Punta Duarte Beach

This lovely broad beach, Punta Duarte, is one of the few in Panama where you can watch the sunset over the Pacific. The beach has a stunning location, with an outlying island that connects to the mainland during low tide. Because of the beach's angle, it is one of the few beaches on Panama's Pacific coast where the waves are minimal and swimming is easy. When the tide goes out, large tide pools appear as a bonus. You may walk along the rocks and look down into the remaining pools to observe beautifully colored fish and sea creatures.

On what is known as the Sunset Coast, Punta Duarte is 1.5 hours down the only highway. When traveling from Panama City, the Pan American Highway exit is located shortly before Santiago on the left-hand side. The Punta Duarte Garden Inn, which overlooks the beach on one end, is a delightful, tiny hotel that serves breakfast and if customers let the owner know ahead of time, home-cooked dinners. From your balcony, the restaurant area, or the pool, you can enjoy the sunset.

Location: Punta Duarte, Panama