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. Stay to the left side of the Cathedral. Now make a right turn at the first road behind the cathedral. You will then pass the Museo Regional de Veraguas on the right. Make a left 2 short blocks down at the store, look for the Santa Catalina Mural. 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, 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 

• 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.