| FAQ´s (frequently asked questions) |
selected site descriptions Coiba selected site descriptions Sta. Catalina logbook photo page itinerary
terms/conditions/reservation/payment
terms/conditions/reservation/payment
HOW TO REACH SANTA CATALINA?
Coming from Panama City you have to go to Santiago first, from there to Soná and from there
to Santa Catalina. From David and Bocas del Toro you can turn off at km 314 (Interamerican
Highway) to Las Palmas and from there via El Maria and Soná to Sta. Catalina. Please find a
map, a detailed way description and a present bus schedule at our home page.
DO WE NEED A 4X4? TO REACH SANTA CATALINA?
No, the streets are paved till Santa Catalina.
CAN WE FLY INTO SANTIAGO?
Although there is an airport in Santiago, there are presently no flights. Please check with
Aeroperlas (+507) 315-7500.
WHERE DO WE GO, WHEN WE ARRIVE IN SANTA CATALINA?
We are located at the end of the main street at the left side at the beach and are open from
07:30 am to 06:00 pm every day. If you arrive here later than 09:00 pm, you should have a
hotel reservation, as the village is shutting down at around this time.
WHAT ACCOMMODATIONS ARE AVAILABLE IN SANTA CATALINA?
There are several cabins in or near the main street, offering rooms with fan and shared
bathrooms, some with kitchen, starting at around USD 10.00 per person and there are some
more comfortable rooms in town with a/c, hot water and resorts a little out of the village, near
the surf breaks or at a beach, starting at USD 20.00 per person. Please see our "where to
stay" page for more information.
If you are coming during the day you usually don´t need reservations outside Easter, X-mas
and New Year.
WHAT ACCOMMODATIONS ARE AVAILABLE IN COIBA?
The only accommodation in Coiba is the ANAM scientific station, what offers dormitories.
WHICH BOATS ARE WE USING FOR DIVING?
We are diving from lanchas, what are fast fiber glass boats. Our dive boats "LA Orca" and
"Robin" are fully equipped for divers needs and normally you will dive from one of these
boats, though in some cases we are leasing additional boats of the same or similar size.
HOW LONG ARE THE TRANSFER TIMES TO COIBA?
Depending on amount of people, boat and weather around 1:00 to 1:15 hours.
WHAT TO BRING?
Casual beach wear, swimming suits, towel, sun cream, hat, long sleeved shirt (for sun
protection), sun glasses, mosquito repellent
IS THERE MALARIA?
No
WEATHER CONDITIONS?
It is tropical and warm the year around. Dry season is from November/December till April/May.
Rainy season from May till October, with the most rain in September and October, May till
August it is raining usually only in the later afternoon and night. February till April is windy and
dry.
WATER TEMPERATURE?
Usually around 27 to 29 ºC / 81-84 F. Sometimes, normally from February to April, you can
expect thermo climes with cooler water down to the lower 20s C / 70s F. See our dive site
description for more detail.
VISIBILITY?
Usually pretty good, between 10-15m / 30-50 ft in Santa Catalina and between 15-20m /
50-70 ft in Coiba. Especially in Santa Catalina visibility can be reduced by water movement
(swell) and rain run-off. Coiba is less effected thereof because of its remote location. Between
February and April the steady north-wind is leading to upwelling, what brings cold, but
sometimes murky (plankton) water up, but also a lot of pelagic and big fish. See our dive site
description for more detail.
DO WE NEED A WET SUIT?
From February to April it is highly recommended to use a 3 to 5 mm wet suit, because of
thermo climes and (sometimes stingy) plankton. The rest of the year we are recommending to
use at least a thin shorty. We have wet suits for rent.
WHAT TO EXPECT TO SEE?
It is easier to ask, what not. Please check out our dive site description for informations. In
general, the time for big fish (whale sharks, mantas, big pelagics, Orcas) is between
December and April, when the water is cooler and rich with plankton. June to September there
is a good possibility for seeing humpback whales. But there is plenty of marine life 12 month a
year.
DO YOU ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS AND TRAVELLER CHEQUES?
You can make a down-payment by credit card via our web page. In Santa Catalina we cannot
accept credit cards, as there is no reliable phone line available. You can pay up to 1/3 in
Santa Catalina with traveller cheques, but we have to charge a fee of 3% (Minimum USD
10.00) for it. The easiest will be to get cash from an ATM before reaching Santa Catalina. The
last one is in Soná (but only one and not always working), better in Santiago, where you will
find plenty of them.
Coming from Panama City you have to go to Santiago first, from there to Soná and from there
to Santa Catalina. From David and Bocas del Toro you can turn off at km 314 (Interamerican
Highway) to Las Palmas and from there via El Maria and Soná to Sta. Catalina. Please find a
map, a detailed way description and a present bus schedule at our home page.
DO WE NEED A 4X4? TO REACH SANTA CATALINA?
No, the streets are paved till Santa Catalina.
CAN WE FLY INTO SANTIAGO?
Although there is an airport in Santiago, there are presently no flights. Please check with
Aeroperlas (+507) 315-7500.
WHERE DO WE GO, WHEN WE ARRIVE IN SANTA CATALINA?
We are located at the end of the main street at the left side at the beach and are open from
07:30 am to 06:00 pm every day. If you arrive here later than 09:00 pm, you should have a
hotel reservation, as the village is shutting down at around this time.
WHAT ACCOMMODATIONS ARE AVAILABLE IN SANTA CATALINA?
There are several cabins in or near the main street, offering rooms with fan and shared
bathrooms, some with kitchen, starting at around USD 10.00 per person and there are some
more comfortable rooms in town with a/c, hot water and resorts a little out of the village, near
the surf breaks or at a beach, starting at USD 20.00 per person. Please see our "where to
stay" page for more information.
If you are coming during the day you usually don´t need reservations outside Easter, X-mas
and New Year.
WHAT ACCOMMODATIONS ARE AVAILABLE IN COIBA?
The only accommodation in Coiba is the ANAM scientific station, what offers dormitories.
WHICH BOATS ARE WE USING FOR DIVING?
We are diving from lanchas, what are fast fiber glass boats. Our dive boats "LA Orca" and
"Robin" are fully equipped for divers needs and normally you will dive from one of these
boats, though in some cases we are leasing additional boats of the same or similar size.
HOW LONG ARE THE TRANSFER TIMES TO COIBA?
Depending on amount of people, boat and weather around 1:00 to 1:15 hours.
WHAT TO BRING?
Casual beach wear, swimming suits, towel, sun cream, hat, long sleeved shirt (for sun
protection), sun glasses, mosquito repellent
IS THERE MALARIA?
No
WEATHER CONDITIONS?
It is tropical and warm the year around. Dry season is from November/December till April/May.
Rainy season from May till October, with the most rain in September and October, May till
August it is raining usually only in the later afternoon and night. February till April is windy and
dry.
WATER TEMPERATURE?
Usually around 27 to 29 ºC / 81-84 F. Sometimes, normally from February to April, you can
expect thermo climes with cooler water down to the lower 20s C / 70s F. See our dive site
description for more detail.
VISIBILITY?
Usually pretty good, between 10-15m / 30-50 ft in Santa Catalina and between 15-20m /
50-70 ft in Coiba. Especially in Santa Catalina visibility can be reduced by water movement
(swell) and rain run-off. Coiba is less effected thereof because of its remote location. Between
February and April the steady north-wind is leading to upwelling, what brings cold, but
sometimes murky (plankton) water up, but also a lot of pelagic and big fish. See our dive site
description for more detail.
DO WE NEED A WET SUIT?
From February to April it is highly recommended to use a 3 to 5 mm wet suit, because of
thermo climes and (sometimes stingy) plankton. The rest of the year we are recommending to
use at least a thin shorty. We have wet suits for rent.
WHAT TO EXPECT TO SEE?
It is easier to ask, what not. Please check out our dive site description for informations. In
general, the time for big fish (whale sharks, mantas, big pelagics, Orcas) is between
December and April, when the water is cooler and rich with plankton. June to September there
is a good possibility for seeing humpback whales. But there is plenty of marine life 12 month a
year.
DO YOU ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS AND TRAVELLER CHEQUES?
You can make a down-payment by credit card via our web page. In Santa Catalina we cannot
accept credit cards, as there is no reliable phone line available. You can pay up to 1/3 in
Santa Catalina with traveller cheques, but we have to charge a fee of 3% (Minimum USD
10.00) for it. The easiest will be to get cash from an ATM before reaching Santa Catalina. The
last one is in Soná (but only one and not always working), better in Santiago, where you will
find plenty of them.
uodated July 2008
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