Panama’s winding dual coastlines are home to more world-class waves than we can count. If you’re up for a serious surf adventure, consider a road trip through Central America’s most underrated surf destination— Panama. With a combined over 1,000 miles of coastline between the Pacific and the Caribbean, Panama is home to some of the best-known and unknown waves on the planet. Getting to Panama is as easy as boarding one of the many direct flights to Panama City and renting a car or hopping on a regional flight. While we love surfing the waves at our Panama surf school in Playa Venao, sometimes we can’t resist the urge to hit the road. Dive in below for The Ultimate Panama Surf Road Trip.

Panama Surf Road Trip Stop 1: Panama City to Bocas Del Toro

If you’re on the hunt for waves, you’ll want to get out of Panama City and go straight to one of Panama’s premier surf destinations, Bocas Del Toro. Bocas Del Toro is a Caribbean archipelago off Panama’s east coast, home to some of Panama’s best reef passes. Like most Caribbean waves, the best waves in Bocas break during the winter, when powerful Nor’easters travel south from the northern Atlantic and collide with the many coral reefs surrounding the island chain. When it comes to surf travel in Bocas, you can either stay near one of the many waves and surf there every day or travel to various waves by boat taxi. To get to Bocas Del Toro, you can fly into Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport (PTY) and then take a domestic flight to Bocas del Toro “Isla Colón” International Airport (BOC). After your time in Bocas, you can quickly fly back to Panama City on a regional flight.

Panama City to Playa Venao

playa venao surf school

Upon arrival in Panama City, you can explore the skyscraper-lined streets or grab your rental car and head to your first stop on the Pacific Coast, Playa Venao. If you’re renting a car for a surf trip in Panama, we suggest getting a high-clearance SUV so you can safely navigate dirt roads and cross the occasional river when needed. From Panama City, you’ll drive northwest through jungle-clad hills and the rolling hills of the Panama countryside for just over 220 miles. The drive takes about five hours but is easy to navigate. In Playa Venao, you can access the best surf instructors around at our Panama Surf School. Choose lodging to fit your budget and style, from charming boutique hotels to swanky vacation rentals. Playa Venao is home to one of the best waves in the country and has something to offer every level of surfer. During peak swell season, which falls from May to September, the middle of the cove in Playa Venao pumps and provides a long, racing right-hander. Even during large swells, there’s something for beginner surfers, as the sides of the cove are sheltered from swell and offer a gentle alternative to the main break.

Playa Venao to Cambutal

The drive from Playa Venao to Cambutal is short yet beautiful. As you travel further west along the bend of Panama’s Pacific Coast, the hills turn to mountains that rise out of the sea and scrape the clouds. Cambutal is a small expat community with a handful of boutique hotels and resort properties. There are a few different options when it comes to surfing. There’s a beginner-friendly beach break, a powerful right-hand point break, and a few different reef breaks. Cambutal’s best breaks are located along a rough stretch of dirt road that may require four-wheel drive, depending on the weather.

Cambutal to Santa Catalina

Santa Catalina Panama

Santa Catalina is located northwest of Cambutal and is home to Panama’s premier point break. The drive from Cambutal to Santa Catalina is roughly five hours long but well worth the effort. Beyond the lengthy right-hander, Santa Catalina is home to a fun beach break that’s great for beginner surfers. Beyond the waves, Santa Catalina is a globally celebrated dive site thanks to its easy access to Coiba Island and the surrounding waters. Coiba Island is an island paradise located offshore of Santa Catalina that’s one of Panama’s best-kept secrets. Known for its vast biodiversity, endemic species, and large population of whale sharks, a trip to Coiba is a must.

Panama is home to some of the best waves in Central America, and there is no better place to learn to surf. If you’re itching for a new adventure, head to our website to book your trip to our Panama surf school.