Amarla Boutique Hotel Casco Viejo

A cute small hotel in the Casco Viejo area, walking distance to stores, museums, churches and restaurants. The staff is friendly and service minded and the food is delicious. Classified as a 3star hotel but feels like more

Aya la Vida Restaurante - Cocina Panameña

Good food anf very friendly and attentive staff. Great service!

Selina Playa Venao

A nice place to spend a few days and relax. It is located right on the beach and they have surfboard rental and lessons as well as a variety of other activities that changes from day to day. Their are free workshops like juggling and fitness classes that you have to pay for but are also a lot of fun, like bungee fitness. However, do stay on top of the staff when it comes to the workshops/activities because the vibe is very relaxed/loose and they don’t always know what is going on. The There is a what’s app group for all the guests where they send daily schedules of activities both at the Playa Venao and also at the other Selina called River Venao (about 10min walk) that you can also take part in. The hostel is also very close to other restaurants as well as the supermarket. PS. Don’t book breakfast included. All of the breakfasts are around the same price, but you have more options if you don’t book it in advance

Unlimited Adventures Coiba

The only reason to come to Santa Catalina is to experience the national park Coiba. That is why every building you see when entering the village offers snorkel expeditions, but the best of all is offered by “Unlimited adventures”. Nathalie is the guide of the tour and is such a knowledgeable, fun and caring person. You get to snorkel in different places to experience the most that the reef has to offer in wildlife. A meager lunch is included and a pineapple snack.

Café Panachocolat

The destination Santa Catalina is not the most interesting and there are not many good/safe places to eat, but this café offers breakfast/brunch that is actually pretty good and you can get food as take away for a picknick lunch.

Saori’s Ice Cream Co

Good ice cream packed with flavor

The Lost Waterfalls / Las Tres Cascadas

A gorgeous hike where you get to experience three waterfalls. The hike is moderate/easy but short, roundtrip without extensive stops is about 1,5h but with time for pictures and swimming stops I would recommend 3h. The entrance fee to the hike is 10$ and a roundtrip taxi is about 25$, but totally worth it.

APIZZA

Good quality pizza in an actually reasonable size

Filthy Friday Bocas

A fun full day activity for both friend groups and solo travelers. Starts at 11:30 am and continues long into the night. You get to party in three different locations (+1 for the after party) and they take you by boat. There is plenty of free shots and drinks are cheap. The music is good and vibes are great. Highly recommend being there when it starts to get to know people before everyone has arrived to make the most out of the experience and gain lots of new friends.

Hotel La Casa De La Abuela

A cute hotel on the Main Street with view of the mountains. Only about 3 min walk to many rests. Breakfast is automatically included and you get an option of three great choices always including a bowl of fruit. They can also help you do a full bag of laundry for 5$ in 2 hours.

Tre Scalini

Cute Italian restaurant on the Main Street of the little town. Good food and nice staff and to a pretty good price

Palmar Beach Lodge

Relaxing environment right on the big and beautiful Red frog beach. Friendly staff and pretty good food both for breakfast and lunch/dinner OBS! There is no drinkable tap water on the islands and buying water at the hotel is not cheap, so tip is to buy water in the grocery store on the main island and bring with you to the hotel