Welcome to Santa Catalina, Panama

An untapped surf and yoga destination that’s still wild in the best way

We built Waluaa here because we fell in love with this place. And if you love a place, you look after it. 

Simple as that.

Santa Catalina is a small fishing village on Panama’s Pacific coast where jungle meets ocean, horses wander down the road and sunsets stop you mid-sentence.

It’s still under the radar… and that’s exactly why it works. Enough adventure to feel alive, plenty of peace when you want to switch off.

A town that’s small, real and intimate

Santa Catalina is quaint. One main road. A handful of restaurants. A close-knit local community. It’s not trying to impress anyone. That’s part of the charm.

  • No chains, no beach clubs. Just locally owned businesses
  • Small, safe community of around 500 locals and a handful of expats
  • Days shaped by the sun… early to bed, early to rise
  • Sunrise at Playa Estero is worth waking up for!
  • La Punta: a powerful point break for advanced surfers
  • Playa Estero: gentle, uncrowded waves for beginners and intermediates
  • Coiba National Park: exceptional diving and snorkeling just offshore
  • Fresh seafood caught daily by local fishermen
  • Produce from nearby farms in Chiriquí
  • Yoga, massage and salty air when it’s time to slow down
  • 5.5 hours from Panama City (far enough to keep the crowds away)
  • Real space to disconnect from city life
  • The drive is long. It’s also worth it

Welcome to one of Panama’s most consistent surf zones

Warm water. Year-round swell. Breaks for beginners through advanced surfers. What’s not to love?

Playa Estero

The perfect wave for beginner to intermediate surfers. If you’re learning or getting your confidence back, this is where you want to be.

  • Considered one of the best beach breaks in Central America for beginners and intermediates
  • Soft sand bottom (no reef, no rocks)
  • Gentle, forgiving waves for learning
  • Fewer crowds than many regional surf spots
  • No dangerous rips
  • Just 400 meters from town… an easy walk or complimentary shuttle

La Punta

When conditions line up, this is the wave Santa Catalina is famous for. A powerful righthand point break that can deliver long, blow-your-hair-back rides.

  • Epic pointbreak for more advanced surfers
  • Can run for up to 400 meters!
  • Fun lefthander on the inside
  • Reliable consistency throughout the year
  • Works across a wide range of swell sizes
  • Additional boat-access waves nearby to explore

10 reasons why we made Santa Catalina our forever home

We’ve surfed Costa Rica. We’ve surfed Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador. We’ve surfed all over the world, actually. In the end, we chose Santa Catalina. Because here you get waves without the crowds. Culture without the chaos. Adventure with room to relax.

Here are 10 reasons you might love it too.

10

Surprisingly easy to reach

Direct international flights from major cities in the US and Europe make Panama far more accessible than most people expect.

9

Wild, abundant nature

Volcano hikes in Boquete. Jungle rivers. Two oceans within reach. This country is layered.

8

Deep cultural roots

Home to six Indigenous groups, each preserving distinct traditions and history.

7

A dynamic capital city

Panama City blends skyline, culture, parks and international cuisine… a modern gateway before or after your retreat.

6

Access to UNESCO World Heritage sites

Coiba National Park is for marine life. Casco Viejo is for history and architecture.

5

Friendly, grounded locals

A real village culture. People greet you. They remember you.

4

Reliable infrastructure

Strong roads, stable systems and first-world medical facilities if ever needed.

3

A US-dollar economy

No exchange-rate stress. No financial guesswork.

2

Safety and peace of mind

One of the safest countries in Central America, with a stable government and respected police presence. You can relax here.

1

Uncrowded beaches

Space to breathe. Space to surf. Space to stretch out and feel the warm sand under your skin. Bliss!