The following list highlights some of the best beaches in Panama. So if you are in Panama, I recommend visiting the following:
The Lajas Beach, Chiriquí
Address – The Lajas Beach, Chiriquí, Panama
Google Maps Link – 8°10’17.9″N 81°52’33.5″W
The Lajas Beach is located in the Chiriquí Province, in the Pacific West Region of Panama. A wide and popular beach with great waves for surfing and beautiful views. Visit during the low season to relax in a quiet and empty beach, or choose the high season for an active atmosphere. There are many restaurants, hotels and bars in the area, so you will not run out of options to dine. The beach is so wide and stretches for so long that even during the busiest hours you can find a spot to sit and enjoy the horizon that makes this beach a favorite in the area.
Gavilla Beach, Boca Chica
Address – Gavilla Beach, Boca Chica, Panama
Google Maps Link – 8°12’09.5″N 82°09’22.7″W
Gavilla Beach is located in Boca Chica, in the Pacific West Region of Panama. This beautiful sandy beach is backdropped with verdant trees and since it is located in a bay, you get views of the opposite coast breaking the horizon. Here, you can ride an inflatable towable pulled by a boat, or hike around the mangrove forest. This is a perfectly quiet and secluded beach where you can camp, have fun and relax in the calm water. There is a restaurant on the beach with great food and an amazing view. The dirt road to get there is challenging; avoid visiting if you don’t have a 4×4 truck.
Punta Burica, Chiriquí
Address – Punta Burica, Chiriquí, Panama
Google Maps Link – 8°01’49.9″N 82°52’26.7″W
Punta Burica is located in the Chiriquí Province, in the Pacific West Region of Panama, at the farthest point of the Burica peninsula. Being so far from the city, the beach is mostly empty and quiet, and with its warm, calm waters, Punta Burica is a place to relax. You can explore around the beach in search of playful monkeys, or sit calmly and fish. This is not a tourist area since it is difficult to access, so there are no facilities available; however, you can find hotels that offer different services.
Star Beach, Colon Island
Address – Estrella Beach, Colon Island, Panama
Google Maps Link – 9°24’18.4″N 82°19’30.0″W
Starfish Beach is located at the western coast of Colón Island, in the Caribbean West Region of Panama. This rather remote island is not as popular as the rest of the beaches in the island, but it is still a famous place. Its clear and calm waters are perfect for snorkeling and that way, you can see where the name of the beach comes from; underwater, there are hundreds of starfish, way more than on the shore. Besides, you can ride a jet ski or enjoy a banana boat ride. There are many restaurants and cafes with great views and even better food.
Wizard Beach, Bastimento
Address – Wizard Beach, Bastimento, Panama
Google Maps Link – 9°21’06.1″N 82°11’52.8″W
Wizard Beach is located at the northwest coast of Bastimentos Island, in the Caribbean West Region of Panama. This remote beach with its golden sand and clear waters is the perfect place to disconnect from the world. Getting there is fairly difficult, so the beach is not widely visited and almost always empty. However, there are no facilities; bring your own food and everything you might need.
Barqueta Beach, Panama
Address – Barqueta Beach, Panama
Google Maps Link – 8°16’18.8″N 82°29’01.6″W
Barqueta Beach is located in La Barqueta, in the Pacific West Region of Panama. This long and thin stretch of soft sand offers one of the most beautiful sunset views. Around the center area of the beach, you can find some restaurants, bars and resorts; here is where most visitors stay. But if you head east, you will get complete isolation with only a few houses scattered around. Having rather strong waves, Barqueta Beach is not safe for swimming, but those who visit stay for the relaxing atmosphere of a beach where you can sunbathe and admire the view.
Venao Beach, Azuero Peninsula
Address – Venao Beach, Azuero Peninsula, Panama
Google Maps Link – 7°25’56.8″N 80°11’46.2″W
Venao Beach is located in the Azuero Peninsula, Pedasi, in the Pacific West Region of Panama. This beautiful beach is a favorite surf spot in the area, with strong waves and white sand. However, swimming can be dangerous for inexperienced swimmers and kids. Aside from surfers, Venao Beach is mostly empty and quiet, with a great atmosphere to just relax. Being so wide, there is always a far-off, lonely place for you to settle. You can also find some restaurants, cafes and resorts near the beach, as well as a beach club.
Destiladeros Beach, Pedasi
Address – Destiladeros Beach, Pedasi, Panama
Google Maps Link – 7°27’03.8″N 80°02’45.6″W
Destiladeros Beach is located in Pedasi, in the Pacific West Region of Panama. This thin stretch of sand gives off the feeling of a private beach, never having more than 10 people there at the same time. The nearest restaurant is a short walk away from the beach; however, you can bring your own food and beach supplies. There are no facilities, and the only activity you can enjoy is surfing. Of course, this is what makes Destiladeros Beach a perfect spot for relaxing and disconnecting from the world; an empty, quiet beach with amazing views of the sunrise and sunset.
Malibu Beach, Gorgona
Address – Malibu Beach, Gorgona, Panama
Google Maps Link – 8°33’27.7″N 79°50’40.6″W
Malibu Beach is located in Gorgona, in the Central Panama Region. This beautiful beach might seem small at first glance, but turns out to be a long stretch of white sand, perfect to take a walk and admire the view. The waves are strong and the water gets deep very quickly; you can go surfing but be careful when you swim. There are no restaurants nearby but resorts in the area have great services. To enjoy Malibu Beach to the fullest, bring your camping supplies, admire the sunset, and stay the night on the beach.
Farallon Beach, Hato River
Address – Farallon Beach, Panama
Google Maps Link – 8°21’40.5″N 80°07’47.6″W
Farallon Beach is located in Rio Hato, in the Central Panama Region. This white sandy beach is backdropped with palm trees, casting shade over the shore and adding to the amazing views. Getting to Farallon Beach is very easy; still, it never get overly crowded and you can always enjoy the solitude of the beach. The water is warm but with rather strong waves; be careful with kids and inexperienced swimmers. Some areas are privatized and have an entrance fee; there are resorts along the beach, and some restaurant owners and vendors might even go to you to offer their delicious food.