Playa Venao Surf camp & Surf Resort - Panama, South West Coast. Panama
INTRODUCTION
Known as “Surfer’s Paradise”, Playa Venao offers a 2 – 6 foot, smooth wave with a 50m to 150m ride, perfect for the novice to advanced. You will enjoy the soft sand bottom of a smooth sand break. Goofy foot or regular will be able to either learn easily or make little effort to get a steady, clean wave off the West coast of Panama.
The uncrowded privacy of a great beach and hotel will make an enjoyable get away where you can learn surfing, enjoy the relaxing sounds of the beach from your hammock and even grab a slice of piping hot pizza.
Located in the beautiful bay of Playa Venao, the camp offers private and shared accommodation with a beachfront location. 14 comfortable rooms open out to the beach. Each room has it’s own bathroom and hammock outside the door.
There is a great pool facing the beach. With your hotel only two steps from the beach, you will spend the entire trip enjoying the ocean and the beach.
Besides great surfing and beach time there are plenty of other activities to make your Panama trip memories even more vivid! Day trip to Isla Iguana, Mangrove tours, jungle hikes and waterfalls – you choose.




















THE ACCOMMODATION
Playa Venao Surf camp & Surf Resort offers private and shared accommodation with a beachfront location. 14 comfortable rooms open out to the beach. Each room has it’s own bathroom and hammock outside the door.
Facilities and Features
- Great swimming pool facing the beach
- Constant Pressure hot water system
- Clean and drinkable well water
- Pet friendly with approval
- Community Kitchen
- Breakfast Included
- Air conditioning
- Shared and Private Rooms
- Broadband WiFi
Room types
Shared Dormitory
Our dormitory houses up to 6 people and is equipped with AC and a bathroom inside the room.
Private Room
Equipped with one double bed, AC and private bathroom.
Private Room double occupancy
Equipped with one double bed and one single bed, AC and private bathroom.
Private Room for family or groups
Equipped with one double bed, two or 3 single beds, AC and private bathroom.
Catering
You will be having breakfast in the inhouse restaurant overlooking the endless bright blue ocean. In the evening, hand made artisan pizzas, salads and desserts are served along with killer Margaritas and various cocktails to finish off a day in paradise.
Bring your own groceries or take the 20 minute journey to neighboring Pedasi to stock up for use in the full kitchen available for guests.




















THE ACTIVITIES
Surf
Easily some of the best surfing in Panama. It is situated on the Pacific Ocean side of the Panama peninsula. This awesome break catches just about every swell but get there at high or medium tide because it often closes out at low tide. This is your best bet for catching a break in this area. Several great breaks are within a reasonable distance.
After you feel like you conquered Playa Venao or just need a new break for the day, try out Ciruelo, Playa El Toro, Playa Destiladeros, Playa Raya and Playa Guanico. All great breaks that are within a reasonable distance by foot and bus.
Surf Spots
Playa Venao
Consistent south swell, bi-directional breaks, and a safe, sandy bottom good for beginners and also next level.
Ciruelo
When breaking it offers a fast and hollow left hand tube. The wave here is fickle relying on long south swell and no wind. The wave can be seen from the road, so check it and keep going to Playa Venao if it’s not on.
Playa El Toro
The break is off the rocky outcrop with lefts and rights that can be powerful in a large south swell. Can get good on optimum conditions, which includes mid-tide offshore nor’westers, and a long period southern-hemi swell.
Playa Destiladeros
It has a dark sand beach that offers a beach break over a rocky sand bottom. Left and right point breaks at either end of the beach.
Playa Raya
Two sandy point breaks at low to mid tide, that breaking either side of a large sandbar formation. Waves here can be deceptively large if the swell angle is just right.
Surf Camp
Beginners
Surf Camp in Playa Venao is the ideal place to start your surfing journey. Learning any new sport or skill starts with a strong foundation. Mastering the basics will kick start your surfing journey and make the progression much faster.
At Beach Break Surf Camp we keep a 3 to 1 ratio of students to instructors. This keeps the attention personal. Never deal with over crowded classes, get that personalized attention your are looking for.
Next Level
At Surf Camp we can take your surfing to that next level. Many people have taken a few surf lessons, stood up, rode the white wash and felt the rush of surfing. Now take those next steps! Go surf with experienced instructors, learn how to identify and ride the best waves for your skill level.
Other Activities
More info
- Ocean Fishing Adventure: The coastline off of Playa Venao is host to many different types of fish. Explore the rich water of Panama with the experienced boat captains! If you are a big fisherman, the waters in this area continue to offer black and blue marlin, big-eye tuna, yellow fin tuna, sailfish, mahi-mahi, wahoo, grouper, snapper and amberjack. There truly is something here for everyone.
- Day trip to Isla iguana – where a lizard world awaits.
- Paddle or Kayak tour in the Mangrove
- Horse ridding on the beach or in wildlife reservation
- Whales or Sea turtle tours (depending on the season)
- Hike through the jungle with a trip to the waterfall




















LOCATION & GETTING HERE
Location
Surf camp is located 20 – 30 minutes from Pedasi and 360 km from Panama City. It is a quiet beach with little traffic except the surfers looking for a great break. There are some cool beach bars nearby but besides that if you are looking for night life you will need to go into Pedasi.
This area is growing but is still a quiet and fun destination. If you are a nature lover you will enjoy the many untouched areas that offer serenity and natural beauty. The area offers incredible sport fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling as well as surfing.
Getting Here
The best airport for an International trip is the International Airport of Tocumen in Panama City (PTY).
People usually come with a rental car or by bus from Panama City to Pedasi (4 – 4,5 hours), and then a cab or another bus from Pedasi to Playa Venao – 30 mins. Renting a car is a reliable and convenient way to get around in Panama. The camp also offers transfers upon request.
Flying to Panama
Flying from Europe
Direct flights to Panama city available:
Air France – Paris – Charles de Gaulle
Avior Airlines – Barcelona (VE), Valencia (VE)
Iberia – Madrid
KLM – Amsterdam
Lufthansa – Frankfurt
Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas – Madrid (Seasonal)
Turkish Airlines – Istanbul–Atatürk
Flying from U.S and Canada
Direct flights from:
Air Canada – Toronto–Pearson
American Airlines – Dallas-Fort Worth, Miami
American Eagle – Miami
Copa Airlines – New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Las Vegas, Miami, New Orlans, San Francisco
Delta Air Lines – Atlanta
United Airlines – Houston–Intercontinental, Newark
Flying from South America
Copa Airlines pretty much offers flight to Panama from all major cities of both, South and North America.
To Playa Venao By Car
Traveling by car is the preferred method to come to Playa Venao. The trip will take 4-5 hours if you watch your speed. there are multiple speed traps along the way. Be sure to watch the speed limit signs as they change frequently. The entire highway is paved and well maintained and has cell phone reception.
The app “waze” has accurate driving instructions for how to get here. There are also multiple other surf breaks that are accessible with a 4×4. If you rent a car we recommend something that you will be able to explore in.
To Playa Venao By Bus
There is a good network of bus transit in Panama. You can take a bus from Albrook Terminal to chitre, then to Las Tablas or Pedasi. The last leg depending on the time will need to be done in taxi from pedasi to Venao.
You can check the bus schedules here: http://thebusschedule.com/pa/index.php.
Private Transfer
The camp also offers private transportation, 1 -3 people ($200) 4 – 7 people with board bags ($300).
Visa
Most countries including U.S, Canada, most of South America, European Union, Australia, New Zealand do not require a visa for up to 180 days. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 3 months.
Check visa specific requirements for your country here: https://panama.visahq.com/.
Check with your airline in case you have connecting flights overseas as part of your journey to Panama, that might require a transit visa.
Vaccination and Insurance
Courses or boosters usually advised:
Hepatitis A;
Tetanus;
Typhoid.
Other vaccines to consider: Diphtheria; Hepatitis B; Rabies; Yellow Fever.
Traveling with a valid travel health insurance is highly recommended.




















PRICES & PACKAGES
Standard Surf Camp Package
Our Standard Surf Camp Package has everything you need for an epic surf trip in Playa Venao, Panama
Prices and Inclusions
PRICE PER PERSON | 5 nights | 7 nights | 10 nights |
Single room | 1048 USD | 1385 USD | 1895 USD |
2 person room | 850 USD | 1185 USD | 1695 USD |
Dorm room | 575 USD | 784 USD | 1090 USD |
The package includes:
√ Accommodation simple, clean, beachfront
√ Breakfast in a beachfront restaurant
√ 1 long or 2 shorter surf coaching sessions a day
√ Access to the full surf quiver
√ Surf photography and surf analysis
√ Air Conditioning,
√ Hot water showers,
√ WiFi access throughout the property
√ Private bathroom
√ Enjoy unlimited access to our brand-new fitness facility. Group classes for yoga, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai kickboxing, and functional training, as well as classes for kids!
All Inclusive Package
Want to make fewer decisions and just focus on surfing?All-Inclusive Package makes your trip as seamless as possible.
Prices and Inclusions
PRICE PER PERSON | 5 nights | 7 nights | 10 nights |
Single room | 1645 USD | 2035 USD | 2590 USD |
2 person room | 1445 USD | 1835 USD | 2390 USD |
Dorm room | 1245 USD | 1635 USD | 2190 USD |
The package includes:
√ Accommodation simple, clean, beachfront
√ Breakfast, lunch and dinner in a beachfront restaurant
√ 1 long or 2 shorter surf coaching sessions a day
√ Access to the full surf quiver
√ Surf photography and surf analysis
√ Air Conditioning,
√ Hot water showers,
√ WiFi access throughout the property
√ Private bathroom
√ Enjoy unlimited access to our brand-new fitness facility. Group classes for yoga, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai kickboxing, and functional training, as well as classes for kids!
√ Round trip transportation
√ Mangrove SUP tour