In the breathtaking town of Santa Catalina, Panama, lies authentic tiki hut cabanas of Rancho Estero. Located just steps away from Piha Beach, Rancho Estero allows you to experience the unique and captivating view.  Rancho Estero rests in the Pacific Ocean, just an hour away from Santiago, Panama.

The cool beach breeze sweeps into the tiki huts, fostering restful nights that leave one ready for adventurous surfing and SCUBA diving the next day.  Each cabana has a picturesque view of the ocean, which is just meters away.  The cabanas are secluded, but are very popular with travelers.  With only five rooms total, Rancho Estero is often full.  Booking your rooms ahead is a must.

Rancho Estero tiki huts

Rancho Estero offers a clean tiki hut with one to two beds, depending on the size of the room.  Rancho Estero is suitable for any kind of weather.  The kitchen at Rancho Estero is an outdoor community that provides not only a place to store your food, but also a place to gather and acquaint yourself with everyone else staying at Rancho Estero.  Surrounding Rancho Estero, there are many different types of restaurants proving authentic food from various countries.

Kitchen/gathering at Rancho Estero

Often what people say is most enjoyable about staying in Santa Catalina at Rancho Estero is the spectacular amenities it has to offer. Rancho Estero lies on Piha Beach, where Billabong held their ISA World Masters Competition in 2010.  During the months of August and February are when the waves are at their best for trained surfers.  The waves reach as high as seven to ten meters during that period.  At any other time of the year, waves reach from one to four meters high.  For beginner surfers, there is a beach right around the corner from Rancho Estero that has remarkable beginner waves.  Rancho Estero has inexpensive surf boards that you can rent daily for around ten dollars.  They also offer surf lessons from the manager.

Outdoor shower by the beach Rancho Estero

Another attraction that draws tourists into Santa Catalina to stay at Rancho Estero is the phenomenal SCUBA diving around Santa Catalina.  Isla Coiba, an island just twenty-five mils away, is nicknamed as the “Galapagos” of Panama.  In 1910, Isla Coiba began serving as a penal colony for some of the most dangerous criminals in Panama.  The uninhabited grounds made for the perfect location to place the prisoners.  In 2005, the prisoners were moved back to regular prisons, which allowed for the discovery of what amazing diving lies under the ocean at Isla Coiba.

diving, Isla Coiba

In a regular dive, it is common to see schools of sharks, pelagic, tuna, sting rays, whales, and dolphin.  In 1996, Isla Coiba was declared a World Heritage Site.  The coast of diving in Isla Coiba ranges from 90-to-100 dollars for a two tank dive.  Scuba Coiba is highly recommended for their high quality performance. 

Rancho Estero is a unique, idyllic place to vacation.  It provides the perfect hideaway with adventurous activities to make your stay unforgettable.  The authentic location and incredible surfing and SCUBA diving will leave you speechless… and wanting your vacation to never end.  To contact Rancho Estero, email  Info [at] RanchoEstero.com, call +507-6415-6595, or find them online at www.ranchoestero.com. To contact Scuba Coiba to get more details contact +507-6980-7122 or +507-6575-0122.

View from tiki huts at Rancho Estero

Shelby Lewis is a member of the Youth Travel Blogging Mentorship Program

All photos courtesy and copyright Shelby Lewis

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