Playa Banco (Playa Blanca): La playa local a 30min de Santa Catalina

About 30–40 minutes by car from Santa Catalina there is a beach that barely appears in travel guides, but is very well known by locals: Playa Banco, also called Playa Blanca by some people in the area. It’s a wide, wild and mostly undeveloped beach where most visitors come from nearby towns, not from other countries.

If you’ve already visited Playa Estero and want to see a more authentic side of Panama’s Pacific coast, Playa Banco is an excellent half-day or full-day trip from Santa Catalina.

Where Playa Banco is and how to get there from Santa Catalina

Playa Banco is located north of Santa Catalina, in the La Soledad / El Banco area, along the coastline that looks out toward Coiba National Park. Even though Google Maps doesn’t always show the route clearly, the drive is simpler than it looks.

How to get there from Santa Catalina:

• Leave Santa Catalina on the main road heading toward Soná.
• Drive until you reach the gas station in La Soledad.
• At the gas station, take the left turn toward the town of El Banco / the coast.
• Follow the local road all the way until it ends directly at the beach.

The drive usually takes around 30–40 minutes by car, depending on road conditions and the weather. In the rainy season, some stretches can be muddy or slower, so it’s best to drive carefully.

Even if the map doesn’t show every detail, the main reference is very simple: turn left at the La Soledad gas station and keep going until you hit the ocean.

What makes Playa Banco different from Playa Estero

Many travelers arrive in Santa Catalina and only ever see Playa Estero or La Punta. Playa Banco offers a different experience – more local and far less touristy. Here are some of the clearest differences:

• Local atmosphere: at Playa Estero you’ll see a mix of international tourists, surfers and locals; at Playa Banco, most people are families and groups from the region, especially on weekends and holidays.
• Fewer international visitors: you’ll see almost none of the typical crowd of backpackers and foreign travelers – it’s more of a beach used by Panamanians themselves.
• Beach style: Playa Estero is more connected to the surf schools and the traveler scene; Playa Banco feels more like a traditional local beach, with cars parked near the sand, music on festive days and kids playing in the water.

If you’re looking to see how locals actually enjoy the beach and step a bit outside the obvious Santa Catalina circuit, Playa Banco is a very good option.

Atmosphere: from empty beach days to local party vibes

One of the most interesting things about Playa Banco is how much the atmosphere changes depending on the day:

• Quiet days (non-holidays): on weekdays or outside special dates, Playa Banco can feel almost like a deserted beach. Very few people, long stretches of sand to walk and lots of peace and quiet. It’s perfect if you want to disconnect completely, take photos or just sit and watch the waves.
• Festive days and holidays: on long weekends, national holidays or celebration days, the beach fills up with local families. Coolers, speakers, cars near the sand, kids in the water and a lot of movement. If you want to experience the most authentic and social side of Panama’s coast, these days can be a lot of fun.

In both scenarios, Playa Banco remains a simple beach without big resorts or heavy development – and that’s a major part of its charm.

Restaurants and services at Playa Banco

Even though the area is not as developed as Santa Catalina, Playa Banco does have a few small local restaurants near the beach. They’re usually simple spots where you can find:

• Fried fish and seafood, depending on the season.
• Daily plates with rice, salad and a protein.
• Cold drinks and sometimes basic snacks.

Don’t expect an international menu or anything fancy; the appeal here is eating home-style local food right by the sea. It’s highly recommended to bring cash, as card payments are not always available and internet can be unreliable.

If you’re more independent, you can bring your own cooler with water, fruit and snacks – just remember to take all your trash back with you to help keep the beach clean.

When is the best time to visit Playa Banco?

The best time to visit Playa Banco depends on the type of experience you’re looking for:

• For a quiet, almost empty beach: choose weekdays outside of holidays and vacation periods. You’ll have more silence, space to walk and a stronger sense of remoteness.
• For a full local experience: aim for sunny Sundays or national holidays. You’ll see how Panamanian families set up their beach day, with music, food and lots of activity.

In any case, it’s a good idea to check the weather and, if you’re traveling in the rainy season, ask at your accommodation in Santa Catalina about road conditions before you go.

Practical tips for visiting Playa Banco

• Bring cash: businesses in the area are small and may not accept cards.
• Sun protection: the beach is wide and natural shade can be limited; a hat, sunscreen and, if possible, an umbrella are a good idea.
• Water and snacks: even though there are restaurants, it’s always useful to bring enough water and some extra food.
• Respect the locals: remember that Playa Banco is mostly a day-to-day beach for people from the region. Be respectful with your music volume, where you park and how you use the space.
• Trash: don’t leave rubbish on the beach. Whatever you bring, you take back out.

How to fit Playa Banco into your Santa Catalina and Coiba trip

Playa Banco works really well as a complement to the classic spots in the area: Playa Estero, La Punta and Coiba day trips. If you have some extra time, you could plan something like this:

• Day 1: arrival in Santa Catalina, walk around the village and sunset at Playa Estero.
• Day 2: Coiba tour (snorkeling or diving) and dinner at one of Santa Catalina’s restaurants.
• Day 3: drive to Playa Banco to see a more local beach, have lunch at a simple seaside restaurant and return to Santa Catalina in the afternoon.

If you want to step off the “typical” path without going too far from Santa Catalina, Playa Banco (Playa Blanca) is a beautiful, authentic option that’s well worth including in your route along this stretch of Panama’s Pacific coast.