Pacific Coast of Panama <7b> & Azuero Peninsula

The Pacific coast runs from the beaches near Panama City all the way down to the Azuero Peninsula, the cultural core of the country. This side of Panama combines long sandy beaches, reliable surf, and access to marine wildlife with a living folk tradition that has shaped the national identity. The Azuero Peninsula, known as the "Corazón de Panamá," is where the pollera — Panama's national costume, recognized by UNESCO — is still embroidered by hand over months or even years. The Carnival of Las Tablas and the Fiesta de la Mejorana in Guararé are not performances staged for visitors; they are the real thing, rooted in centuries of local tradition. Further west along the coast, the fishing village of Santa Catalina draws surfers to some of the country's strongest wave breaks and serves as the main departure point for Coiba National Park. Down south, the beaches around Pedasí remain quiet and largely undeveloped, with sea turtles nesting on Isla Cañas by the thousands between July and January. Inland, El Valle de Antón — a small town set inside an extinct volcanic crater — provides a cooler escape just two hours from the capital, with waterfalls, hiking trails, and a popular weekend artisan market.