Few know that Panama has white sand beaches with few tourists
One of the benefits of traveling to the unspoiled islands surrounding Santa Catalina is that the white sand beaches in Panama are lightly used. Coiba National Park, which surrounds Panama's Santa Catalina Island, where Rancho Estero is located, is made up of many small islands. Because few people travel to these islands just to hang out and read, you have a peaceful place free of hordes of Frisbee-tossing people who always seem to materialize just as you have finished making yourself comfortable with the beverage of your choice and your beach chair in just the right spot. While this could be the case on an island that attracts major crowds of tourists, it isn't the case on this small, peaceful island, found for you by the friendly hosts and hostesses of Rancho Estero.
Of course, if you want to get in some of Panama's finest surfing, you can try Isla Coiba, headquarters of the Coiba National Park. Santa Catalina is part of this national park. It is also where Rancho Estero is located. Yes, the staff can still set you up for a nice quiet afternoon of hanging out with the Hunger Games and a canteen full of Pina Coladas. However, if you are spending time at Coiba you are probably carrying your surfboard, as Isla Coiba offers some of the best surfing breaks away from Santa Catalina's Punta Break.Just ask the desk clerk at Rancho Estero to set up the ride and get the permissions needed for Isla Coiba, and you will find some great surfing action.