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Voykit pocket guide · Panama
Las Lajas
Las Lajas works as a 2–3 night beach stop between David and the Pacific West coast: long Pacific beach, safe surf, basic services. Not a destination for nightlife or luxury.
Las Lajas is a quiet Pacific beach town in Chiriquí province, 10 minutes from the Pan-American Highway. Its main draw is a long, palm-fringed beach with gentle waves suitable for learning to surf. The town itself is small; most visitors stay in beachfront lodges and walk or taxi between them. It's a place to slow down, not to sightsee.
- Country
- Panama
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry season)
- Avoid
- May–Nov (rainy season, rougher sea)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- PAB
- Money
- Currency is the balboa (PAB), fixed 1 to 1 with the US dollar; US dollar notes are the paper money in use, with Panamanian coins.
- Daily spend
- Budget $30–50 excl. bed · Mid $50–90 excl. bed · High $90+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Más Móvil, Tigo and Digicel SIMs at Tocumen and in malls; passport required.
- Emergency
- Police 104 · Fire 103 · General emergency 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US-style plugs.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% if not added.; Guides and boat crews: US$5–10 per person.; Hotel porters: US$1–2 per bag.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in Panama City and most towns; drink bottled on the islands and in Bocas.
- Toilets
- Western toilets; basic outhouses on San Blas islands.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bus David–Las Lajas | $2–3 |
| Taxi town–beach | $5 |
| Boat trip to Isla Silva | $25–35 per person |
| Meal at a beachfront restaurant | $8–15 |
| Beer (bottle) | $1.50–3 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- DAV · Enrique Malek International Airport (David)
- About 1 h 15 min by bus or taxi
Typical fares
- Bus David–Las Lajas
- $2–3, about 1 h 15 min (check)
- Taxi town–beach
- $5 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walking along the beach is the main way to get between beachfront places. Taxis from town to the beach cost about $5. Buses from David stop on the Pan-American Highway; ask the driver to let you off near your accommodation.
See and do
Known for
- Long Pacific beach (several km)
- Beginner-friendly surf
- Isla Silva de Adentro and Isla Silva de Afuera boat trips
- Santa Cruz Bay mangroves
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Isla Silva de Adentro and Isla Silva de Afuera | Boat trip from Remedios (10 min drive) or Santa Cruz; ask at your lodge | Half day |
| Santa Cruz Bay | Taxi or drive about 15 min | 2–3 hours |
| David | Bus from the Pan-American Highway, about 1 h 15 min | About 1.5 h |
| Boca Chica | Bus or taxi via the Pan-American Highway, about 1 h | About 1.5 h |
Sleep
- Beachfront (west of town)
- Most lodges and guesthouses are along the beach road; walk to restaurants and bars.
- Las Lajas town
- Cheaper options, but you'll need a taxi (about $5) to reach the beach.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello / Good morning | Buenos díasBWEH-nohs DEE-ahs |
| Thank you | GraciasGRAH-see-ahs |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAHN-toh KWEH-stah |
| Where is the beach? | ¿Dónde está la playa?DOHN-deh eh-STAH lah PLAH-yah |
| I would like … | Me gustaría …meh goo-stah-REE-ah |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'buenos días'; avoid: Skipping greetings in shops
- Dress: Long trousers in offices and churches; avoid: Beachwear in the city
- Guna communities: Ask before photos, pay the fee; avoid: Walking into homes or ceremonies
Scams and watch-outs
- Buses from David are infrequent; check the return schedule in advance.
- The beach has no lifeguards; swim with caution, especially in the rainy season.
- ATMs are scarce; bring enough cash from David or Santiago.
Las Lajas is generally safe for tourists. The main risks are sunburn, strong currents in the rainy season, and limited medical facilities. Keep valuables out of sight on the beach.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Las Lajas yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Long Pacific beach (several km)
- Beginner-friendly surf
- Isla Silva de Adentro and Isla Silva de Afuera boat trips
- Santa Cruz Bay mangroves
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Las Lajas, revision 5109558 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5109558
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/las-lajas). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.