Taking care of the place that takes care of us
Santa Catalina isn’t just a backdrop for retreats. It’s a coastline. A village. A community.
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.
Community involvement
Clothing market
Together with our friends at Panama Spanish School, we host regular clothing markets for the local community using high-quality donated items from guests.
- Guests donate pre-loved clothing and shoes (including kids’ and baby items)
- Local kids help run the market day and gain hands-on experience
- Items are sold for small change to families who need them
- Proceeds are reinvested directly into community initiatives
Community surf day and beach BBQs
And the funds from our clothing market? They help make Community Surf Day possible. Led by our coaches and followed by a beach BBQ, it’s one of our favorite days of the year.
- Led by decorated Panamanian surf coaches
- Free surf lessons for local children
- Full use of boards and equipment
- Beach BBQ and shared meal
- A chance for kids to build confidence in their own backyard
English language lessons
English can open doors to education and job opportunities. That’s why we support Panama Spanish School’s donation-based Conversation Table, where locals and visitors practice English together.
- Open to all ages in the community
- Guided themes and language sheets to help everyone participate
- Visitors can join… even if you don’t habla Español!
- Donations fund English learning equipment and programs
Environmental responsibility
Weekly beach clean-ups
If we use the beach, we look after it. This means:
- Weekly clean-ups at Playa Estero
- Regular clean-ups on Isla Santa Catalina
- Guests and team members are welcome to join
Minimizing single-use plastics
- No plastic straws
- Drinking water on tap to avoid single-use bottles
- Fixed wall dispensers for shampoo, conditioner and body wash
- No mini plastic toiletry bottles in rooms
Why giving back matters
Tourism can either overwhelm a place… or help it thrive.
We choose the second option. That means supporting local people, respecting the coastline and thinking long term, not just about the next booking.
If you care about where your travel dollars go, you’ll feel good here. And if you’d like to be part of the effort while you’re with us, just ask. We’re happy to show you how.
