Santa Catalina

Santa Catalina ranks first in the list of the most beautiful coastal towns in Panama. For most of its history, Santa Catalina was little more than a sleepy fishing village. However, things have changed in recent years. Santa Catalina is gaining national and even international attention, and the reason for this is the surf. Some of the best waves in Latin America can be found here. Today, there is a diverse expat community here, consisting of Europeans, North and South Americans.

Santa Catalina has grown, but it remains a small town. People come here to enjoy the peace and quiet. You can't help but reconnect with nature when surrounded by rainforest and long beaches. You don't always have a choice. The internet can be spotty at times, and power outages are common. The expat communities have helped to create a thriving restaurant scene. There are a few small grocery stores nearby. However, life here lacks many of the conveniences found in more developed areas of Panama. That's a good thing for a lot of people here.

Google rating: 4.6/5.0

Location: Southern California in the Gulf of Santa Catalina