Expats living on the southern tip of the Azuero Peninsula along Panama’s picturesque Pacific Coast, savor rural living at its finest. Lush hillsides tumble down to the ocean’s edge, horses and cattle graze in rolling fields and beautiful beaches beckon, creating a rich and bucolic tapestry.
And three towns in particular are attracting nature-loving expats seeking a peaceful yet active lifestyle in an unsurpassed setting. Located in a region known as the “Arco Seco” (Dry Arc), Pedasi, Playa Venao and Cañas enjoy some of the best weather in Panama.
Of course, this means that you can expect family and friends to visit annually during December to April when Panama is enveloped in summer and everyone is trying to escape winter.
We have called El Ciruelo home for eight years. It’s a small fishing village about seven minutes’ driving time from Playa Venao. And when our guests come, they often ask, “What do you do here year-round? How do you keep busy?”
So beyond hosting visitors and enjoying the sun, sand, sea and surf with them they are wondering how our lives unfold on a daily, quieter basis.
Answering this question always makes me realize how the Azuero offers endless opportunities to explore the great outdoors, participate in community activities and contribute to volunteering efforts.
Approximately five hours driving time from Panama City, Pedasi is a charming, close-knit coastal town of about 5,000 residents, which includes a growing expat population from around the world.
A mix of families and retirees make this a warm and welcoming “pueblo” (town) where expats enthusiastically participate in many projects and volunteer efforts, creating a rewarding sense of accomplishment all round.
Reconnecting with nature on horseback at Playa Venao.
Popular causes include Hombres De Accion (helping local families in need), SpayPanama-Pedasi (providing spay and neuter clinics for the many cats and dogs in the area) and Pro-Animales Santenos (promoting the fostering and adoption of animals).
There are many fundraising efforts to support, charities to help, galas to organize, bake sales to partake in, children’s activities to cheer on, Christmas food and toy drives and boots on the ground contributions when nature strikes. Here, expats can really make a difference.
Interlaced with these purposeful projects and valuable volunteering opportunities, expats also connect with nature and embrace the outdoors with endless energy.
Activities both on and off the water are abundant. Jogging, walking, biking, and swimming at Pedasi’s three spectacular and undiscovered beaches all promote a fit and fabulous lifestyle.
Known as the Tuna Coast, Pedasi anglers catch giant yellowfin tuna within 15 minutes from leaving shore for as little as $150 for four action packed hours in a local panga. Then head home to cook it up for dinner!
Inspiring Mandala Dot Painting classes ($35 to $45), taste tempting Panamanian cooking get-togethers, wine and painting gatherings ($35 to $45), calorie shedding Zumba ($5 per class), and, of course, the all-important Spanish lessons ($15 per hour) are also in the activity mix.
Pedasi expats like heading 30 minutes down the road to picture perfect Playa Venao, which is quickly emerging as one of Panama’s top surf and beach destinations.
With its bohemian buzz, this idyllic beach town is home to a colorful cluster of restaurants, cafés and beach bars; laidback resorts and charming hostels; and busy surf shops stretching along the gently curving beach.
Playa Venao beckons to surfing enthusiasts of every skill level, including retired expats who come here to ride the waves on surf and boogie boards. While surfing is the main attraction, many other activities can be experienced in this outdoor paradise. Deep-sea fishing ($350 for a half day), snorkeling (most expats have their own snorkel gear), stand-up paddle boarding ($15-$25) and kayaking ($25-$35) are popular options.
If water isn’t your thing, then there are still plenty of options with waterfall hikes, horseback riding adventures ($25 to $45 per person), e-bike and scooter rentals ($50 for a full day), jet ski rentals ($35 for half an hour), eFoil lessons (introductory session $200) and guided UTV tours ($100-$200 per vehicle depending on the tour).
Playa Venao also has an active wellness community with a range of yoga classes ($5-$15), massages ($65-$85 for 60 minutes), meditation ($10), a host of fitness classes including pilates ($10-$30) and martial arts practices such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ($10-$15). The free introductory salsa dancing classes are especially popular.
In addition, the new Venao Padel Club has quickly become a popular social and athletic hub for both locals and visitors ($70 per half-hour for a group of 4).
Nearby, Canas is home to the breathtaking beauty of Isla Canas Wildlife Refuge National Park ($10 entrance fee for foreigners and $4 for residents). The stand-up paddle board and kayak eco-tours ($55-$60 per person including lunch) are a must-do experience.
The young-at-heart retirees find their thrill in ziplining ($45) down the slopes of Canas through the verdant jungle canopy alive with monkeys and birds. Many of us do this exhilarating zipline course annually when we are hosting our visitors from the north.
This small but busy community also features the area’s only pickleball court, always a popular expat hangout, with free open play every morning at 8 a.m.
Expats in this corner of paradise lead fulfilling and active lives.
While stretching body and mind they make invaluable contributions to the fabric of life on the peninsula.
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