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Major city · Panama

Cambutal

Spend 2–3 days: one night for beach, add another for surf, wildlife and jungle tours; longer if you want fishing or remote waterfalls.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Cambutal is a remote surf village on the Azuero Peninsula with black‑sand beach, strong currents, and access to Cerro Hoya National Park, turtles, whales and sport fishing. The village is walkable but reaching nature spots needs a 4WD or guide.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
PAB
Best months
Dry season Dec–Apr for calm beach, rainy season May–Nov for big surf, whales July–Oct
avoid Road flooding Sep–Oct can close the final stretch
Airports
PTY · CTD
Nights
2
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
  • Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
  • Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
  • Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
  • Panama ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Panama's National Migration Service or a Panamanian consulate; proof of onward travel and funds may be asked for.
  • Panama ↗Do not travel independently in the Darién; the UK and other governments warn against parts of it, and there is no road crossing to Colombia.
  • Panama ↗Guna Yala (San Blas) is governed by the Guna people: visitor fees apply, and photography of people usually needs permission and payment. Book through Guna-run or licensed operators.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Cambutal104 ▾
  • Police104
  • Fire and ambulance103
  • General emergency911

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Cambutal, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$2–$4
  • BeerBeer (local bar)$3–$5
  • Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi from Tonosí to Cambutal$20–$30
  • Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personPAB 15
  • Mid-range bedBoutique beachfront room (double), a night, per roomPAB 120
  • High-end bedBoutique beachfront room (double), a night, per roomPAB 200

A day, not counting the bed: Budget PAB 40 · Mid PAB 70 · High PAB 120

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

World‑class surf breaksBlack‑sand beachHumpback whale watchingSea‑turtle nestingCerro Hoya National Park
Airports
PTY Tocumen International Airport (Main international gateway; car rental and transfers to Cambutal) · CTD Capitán José Daniel Fernández Airport (Chitré) (Regional flights to Chitré; onward taxi or rental to Cambutal)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    32°C (90°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    33°C (91°F)

  5. May

    Best

    33°C (91°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    33°C (91°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    33°C (91°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    33°C (91°F)

  9. Sep

    Care

    32°C (90°F)

  10. Oct

    Care

    31°C (88°F)

  11. Nov

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

Best: Nov–Aug. Mixed: Sep–Oct. Month by month →

Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Cambutal: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

30°C (86°F)

22°C (72°F)

5 rd

Feb

31°C (88°F)

22°C (72°F)

5 rd

Mar

32°C (90°F)

23°C (73°F)

6 rd

Apr

33°C (91°F)

24°C (75°F)

7 rd

May

33°C (91°F)

24°C (75°F)

9 rd

Jun

33°C (91°F)

25°C (77°F)

12 rd

Jul

33°C (91°F)

25°C (77°F)

13 rd

Aug

33°C (91°F)

25°C (77°F)

13 rd

Sep

32°C (90°F)

25°C (77°F)

12 rd

Oct

31°C (88°F)

24°C (75°F)

9 rd

Nov

30°C (86°F)

23°C (73°F)

6 rd

Dec

30°C (86°F)

22°C (72°F)

5 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Village strip is walkable; 4WD or guide needed for waterfalls, jungle and remote surf spots. No public transport within Cambutal.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Cerro Hoya National Park

go

Door to door: ≈1 h

4WD or guide from Cambutal, 30‑45 min drive

Guide required; trails unmarked

Waterfalls behind Cambutal

caution

Door to door: ≈1 h

4WD + guide, 20‑30 min

River crossings may be swollen in rainy season

Playa Venao

go

Door to door: ≈1 h 15 min

Shuttle or taxi, ~1 h east

More developed surf spot

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Beach hostels & boutique hotels

Small, owner‑run; book early for holidays

Vacation rentals

Often beachfront; limited Wi‑Fi

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$40–$60 excl. bed
Mid
$70–$100 excl. bed
High
$120+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Boutique beachfront room (double)1 × 2 nights × PAB 120PAB 240
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × PAB 70PAB 280
Rental car (4WD) 1 day2 × PAB 70 · checkPAB 140
Guided park tour2 × PAB 80 · checkPAB 160
eSIM data (1 week)2 × PAB 15 · checkPAB 30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgePAB 85
Trip total≈ PAB 234 per person per day, bed includedPAB 935

2026 estimate in USD; flights and long‑distance transfers excluded.

Prices of common things

Coffee$2–$4
Beer (local bar)$3–$5
Surfboard rental (day)$15–$25
Taxi from Tonosí to Cambutal$20–$30

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Generally safe for tourists; main risks are road conditions, strong surf currents, and limited medical services.
  • Final 20 km (12 mi) from Tonosí is unpaved with potholes; higher clearance recommended (road repairs expected 2026).
  • Strong currents and rip tides – swimming only where safe.
  • No ATMs – bring cash.
  • Nearest clinic in Tonosí; hospitals 1.5–2 h away.

Emergency numbers

Police
104
Fire and ambulance
103
General emergency
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

CambutalCambutal

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police104
  • Fire and ambulance103
  • General emergency911

Embassy

US consulate in Panama City; nearest Panamanian bank in Chitré.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Panama City → Cambutal (car rental, 4WD): ≈ $250–$350 total, 4.5 h drive (check)
  • Bus total Panama City → Cambutal: ≈ $15 per person, 6–7 h (check)

Say or show

  • Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dis-cul-pe)
  • Gracias — Thank you (gra-see-as)
  • ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwan-to kwes-ta)
  • ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (don-de es-ta el ba-nyo)
  • ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (pwe-do pa-gar con tar-he-ta)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cambutal. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Dry season Dec–Apr for calm beach, rainy season May–Nov for big surf, whales July–Oct · avoid Road flooding Sep–Oct can close the final stretch · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 3 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Road repair schedule for Tonosí‑Cambutal stretch (2026).
  2. Add 4WD rental options in Pedasí listings.
  3. Create guided‑tour links for park and waterfalls.

Meanwhile

Back to Panama

Sources

Ask about Cambutal

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