Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
offers a tasty varied menu (most mains $11-20), or you can self-cater in a shared kitchen,
and there's no shortage of activities, on site or in Santa Catalina (shuttle service provided):
tab
le tennis, horseriding,
wa
keboarding and
SUP
. Children under 14 free. Camping own tent
$8
/person, tent provided
$13
/person, doubles
$44
Oasis Surf Camp
Playa El Estero, contact David Bortolletti (in David) 6588 7077,
oasissurfcamp.com
.
Great beach location among the palms offering no-nonsense, fan-vent-
ilated double cabins (a/c $10 extra) a couple of good-value
casonas
(large, two-storey wood-
and-thatch
cabañas
) for six ($85) and camping - tents with mattresses and bedding provided
if needed (only in summer). Italian dinners in the restaurant
rancho
are a highlight. Watch out
for the river - you'll need to wade across at high tide. Also has som
e g
ood-value beds at the
new
Oasis Hostel
b
y th
e junction in the village. Camping own tent
$6
/person, tent provided
$10
/person,
cabaña
$40
Surfside Inn
Off the beach road 6929 2996,
surfsidepanama.com
.
This recently renov-
ated surf camp is the closest you can get to Santa Catalina's most famous surf break - La
Punta - without actually being in the sea. Enjoy the view from the hammock outside the dorm
and standard doubles (cold water), or from the shared terrace or balcony of the pricier more
comfortable rooms (hot water, fri
dge
& a/c) in
the
main house - all set round a lawn with a
semi-open shared kitchen. Dorms
$17
, doubles
$50
EATING AND DRINKING
If you are headed for Coiba and need to take
food
supplies, you should also know that the
local mini-super has very limited offerings so you may prefer to bring at least some supplies
from Santiago.
La Buena Vida
Main road.
Delightful mosaic-filled terrace that's great for a leisurely break-
fast - vast fruit platters or a “Greek scramble” ($4-7) - or a light lunch of salads, tacos and
sandwiches ($7-8). Also provides superior packed lunches.
Daily 7am-2pm.
Dive Stop
Near the beach on the main road, under
Brisa Mar
.
Dark, unpromising-looking
local watering hole with TV that does surprisingly decent burritos, tacos and quesadillas for
around $7, or
ceviche
for just $3.
Daily 10am-10pm.
Pizzería Jamming
Off the beach road 6447 1373.
This genuine pizzeria is the hub of
the tourist-based nightlife, serving crispy, clay-oven-cooked pizzas ($7-11) under thatch or
in the garden, accompanied by a steady dose of reggae.
Tues-Sun 6.30-11pm; closed Oct.
Los Pibes
Off the beach road.
Pleasant Argentinian-run open-air bar-restaurant (with TV and
pool table) dishing up empanadas, home-made burgers, fish and other meats chargrilled to
perfection, complemented by fresh salads. Mains from $7.
6.30-9.30pm; usually closed Wed.
Mama Inés
Beach road just before Playa del Estero 6923 6695,
santacatalinasurf-
