Santa Catalina Panama is a Sportsman's Paradise Offering World Class Surf, Scuba Diving and Fishing

Once a secret shared only amongst the closest of friends in the Panamanian surf circles, the secluded fishing village of Santa Catalina, Panama is emerging as a must go destination for adventurers worldwide. While surfers were the first to find Santa Catalina, its deserted black sand beaches, incredible scuba diving and abundant fishing are helping it to become a sportsman's paradise.

Santa Catalina originally evolved as a fishing village on Panama's Pacific coast. Located at the end of a poorly maintained dirt road over an hour from the city of Soná, travel there was limited to the dedicated adventurer in a four wheel drive vehicle. Discovered in the 1970's by Panamanian surfing pioneers, its remote location and limited accessibility enabled it to be a hidden jewel for a couple more decades.

As word seeped out of the consistent and powerful world class surf break, more surfers made their way to Santa Catalina. Slowly over the last decade, surf camps, modest restaurants, and low priced hotels and hostels began popping up along the beaches and hills around Santa Catalina.

Today a newly paved road which ends at the beach in Santa Catalina, a stable Panamanian Government, and a budding tourist industry are combining to make Santa Catalina, Panama the bargain beach destination that Costa Rica offered the trailblazers of the 1970's.

One of the advantages that Santa Catalina offers visitors to Panama is its proximity to the newly created Isla Coiba National Park. Isla Coiba, was formally a penal colony. Its status as a penal colony protected it from development and intrusion by the outside world. Almost accidentally, the Panamanian government protected a natural asset that today is compared to the Cocos and Galapagos Islands to its north and south. Santa Catalina offers the closest access point for visits to this ecological treasure.

Until recently, information about Santa Catalina through travel guides and special interest internet sites was inaccurate or limited in nature. A new website at SantaCatalinaBeach.com has been developed as the premier source for information about Santa Catalina. It includes information on accommodations, food, outfitters and activities. There is additional information on driving directions as well as a travel log forum for visitors to exchange stories and information on their trips to Santa Catalina.

With the newly paved road in place and word quickly spreading about its abundant natural resources, Santa Catalina is destined to grow as a world renowned surf, scuba, and fishing destination. New beachfront developments are already being planned and development is around the corner. If you ever wanted to get somewhere before the crowd, this is your chance. But you better hurry, because it is affordable, beautiful and soon to change! For more information, see SantaCatalinaBeach.com