Our trip: February 2024 · Last updated: October 29, 2026
These are the spots we’d send any friend to, all from our trip in February 2024. If you only do three things in Pedasí: Isla Iguana, sunset at Playa El Arenal, and a surf day at Playa Venao.
Pedasí
Isla Iguana
A protected wildlife refuge about 15 minutes offshore, ringed by coral reef, with a white sand beach, turquoise water, iguanas everywhere and SO many hermit crabs. We spent Leigh’s 30th birthday here snorkeling, swimming and exploring.
Little blue fishing boats leave from Playa El Arenal, a few minutes outside town, and you hire a local captain right on the beach. Everyone helps push the boat out through the waves. On the way back they drive it straight up onto the sand, so hold on.
- Bring everything. There’s no hotel or restaurant on the island, just benches and a shaded area.
- Water shoes or sturdy sandals, a hat, and a cooler with lunch and drinks.
- Buy fish after. Fishermen come in to the snack shack on the beach with their catch. We bought four red snapper for the birthday dinner.
Sunset at Playa El Arenal
This became our evening ritual. The wind picks up in the late afternoon, so the kitesurfers come out right as the sky turns pink. Bring a towel, watch (or take a lesson), and walk down the beach to the giant bleached driftwood tree for a group photo. It’s one of my favorite photos from the whole trip. We even saw a local family running their horse into the water to cool off.
Surf day at Playa Venao
About 45 minutes from Pedasí, Venao is the best-known surf beach in the area: a long sandy bay with consistent beginner-friendly waves. We rented boards from a surf school in a thatched hut right on the beach, and every single one of us caught our first wave. (I didn’t catch another one. Still counts.)
Between sessions, sit at the beach bar in the Adirondack chairs with an orange spritz, and get a photo in the giant red Ron Abuelo chair. We hung out at the Selina there too, with its pool table under the thatched roof.
Wear a long surf shirt and sunscreen on the backs of your legs. This is where I got the worst sunburn of my life.
Le Panier Panadería
The local bakery, with a glass case packed with croissants, pain au chocolat, brioche and little fruit pastries. Go in the morning.
Sunrise on Playa La Garita
Look for the rusty green sign covered in surf-shop stickers and follow the dirt path down to the water. Jake found the coolest conch shell here.
The PEDASÍ letters
The big colorful letters in front of the town hall. Mid-jump photo, mandatory.
Panama City
Casco Viejo
The old town and a UNESCO World Heritage site: bright yellow buildings, iron balconies, string lights and brick streets. Get coffee at Undo Coffee Roasters, wander past the old church ruins, browse the shops, and walk down to Plaza de Francia by the water, where local artists sell watercolors of the old town.
Electric scooters on the waterfront
Rent one and ride along the water. SO fun.
Dinner at Casa Alejandro
Start with the croquetas, then get the seafood paella, loaded with shrimp, whole prawns, mussels and calamari and portioned out at your table.
