We
are located in
Santa
Catalina, Panama
By Car from Panama City
The drive will take about 5 hours and cover a
total distance from Panama City to Santa Catalina of approximately
250 miles or 400 kilometers. Your major directional cities are
Santiago, then Sona.
After crossing the Bridge of The Americas over
the Panama Canal, take the Pan American Highway west toward
Santiago. Make a right at the sign that says Autopista and La
Chorrera. Make a left shortly after at another sign that says
La Chorrera or Pan American Highway. The La Chorrera/Autopista
sign bypasses the town (this is the one you want), the Pan American
Highway takes you through the town on a road currently under
construction.
Stay on the Pan American Highway to Santiago,
approximately 150 miles/240 km from the Bridge of The Americas.
When entering the town of Santiago prepare to make a left at
the Shell station (also on the left). If you reach the McDonalds
on the right you have gone too far. After you make the left
hand turn (Avenida Central) this road will turn into a one-way
street (your way) passing several banks and shops and then directly
heading towards a large white cathedral. (remember that Santa
Catalina is a very small village, any shopping or banking can
be done at this time) As you reach the front of the Cathedral
you will see a large overhead sign that says Puerto Moutis and
Sona, slightly turn to the right and then to the left driving
between the central park and the Cathedral. Now make a right
turn at the end of the road between the park and the cathedral.
You will then pass the Museo Regional de Veraguas on the right.
Make a left 2 short blocks down at the store M/S Dalia. Look
for the Coca Cola sign. Sona is your next turn approximately
29.3 miles/47.15 km away.
As you reach your next turn you will pass over
a large bridge. Prepare to make a left hand turn at another
Shell station just before reaching the town of Sona.(there is
a road sign there for Santa Catalina)
Drive approximately 29.8 miles/48 km. Make another
left at Los Tigres to Santa Catalina.
Only 10 miles/16 km to go. After 6 miles/9.65
km you will reach a curve to the right, (Hicaco) and just 4
miles/6.4 km more to the village of Santa Catalina. As you reach
the center of Santa Catalina you will pass the main store on
the left and the public phone. Coiba Dive Center is a large
white building on the right about 200 yards farther on the right
hand side (look for the dive flags).
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The roads in general are in good shape with the
ocasional pothole. Please obey the speed limit signs in all
small villages as children play freely near the roadside. If
you are traveling at night exercise caution as cattle and horses
and dogs are sometimes on the roads.
By Bus from Panama City
If
you're really into adventure, the bus will cost around $10 and
takes about 7-9 hours. First step is to take a local
bus or taxi from your location in Panama City to the Albrook
Bus Terminal. This is a huge terminal where all buses, local
and country wide board. When arriving at the terminal you have
two choices. You can take a full sized luxury motor coach to
Santiago or a smaller coach directly to Sona. If you decide
to take the Santiago coach you will need to tranfer and pay
for a smaller bus to get to Sona from Santiago. If you are travelling
with a large quantity of bags the Sona option may be less effort.
When arriving in Sona you will have to take the local Sona/Santa
Catalina bus. This bus leaves Sona at 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm.
The ride will take 1.5 hours. Ask the driver to let you out
at Coiba Dive Center next to the police station (policia).
By Car or Bus from David,
Bocas del Toro or Boquette, Panama or from Costa Rica
Make your way on the Inter-Americana
highway east to Santiago and follow the directions above.
AT THIS TIME
THERE ARE NO FLIGHTS TO SANTIAGO OR SANTA CATALINA
Private Flights into Coiba National
Park, Panama
Helix Craft : Helix@helixcraft.com
- Helicopter : $1575 Approximately 2 hours flight time. Carries
4 passengers. Can land in Coiba or any beach.
- Plane : $945 Approximately 1 hour flight time. Carries
5 passengers.
My Flight Corp. : vip@mapiex.com
- Plane: $1026 Approximately 1.1 hours flight time. Carries
5 passengers.
Arrendamientos Aereos, S.A.
: aaereos@cwpanama.net
- Plane: $981.75 Approximately 1.1 hours flight
time. Carries 5 passengers.
Turismo Aereo : charter@turismoaereo.com
- Caravan: $1350 Approximately 1.1 hours flight time. Carries
12 passengers.
- Islander: $1500 Approximately 1.1 hours flight time. Carries
9 passengers.
- Twin Otter: $1732 Approximately 1.1 hours flight time.
Carries 20 passengers.
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