Veraguas Province - Panama - page 271

Cabañas Rolo CABIN $$$
( 6494-3916; www.rolocabins.net ; dm US$11, d/tr without bathroom US$20/30, with bathroom
US$55/65; ) One of Santa Catalina's few locally owned hotels, these rustic cabins are a
favorite of baby-faced surfers from around the world. Each has one to three good beds, a
fan and a shared cold-water bathroom that sees much traffic. Two newer cabins feature
ample, more upscale rooms with air-conditioning and bathrooms with hot-water showers.
Truck-stop-quality coffee comes free in the morning and guests get use of an open-air
kitchen. The owner, Rolo Ortega, speaks Spanish and English, offers surf lessons
(US$25, 1½ hours), rents surfboards and kayaks (US$10 to US$15 per day) and can ar-
range surf trips to Isla Cébaco (from US$200 per group).
Sol y Mar CABIN $$$
( 6920-2631, 596-1521; www.solymarpanama.com ; 2-/3-/4-person cabin US$73/85/96;
) Surrounded by green vegetation, these hilltop cabins have hammock porches, elec-
tric hot-water showers, satellite TV and air-con. Guests rave about the special attention
that owner Luis showers upon them. Yet for those without wheels, it's a bit of a com-
mute. Steep stairs lead to cabins, with sea views at the highest. It's about 1km before
town.
Wahoo Rock HOTEL $$$
( 6673-5790; d/tr US$55/75; ) Above a minimarket, this new two-story wooden
house features good rooms set around a wrap-around porch. Boasting zany design (think
pink and brown accents and polished concrete baths), rooms also include cable TV and
air-con. The thatched restaurant out back has decent meals when other eateries are
closed. On the main road.
4 Beach
To access the following lodgings, take a left-hand turnoff after arriving in town - it's the
only other major road in town. All lodgings here are on right-hand side roads except for
Oasis Surf Camp, which is at the end of the road (cross when the tide is right).
Surfer's Paradise HOSTEL $
( 6709-1037; [e-mail]; campsite per person US$8, dm US$13, s/d/tr US$36/
48/55; ) You could watch the tubes roll in all day at this hilltop camp with a box
seat to the waves. While the location is prime, the rooms are just long, adequate cement
boxes with fans and single beds. There is also a thatched restaurant with views. Guests
can take surf classes and rent boards. Air-con is extra.