An enjoyable an educational activity in the Pacific off Pedasi, Panama is whale watching. Whales are a common sight in the waters off the Azuero Peninsula near Pedasi, Panama. They cab be seen from June when they arrive from their Arctic or Antarctic feeding grounds through the end of November when they return to cold waters for feeding. Several species of whale migrate to the Pacific waters off the coast of Panama. Whales come to breed or they come to give birth. The larger species of whale will mate every three years. The up to 16 meter long humpback whale with its distinctive shape is a yearly visitor to the Panama Pacific.
Fishing charters as well as whale watching tours are available from operators in Pedasi. They also provide trips to local islands where sea turtles lay their eggs on protected beaches.
The humpbacks that frequent Panama feed in the cold waters off the coast of Southern Chile as well as further south. When the Southern Hemisphere winter sets in, these gentle giants migrate to the warmer waters off Panama. The shallower waters off coastal Panama provide a degree of protection for birthing of whale calves. Besides the waters off the Azuero Peninsula near Pedasi the Pearl Archipelago and the waters at Coiba are frequented by these creatures as well. Near Pedasi Isla Iguana has a coral reef near which the whales tend to gather.
Humpback whale
When out whale watching look for the “geysers” of exhalation of the whales. They are air breathing creatures that have a “nose” hole called a blow hole on the top of their head. The whale exhales as it surfaces. The giant breath drives water with it into the air. The whale then inhales and will either remain on the surface or will commonly dive again.
As well as the common humpback, the giant of the sea, the Blue Whale, can also be seen, as well as fin whales, and pilot whales. When a whale breaches it is a spectacular sight. It comes out of the depths and seems to leap from the sea. No one knows for sure why whales breach. Some speculate that it is to loosen parasites attached to their skin. Others speculate that it has a social meaning or is a means of communication as the sounds travels for a kilometer above water and farther in the depths. Other whale experts also speculate that these intelligent creatures may just be playing. Whatever the reasons for their activities, the whales are a spectacular site in the seas off Pedasi.
Come and see the whales at Pedasi. To book tour reservations or hotel for Pedasi or for information about travel destinations throughout Panama contact one of our experts today.
Posted by James Walker | Under Activities, Azuero Peninsula, Isla Iguana, Pedasi, Whales
There is a desert in Panama? You have got to be kidding! This is a tropical paradise with a rainy season where 60 inches of rain a year is typical in Panama City and the Caribbean Coast gets even more. Nevertheless, there is a patch of parched, salty earth in the Province of Herrera half way from the capital city on the way to Pedasi in Los Santos Province on the Azuero Peninsula. How this patch of land came to resemble a desert is a lesson in ecology. It certainly was not always a desert, as evidenced by ruins of an 11,000 year old pre-Colombian, pre-historic settlement.
The Sarigua Desert is part of Sarigua National Park which has forest, savanna, mangrove swamps, and pre-historic ruins as well as a patch of salt flat. The salt flat used to be where mangroves grew but in the 1950′s a misdirected cattle raising venture cut down trees and the cattle ate the remaining vegetation. The area never grew back in and is an extensive salt flat devoid of vegetation.
This area was never a desert previously and, in fact, there are ruins of an 11,000 year old settlement. People were farming in this region of Panama during the last ice age when much of North American, Asia, and Europe were under a mile deep block of ice. Today the Sarigua area plays host to crocodiles and coyotes, Caracaras, American Storks, white herons, pelicans, frigate birds, and, at the shore, conches, crabs, and starfish.
Pre Colombian Pottery in Museum of Herrera, Panama
There are still pottery shards visible from the old settlement but the bulk of the prehistoric finds from the area are in the Herrera museum in the town of Chitre. This museum has an extensive pre-Colombian and pre-historic collection including a recreation of a tomb made from a drawing in the first days of the Spanish conquest of the New World.
To visit Sarigua you need a guide from ANAM, Panama’s environmental protection agency. It is against the law to pick up pottery shards but you can take all of the photos you want. For a view of the best archeological finds from the area visit the Museo de Herrera (Herrera Museum) in the town of Chitré on the main road going to Pedasi.
To book hotel or tour reservations for Pedasi, Chitre, or Sarigua National Park, or for information about travel destinations throughout Panama contact one of our experts today.
Posted by James Walker | Under Activities, Azuero Peninsula, Pedasi
Pedasi is a quiet traditional town tucked away in a beautiful part of the Azuero Peninsula, the cultural heartland of Panama. It is a place of green, rolling hills and shining blue waters resembling the Tuscany Region of Italy. With its pastoral ambiance, charming local culture and a diversity of activities to suit the adventurous and leisurely alike, Pedasi is quickly making its way to the world’s top vacation and retirement destinations.
The Azuero Peninsula features towns that were founded hundreds of years ago. Strong Spanish colonial influence can be seen in the beautiful churches and town plazas, as well in the well-kept homes with their pastoral colors, colonnaded verandas and tile roofs.
Las Tablas, thirty minutes away from Pedasi and the provincial capital, was founded in 1671 and boasts the most famous Carnival celebration in all of Panama.
Just fifteen minutes from the shores of the Arenales Beach of Pedasi lies Isla Iguana. A national park and wildlife refuge boasting extensive coral reefs and a colony of frigate birds. This palm-dotted island with white sandy beaches and crystal clear, shallow waters offers the laziest snorkeling imaginable.
Nearby, Isla Cañas can receive hundreds of pregnant turtles in a single night to lay eggs along its 14-kilometer beach.
Playa Venao, just thirty minutes drive west from Pedasi, is one of Panama’s best surf spots with a consistent south swell that attracts surfers from all over the world.
The Azuero Coast of Panama is one of the best places for sport fishing, with large catches in the area such as Marlin, Sailfish, Dolphin fish, Grouper, Snapper, Wahoo and Snook are all available just off the beaches. In addition to the ever-present schools of yellow fin tuna that caused this stretch of coast to be named “The Tuna Coast“.
Hotels in Pedasi
Town of Pedasi:
Los Destiladeros:
El Ciruelo:
Playa Venao (Beach):
Cambutal:
Tours and Charters in Pedasi:
For more information on how to get to Pedasi, view “How to get to Pedasi in Los Santos?”
To book hotel or tour reservations for Pedasi or for information about travel destinations throughout Panama contact one of our experts today.
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More pictures of Pedasi and The Azuero Peninsula:
To book hotel or tour reservations for Pedasi or for information about travel destinations throughout Panama contact one of our experts today.
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Posted by admin | Under Azuero Peninsula, Pedasi, Real Estate
Pedasí es una ciudad tranquila zona escondida en una hermosa parte de la Península de Azuero, el corazón cultural de Panamá.
Es un lugar de verde, de colinas onduladas y brillantes aguas azules parecida a la Región Toscana de Italia. Con su estilo pastoral, el encanto de la cultura local y una diversidad de actividades para adaptarse a los aventureros y a los que buscan relajarse por igual. Pedasí está posicionándose rápidamente como uno de los destinos de vacaciones más importantes del mundo y por igual un destino para la jubilación en Panamá.
La Península de Azuero cuenta con pueblos que fueron fundados hace cientos de años. Fuerte influencia colonial española se puede ver en las hermosas iglesias y plazas de la ciudad, así como en las casas bien cuidadas, con sus colores pastorales, porches con columnas y techos de teja.
Las Tablas a treinta minutos de Pedasí, es la capital provincial, fue fundada en 1671 y cuenta con la celebración de Carnaval más famoso en todo Panamá.
A sólo quince minutos de la orilla de la playa de Arenales de Pedasí se encuentra la Isla Iguana. Un parque nacional y refugio de vida silvestre, con extensos arrecifes de coral y una colonia de pájaros fragata. Esta isla salpicada de palmeras con playas de arena blanca y aguas cristalinas poco profundas ofrece el snorkeling más perezoso imaginable.
Cerca de allí, la Isla Cañas puede recibir cientos de tortugas embarazada en una sola noche para poner sus huevos a lo largo de sus 14 kilometros de playa.
Playa Venao, a solo treinta minutos en coche al oeste de Pedasí, es uno de los mejores spots de surf de Panamá con un swell del sur coherente que atrae a surfistas de todo el mundo.
La costa de Azuero de Panamá es uno de los mejores lugares para la pesca marítima tanto artesanal y como la pesca deportiva, con grandes capturas en la zona como el marlin, pez vela, dorado, mero, pargo, wahoo y snook están disponibles junto a las playas. Además de las escuelas de atún aleta amarilla, siempre presentes, que causó este tramo de costa que se denominaría “La Costa del Atún“.
Hoteles en Pedasí:
Pueblo de Pedasí:
Los Destiladeros:
El Ciruelo:
Playa Venao:
Cambutal:
Tours y Charters en Pedasí:
Para mas información sobre como llegar a Pedasi, por favor vea “¿Como llegar a Pedasí en los Santos?”
Mas fotos de Pedasí y La Península de Azuero:
To book hotel or tour reservations for Pedasi or for information about travel destinations throughout Panama contact one of our experts today.
i...@panamatravelgroup.com
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Posted by admin | Under Azuero Peninsula, Pedasi, Real Estate
Beaches
The Azuero Peninsula is bordered by a ribbon of secluded wide tan sand beaches. Azueros fronts several beaches including Playa Los Destiladeros and Playa Escondido.
The nearby beaches may be explored by foot, mountain bike or horseback.
Some of the best surfing beaches can be found in the province especially in Playa Venao, a half hour drive from Azueros. Horse rentals and complimentary mountain bikes are available to guests.
Islands
Seven kilometers off the coast of Pedasí´s Playa Arenal, the Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge is a fifty-eight hectare dry tropical forest with nine-kilometers of coasts ideal for diving and snorkeling along one of the best preserved coral reefs in the Gulf of Panama . Boats may be chartered locally to the fine white sand beaches bordered by crystal clear turquoise waters. Bright colorful crabs scatter along the path that traverses the island; flocks of red breasted frigates circle overhead ; iguanas, turtles, and other native wildlife peer out from the rich vegetation, and humpback whales swim offshore .
Another island designated as a wildlife refuge, Isla Canas is famous for the turtles that come to nest each year on its beautiful wide beaches, and it is accessed by boat through the mangrove covered canals.
Fishing
The blue waters of the Pacific off the Azuero Peninsula , Panama´s famed ¨Tuna Coast¨, offer some of the finest fishing.The rich tropical aquatic environment is teaming with fish including Dolphin, Yellowfin Tuna, Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Wahoo, Amberjack, Sierra Mackerel, Grouper and Snapper and whales, orcas and porpoises can be spotted on these excursions.
Cultural attractions
Rich in folkloric history, the capital city of Los Santos is Las Tablas, famous for its carnivals and believed to be the birth place of the Pollera, the intricately woven traditional Panamanian dress. Local workshops provide visitors with the opportunity to view this craft first-hand. There are also museums, national parks, churches and archeological sites to be explored. Among the many festivals and religious celebrations are: Carnival beginning the fourth day before Ash Wednesday ; National Festival of the Pollera & Festival of the Patron Santa Librada, end of July, and Feria de Azuero, late April-early May.
To book hotel or tour reservations for Pedasi or for information about travel destinations throughout Panama contact one of our experts today.
i...@panamatravelgroup.com
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Posted by admin | Under Activities, Azuero Peninsula, Hotels, Pedasi, Surf
The Azuero Peninsula is known to be the heartland of Panamanian country life and folklore. Many of the residents in the countryside are ranchers and dairy farmer, who still use practices from many years ago. As you drive through the country side, you may see a milk truck picking up large cans of milk. Ranchers’ driving their cattle across the road is a common occurrence.
Please use caution as you drive.
During your stay in the area, you may see a neighbor taking his horses for a swim in the ocean. It is a beautiful site. Your visit to the Azuero peninsula will feel like a trip back to a simpler time, when children are free to play and living life was easier.
As in many other countries, Carnival marks the beginning of lent. There is no better place to see the Panamanian Carnival than in Las Tablas city.
You can find different types of ceramic art at La Arena in Chitre city. Many artists work in the back room of the shops. They will be glad to personalize your purchases with your name or the year, or what ever you wish.
Isla Iguana is located near to Pedasi city (8kms from the coast). It is a natural island preserve protected by the government of Panama. It covers approximately 55 hectares and has 16 of the 21 species of corals located in the Pacific waters of Panama. As a result of the coral reef off shore, the island has white sand beaches. Hike the trails and climb to the top of the light house for a view of the Pacific.
The best time of the year for diving at Isla Iguana, is from April to December. From January to March the waters are affected by strong northerly winds and upwelling currents coming out of the south from Peru. This is not to say you can’t dive here year round however conditions can change day to day during January to March.
Iguana Island is also home to approximately 5000 frigate birds. No services are located on the island so one needs to bring all their own food and water. Ask locals about the National park fee.
El Ciruelo Beach is just 20min by car far from Pedasi. It is a natural port for boats. Many of the local fishermen and fishing tour bouts use this port, as it is near to the Frailes Islands North and South. These islands are rocks in the middle of the ocean with no beaches. You will find exceptional deep sea fishing in this area because the Continental plate drops 500ft to 800ft just 25 kms/13.5 miles offshore. There you can catch tuna, mahi mahi, Wahoo, Spanish macarel, amber jacks, sailfish etc,
The Achotines Laboratory is located near by El Ciruelo Beach. At this laboratory, Tuna and other species of fish are raised and studied. Tours of the facility are welcomed.
Whale watching time is from July to September. The Humpback whales are migrating from South America to the warmer waters of the tropics.
You may see Whale sharks year round but they are further out to sea during the months of January to April. Pods of Orcas are sometimes seen in this area year round.
Just a short ride from Pedasi you can hit the waves at Playa Venado. Surfers from all over the world come to ride the waves during the day and have a few beers at night.
Photo by Fidel Ponce Photography
Isla Canas is a wildlife refuge just 20min from El Ciruelo by car and 5 min more in a pang boat to cross from town to the Island. Sea turtles are here year round and very common during the months of September to October when they arrive in large numbers to lay their eggs at Isla Canas. Migratory birds from South America, Alaska (El Agallito beach) and turtle nesting on the Canas Island.
1 hour from El Ciruelo Beach by car you can get into the Cambutal town, the best place to billfish around the Azuero Peninsula, and also another point of surf (rocks). The road is not in a good shape from Canas until Cambutal, 4×4 trucks are recommended.
Average T: air 30c-86F, water 27c-81F
To book hotel or tour reservations for Pedasi or for information about travel destinations throughout Panama contact one of our experts today.
i...@panamatravelgroup.com
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Posted by admin | Under Activities, Azuero Peninsula
In Pedasi, Los Santos Province, Panama, who would have thought you could find great barbeque. Pedasi is a rural town near to the Pacific Coast and great fishing. Pedasi’s claim to fame is its deep-sea fishing charter operators. More recently real estate development has caught on in the corner of paradise.
But, surprise, surprise, right in Pedasi Panama you can get great barbeque as well as a good, US style steak. To understand the difference in steaks you would need to live here, but suffice it to say that cutting the meat very thin and overcooking it, is not how most of us want our t-bone steak.
But how, you ask? The answer is an American who came “home” to Panama. Remember that the USA built and then operated the Panama Canal for virtually all of the 20th century. Joe Dusek was born in Panama when his dad was in the military. As in the USA, being born here means that you have citizenship here. Although Joe Dusek returned to live his live in the USA and in the US Navy he never forgot Panama.
Joe Dusek returned to Panama, to the corner of paradise called Pedasi, and opened a restaurant named, what else, but Gringo Joe’s.
Gringo Joe’s has good, rural Panama prices and the ambiance of a small town restaurant. Besides the barbeque and steaks, the rest of the menu is good food and good prices served with a smile.
You could do a lot worse in life than move to the coast near Pedasi, Panama and drive into town in the evenings to eat at Gringo Joe’s.
To book hotel or tour reservations for Pedasi or for information about travel destinations throughout Panama contact one of our experts today.
i...@panamatravelgroup.com
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Posted by admin | Under Activities, Azuero Peninsula, Pedasi, Restaurants and Bars
Pedasi Panama is on the point of the Azuero Peninsula in Los Santos Province in the Republic of Panama. Pedasi is about three and a half hours by car from Panama City and its Tocumen International Airport. Going up the Pacific Coast from Pedasi are some very impressive surfing beaches. Settle in to one of Pedasi’s comfortable hotels and let Panama Travel Group help you arrange a tour of surfing beaches.
A short drive from Pedasi is Playa Venado where waves get as high as 2.5 meters and wave fronts are as wide as 150 meters. This is a reliable surfing area and a good place to start. There are web sites dedicated to reporting conditions for Playa Venado, so you can check out the conditions before coming.
Farther up the coast from Pedasi is Santa Catalina where it is said you can find the most consistent, powerful break and easy to line up big waves in Central America. Going up the coast from Pedasi, you will find surf that at times has faces up to eight meters high. There are also areas with more tame waves and surfing camps offering lessons.
Starting at Pedasi, you can tour the beautiful hills along the Pacific Coast going North to Tonosi and Cambutal and the Bay of Parita to East and South. There are gorgeous beaches in both directions just waiting for your footprints and surfboard.
Although you want to ride the waves, a little time exploring is good for the soul and the area around Pedasi is beauty itself. Between days surfing you may just want to take a picnic lunch packed at your hotel and head for one of the many bluffs overlooking the ocean to spend a quiet day.
To book hotel or tour reservations for Pedasi or for information about travel destinations throughout Panama contact one of our experts today.
i...@panamatravelgroup.com
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Posted by admin | Under Activities, Azuero Peninsula, Pedasi, Playa Venao, Surf
Isla Iguana is a wildlife refuge island located 5 km from firm land in the Azuero peninsula, on the Pacific side of Panama. Pedasi is the nearest town and the best bet for crossing over by boat.
The land is dry tropical forest and its beaches are surrounded by 14 species of coral forming over 40 hectares of reef. There are various hiking trails where you can see lots of seabirds and the huge iguanas the island was named after. These trails cross Isla Iguana and take the visitors from Cirial Beach in the east to El Faro beach in the west.
Underwater is a whole different world in Isla Iguana. Its waters are home to more than 700 hundred species of tropical fish and are visited by hunchback whales.
Here they give birth and to teach their young to dive. It is also common to see various species of turtles near the coral reefs. The unique surroundings of Isla Iguana invite you to enjoy its water with activities like fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving.
The facilities in Isla Iguana are just enough to spend the day and enjoy its surroundings. They consist of a shack for visitors and fishermen, a visitor center, hiking trails and a camping area. The best time to visit Isla Iguana is from May to December, since the strong winds of the dry season will make it difficult to visit the island. The area is of impressive beauty and the Isla Iguana Foundation works to keep it that way. For that reason, visitors are asked to bring their own food and trash cans and be very conscious of their surroundings.
To book hotel or tour reservations for Pedasi or for information about travel destinations throughout Panama contact one of our experts today.
i...@panamatravelgroup.com
+507-202-1111 (Panama) | 1-786-539-4731 (USA)
Posted by admin | Under Activities, Azuero Peninsula, Isla Iguana, Pedasi, Surf
El boom de las bienes raíces en Pedasi ha dado duro. Y todo el mundo, al parecer, esta brincando ante las oportunidades: Expatriados buscando un segundo hogar lejos del frío, inversionistas interesados en construir el próximo gran proyecto, y hasta celebridades deseando desconectarse de las ciudades. La tierra que antes costaba menos de $3 por metro cuadrado, ahora se esta vendiendo por aproximadamente $20 por metro cuadrado.
Porque Pedasi se esta convirtiendo en el lugar predilecto para comprar tierra? Visionarios aseguran que Pedasi es una joya natural, que recuerda a Toscana y Costa Rica en los 1980’s. Con su localización privilegiada en la península de Azuero en la costa Pacifica de Panamá, a cerca de 5 horas de la Ciudad de Panamá, sus preciosas playas y pesca de primera orden van a complacer a aquellos que buscan lo mejor de la naturaleza sin la sensación de que están en un destino diseñado para turistas.
La tierra todavía es económica, pero quien realmente puso a Pedasi en el mapa fue la ex presidenta de Panamá, Mireya Moscoso, quien es de Pedasi y se aseguro de mejorar los recursos del pueblo. Moscoso se aseguro que su pueblo natal tuviera buenas carreteras e utilidades, y reparo una pequeña pista de aterrizaje y otros proyectos de infraestructura.
Hoy día Pedasi esta en transición: Todavía no es el gran paraíso frente al mar para aquellos que buscan un lugar tranquilo con amenidades sofisticadas, pero esta en camino. La tierra se esta agotando y los proyectos estan en curso. La administración de Pedasi esta resolviendo asuntos sobre como construir sin exterminar los recursos naturales, y lento pero seguro, están abriendo negocios alrededor del pueblo preparandose para lo que viene.
To book hotel or tour reservations for Pedasi or for information about travel destinations throughout Panama contact one of our experts today.
i...@panamatravelgroup.com
+507-202-1111 (Panama) | 1-786-539-4731 (USA)
Posted by admin | Under Activities, Azuero Peninsula, Isla Iguana, Pedasi, Playa Venao, Real Estate
