Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
mostly foreign-owned small-scale operations scattered along the main road into the village,
or spilling off the paved road that leads to the main beach,
Playa El Estero
.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: SANTA CATALINA
By minibus
Only three buses a day travel the 48km from Soná to Santa Catalina (5am, noon
& 4pm; returning 7am, 8am and 1.30pm), an unendearing glorified crossroads 47km from
Santiago. Note that the 1.30pm bus sometimes does not run, or may only go as far as Guaru-
mal, where there are other bus connections with Soná. There are six direct daily connections
between Soná and Panama City (5hr).
By taxi
Taxis, found hanging round Soná bus terminal, charge $35-40 for the trip to Santa
Catalina. For the return, Chente ( 6695 5053) runs a direct shuttle service from Santa
Catalina to Santiago (Centro Pyramidal on the Interamericana) in the morning, and in the af-
ternoon too, if there's sufficient demand, for $15/person.
By car
Note that there is no petrol station in Santa Catalina - fill up in Soná.
GETTING AROUND AND INFORMATION
On foot
Once in Santa Catalina, you'll be on foot unless you've your own transport, but
nowhere is further than a 20min hike from the bus stop.
Tourist information
The village website (
santacatalinabeach.com
)
has plenty of useful
information, including a map and directions for driving but does not include all accommoda-
tion options.
Money
There is no bank or ATM in the village, and very few places take credit cards, so
bring sufficient cash. The nearest ATM is in Soná but it often runs out of money on busy
weekends.
Communications
There are still no land lines apart from the two public phones ( 998 9488
or 998 8600) and erratic internet and mobile phone connections, so you may have to wait
several days for a response when booking anything.
TOUR OPERATORS
For specialized trips you're best off going with one of the
tour operators
listed here, whose
offices are spread along the 200m of main road from the junction to Playa Santa Catalina.
For general snorkelling, surfing, fishing or jaunts to Isla Cébaco or Coiba you may pay less
by organizing it through your accommodation or by negotiating directly with the
fishermen
hanging out on the beach by their
pangas
(small flat-bottomed metal boats) or advertising
outside their houses. Make sure you agree on exactly what the fee will cover. Expect to pay
$150-200 for a boat (usually carrying up to six) for a full day of snorkelling, surfing or fish-
ing, excluding food and drinks; budget more for the Parque Nacional Coiba ($300/boat) since
it involves extra fuel. Note that park fees ($20), are not usually included in any tour price (see
