Located near the southern tip of Panama, Playa Venao is an increasingly popular destination for tourists, investors, and expats alike. While it was hardly known only a short while ago, it’s quickly becoming beloved by those who visit, so much so that many decide to stay.
But what makes it such a popular place and worth investing in? Keep reading our guide to learn more about this stunning place.
Playa Venao, Los Santos, Pedasí: What Is It?
Playa Venao is a beachfront community and town in the southern part of the Los Santos province on the Azuero Peninsula in Panama. The area is known for its beautiful scenery, clear water, rolling hills, abundance of trees, and more.
There is a ton to do and see including surfing, yoga, deep sea fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, horseback riding, eating delicious food, watching whales, and many other unique pastimes.
For a long time, Playa Venao was a complete hidden gem, with little fanfare. It had unpaved roads in most areas, and you’d hardly see anyone there, apart from the occasional surfer or local.
But over time, it has become more and more popular, and is now a favorite destination for many people, and the area is full of hostels, shops, restaurants, development, and numerous people who live there full-time.
However, despite its growing popularity in recent years, the area is still able to maintain a chill and undeveloped feel that is still very much off the beaten path for travelers, surfers, and adventurers alike.
How to Get to Playa Venao from Panama City
If you want to learn how to get to Playa Venao from Panama City and other parts of the country is relatively easy, but can take some time due to the relatively remote location of the beachfront community. Thankfully, there are multiple different ways to make the trip from the capital city to Playa Venao.
If you want to drive, it’s as easy as either renting a car or taking your car southwest on the Pan American Highway for most of the way towards Playa Venao. Once you reach the town of Pedasi, there will be plenty of signs telling you where to go.
If you take the bus, you’ll hop on a bus at the Panama City terminal that’s going to Las Tablas. From there, you’ll transfer to another bus that’ll take you to Pedasi. Once you reach Pedasi, there are several taxi or other shared-driving options to get you to Playa Venao quickly.
If you decide to fly, you’ll fly from Panama City to the small airport in Pedasi, and then head from the town to Playa Venao. Here’s a helpful table that shows you how long it takes to go from Panama City to Playa Venao using different modes of transportation.
| Bus | Car | Plane |
| Around 6 hours to Playa Venao | Around 5 to 5 and a half hours to Playa Venao | Around 45 minutes to 1 hour to Pedasi (and then a 35 minute drive to Playa Venao) |
Of course, traffic conditions and the weather could have an impact on travel time, so always plan ahead and keep your eye on forecasts and road conditions before you leave to ensure your travel goes as smoothly as possible.
Tourist Attractions in Playa Venao
If you’re wondering what to do in Playa Venao, there is no shortage of things to see and do. Here are five of the best and most popular tourist destinations and things to do that you should check out in Playa Venao.
Playa Venao Beach
Of course, the crown jewel of Playa Venao is the 3 km long crescent beach with soft sand, clear water, and plenty of waves for surfers. It’s a stunning place to go, and is surrounded by rolling hills, palm trees, and more.
Whether you like to surf, play games in the water, or just bask in the sunlight, Playa Venao beach is somewhere you absolutely have to check out if you’re in Playa Venao. There are also plenty of activities going on, and generally lots of people around, too.
Isla Iguana
Another thing on the list of things to do in Playa Venao Panama is visit Isla Iguana. It’s a small island and wildlife refuge located just off the coast of Panama and is beloved by nature lovers for the various wildlife it hosts. This includes lizards, an array of different birds, fish, turtles, and more. You can even see whales off in the distance.
From April to September, numerous marine turtle species come to the island to lay their eggs, as well. All in all, there are hundreds of different specifics to view in their natural habitat. This variety makes Isla Iguana wonderful for snorkeling and scuba diving, too. The beach is also a calm and beautiful place to spend time with your friends or family.
The only downside of this place is that it’s a little far from Playa Venao, and you’ll likely want to make visiting the island a day trip to make it worth your while.
That being said, it’s a relatively easy journey to Isla Iguana from Playa Venao. Simply drive or take another method of transportation from Playa Venao to Playa El Arenal, which is a beach just northeast of Pedasi. This should take you around 45 minutes.
From there, you can hire a boat to take you out to the island so you can enjoy all it has to offer. Even the boat ride out to the island is a fun and stunning experience with brilliant ocean views.
Deep Sea Fishing
While surfing might be the most popular activity on the water in Playa Venao, deep sea fishing is another tourist activity worth participating in. The waters all around Playa Venao and other nearby beaches are very fertile, and there are tons of different fish there, ranging from tuna, to Mahi Mahi, and several others.
There are numerous boats, tours, and charters that will take you out on the water for a fun and unique fishing experience nearby. Some are relatively expensive with a more powerful boat with high-end features, but there are also economic options with traditional fishing boats from the area, as well.
Zip Lining
If you’re looking for some adventure and adrenaline on your trip to Playa Venao, look no further than the zip lines at Canas Jungle Adventure. It’s less than a 15 minute drive from Playa Venao, and has a zip line that offers truly amazing views of the jungle canopy, and you may even see some wildlife like monkeys and birds as you glide across the sky.
It’s the longest zip line in the country, and features professional equipment and staff, so you can be confident that it’s safe. In addition to the zip lines, Canas Jungle Adventure also offers jungle hiking, a swing, natural pools, waterfalls, and much more to check out.
One of the Many Great Restaurants
Grabbing a bite to eat is another thing you must do in Playa Venao. Instead of simply listing one restaurant to visit, we figured we’d highlight a number of them. Everyone’s tastes are different, and Playa Venao has something for everyone to enjoy.
There’s La Barca for sandwiches and burgers, Pizza Gavilan for pizza, Micaela for Italian food, Coleos cafe for Latin food, La Hummuseria for Mediterranean food, and many others. Don’t hesitate to try a number of the restaurants in town to try and find your favorite.
Playa Venao Eco Tourism
Playa Venao has been an incredibly popular place for ecotourism, as well. For those unfamiliar, ecotourism is a form of tourism that looks to promote sustainable and responsible travel, and those who practice ecotourism do their part to conserve the environments they visit and make life better for the locals who live there.
These travelers are also often interested in supporting local conservation efforts and providing assistance to areas that are threatened. Playa Venao has become a great example of ecotourism in the world, as a lot of what you do there is all about enjoying the natural beauty, viewing the wildlife, and exploring the gorgeous surroundings.
In order to have a wonderful time in Playa Venao, there’s no need to create waste or harm any part of the environment. Also, many of the businesses and hotels/hostels in the area do their best to be sustainable, as well.
Eco Hostels and Accommodations in Playa Venao
For those looking to travel while keeping their ecological footprint small, Playa Venao is home to several eco hostels you can stay in. These are hostels that go the extra mile to ensure they’re operating as eco-friendly as possible.
This includes using solar panels, recycling and composting, having water-saving toilets and sinks, minimizing packaging, using non-toxic chemicals for cleaning, and doing several other things to make it a more sustainable place to operate.
There are several benefits of eco-friendly accommodations. For the hostel itself, becoming eco-friendly is likely to attract more environmentally-conscious travelers, and they also get to protect the environment where their business operates, which will keep it beautiful and desirable for years to come. Some eco-hostels may even cost less to run.
For travelers, an eco-hostel provides low-cost accommodations and lets you socialize with many other travelers, while still living a green lifestyle. It helps you feel good knowing you’re staying at a place that is helping the environment that surrounds it, not hurting it.
Here’s a short table with a couple of the best eco hostels in Playa Venao, who they’re best for, and why to consider them.
| Eco Hostel | Who is it for | Why is the best one for you |
| Eco Venao | Best for true ecotourists | They’re a reforestation project in addition to a hostel, so their accommodations are very low-impact. They also support many environmental initiatives in the area. |
| Wao Jungle Hotel | Best for peace and quiet | Located north of the main town center and beach, this hostel provides easy access to everything, but still remains far enough away to feel like you’re in the jungle, away from civilization. |
| Beach Break Surf Camp and Hotel | Best for surfers | This hostel and Playa Venao Panama surf camp is located only steps away from the beach, making it a dream for surfers. It also offers advanced instructions and lessons if you want to hone your skills. Plus, rooms have air conditioning to keep you comfortable. |
| La Choza Playa Venao | Best for solo travelers | This hostel is very close to the city center, which makes it great for meeting people and being only steps away from various things to do. It also has a friendly staff fosters the idea of community, and gives you plenty of opportunities to meet others at the hostel and beyond. |
| Selina Playa Venao | Best for young travelers | Selina is a hostel in Playa Venao with a thriving nightlife scene, which makes it a solid choice for young travelers looking to party or meet others.https://metrorealtypanama.com/blog/playa-venao-panama-surf-camp/ |
Surfing in Playa Venao
As we briefly mentioned earlier, surfing is one of the most popular things to do near Playa Venao Panama. Pedasi Panama surfing offers some of the best waves in the world, and has truly gorgeous scenery to look at as you surf. Playa Venao also has places that are friendly for beginners, experienced surfers, and experts alike, as well as numerous surfing schools to visit. A surf course in Playa Venao is not only helpful to improve your skills but can be a lot of fun.
It also provides a very consistent surf throughout the year, and many of the beaches have soft sand and clear water. However, it’s far from the only place you can surf nearby. With there being several amazing places to surf in and around Playa Venao and Pedasi, we decided to create a brief table that goes over some of the best Pedasi beach options, outside of the main beach at Playa Venao.
| Playa Guanico | Playa Guanico offers very consistent surfing and there’s always something to surf. There’s rarely long line-ups to surf here, it has a long beach break, and there’s lots to do off the water, too. However, it’s about an hour away from Playa Venao. |
| Playa Cambutal | Playa Cambutal is another option, and it provides several spots to surf, with some tailored to beginners, while others challenge even expert surfers.
It also combines surfing with relaxing as there are several yoga resorts and retreats close by, though Cambutal is a little over an hour away from Playa Venao. |
| Playa Madronito | This hidden gem of a surfing location is located just to the west of Playa Venao. It’s quite small, but very quiet and secluded, and has some great waves and incredible views. It’ll only take you a five-minute drive to get here from Playa Venao. |
The best time for a Playa Venao surf each day varies depending on the weather and wind, but generally, the mornings are a great choice. Also, the dry season that goes from October to April is the best time of year to surf here. This is because the skies are clear, the waves are more consistent, and the winds are gentler with less storms taking place.
Of course, surfing conditions can change rapidly, so make sure to check out the surf forecast in Playa Venao daily for the best chance of finding the best surfing weather. Also, if you accidentally forget something for your surf trip to the area, a surf shop in Playa Venao should have exactly what you need.
Economic Growth of Playa Venao
The Playa Venao area has experienced a lot of economic growth in recent years. The population has grown rapidly, and this influx of people (as well as many more tourists) has led to a greater need for properties, shops, hotels, restaurants, bars, and several other buildings and services.
There are plenty of projects on the go at all times, so there’s no shortage of options for investors to get involved in this growing real estate market. And the industry shows no signs of slowing down, as long as people continue to find the beach community desirable.
Evolution of Tourism
The area has undergone a major increase in tourism in recent years. While you used to only see a few surfers here and Playa Venao was largely made up of locals, that’s no longer the case. Hundreds of people from all over the world come here often, and tourism has become very important here.
This additional tourism has helped the local economy grow and had a major impact on those who work and make a living here. There are more and more businesses, homes, hotels, shops, and restaurants popping up here frequently, which is all due to how popular Playa Venao has become for tourists and expats in recent years.
The growing popularity of the aforementioned ecotourism around the globe also helps a place like Playa Venao grow, as more and more people are interested in visiting undeveloped, raw, and authentic natural locations like it.
Real Estate Investments in Playa Venao
Those looking to invest in the Playa Venao area are generally most interested in real estate due to the number of these opportunities in Playa Venao. Whether you want to buy and hold a property and wait for it to appreciate, flip it for a quick profit, or generate some rental income from the influx of travelers, there are several options available.
Many people even opt to rent out their properties at times, while also enjoying it themselves when they feel like it. There are also opportunities to buy the land itself, and either build your own home/property, or simply hold the land and let it grow in value.
Currently, there are many development projects ongoing in Playa Venao that offer significant opportunities for investors. For example, there’s the Mar Valley project in Playa Venao, which is an amazing balance between modern living and beachfront relaxation.
There’s also Azur Cañas Playa Venao, which is a project that combines proximity to the beach with being at the foot of a mountain. Speaking of mountains, there’s also the Mountain Houses in Cañas project, which features modern homes in a gated community surrounded by beautiful scenery and mountains, while also only being a few minutes from the heart of Playa Venao.
As you can see, these examples show that real estate growth in the area is alive and well, with plenty of options for investors. Not only that, but there are sure to be many more development projects in the future that are similar.
While many industries are undergoing major growth in the area, real estate will continue to be one of the most popular going forward. Whether you are buying property in the hopes of making money in the long run, or are simply looking to invest in a better and more peaceful lifestyle for your family, real estate in Playa Venao is a great option.
Cost of Living in Playa Venao
Of course, if you’re planning on calling Playa Venao home, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the cost of living. Even if you’re only visiting for a few weeks or a month, you want to know what to expect in terms of pricing so you can plan accordingly. If not, you could be surprised and what some things cost.
In general, it’s an inexpensive place to live, especially compared to other places like the USA and Canada. However, keep in mind that it’s an area that caters to expats and travelers, so it is more expensive than some other less-popular parts of Panama.
Also, as it gets more and more popular, there’s a good chance costs will rise. When you’re there, don’t hesitate to shop around a bit to ensure you aren’t being taken advantage of when spending on food, accommodations, or transportation.
Compared to the capital of Panama City, Playa Venao is cheaper in some ways, but more expensive in others. For example, you may spend less on transportation as the community is much smaller, but may be charged more for food and accommodations as the area is primarily made up of expats.
Here’s a direct comparison between the cost of living in Playa Venao and Panama City, for a two-person household.
| Food | Housing | Transportation | |
| Playa Venao | $700 | Around $1,500 a month for a two-bedroom apartment. | Varies (depends on how often you need to leave Playa Venao to go elsewhere). If you hardly leave, transportation costs are minimal, but if you require frequent trips to Pedasi and other nearby towns, the costs can add up quickly. |
| Panama City | $400-$500 | $1,000 to $1,500 for a two-bedroom apartment. | $75 to $200 |
Keep in mind that these are just estimates, and your costs could vary depending on where you live, how you shop, and more. Of course, if you want a huge home or have expensive tastes, your costs could be on the higher end. On the other hand, if you prefer to keep things simple and are always searching for the best deals, your costs could be significantly less.
Demographics of Playa Venao
Playa Venao is home to many expats from the USA and several other nations around the globe. While some are retired, plenty of others decided to move here with their families to enjoy beach living and a quieter lifestyle in general. Many others are also younger adults who are involved in the tourism industry that is taking off in the community.
Around 800 full-time residents live in the town, with most of them actually being from places outside of Panama. Of course, the population grows larger on the weekends as many people make the trip to enjoy the beautiful beaches here.
Many residents and visitors travel here for beaches, mountains, and the lower cost of living compared to much of the USA and Canada, especially when it comes to housing costs.
As a result, if you’re worried about not being able to communicate well and/or relate to your neighbors here, that’s likely not something you’ll need to worry about.
That being said, the area is still incredibly authentic and there are many Panamanian citizens who call the area home, as well. It’s a great destination for people who want to escape their big-city lives and enjoy some international living and a more laid-back existence.
Investing in Playa Venao
It’s becoming more and more popular for people to consider investing in Playa Venao, and there’s many reasons why it’s such an attractive option for investment. First of all, the stunning natural beauty plays a major role. It’s rare to find places on the planet as breathtaking as Playa Venao, so that on its own draws people in.
There’s also a high potential for considerable rental income in Playa Venao thanks to the numerous people that travel there. In particular, the amazing outdoor activities here like surfing, fishing, and hiking help to bring in people from all over the world.
As more and more people flock to the area, it’s going to become even more desirable for investors, too. Because of this, everyone wants to “get in on the ground floor” before Playa Venao eventually loses its status as a hidden gem.
Business Opportunities
There’s certainly no shortage of business opportunities for investors and expats in Playa Venao. Some of the sectors with the largest growth in the area include real estate, hotels, and restaurants.
Real estate investments could be anything from a home, to a villa, to a condo, and several other types of locations. As more people flock to the stunning area surrounding Playa Venao, they’ll need somewhere to live.
Individual homes and properties are a relatively affordable investment for many people, especially when compared to investment properties in many cities in the USA and Canada.
While it’s a larger investment than a single unit or home, hotels and hostels are also a growing sector. Just like more and more people are choosing to live full-time in Playa Venao, the number of tourists staying for a few weeks or months is also growing. As a result, while there are already several options for a hotel in Playa Venao, more will likely be needed to keep up with the popularity.
Of course the people visiting and living here need to eat, which is why the restaurant sector is also growing in Playa Venao. It’s also a solid choice for investors, as there’s much less competition than in larger markets and cities that are more established. Not only that, but not every type of food is represented here yet, so there are certainly opportunities.
As the area continues to grow and undergo more development, more business opportunities are sure to arise, as well. Remember, the area has only been going through major development for a couple of years, so the sky’s the limit for a place like Playa Venao.
Advantages for Foreign Investors
In addition to the many benefits of investing in Playa Venao that we’ve already covered, there are also some other advantages that it’s important to know about, such as the tax benefits for foreign investors.
For instance, in 1994, Panama passed Law 8, which provides several benefits to investors who invest at least $50,000 USD into a tourism project in Panama. This could be a guest house, a hostel, a shop, or any number of other things. The exact incentives vary depending on the nature of the investment, but they are strong.
For example, if your investment is some sort of lodging service for tourists, you can enjoy:
- 20-year exemption for import taxes
- 20-year exemption for real estate taxes
- 10% rate of depreciation each year
There’s also no restrictions for foreign individuals buying property in Playa Venao, and they have the same property rights as Panamanian citizens. Also, real estate investors can also enjoy property tax exemptions on new builds.
However, there are always legal aspects to consider, such as certain exemptions and incentives, as well as permits for things like property development. As a result, it’s a good idea to consult with a tax professional to learn about the different advantages, whether you’re eligible for them, and the permits you may need.
Final words
Playa Venao is an area that is garnering a lot of interest among investors and expats recently, and for good reason. It not only has stunning scenery, but offers plenty to do and a variety of business and real estate opportunities.We offer several great real estate investment opportunities in Playa Venao, and have seen the area go from a place with only a few surfers and one tiny restaurant, to the promising destination that it is today. If you’re interested in purchasing property in and around Playa Venao, don’t hesitate to check out our listings.
