Some 65 km south of the District of Sona in Veraguas Province, is one of the most recognized worldwide for surfing on the Panamanian Pacific: Santa Catalina.

This beach town receives surfers and local and foreign visitors throughout the year, increasing their numbers in the summer months.

And for those who simply want to enjoy and explore this wonderful place, crossing the river estuary at low tide the beach will find a sandy base.

This is one of the places where loggerhead turtle nests, they can be seen swimming in La Punta.

In this small beach town there are: two grocery stores, good restaurants, cheap local food, a police checkpoint, Santa Catalina Elementary School, several surf camps, lodges and other restaurants like pizza, tacos, etc... and is growing...  
 

INFORMATION TURISMO Y DATOS

In Panama’s most famous surf spot is just two hours from Santiago and 45 min.  from the town of Sona in the Province of Veraguas, is the beach town of Santa Catalina. For those who don’t surf, Santa Catalina makes an easy jumping-off spot for trips to Coiba Island, fishing, snorking, diving or simply a nice place to spend a few days strolling deserted beaches.

HOW TO GET HERE:

BY BUS: FROM PANAMA CITY TO SANTA CATALINA, SONA, VERAGUAS:

- From the Tocumen International Airport (PTY), take a taxi to go to ALLBROOK BUS STATION

- Take a bus that goes to SONA (If you miss this bus, take a bus to go to Santiago and in Santiago, take a Bus that goes to Sona.)

Bus Schedule from Panama City to Sona - Transporte San Isidro:

5:50 a.m., 8:20 a.m., 10:20 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 2:20 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 4:20 p.m.,and 5:45 p.m.

ON FRIDAYS - ONLY  =  ONE BUS AT 12:00 a.m.

Bus Schedule from Sona to Panama City:

1:30 a.m., 4:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m., 2:20 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

- In Sona, take a bus that goes to Santa Catalina. The schedule to Santa Catalina is: 5:00a.m.  -  11:00 a.m  -  1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.  Or take a taxi for $40.00 more or less.

- In Santa Catalina, to your left where the bus leave you (in front of a Blue Building), take that road straight (the one that goes to the “Estero Beach”), go straight follow the curb and at the“Y” is my place: Cabanas Sherlley, and WELCOME to Santa Catalina! And, if I am in Santa Catalina that day, you could call me and I will pick you up in my car (6537-5488) If you take a taxi, they will take you to my cabins.

BY CAR: FROM PANAMA CITY TO SANTA CATALINA, SONA, VERAGUAS:

- In the International Road to the interior of the country, when you arrive to Santiago, look for a MC DONALD in your right hand side. Set your speedometer here to 00 and count 8.8 kilometers, turn left in that street entrance. This is the town of La Pe;a. go to the end of this street and turn right to go to Sona.

- Before you get to Sona, you will pass a big river bridge, the San Pablo river. Look for the Delta Gas Station (about 1 kilometer) in your left had side (You might need to get some gas here) – Turn left and put your Speedometer to 00 again.

- At 46.7 kilometers, turn left (takes you to Santa Catalina, you can see sign to Santa Catalina).  When you reach a town named HICACO, turn RIGHT at the ¨Police Station in this town, and continue straight.

- At 63.5 kilometers, turn left (Here is a blue building in the corner)

- At 64.5 (exactly ONE kilometer), you will find an “Y” is where I am, Cabanas Sherlley and WELCOME to Santa Catalina!

BY BUS: FROM CHIRIQUI TO SANTA CATALINA, SONA, VERAGUAS:

- Take a bus to Santiago, Veraguas ( the small buses will take you across by the bus station in Santiago that goes to Sona)

- In Santiago take the bus that goes to SONA.

- In Sona take the bus or taxi that goes to SANTA CATALINA

- In Santa Catalina, to your left where the bus leave you (in front of a Blue Building), take that road straight (the one that goes to the “Estero Beach”), follow the curb and at the “Y” is my place: Cabanas Sherlley, and WELCOME to Santa Catalina! And, if I am in Santa Catalina that day, you could call me and I will pick you up in my car (6537-5488) If you take a taxi, they will take you to my cabins.

BY CAR: FROM DAVID, CHIRIQUI TO SANTA CATALINA, SONA, VERAGUAS:

When you leave David, the very first bridge, set your kilometer to 00 and count to 88.8 kilometers, turn right in that road(it is right after you pass the check point for Inmigration in Guabala). Drive about 79 kilometers. You will pass the town of Sona, pass the Tribiqui River Bridge, until you see the DELTA gas station, you turn right. Set your kilometer to 00 and count  46.7 km (at this point, you will see my big advertisement of Sherlley Cabins) turn LEFT. At 63.5 km. (corner where the public phones are in Sta. Catalina), turn LEFT again, and at ONE kilometer you will find CABANAS SHERLLEY!