Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ACTIVITIES AND TOURS FROM SANTA CATALINA
The most popular day-tours from Santa Catalina are to
Parque Nacional Coiba
,
and
Isla
Cébaco
, noted for its sparkling clear waters and good coral; at both places you'll be shar-
ing the sea with colourful schools of snappers, jacks, tunas, butterfly, angel and puffer fish
alongside moray eels and white-tip reef sharks. At certain times of year, you're likely to
have the company of even more impressive marine life such as whales, sharks and rays,
especially near Coiba. Most day-trips, unless specialist dive trips, involve a look around
the ANAM ranger station and the interpretive centre, a short rainforest walk and a couple
of snorkelling stops.
Experienced surfers
should head for Santa Catalina's most famous surf break, La Punta,
which boasts an international reputation, with waves often topping 5-6m in the season
(April-Aug), whereas novice surfers will be happier at Playa El Estero.
Oasis
,
Sol y Mar
,
Rolo's
and Fluid Adventures all offer beach-based lessons for beginners at varying rates
($20/hr to $35/2hr, including board rental). In addition to the above various other places
rent out boards ($15/day).
While the Santa Catalina website mantra of “surf, dive, fish and chill” just about sums
up what the village is about, it doesn't do justice to an array of other
activities
that
includes yoga and massage (at
La Buena Vida Hotel
labuenavidahotel.com
), horseriding
(at
Hibiscus Garden
hibiscusgarden.com
)
, kayaking and birdwatching.
You'll find details of
tour operators
in Santa Catalina's listings section.
ACCOMMODATION
La Buena Vida
Main road 6635 1895,
labuenavidahotel.com
.
Laden with original
mosaic and wrought-iron work, these charming mid-range villas (with a/c, hot-water private
bathrooms and patios) were designed by the a
rtist
ic owners, who continue the theme on the
terrace café. Yoga and massage also available.
$66
Cabañas Rolo
Main road, by the beach 6494 3916,
rolocabins.net
.
A Santa Catalina
institution,
Rolo's
, as it's more commonly called, is one of the very few locally owned oper-
ations, and is the top choice for backpacking surfers. Its brightly painted, clean dorm rooms
house 2-4 people, with comfy beds, fan and shared bathrooms. Use of kitchen, pleasant din-
ing and social area is included. Also available is a house with neat, clean en-suite rooms with
decent mattres
ses
, pine fur
nitu
re and a/c, next to
Pizzería Jamming
. Cheap kayak and board
rental. Dorms
$10
, doubles
$40
Hibiscus Garden
10min drive from Santa Catalina on the Soná road, at Lagartero, 6615
6095,
hibiscusgarden.com
.
Spacious, brightly painted rooms with tasteful dark-wood fur-
nishings and patio space in a serene beach- and riverside setting. The terrace restaurant
