Playa Venao and the surrounding area is stunning, has great weather, and offers plenty for tourists and locals alike to do. It gets plenty of tourists, and has become much more popular in recent years. But of all the things to do and see, many people come here to surf in Playa Venao.
The area provides some of the best surfing in the world, and it attracts people from all over the planet looking to ride waves in a beautiful location that isn’t overly busy.
This guide is going to go through everything you need to know before you go surfing in Playa Venao. We cover what makes surfing here so good, when’s the best time to come, where to stay, where to surf, and even where the best places are to improve your surfing skills and learn new things.
What Makes Playa Venao Surfing so Good?
To begin, let’s go over why Playa Venao is so beloved amongst surfers from all over the world. First of all, the scenery in and around Playa Venao is simply stunning. It’s full of trees, rolling hills, and beautiful homes and resorts. It also has a combination of soft sand and clear water, which are preferred by many surfers. Being out on the water surfing with these surroundings as your backdrop offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Another thing that sets surfing in Playa Venao Panama apart from many other destinations is the brilliant waves it provides. The beach offers consistent surf throughout most of the year, and the variety of waves here offers something for everyone. Both new surfers and those with years of experience can find waves to surf that they’re comfortable with.
While it’s getting more popular recently, the surf spots still aren’t as busy as many other more well-known spots in the world.
What’s the Best Time of Year to Surf in Playa Venao?
While you can technically surf in Playa Venao Panama all year thanks to the consistent waves, the best time of the year to surf in the area is the dry season, which runs from December to April.
This is the best time to surf here because of the calm winds, lower chance of storms, and clear skies most days. The dry season offers a great experience for those looking to work on their skills and surf casually without being challenged by heavy winds and wild waves.
If you go during the rainy season between May and November, you’ll be greeted by more waves and a higher likelihood of storms. While some experienced surfers may enjoy this challenge, those who are new to surfing could find it frustrating.
Where to Stay in Playa Venao?
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay while you surf in Venao Panama, you’re in luck. There are several hotels and hostels nearby to consider. While all provide easy access to the waves and are relatively close to one another, there are some differences between them that could help you make your decision easier.
Here’s a brief look at three of the best places to stay, depending on the type of experience you’re looking for.
Selina Playa Venao: Best for Young Travellers
If you’re a young traveler or someone who enjoys partying and meeting other like-minded surfers, Selina is a great choice for you. It offers affordable accommodations and a thriving nightlife to enjoy.
It has live music on certain nights, a bar, and puts on events and parties from time to time. There are also several amenities here, including a swimming pool, a movie room, workspaces, and others.
While it’s a great place to meet other young travelers and save money during your stay, the partying and loud nature of this hotel could keep you up at night and make it harder to get a peaceful night’s sleep.
Wao Jungle Hotel: Best for Those Who Want Peace and Quiet
While Selina is a little louder and more action-packed, not every surfer wants around the clock activity. If you value peace and quiet, consider the Wao Jungle Hotel. It sits a little bit north of Playa Venao, which keeps it a little more peaceful than the many hotels and hostels that are right near the beach and town.
It’s surrounded by nature and has comfortable accommodations, and while the location is a little further from the beach, it’ll still take you only a few minutes to walk down to the water.
Eco Venao: Best for Ecotourists
If you’re looking to keep your carbon footprint low and are interested in ecotourism, Eco Venao is worth considering. All of its many accommodations have a low environmental impact and it has a cafe, beach bar, and restaurant to get a variety of different food and drink options. It’s also a family-friendly location as it’s in the quieter part of Playa Venao.
While surfing is obviously a favorite activity of those who stay here, it also offers several other unique experiences like birdwatching, permaculture, and there’s even a turtle nursery to check out.
In addition to being a hostel, Eco Venao is also a reforestation project and it supports several different environmental causes in the Playa Venao area, as well.
When choosing the hotel to stay at, make sure to consider everything from the accommodations to the activities it provides, the food it includes (if any), and the amenities it offers to customers. Also, consulting online reviews or ratings can help you see the experiences that other surfers and travelers have had at a specific hotel, too.
Where to Surf in Playa Venao?
The most popular place to surf in the area is the main beach at Playa Venao. It offers great waves with varying difficulties, clear water, and sand that is comfortable between your toes with limited rocks.
This beach is also close to several amenities like shops, bars, restaurants, and hotels. There are various other activities you can do nearby too, like horseback riding, hiking, fishing, ziplining, and many others.
It’s also generally the busiest, which is great if you want to “people watch” or meet and become friends with some fellow surfers.
But in addition to surfing on the main beach in Playa Venao, there are several other popular destinations nearby worth checking out. Here’s a brief table that goes over them, as well as how far away they are from Playa Venao itself.
| Playa Los Destiladeros | Around 40 minutes from Playa Venao | This beach offers a quiet and secluded surf, with plenty of natural wildlife like fish, crab, and even lobsters a little deeper in the water. It also offers stunning views and solid waves. Unfortunately, there are no amenities like restaurants or bathrooms here. |
| Playa Guanico | Around two hour from Playa Venao | Located to the southwest of Playa Venao, Playa Guanico is beloved for its consistent surf, short line-ups, and long beach break. There’s also numerous highly-rated restaurants to check out, as well. |
| Punta Mala | Around 45 minutes from Playa Venao | Punta Mala is a hidden gem that’s generally quiet and deserted, but is located a ways away from Playa Venao. However, many feel it’s worth the trip thanks to the gorgeous surroundings and the peaceful surfing compared to busier beaches. |
| Playa Madronito | Under 30 minutes from Playa Venao | If you’re looking for a more secluded beach to surf that’s incredibly close to the main Playa Venao beach, consider Playa Madronito. It’s only a few minutes to the west of Playa Venao, and is quite a bit smaller with a lot less fanfare. That being said, the waves and views are still just as spectacular here. |
| Playa Cambutal | Around an hour and 2 hours from Playa Venao | While it’s a far journey from Playa Venao, Playa Cambutal offers a variety of surf spots for all skill levels. It’s also perfect for those who value relaxation, as there are numerous yoga retreats close by. Like Playa Venao, this beach is full of restaurants, hotels, shops, and activities to check out, too. |
Best Places to Learn to Surf in Playa Venao
While some people who come to surf in Playa Venao are seasoned experts with years of surfing under their belts, others are newer to the sport and looking to learn more. Thankfully, there are numerous surf camps and surfing schools in Playa Venao that cater to people of all skill levels and ages.
These can help you learn new strategies, help you understand the basics, assess your form, and help you go from a complete newcomer to being able to ride the waves. Some of them not only offer surf lessons, but many also provide lodging, food, and a variety of other activities for surfers to enjoy.
Here’s a few of the most popular options in and around Playa Venao.
Beach Break Hotel Playa Venao
The Beach Break Hotel and Surf Camp is a popular choice, and sits right next to the water for incredible availability. It offers professional instruction and lessons for all skill levels, and it even covers surf theory. The hotel also provides all-inclusive surf vacations, so everything from food, to transportation, to lessons, is all taken care of.
The accommodations here include either hotel rooms or dorms, and there’s air conditioning to keep you comfortable and cool when you’re not on the water. You can also get photo and video packages so you can go back and relive your time at the camp.
Playa Venao Safari Surf School
Surfers of all ages can improve their skills at Safari Surf School, which makes it a great choice for families or those traveling with children. The team and staff is not only friendly, but incredibly dedicated and professional. It also provides high-quality instruction and a variety of different accommodation options to choose from.
Its surf program and package is also completely customized, so you can ensure you end up with the exact experience that you and your family want. However, a downside of this option is that it’s generally a bit more expensive than other nearby surf schools or camps. But if you value a truly personalized experience where everything’s taken care of for you, it’s a worthwhile option to consider.
Shokogi Surf Shop and School
Last but not least, we have the Shokogi Surf Shop and School. As the name would suggest, in addition to being a surf school that teaches people of all skill levels, it’s also a fully-stocked surf shop with everything from shirts, to hats, to water bottles, and more. You can also rent from a selection of over 100 surf boards.
Not only does your professional instructor teach you the necessary skills to become a better surfer, they also provide photo and video analysis to help identify where you could use improvement, and what things you’re doing well. There are also daily yoga classes provided, as well as a healthy breakfast.
However, keep in mind that this camp and shop is located just next to other camps and hotels, so it can certainly get a little loud at times. But for those looking for an affordable surf school with a friendly team and don’t mind the noise and activity, it’s a wonderful choice to consider.
The good news about Playa Venao in general is that you’ll find people from all over the world and all different skill levels surfing here. The people who surf here are nice, friendly, enthusiastic and are happy to be in one of the best and most beautiful surfing destinations on the planet.
So as a new surfer, you don’t need to feel embarrassed or nervous about surfing in Playa Venao, as people of all skill levels and ages are welcome to get on the water.
