Page 41 - The Rough Guide to Panama (Travel Guide)

SportS and outdoor activitieS BASICS 39
reputable local dive shops operate out of Bocas, with the Golfo de chiriquí, and coiba in particular, a
portobelo, Santa catalina, isla contadora and pedasí, close second and the islas perlas not far behind.
on the azuero peninsula, while Scuba panama (T261 Foreign-owned fishing lodges are mush
3841, Wscubapanama.com), the country’s oldest rooming along the pacific coast, most of which
outfit, organizes expeditions from panama city. offer multiday package deals that cover accommo-
dation, meals and fishing excursions costing up to
Surfing several thousand dollars. recommended outfits
include panama Big Game Fishing (Wpanama
With two long coastlines, panama offers hundreds -sportfishing.com), coiba adventure Sportfishing
of waves of all kinds to suit novices and expert (Wcoibaadventure.com) and pesca panama
surfers. away from the renowned hot spots you (Wpescapanama.com).
can have the beach almost to yourself, though the
surfing infrastructure (hostels, bars, restaurants and Other activities
regular public transport) may also be lacking.
Local surfers confined to panama city tend to the Boquete tree trek (see p.187) can justifiably be
dash to the nearby pacific beaches of Coclé for a considered the canopy adventure to top them all,
weekend escape, such as el palmar and playa boasting a dozen zip lines – more modest versions
Malibu. For top-drawer surfing on the Pacific coast exist in el valle (see p.137), near portobelo (see box,
(generally best april–nov), head for the internation- p.116) and on isla Bastimentos (see p.235). Similar
ally renowned breaks round Santa Catalina. in adrenaline surges are guaranteed when
april waves here can reach 4m or more, with the kitesurfing at punta chame on the pacific coast
high season continuing until august (though a (see p.132).
good ride on 2m breakers is guaranteed year- pass by any small fishing village and you can usually
round). Playa Venao, on the south coast of the find a boatman willing to take you for a chug round
azuero peninsula, arguably offers the country’s the mangroves, drop you off for a laze on a deserted
best-known beach break, and also attracts interna- beach or even throw a line for a spot of fishing.
tional competitions; the more remote Cambutal, Similarly relaxing is a plod along an empty beach or
which has beach and point breaks, and can catch through the rainforest on horseback, which offers
big waves, lies further west. on the eastern side of the chance to soak up the scenery without fright-
the peninsula, the small town of Pedasí is within ening the wildlife – though don’t necessarily expect a
reach of several surfing spots; Playa Morrillo, on safety helmet, or a saddle that fails to remind you
the western flank, is up-and-coming. what you’ve been doing for the next week.
on the Caribbean coast (best dec–March), Bocas Mountain-bikers in search of company might
del Toro is the standout, offering varied breaks for consider contacting Boa panama (Wfacebook.com
beginners and experts – including the monster reef /groups/boapanama) for english- and Spanish-
bottom wave of Silverbacks – plus welcoming bars speaking contacts; this association of recreational
and a decent après-surf scene. Less-well-known off-road cycling enthusiasts organizes weekend
surfing spots lie east of Portobelo, such as isla outings.
Grande or nombre de dios and palenque.
Wsurfeapanama.com and the panamanian surfing Spectator sports
association’s Facebook page, Wfacebook.com
/surfapS, offer information (in Spanish); check also With a highly ranked national team, and a number
Magic Seaweed (Wmagicseaweed.com) for the of successful major-league baseball stars to its
swell history and forecasts for the best-known spots. credit, baseball is panama’s national sport. an
inexpensive and captivating evening’s entertain-
Sport fishing ment awaits if you attend one of the fiercely
contested national-league matches that take place
according to one reading of the indigenous in the dry season (late dec to april) – check
language cueva, panama means “abundance of Wfedebeis.com for fixtures – particularly in the
fish”, and the country offers some phenomenal more intimate stadiums in the interior. under the
fishing. the Bahía de piñas on the pacific coast of floodlights, a raucous spirit prevails, with people
the darién, location of the exclusive Tropic Star partying in the stands and screaming to the accom-
Lodge (Wtropicstarlodge.com), is widely considered paniment of brass bands and drums, with plenty of
to be the world’s top saltwater fishing destination, tasty street-food on hand.

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