For many backpackers exploring Panama, two names often come up when planning a beach escape: Playa Venao on the Azuero Peninsula and Santa Catalina on the Pacific coast of Veraguas. Both destinations are beloved for their waves, laid-back energy, and international traveler community, yet they offer distinctly different experiences. Choosing between them depends on the style of trip you want, the activities that interest you, and the vibe you prefer.
Playa Venao has developed into one of the most popular surf hubs in the country, with a crescent-shaped beach framed by green hills and a shoreline dotted with trendy hostels, boutique hotels, and beachfront restaurants. Backpackers who arrive here often find a social atmosphere where yoga classes, surf lessons, and beachside parties flow together in a lively rhythm.
Santa Catalina, on the other hand, feels wilder and more remote. It’s a small fishing village that has slowly adapted to tourism while maintaining its rugged charm. The accommodations here are simpler, the pace quieter, and the surroundings more natural. It’s the launching point for trips to Coiba National Park, one of Panama’s most incredible marine reserves, making it a paradise for divers, snorkelers, and nature lovers.
When it comes to accommodations, Playa Venao leans toward variety and style. Backpackers can stay in big, buzzing hostels right on the sand or opt for more upscale bungalows tucked into the hillsides. Wi-Fi is usually reliable, and there are plenty of cafés with coworking vibes, which attracts digital nomads. Santa Catalina, in contrast, offers more modest hostels and guesthouses, often with hammocks and open-air kitchens rather than polished coworking lounges. If Playa Venao feels like a festival by the beach, Santa Catalina feels more like a retreat where time slows down.
The beaches themselves tell two very different stories. Playa Venao’s long sandy curve is wide, open, and perfect for both beginner and intermediate surfers, with waves rolling in consistently throughout the year. Even when you’re not surfing, the beach is inviting for barefoot walks, sunsets, and casual swims. Santa Catalina’s main surf beach, however, has heavier waves and is best suited to experienced surfers. Swimming here is less common due to strong currents, though a smaller beach called Playa Estero provides a gentler spot for beginners.
In terms of activities, Playa Venao caters to a social crowd. There are yoga classes at sunrise, parties at beachfront bars after dark, and group surf lessons throughout the day. Music festivals sometimes roll through, transforming the beach into an all-night dance floor. Santa Catalina is less about nightlife and more about adventure. Its proximity to Coiba makes diving and snorkeling the main draw, with the chance to spot manta rays, sharks, dolphins, and colorful coral reefs. Kayaking, fishing, and boat trips to secluded islands are other highlights.
Backpackers who are food-oriented will notice the difference right away. Playa Venao offers everything from wood-fired pizzas to sushi, vegan-friendly cafés, and international restaurants catering to a global crowd. Santa Catalina’s dining scene is much simpler—local fondas serving fried fish and rice, small pizzerias, and a few restaurants run by expats. Meals are cheaper, but the variety is more limited.
The atmosphere at night also varies significantly. In Playa Venao, hostels and bars light up with DJs, cocktails, and backpackers mingling until sunrise. It’s easy to meet other travelers here, especially if you’re solo. Santa Catalina, by contrast, tends to wind down early. Evenings are quieter, often ending with travelers sharing beers under starlit skies or preparing early for a morning dive trip.
For backpackers who want to stay connected, Playa Venao is better equipped with reliable Wi-Fi and cell service, while Santa Catalina can sometimes feel like a digital detox. Power outages happen occasionally in both, but they’re more noticeable in Catalina where infrastructure is more basic.
Now, let’s talk logistics. From Panama City, Playa Venao can be reached by first taking a bus to Las Tablas, then connecting by local bus or taxi to Pedasí, and finally catching a shuttle or taxi the last 30 minutes to Venao. The entire trip can take 6 to 8 hours, though some hostels offer direct shuttles from Panama City. From David, travelers usually take a bus toward Chitré or Las Tablas and then continue toward Pedasí before reaching Venao, a trip that also lasts several hours but is doable in a day.
Santa Catalina is reached differently. From Panama City, you’ll first travel to Santiago (about 4–5 hours by bus), then connect to Soná (about an hour), and finally take another bus or taxi for the last hour to Santa Catalina. The trip often takes 7–8 hours depending on connections. From David, backpackers can travel by bus to Santiago, then follow the same route through Soná to Catalina, which takes 5–6 hours.
Both destinations reward the effort to reach them with a sense of being far removed from Panama City’s bustle. Playa Venao, though more polished, still feels remote, while Santa Catalina feels like the edge of the wild Pacific. For many travelers, getting there is part of the adventure.
In terms of similarities, both Playa Venao and Santa Catalina revolve around surf culture and draw an international backpacker crowd. Both have grown from sleepy towns into recognized destinations on the traveler circuit, and in both, you’ll meet a mix of Panamanians, expats, and visitors from all corners of the world.
The differences, however, are what ultimately shape a backpacker’s choice. Playa Venao offers a more social, energetic, and polished beach lifestyle with modern comforts, while Santa Catalina provides rugged beauty, fewer crowds, and unparalleled access to marine adventures. One is a hub for partying and surf lessons, the other a springboard into wild ocean exploration.
For backpackers, the choice comes down to mood: do you want the sociable, festival-like energy of Playa Venao, or the quiet, adventurous, back-to-nature feel of Santa Catalina? Either way, both are unforgettable stops on a Panamanian journey, and if time allows, visiting both offers the best of two very different worlds.