Eco-Venao

Where surfers and conservationists
have something common

By Marijulia Puyol Lloyd

A thatched-roof suite.

In the heart of the Azuero Peninsula, hidden from prying eyes, close to the surfers´paradise beach of Playa Venao sits the ecological hostel called Eco-Venao. Surrounded by forests, waterfalls and breathtaking Pacific Ocean views, it is the perfect place to relax and get close to nature.

Nicolas Nixon, proprietor of Eco-Venao explained that it all began as a reforestation project, aiming to restore the native forests of the area (tropical dry forest) and the hostel came about as a way to support this initiative and as a good place for eco-tourism.

The hostel was re-built using the original structure of the farm, which was fifty years old. It was renovated little by little, utilizing the existing wood to preserve the local style and history of the building.

The beach is only five minutes away.

Recycling is a priority in Eco-Venao. They use bio-degradable detergents and recyclable materials and plan to be the first farm in Panama that utilizes a natural system which treats and recycles 100 per cent of the waste water.

The farm has 140 hectares with native species like guayacán and cocobolo. Exotic trees have been planted to help pay for some of the project´s expenses. According to Nixon it is too early to say if the plan will work or not.

Nixon believes that this sort of initiative is very important, because the region has suffered great deforestation (almost 95 per cent) due to farming and cattle rearing practices. There is a lot of erosion in the area and is possible the problem will grow even more.

Eco-Venao is ideal for an eco-touristic experience. Activities on offer include horse-riding, surfing, scuba diving to the nearby Isla Iguana or boating to Isla Canas, where you can see several species of turtles. The visitor can also learn about the reforestation project, take a stroll and see the waterfall or simply watch the monkeys that come to visit the farm.

The resort’s owner, Nicolas Nixon.

A bed in the communal dormitory, which has four bunk beds, costs $11.00 per night. The prices of the two private rooms vary dependending on the season and they are between $27.50 and $33.00. Nixon is planning to open two cabins in the near future which have been constructed using natural material.

To get there take a bus from the terminal in Panama City to Las Tablas in Los Santos. Next, catch another bus to Playa Venao or a taxi to the resort. Eco Venao is situated in front of the beach. The entrance is a kilometer after the main beach on the right hand side. There are two surfing boards at the entrance with the name of the hostel.

Best surfing in Central America

The wonderful water world of Santa Catalina

Por Marijulia Pujol Lloyd

Panama is blessed with natural beauty, but the wonders of the landscape are nothing compared with what is hidden underwater. One of the best places to go and experience an out-of-this-world trip is Santa Catalina Beach, in Veraguas, located in the Gulf of Chiriquí.

Santa Catalina is renowned for having the best surfing beach in Central America. It is also famous for its scuba diving, due to the clarity of the water and the amount of sea life found in that area.

A company in Santa Catalina called Scuba Coiba S.A. offers scuba diving expeditions and will allow you to see the wonder of the Gulf of Chiriqui in all its glory.

The beach has not lost its pristine nature.

They run daily trips from Santa Catalina to Coiba and other sites closer to this area. Both trips include two boat dives (a third is possible) and leave at 8:30 a.m. and return at 1:00 p.m. (Santa Catalina) or 4:00 p.m. (Coiba).

Herbie Sunk, owner of Scuba Coiba, said that diving in these waters is spectacular all year round. In September and November there is a lot of rain, but the water is quite clear. From December to April the water is colder and murkier, but you can find more fish and in June the water gets warmer and clearer.

You can see sharks, turtles, schools of sardines, tunas, barracudas and a big variety of reef fish. There are corals on some sites, but mainly rocks. As for whales, from July to October the Humpback surface; in February and March Orcas can be spotted in the area.

The cost of a scuba diving trip varies depending on your requirements. The prices start at $70.00 up to $120.00, These include the rental of equipment (the whole set). All the expeditions are accompanied by a divemaster. If you do not have certification, Scuba Coiba offers training to gain a basic certification (open water or one star).

Santa Catalina’s large, underwater population.

The staff of Scuba Coiba is trained in first aid, especially for diving accidents. They have first aid kits and medical oxigen available, as well as waterproof emergency and evacuation plans with all contact information. In case of decompression accidents, the evacuation would be by medevac helicopter to Panama, where a recompression chamber and divemedical doctor are available.

You can get to Santa Catalina by bus from the terminal in Panama to Santiago, Veraguas, but it is more practical to hire a car. The trip to Santa Catalina takes about three and a half hours by road. It is better to rent a four by four because the roads can be very rough and muddy, especially during the rainy season.

Diving: Santa Catalina’s “national sport”.