Panama's beaches offer surprises you won't believe
Like many places in the world that advertise amazing beaches, the beaches in Panama – especially the ones on Santa Catalina – are amazing. Where else can you find snowy white beaches of fine sand with few people on them, and just a few yards away, find another beach that is jet black, made up of volcanic residue that is equally smooth and silky? Yes, you read that right; this is going to be a memorable experience for you.Take the beaches around one of Santa Catalina's best hotels, Rancho Estero; they are amazing. In the short distance between the hotel and the Playa Estero you will find a white sand beach that almost looks like snow against a deep blue-green background, and almost as suddenly you find another beach with jet black sand. Both beaches front some of Santa Catalina's best surfing, the Punta Break.
Santa Catalina Island, where these beaches are located near Rancho Estero, is part of the Coiba National Park and is, itself, surrounded by a host of small islands with white sand beaches. If you ask the friendly hotel staff, they will set up trips to one or more of these small islands where you can just hang out and read.Isla Coiba is spotless. Seldom used, its white sand beckons you to hang out with a good book. However, if surfing is your aim, Coiba offers some amazing breaks that most haven't heard about. To get there, the Rancho Estero staff will arrange your ride and whatever you may need to make it a perfect day.