Major city · Panama
Santa Catalina
Spend 2–3 days for surf or dive trips; arrive early to secure cash and accommodation.
Santa Catalina is a tiny Pacific village known for world‑class surfing, scuba diving to Coiba National Marine Park and a relaxed vibe. The town fits a short stay of 2–3 days, enough for a surf session, a dive, and a beach walk, with most activities centered around the two beaches and local dive shops.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry season)
- avoid May–Nov (rainy season)
- Airport
- DAV
- Nights
- 2–3
Not a trip line yet
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
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
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 Santa Catalina104 ▾
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 Santa Catalina, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?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.Panama-wide
- SIM or eSIMMás Móvil, Tigo and Digicel SIMs at Tocumen and in malls; passport required.Panama-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Panama City and most towns; drink bottled on the islands and in Bocas.Panama-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% if not added.Panama-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Panama-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe; main risks are petty theft on beaches and night travel on unlit rural roads.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; basic outhouses on San Blas islands.Panama-wide
- Emergency numbers104 police · 103 fire and ambulance · 911 General emergency
- Sundays & holidayscheckCarnival and the November holidays close offices; Miraflores Locks open daily (check hours).Panama-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDAV Enrique Malek International Airport.
- Getting aroundWalk the whole town (2 h) or rent a car; the paved road from Soná takes ~1 h 10 min; local bus runs 2 h for $4.65.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$1–2
- Budget bedThe Santa Catalina Inn, a night, per personUS$45
- Mid-range bedHotel Sol y Mar cabin, a night, per personUS$75
- High-end bedHotel Sol y Mar cabin, a night, per personUS$90
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$30 · Mid US$50 · High US$80
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. 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.
- Airports
- DAV Enrique Malek International Airport
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: May–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest May (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C) low), wettest Jul (15 rain days), driest Apr (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Santa Catalina: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
6 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
5 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 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
Walk the whole town (2 h) or rent a car; the paved road from Soná takes ~1 h 10 min; local bus runs 2 h for $4.65.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Coiba National Marine Park
goDoor to door: Full‑day boat trip, 4–5 h total
Boat from Santa Catalina dive shop (arranged locally)
Best in dry season; book in advance.
Soná
cautionDoor to door: 1 h by taxi, 2 h by bus
Taxi $30–40 (≈1 h) or bus $4.65 (≈2 h)
Bus schedule may vary; check locally.
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.
The Santa Catalina Inn
5 rooms, AC, hot water; $45 per night; near town centre.
Hotel Sol y Mar
Cabins on hill, AC, private bath, terrace; $60–90 per night; credit cards accepted.
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
- Budget
- $30–50 excl. bed
- Mid
- $50–80 excl. bed
- High
- $80+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| The Santa Catalina Inn2 × 2 nights × US$45 | US$180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$50 | US$200 |
| Taxi Soná → Santa Catalina2 × US$35 · check | US$70 |
| Boat trip to Coiba (day)2 × US$120 · check | US$240 |
| eSIM, 1 week data2 × US$15 · check | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$72 |
| Trip total≈ US$198 per person per day, bed included | US$792 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights not included.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $1–2 |
| Meal (local restaurant) | $5–10 |
| Taxi Soná → Santa Catalina | $30–40 |
| Bus Soná → Santa Catalina | $4.65 |
| ATM withdrawal fee | $3–5 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- ATM may run out of cash; bring enough USD.
- Most shops don’t take cards; only hotels and dive centres accept them.
- Don’t leave valuables on the beach; stay alert on night trails.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 104
- Fire and ambulance
- 103
- General emergency
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Santa CatalinaSanta Catalina
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 (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Soná → Santa Catalina: about $4.65, 2 h (check schedule)
- Taxi Soná → Santa Catalina: about $35, 1 h (negotiable)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dis-kuhl-peh)
- Gracias — Thank you (grah-see-as)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwahn-toh kwes-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el cajero? — Where is the ATM? (don-deh es-tah el kah-he-ro)
- Necesito un taxi — I need a taxi (neh-seh-see-toh oon tahk-see)
- ¿Dónde está la playa? — Where is the beach? (don-deh es-tah lah plah-yah)
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 Santa Catalina. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr (dry season) · avoid May–Nov (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a scuba‑gear rental extra to trip budget.
- Include a 4×4 rental option for rough‑road days.
Sources
Ask about Santa Catalina
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