Get advice on the multiple ways to get from Playa Venao to Santa Catalina Island!
How to get from Playa Venao to To Santa Catalina by Land
Take a bus to Chitré and Rent a Car
It is most likely you will prefer to take the whole 5-hour ride to Santa Catalina from Playa Venao. If you use Waze or Google maps it should take you to Divisa, Santiago y then to Santa Catalina. However, you do have to figure out how to get to Chitré by bus, taxi, or shuttle!
Our recommendation is to rent a 4×4 car when traveling in Panama because you may encounter potholes on the streets. And, most likely, if you are an explorer you will find dirt roads on your way! It gives you more flexibility in case you want to visit any other cities or hidden beaches.
New to renting a car in Panama? Check out these 12 tips for renting a car in Panama.
Where to find Car Rentals in Chitré
Hop on a bus to Chitré and pick your preferred Car Rental Service to drive to Santa Catalina. There are several Car Rentals services to choose from in Chitre.
If you took a flight to Chitré you can rent a car with Thrifty Car Rental right at Chitré’s Alonso Valderrama Airport. However, you have many other options in downtown Chitre like Avis Rent A Car, Dollar Car Rental, Sixt Rent a Car, and Hertz.
Rent a Car in Pedasí
Autos Panama is a good option to get to Santa Catalina from Pedasí. You have a wide array of options such as sedans, SUVs and pick up trucks.
They are a family-owned company that has one headquarters in Pedasi, meaning that, you would have to drop the car back in Pedasí.
You can take a local bus or a taxi from Playa Venao to Pedasí. Selina shuttles are a good option but they must be booked in Advance. Local buses are not very reliable so make sure to have all options in mind.
Shuttle Price
Selina Shuttle Playa Venao to Pedasí: $8 round-trip and $5 one-way
Use public transportation from Venao to Santa Catalina
As always, public transportation is the cheapest option to get to Santa Catalina. However, it may also be quite wearing and lengthy.
You must take a bus to Santiago. Then a bus direction Soná and then hop on a third bus that will take you to Santa Catalina.
Santa Catalina is pretty small so you won’t be dropped at a bus terminal as its only connection is Soná.
Hop in a shuttle in Playa Venao to Santa Catalina
If you are traveling in groups, Beach Break Surf Camp’s maybe your best choice is to travel to Santa Catalina! The trip should take you around 4.5 hours.
Go ahead to give them a call and ask for their departure times. Contact info: +507 6245-2342 and bbplayavenao@gmail.com
Shuttle Prices
Beach Break Surf Camp Shuttle Playa Venao to Santa Catalina: $180 1-4 people
Hiring a Taxi will help you get faster to Santa Catalina
You can either hire a Taxi from Playa Venao to Santa Catalina or take it from Soná.
Taxi Price
Taxi Soná Santa Catalina: Approx $40
Now you are well equipped with full information on all ways to get from Playa Venao to Santa Catalina. Most people get there in cars, so there are a few options for you to put together your trip!