Pedasi

Pedasí is a town in the Los Santos province of the Pacific West region of Panama.

Wattled Jacana in the wetlands of Pedasi

Get around

By taxi

You can catch yellow taxis to get around. There is no Uber, Lyft or anything like that. There's a taxi stop right near the Pedasi sign on the main road.

See

The town is known for its wide sandy beaches and coastal islands, home to numerous [[Birdwatching|birds} and reptiles.

• Isla Iguana (Depart from Playa Arenal). A small island 20-minute boat ride from Playa Arenal, a former military plane bombing range with lots of birds. Renowned for the hundreds of iguanas living there. White beach, clear blue water, coral and lots of fish. (updated Mar 2023)
• Playa Arenal (Arenal Beach). Departure point for Isla Iguana. Many local fishermen's boats. It is possible to negotiate directly with them to go fishing or whale watching. Further up the beach is very good for relaxed swimming. (updated Mar 2023)
• Playa del Toro (Bull Beach). Good swimming spot. On the beach fishing. (updated Mar 2023)
• Playa Venao (Venao Beach) (30 km past Pedasi). This is a misnomer as this is now a small village in its own right. Beautiful beaches, world-class surfing, numerous hotels, and hostels. Restaurants and bars. (updated Mar 2023)
• Playa Destiladeros (Destiladeros Beach). This is a beach and residential area about 12km outside of Pedasi. Beautiful beach and a few resorts. Known as "Millionaire's Mile" due to some of the mansions built here in the past. (updated Mar 2023)
• La Iglesia (The Church). Dominating the town square, this is a beautiful building. One of the oldest in the country and steeped in culture and history. (updated Mar 2023)

Do

• Whale Watching. At the correct time of year, there are a few whales who return to have their babies. The mother and Calf pairs can be seen from the shore, but it is worthwhile to contract a boat to take you right up close. (updated Mar 2023)
• Carnivale. Pedasi is the heart of Panamanian culture, which is never more evident than during the annual festival of Carnivale. Slightly smaller in scale than the festivities at Las Tablas, it is a week of the year highly anticipated by locals and tourists alike. (updated Mar 2023)

Eat

• 1 Restaurante Terry Desti Beach (close to end of access road to Playa Los Destiladeros), ☏ +507 6606 6420. French and Italian entrées prepared fresh, and good desserts too. (updated Jan 2021)
• 2 Smiley's Restaurant (along Via Dr. Belisario Porres, the main drag), ☏ +507 6510 9652. Tu-Su 12ː00-22ː00, closed M. A good choice for seafood, or Western/American cuisine such as ribs. (updated Jan 2021)

Drink

• 1 Casa Bambú Pedasí, ☏ +507 6853 6655. Seating on a large wood deck. (updated Jan 2021)

Sleep

• Residencial Moscoso (Main avenue, 2 blocks after the sign to "La garita" beach), ☏ +507 995-2203. Very basic and badly maintained rooms, some with shared bathroom. The cheapest in town Rooms from US$10. 
• 1 Pedasi Sports Club (on the left across from the police station as you enter Pedasi driving from Las Tablas), ☏ +507 995-2894. The club provides lodging with A/C suites and cabanas, hot water, satTV, swimming pool, restaurant and bar. They are able to assist with bookings for many tourism activities (see listing above under "Do"). The Club also provides storage for boats for people who would like to fish the prime areas around Pedasi but don't want to pull their boats around on trailers. Airport pick-up from Panama City or from the airport in Pedasi is available. 1 bedroom furnished apartments with pool-side garden patios and satTV are also offered at special long term rental rates. The Pedasi Sports Club has just been awarded the Padi Resort (diving) status. US$65. 
• 2 Posada Los Destiladeros, Playa Los Destiladeros (On the Pacific coast, 7 km from Pedasi, past el Limon), ☏ +507 6922-3758, fax: +507 995-2772, panamabambu.net@gmail.com. 15 traditionally built bungalows and suites with direct ocean access on 550 ft of sand beach. Sits amid 8 hectares of carefully planted trees and tropical flowers. Swimming pool, 4 sundecks overlooking the Pacific Ocean, a 150² m living area, breakfast terrace, thatched roofed huts and several hideaways throughout the grounds for privacy and intimacy. US$60-200. 

• 3 Hummingbird Inn (near Playa El Toro, about 150 m from the beach, on the left). Check-in: 14H00, check-out: 11H00. Mini hostel. Rooms are all ensuite with hot water on tap. Communal kitchen. Bar/eating areas. Seaview. $60 per suite. $25 per person, or $50 for three-bed room. (updated Mar 2023)

Rental villas

• Azueros Villa Rentals, Playa Los Destiladeros (10 min from Pedasi's center, 10 km off El Limon highway exit), ☏ +507 832-0505 (res), +507 832-2316 (ofc), info@azuerosvillarentals.com. Residential resort built in a style integrating with the tropical seaside landscape. Beach villas include a private swimming pool and sleep 4-5 adults. Ocean lofts have outdoor private balconies and a communal area. Fully equipped with gourmet kitchens, A/C, WiFi, iPod dock, TV/DVD player, washer/dryer, BBQ and daily maid service. Includes concierge services for restaurants, guided trips and local community activities. All accommodations have ocean views and are a 2-min walk from Playa Los Destiladeros. Ocean lofts $150-175/night, Beach villas US$195-$220/night (varies by season).