vacation in Santa Catalina

Get active on your other wise chilled out vacation in Santa Catalina You will certainly spend a significant amount of time enjoying doing very little in this charming little town but there is also a number of ways to get active and have some fun thanks to the variety of activities on offer in and around Santa Catalina. Hotel Sol y Mar makes the ideal base for some exploration of the nearby area and tours, trips and other activities can be arranged from this friendly and quaint hotel. You will quickly discover the delights of being in such close proximity to the Coiba National Park and the variety of activities and beautiful sights that this presents. The marine life around the numerous islands within the park is vibrant, colourful and diverse so a snorkelling trip is an absolute must for just about everyone. For those with a desire to go a little deeper, Scuba diving courses and trips are offered for all levels of diver included complete beginners and Santa Catalina is one of the best places in the world to dive. Surfing is also world-class from these beaches, which brings in surfers again of all abilities from all over the world. If you have any questions or want to know the very best spots, ask the friendly and experienced staff at Hotel Sol y Mar.

Santa Catalina Tips

Top tips for enjoying your time in Santa Catalina Every village, city and even country has its own highlights, landmarks and specialist activities and its important to research each place that you visit so that you know exactly what you should take advantage of in each destination. Santa Catalina is no exception and despite being known for its sleepy and laid back atmosphere, there is still plenty to see and do 1. Take your time to explore everything the town has to offer One of the biggest mistakes that people backpacking or travelling to numerous places can do is rush through each place before they can really begin to understand and appreciate what it has to offer. The same can be said for holidaymakers looking for a more luxurious experience, so do give yourself enough time to relax and explore. 2. Take advantage of the world-class eco-system The location of Santa Catalina makes it simply perfect for exploring the incredible un-touched eco-system of Coiba National Park. Take advantage of this by taking in the incredible sights of both the land and marine life. 3. Bring enough cash with you to last your stay The choice of accommodation is limited in Santa Catalina with Hotel Sol y Mar being the best option for comfort and value for money. There is no ATM in the town itself and most places accept cash only so make you have enough to see you through your stay.

Scuba diving around Santa Catalina

Brief overview of the best Scuba diving spots in and around Santa Catalina Being just an hour’s boat ride to the marine reserve of Coiba National Park, the waters around Santa Catalina are supreme and the sea-life plentiful. That makes this area arguably one of the best in the world when it comes to really great quality Scuba diving. Both the waters and the 38 island dotted around are protected and have been largely preserved of all of their natural resources. All diving operators for the area are based in Santa Catalina and they all have access and great local knowledge of the best diving spots for both beginners and advanced divers. As a world-class diving destination you certainly wont be disappointed by what you find and experience here. Another reason to dive here is the fact that you can book a beginners package and learn how to dive from scratch. The excellent Sol y Mar hotel even has a pool for the introduction to shallow dives, which will stand you in good stead for your first open water dive at the stunning Coiba island. Whatever level of diver you are, there is an appropriate course or tour for you so you can experience the majestic sea-life including turtles, reef sharks and tropical fish at your own pace.

Surfing in Santa Catalina

Santa Catalina is a small beach town that is situated very close to the Coiba National Park, and on the same Pacific Coast of Veraguas, Panama as Coiba. Since it is a beach town, it is famous for various activities, such as SCUBA diving, snorkeling, fishing and most important of all, surfing. Famous surfers and celebrities often visit this place in order to take a whiff of the waves, and because there are so less people about, surfing in Santa Catalina is a sport that has really taken up. Most of the people who visit this place generally do so for the tourism, and there is also a small beach shop that supplies surf boards and other equipment. Even though there are just 300 people or so that reside in Santa Catalina, the tourism of this area is a point of focus. There is a hotel, Hotel Sol y Mar which provides top of the line amenities, such as air conditioned rooms, Wi Fi internet connections and various other activities such as horseback riding and trips to Coiba Island, making it an ideal place to stay. Safe to say, Santa Catalina is perfect for people who wish to take a break.

Coiba National Park

Coiba is the largest island to be found in Central America, and is situated right off the coast of Panama near Veraguas. Coiba is very different from other islands of Central America, mainly due to the fact that when it first separated from Panama around 18,000 years ago, the plants and the animals on the island became separated from the populations on the mainland, hence they are different in terms of appearance from their counterparts that are found on the mainland. Over 75% of the area of Coiba is covered in forestation, and the Coiba National Park, has been confirmed as a World Heritage Site. Those who are visiting Coiba are definitely in for a treat, because the number of different animals found in this region is definitely worth your time and money. Getting to Coiba is simple, but there are other areas nearby that also offer a rich experience. For instance, you can visit Santa Catalina, a small town known for its surfing activities, which is in very close proximity to Coiba National Park. Only 300 people or so live here, yet it is regarded by many as one of the best surfing locations in all of Panama.

hotel in Santa Catalina

What to expect from a quality hotel in Santa Catalina The first thing to remember when considering a visit to Santa Catalina is that it is primarily a sleepy fishing village with a very relaxed and laid back atmosphere ideal for spending long periods of time chilling out in a hammock. It is a basic place with just one convenience store to pick up any essentials and as there is no ATM for a good hours drive, make sure you bring plenty of cash to keep you going. The basic nature of the town shouldn’t cause you any bother so long as you appropriate accommodation in which to stay. For most visitors the Hotel Sol y Mar makes the ideal base as it offers friendly and professional service, comfort and great overall value for money. Another facility you should expect from a quality hotel in Santa Catalina is a good restaurant as your choices elsewhere aren’t too vast. Again the Hotel Sol y Mar is a good choice as the room rate includes a good hearty breakfast to kick start your day and is open throughout the day for lunch or dinner. There is also a swimming pool so you can relax from the comfort of your hotel or even carry out practise shallow water dives as part of a beginners Scuba diving course.

Hotel Sol y Mar in Santa Catalina

Hotel Sol y Mar is a great place to stay for people who are visiting Santa Catalina, a small beach town located near the Pacific Coast of Veraguas, Panama. Santa Catalina has a population of less than 500, making it a very viable place for those who need to spend some quiet time away from the business of the world. The main activities here include snorkeling, fishing, SCUBA diving as well as surfing and visiting the Coiba Island, where the Coiba National Marine Park is located. 

Hotel Sol y Mar has all of the latest amenities that you would expect, such as air conditioned rooms, Sky TV coverage as well as hot showers. The hotel has also built a panoramic restaurant that provides Wi FI internet access to its members. There is a swimming pool and Sol y Mar hotel also offers kayaking and horseback riding to its members as well. 

Santa Catalina is a great place for people to visit, and with beautiful beaches located within ten kilometers away, such as the Lagartero Beach or the Playa Estero make it one of the finest locations to visit on a holiday.

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