of our balconies or rooftops does the job with morning coffee in hand or an evening beverage. For the more active birdwatcher, you can expect a good many check marks in your journal or logbook. Our trails that run through permaculture groves and tropical hardwoods, around lakes and along the beach are all filled with an impressive variety of tropical birds.
4. YOGA AND PADDLE BOARDING
(Reservations in high season)
Just next door at Lago Bay you'll find: Catalina's Hideaway Hotel. Here you can enjoy Yoga lessons, the pool, paddle boarding and the restaurant. More information can be found here or check our YouTube video.
5. KAYAK TO ISLA SANTA CATALINA (3 hour)
(Santa Catalina)
Feeling active? At Hotel Rolo you can rent a kayak to make a beautiful trip to Isla Santa Catalina. A 25-minute kayak trip (one-way) and once there, take your time to relax and explore the island's beauty before heading back!
6. HORSEBACK RIDING AT SUNRISE (2 Hour)
(Lagartero) (reservation needed)
Begin (or end) your day with a horseback ride through the scenic Panamanian countryside and our own beach in front of Lago Bay. For an unforgettable experience, we recommend riding at low tide during sunrise or sunset. Not only are the temperatures cooler—especially in the summer months—but the landscape is breathtaking at this time, with magical views across the river at Estero Beach.
7. LOCAL BEACH DAY: PLAYA BANCO BEACH
(22 kilometer drive)
Ready for a nice beach-day? At Playa Banco, you’ll find several ranchos—little shaded huts equipped with hammocks and benches for your relaxation. There is a small cantina, where you can enjoy local beers for just $1. For a delicious meal, there are three or four Fonda (family-style) kitchens available for a fresh fish plates with patacones (fried plantains). Depending on the size of the fish, a plate typically costs between $7 and $8.More information about a local beach-day and how to get there can be found here.
8. LAGO BAY MANGROVE BOAT TOUR (3 Hour)
(depending on season and tide)
The Gulf of Montijo is one of Panama's premier fishing destinations, where local communities thrive along the mangrove coast, relying on fishing as their primary industry. Many residents harvest clams from the beaches and concha, a black, oyster-like mollusk, from the mangroves. The waters are rich with blue crabs and various species of langoustines, making it a seafood lover’s paradise.
The mangroves themselves are a haven for diverse bird, mammal, and reptile populations, showcasing the incredible wildlife that inhabits this area. When you combine the rich flora and fauna at this 'crossroads' of nature, you’ll discover some of the most remarkable biodiversity on our planet. Situated where the Gulf meets the Pacific, Lago Bay offers the perfect setting for your Mangrove Nature Tour (fishing optional).
9. DINING RECOMMENDATIONS
Even though you have a fully-equipped Vacation home when staying at Lago Bay, it's a must to get out an try some of the area's international and local cuisine. Here is a short list of some of our favorites:
Pinguino | Sunset Dinner
Iguanito Restaurant | Iguanito Restaurant
Argentina Steak House | Steak House
Jammin Pizza | Pizza
10. ADVANCED SURFING AT 'THE POINT'
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 in the region.
SUPPLIES:
Buying most of your specialty items in Santiago or David before your arrival is always a good recommendation for both price and variety. I'd say that seafood is a definite exception:
In Hicaco you will find the Fish Market and you can find all your basics with Martin at his mini super as well as the larger 'Chino' on the corner.
In Santa Catalina you'll find a Pharmacy, ATM and a two Mini Supers. Also a fruit and veggie stand on the road to Estero Beach.
For guests staying at Lago Bay, we offer delivery service straight to your home for some of our 'top-shelf' specialty items. Scan the QR code on the welcome sheet to get started.
Hopefully the Top 10 Activities Page - Coiba #1 has been helpful for your coming trip. If you are staying at Lago Bay we have a full service Coiba Tour Pack. We also offer charter flights to Lago Bay with our shuttle service to Santa Catalina.
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