Pedasí

A seaside town on the Azuero Peninsula. Snorkel off Iguana Island to see frigatebirds, surf at Venao Beach, and go whale watching by boat in the summer and autumn months.

Pedasi is a seaside town of only a few thousand people in Los Santos Province, at the southeastern tip of Panama's Azuero Peninsula. It has a Spanish colonial style and has become a popular Pacific-coast destination for surfing, snorkelling and whale watching. El Arenal Beach, 3 km outside town, is the boat departure point. A 20-minute boat ride takes you to the Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge, where you can snorkel over white sand and coral reefs. About 30 km southwest, Venao Beach is the country's most popular surf bay, lined with surf camps and hostels. About 60 km further west, Isla Cañas is a nesting site for olive ridley sea turtles, where you can watch turtles at night. Climate: December to April is the dry season, with plenty of sunshine and good sea conditions. From May to November is the rainy season, with afternoon showers, but July to October is humpback whale migration season, and almost every boat trip sees whales. Getting there: from Panama City it is about 4.5–5 hours by car, or take a bus to Chitré and then a minibus to Las Tablas. Within the town, walking is enough. To reach the beaches, take a taxi, ride a bike or drive. Plan 3–4 days. Note: there are few ATMs in town, so bring plenty of cash. Many beaches have rip currents, so check local conditions before swimming. Protected areas and turtle viewing require a licensed guide.

Top sights

• Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge – A white-sand island wildlife refuge off Pedasí, with coral reef snorkelling and a frigatebird colony, where humpback whales can be sighted…
• Playa Venao – A horseshoe-shaped surf bay south-west of Pedasí with steady waves for all levels, lined with surf schools, yoga camps and backpacker hoste…
• Playa El Arenal – Fishing-village beach outside Pedasí, the departure point for Iguana Island, fishing trips and whale-watching boats, where you can see the…
• Isla de Cañas Wildlife Refuge – Important olive ridley sea turtle nesting site on the Pacific coast, where visitors can watch turtles come ashore to nest at night with a c…
• Playa Los Destiladeros – Quiet pebble beach south of Pedasí, facing the small Frailes islands, with boutique resorts and a headland good for birdwatching.
• Playa El Toro – Small bay just east of Pedasí, with reef flats that can be snorkeled at low tide. It is the closest swimming beach to town.
• Pedasí Town Plaza – Quiet town center with a Spanish colonial feel, featuring a plaza, a white church and low old houses. It is the base for lodging and dining.
• Iglesia de Santa Librada, Las Tablas – Baroque church in Las Tablas, capital of Los Santos Province, facing the central square where Panama's most famous carnival is held.

Where to eat

• El Chichemito – An affordable Panamanian home-style eatery in the town center, famous for grilled meats and the traditional corn drink…
• Bohemia Pizzeria – A small handmade pizza shop on the main street where the owner-chef cooks in person. It has long ranked first in Pedasí…