The tiny town of Pedasí in Panama is slowly emerging as one of Panama’s up-and-coming tourist destinations. Located in the southeastern corner of the Azuero Peninsula, it is tidy, charming, and friendly. The buildings are decorated with some wonderfully intact Spanish-colonial architecture, and there are a number of pristine beaches close to town. Visitors to Pedasí can take trips to the wildlife sanctuary of Isla Iguana, which lays just off the coast, or head down the Azuero 34 km to the surf-haven of Playa Venao.
Azuero Peninsula also has some of the best panama beachfront real estate development. Surf at popular Playa Venao, boogie board at the local’s favorite beaches, and ride to a few interesting islands featuring iguanas, turtles and hermit crabs. Learn the stories about how one island was used for target practice in WWII, and now is the happy home of a wildlife reserve. Catch the right time of year and you could be in luck to see humpback whales, who come to the warm waters to breed and give birth. Hear the whoop of howler monkeys at dawn and dusk, claiming their patch of land in the monkey world. Wildlife is teeming in the jungle that surrounds you.
Forming part of the Andromeda Pedasi Panama real estate development on Panama’s Pacific Coast, just outside the colonial town of Pedasi, these spectacular lots enjoy beachfront locations on Panama’s stunning Azuero Peninsula.
Playa Venao – Panama’s Surfing Destination
Just a short distance from Pedasi, Playa Venao has become one of the world’s premier surfing destinations. Recently, it hosted the DaKine ISA World Junior Surfing Championship and has become a favorite with wave riders from all over the globe. With the laid-back vibe, beach bars, and nightlife you’d expect from a surf-oriented town, Playa Venao can be a gateway to your own “endless summer.”
This is Pedasí, and its beautiful outdoors are its primary attractions:
- Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge
- Playa Venao: prime spot for surfing, great beginner beach
- Isla Cañas Wildlife Refuge
- Playa Cambutal
- Mountain Oria Arriba
Activities & Things to Do
Pedasí is well-known as a fishing hotspot, but the area has much more to offer. The area is perfect for taking a road trip with the windows down and exploring. See what’s beyond those cattle farms and grassy hills: take a dirt road down to the coast. Time is slow in Pedasí. Find the Prince of Liechtenstein’s house and the quaint bakery Paris Hilton once dined at. Boutique shop in town, enjoy a Swedish massage and visit expat hangouts. When planning your days here, do yourself just one favor: plan for enough time to truly relax and enjoy this pleasant experience in Panama’s heartland. Here’s a peek at the many activities you can explore while in Pedasí:
- Whale Watching (July-October)
- Deep Sea Fishing
- Bird & Wildlife Watching
- Snorkeling & Scuba Diving
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding
- Horseback Riding
- Surfing
- Turtle Nesting (October-November)
- Real Estate Hunting
- Rum Factory Tour
Amenities & Infrastructure
Pedasí is a small but growing town. It has all the basics you would expect in any growing tourist location, but is limited in variety.
Public transportation: Taxis are few and far between. It’s best to have a phone number on hand of a reliable driver for pick-up if you’re hanging out around town and need a lift.
Shopping: For supermarkets, there are now a few small stores in town that will get you by (meat, toiletries, fruits/veggies, liquor, etc.). For large purchases, consider doing a major shop in Panama City or Chitré before you arrive.
There are also a few, cute and new boutique shops as well as two places to get swimwear and surf gear (one owned by surfer Sonia ¨Pucha¨ Garcia and the other by an Israeli duo with a local Kitesurfing School). There are also a few souvenir shops with artwork, Panama hats, mola purses, jewelry, etc. for purchase right in the town plaza.
ATMs: There are two 24/7 ATMs right in the center of town: Banco Nacional and Caja de Ahorros. Be prepared: sometimes the ATM can run out of cash.
Gas stations: Yes: there are three full-service gas stations along Pedasí’s main strip.
WiFi or Internet cafés: Wifi is available in most restaurants in town, and most definitely in all hotels. There are also two reputable Internet Cafés in the two center (one even serves ice cream).
Cell Phone Reception: Fairly reliable reception (spotty in some beachy areas)
Restaurants: Several local and expat-owned lovely places to eat. Please ask your hotel for recommendations as some restaurants are closed on certain days (mostly Mondays and Tuesdays).
Nearest medical facilities: There is a small health center (Centro de Salud) in town with a few English-speaking doctors. Although small, service is normally immediate, attentive and well-equipped for minor needs. For most emergencies, there is a public hospital in Las Tablas (40 minutes away) and also Chitré (1.5 hours away), as well as private clinics in both cities. If extensive care is needed in Panama City, transfers by air can be privately arranged.