Coiba and Santa Catalina Itinerary: Perfect 3, 5 and 7 Day Plans

Planning a trip to Coiba Island and Santa Catalina can feel overwhelming at first: early-morning boat departures, long travel times from Panama City and a lot of tour options. The good news is that once you understand the logistics, it becomes simple to build a 3, 5 or 7 day itinerary that fits your travel style.

If you are just getting started, it helps to read a few of our core guides first, including the best time to visit Coiba Island, our overview of the best Coiba tours and the step-by-step guide on how to get to Coiba Island from Panama City. If you still have questions after that, the Coiba Island FAQ covers even more details.

In this guide, you’ll find three step-by-step itineraries:

• A 3 day Coiba and Santa Catalina itinerary for quick getaways
• A 5 day itinerary that balances adventure and downtime
• A 7 day slow-travel plan for travelers who want to surf, relax and explore more

We’ll also cover how to get to Santa Catalina, where to stay, when to visit and practical tips so you can choose the itinerary that feels right for you.

Why Base Your Coiba Trip Around Santa Catalina

If you’re visiting Coiba National Park, you’ll almost always hear the name Santa Catalina. This small Pacific town is the main gateway for Coiba tours, and most boats to the park depart from here early in the morning.

A few key reasons to base your trip around Santa Catalina:

• Closest and most convenient departure point. Almost all full-day snorkeling and diving tours to Coiba leave from Santa Catalina. That means less time in transit and more time in the water.
• Easy logistics for multiple tours. If you want to do two or more Coiba tours (for example, a snorkeling trip and a diving day), staying in Santa Catalina lets you join different trips on different days without changing hotels. Divers can also explore the best diving sites in Coiba Island to decide which areas they most want to see.
• More than just a gateway. Santa Catalina is also worth a visit on its own. You’ll find good surf, long beaches, relaxed restaurants and a low-key barefoot vibe. To explore what else you can do before or after your Coiba tours, check our overview of things to do in Santa Catalina and Coiba and our list of top activities on Coiba Island.
• Flexible travel options. You can reach Santa Catalina by domestic flights plus a short transfer, by rental car or by public bus. Our guide on how to get to Coiba Island from Panama City explains the pros and cons of each route.

Because of all this, the itineraries in this guide use Santa Catalina as your base and add Coiba tours, beach time and travel days around it.

How Many Days Do You Really Need in Coiba and Santa Catalina?

The “right” number of days depends on how quickly you like to travel and how much time you want on the water versus on the beach. Here’s a realistic look at what you can do with 3, 5 and 7 days.

Summary of 3, 5 and 7 Day Coiba Itineraries

Itinerary	Ideal For	Coiba Days	Free Days in Santa Catalina	Highlights
3 Days	Short trips, quick Coiba “taste”	1 full Coiba day	0–0.5 day	One big snorkel or dive day, basic Santa Catalina feel
5 Days	Most travelers and first-time visitors	2 full Coiba days	1–2 days	Balanced mix of tours, surf, beaches and downtime
7 Days	Slow travel, photographers, ocean lovers	2–3 Coiba days	3–4 days	Room for extra tours, fishing, surfing and a truly relaxed pace

For more help choosing your timing, check our in-depth guide to the best time to visit Coiba Island.

3 Day Coiba and Santa Catalina Itinerary (Quick Getaway)

A 3 day Coiba and Santa Catalina itinerary is perfect if you’re short on time but still want to experience at least one full day in Coiba National Park. It’s a compact trip, so the key is to minimize transit time and keep your schedule simple: one travel day, one full Coiba day, one return day.

Day 1 – Travel to Santa Catalina and First Sunset

Morning – Travel from Panama City to Santa Catalina

Your first day is all about getting to Santa Catalina, checking in and giving yourself enough time to rest before your Coiba tour.

Depending on your budget and style, you have three main options (explained in more detail in our guide on how to get to Coiba Island from Panama City):

• Fly + short transfer (best for time and comfort): Combine a domestic flight toward the coast with a short road transfer to the Santa Catalina area. This cuts down the 6–9 hour overland journey and lets you arrive with enough energy to enjoy the afternoon.
• Rental car: Great if you like freedom and might visit other regions before or after Santa Catalina. Plan several hours of driving and try to leave early from Panama City.
• Public bus: The budget option, but the slowest and least flexible. Connections can take most of the day, so start early and keep expectations relaxed.

Afternoon – Check-in and explore town

Once you arrive in Santa Catalina:

• Check into your hotel, guesthouse or vacation home. For ideas, browse our guide to hotels and places to stay near Coiba.
• Confirm your Coiba tour for the next day (meeting time, what’s included, what to bring). The best Coiba tours page is a good place to compare options.
• Take a short walk to get oriented: find the beach, main street, small supermarkets and the meeting point for your tour.

Evening – Relaxed dinner and early night

Santa Catalina has a very relaxed atmosphere, with simple restaurants and a barefoot vibe. This first night, keep it easy: enjoy a sunset walk on the beach if you arrive in time, have an early dinner, drink plenty of water and prepare your bag for the next day.

Day 2 – Full-Day Coiba Snorkeling or Diving Tour

Early morning – Departure to Coiba

Most tours to Coiba National Park start early, often between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. You’ll meet your group in Santa Catalina, get fitted for gear if needed and board the boat. If you haven’t chosen a tour yet, look at our recommended Coiba day trip from Santa Catalina or the full-day Coiba dive tour for certified divers.

Typical Coiba day trips from Santa Catalina include multiple snorkel or dive stops, a lunch stop on a beach or small island and time to relax, swim and look for wildlife.

Choosing between snorkeling and diving

• Snorkeling tour. Ideal if you don’t dive, are short on time or prefer a more relaxed day. You’ll still see healthy coral, reef fish, turtles, rays and sometimes sharks from the surface.
• Diving tour. If you’re a certified diver, Coiba is one of the best places in Panama to get in the water. For more details, read about the best diving sites in Coiba Island and consider joining a full-day dive trip.

Midday – Beaches, wildlife and lunch

During the day, expect a mix of time in the water, boat rides between islands and a break on a small island or beach where you’ll have lunch. You may spot turtles, rays, dolphins, birds and, in the right season, even whales from the boat. Use reef-safe sunscreen or a long-sleeve rash guard, drink water regularly and follow your guide’s advice.

Afternoon – Return to Santa Catalina

In the afternoon, the boat returns to Santa Catalina. Back in town, rinse off, rest for an hour or two, check your photos and enjoy a relaxed dinner. It’s usually a good idea to keep this night simple and get a decent amount of sleep.

Day 3 – Easy Morning in Santa Catalina and Travel Back

Morning – Slow start and last beach time

On your final day, enjoy a slow morning in Santa Catalina: sleep in a bit, have a relaxed breakfast and walk to the beach one last time. If your schedule allows, you might squeeze in a short surf lesson or a simple beach walk before packing.

Midday / Afternoon – Return to Panama City or onward

Plan your return according to your chosen transport: fly plus short transfer (fastest and most comfortable), rental car (flexible, but a long drive) or public bus (cheapest, but slowest). By evening you’ll be back in Panama City or on your way to your next stop, with at least one full Coiba experience and a taste of Santa Catalina’s beach-town vibe.

5 Day Coiba and Santa Catalina Itinerary (Balanced Adventure)

A 5 day Coiba and Santa Catalina itinerary is often the best balance for most travelers. You get time for two Coiba tours, at least one full free day in Santa Catalina and a more relaxed rhythm than the 3-day version.

Day 1 – Travel to Santa Catalina and Settle In

Morning – Getting to the coast

With five days, it still makes sense to reduce travel time so you can enjoy more of Santa Catalina and Coiba. Your main options are:

• Fly + short transfer (fastest and most comfortable). Combine a domestic flight toward the Pacific coast with a short road transfer to Santa Catalina. This skips most of the long highway drive and lets you arrive with energy.
• Rental car (flexible and independent). Rent a car in Panama City and drive to Santa Catalina, planning several hours on the road and trying to arrive by mid to late afternoon.
• Public bus (cheapest but slowest). Take public buses if budget is your main priority, but keep your schedule flexible and start early.

Afternoon – Check-in and explore your base

Once you arrive in the Santa Catalina area:

• Check into your hotel, guesthouse or vacation home. Compare options in our guide to hotels and places to stay near Coiba.
• Explore the main Hotels & Places to Stay page if you haven’t booked all your nights yet.
• If you like the idea of being close to both Coiba access and Santa Catalina but in a quieter setting, consider staying at Lago Bay – a coastal property a short drive from Santa Catalina with vacation homes in a natural environment.

Use the rest of the afternoon to confirm the details of your Coiba tours for Days 2 and 4 and walk around town or along the beach to get oriented.

Evening – First sunset and relaxed dinner

Watch the sunset over the Pacific, have a relaxed dinner and pack your bag for the next day’s boat trip. Try not to stay up too late, as your Coiba day will start early.

Day 2 – Coiba Tour #1 (Snorkeling or Diving)

Early morning – Departure to Coiba National Park

You’ll start early again, normally around 7:00–8:00 a.m., meeting your boat in Santa Catalina. Today is all about your first Coiba experience.

• Choose a snorkeling trip, such as the classic Coiba day trip, or
• A diving trip with two or three tanks at some of Coiba’s famous dive spots, like the full-day Coiba dive tour.

Expect reefs, islands, wildlife and a lunch break on a beach or small island. Drink water, protect yourself from the sun and enjoy the variety of marine life.

Afternoon / Evening – Return and rest

Back on land, shower and rest. If you’re staying a short drive outside town (for example, at Lago Bay), enjoy the quieter atmosphere to recharge between tours. Have an easy dinner and go to bed at a reasonable time.

Day 3 – Free Day in Santa Catalina

After a long day in the sun and on the boat, a free day is exactly what most travelers need.

Morning – Slow breakfast and beach time

Sleep a little longer, enjoy a relaxed breakfast and walk to one of the main beaches near Santa Catalina for a swim or stroll. This is a great day for a beginner surf lesson or board rental if you already know how to surf.

Afternoon – Explore more of the area

Visit another nearby beach or viewpoint, take photos around town or simply relax in a hammock. If you’re staying in a place like Lago Bay, your free day can be about quiet walks, nature and private beach time.

Evening – Sunset and dinner

Finish the day with a sunset walk or viewpoint and dinner at a restaurant you haven’t tried yet. Keep it moderate so you feel good for your second Coiba day.

Day 4 – Coiba Tour #2 (New Sites or Different Focus)

Your fourth day is your chance to return to Coiba and see something different from your first tour.

Depending on what you did on Day 2, your second tour could be another snorkeling trip with different islands and reef sites, a diving day if your first tour was snorkeling, or a route with a specific wildlife focus in the right season.

You’ll visit new spots, have another island lunch and enjoy more time in the park. Back in Santa Catalina, compare photos and videos from both Coiba days and celebrate your last night with a relaxed dinner.

Day 5 – Last Morning and Travel Back

On your final day, pack your bags, enjoy a relaxed breakfast and take one last walk on the beach if time allows. Confirm your transport back to Panama City or your next destination. By the end of Day 5, you’ll have two full Coiba days, at least one free day in Santa Catalina and enough time to feel that you didn’t rush your entire experience.

7 Day Coiba and Santa Catalina Itinerary (Slow-Travel Sweet Spot)

A 7 day Coiba and Santa Catalina itinerary is perfect if you don’t want to rush. You’ll have time for two or even three Coiba tours, full free days in Santa Catalina and space for surfing, reading, sunsets and doing absolutely nothing if you feel like it.

Day 1 – Travel to Santa Catalina and First Impressions

Travel to the Pacific coast much like in the 5-day itinerary, ideally by flying part of the way to reduce the long overland journey. Check into your accommodation, explore the property or beach and confirm your Coiba tour dates (for example, Day 2 and Day 4, or Day 3 and Day 5). Consider a quiet base such as Lago Bay if you value space and nature.

Day 2 – Coiba Tour #1

Join your first full-day Coiba tour: either a snorkeling trip like the classic Coiba day trip or a diving tour such as the full-day dive tour. You’ll spend the day visiting reefs, islands and beaches, then return to your base for a quiet evening.

Day 3 – Free Day in Santa Catalina

Use Day 3 as a rest day: slow breakfast, beach time, surfing, photography or just reading with an ocean breeze. Explore another beach or viewpoint and enjoy the relaxed rhythm of town or your coastal property.

Day 4 – Coiba Tour #2

Head back to Coiba for your second tour. Choose a different angle from Day 2: new sites, a different mix of snorkel and dive stops or a route with a seasonal wildlife focus like whale watching months. Because you already know the routine, this second Coiba day usually feels more relaxed.

Day 5 – Extra Activity Day

Day 5 is your flexible “extra activity” day. You might book a fishing trip such as the Coiba sport fishing and island exploration tour, go kayaking, surf again or simply divide the day between light activity and rest.

Day 6 – One More Free Day by the Ocean

Day 6 is your pure vacation day. Repeat your favorite activities: another surf session, a long beach walk, time in a hammock or photo sessions at your favorite viewpoints. Pack part of your luggage in the evening so Day 7 feels easier.

Day 7 – Last Morning and Travel Back

On your final morning, enjoy one last breakfast and walk by the ocean, take final photos and do a final check for passports, chargers and camera gear. Then travel back to Panama City or onward by flight plus short transfer, rental car or public bus. By the end of Day 7, you’ll have multiple Coiba days, several free days in Santa Catalina and the feeling that you really lived the rhythm of this part of Panama.

How to Get to Santa Catalina and Coiba (Flights vs. Car/Bus)

Before you think about tours and hotels, it’s important to understand how you’ll actually reach Santa Catalina, the main gateway to Coiba National Park. The journey from Panama City can take most of a day if you go overland, so choosing the right option can change how your itinerary feels.

Here are the main ways to get there. For full step-by-step instructions, see our guide on how to get to Coiba Island from Panama City.

Option	Typical Travel Time*	Best For	Pros	Things to Consider
Fly + Short Transfer	~45–60 min flight + 20–40 min by road	3–5 day trips, comfort-focused travelers	Saves 6–9 hours of driving, more energy for tours	Higher cost, needs advance planning and weight limits may apply
Rental Car	~6–7 hours from Panama City	7+ day trips, flexible road trips	Freedom to stop en route, easy to explore nearby beaches	Long drive, avoid night driving, parking and fuel costs
Public Bus	Often 7–9+ hours door to door	Budget travelers with flexible schedules	Cheapest option, local experience	Connections can be slow, limited comfort, less predictable timing

*Times are approximate and depend on traffic, weather and exact route. For step-by-step instructions, see our guide on how to get to Coiba Island from Panama City.

You don’t stay in a hotel on Coiba Island itself. Instead, you sleep in Santa Catalina or nearby coastal accommodations and join full-day boat tours into the park.

Where to Stay for a Coiba and Santa Catalina Itinerary

Because you’ll be joining early-morning Coiba tours and possibly surfing or exploring nearby beaches, choosing the right place to stay makes a big difference.

Use Our Hotels Guide as Your Starting Point

To compare different options around Santa Catalina and the wider area, check our dedicated Hotels & Places to Stay guide on Coiba-Island.com. There you’ll find simple budget guesthouses, comfortable mid-range hotels, private vacation homes and unique stays in and around Santa Catalina.

Lago Bay: Quiet Coastal Base Near Santa Catalina

If you like the idea of staying in a more spacious, natural setting close to Santa Catalina—but not right in the middle of the village—consider Lago Bay. It’s a coastal property a short drive from Santa Catalina with vacation homes surrounded by nature and direct access to the beach. It works especially well for 5 and 7 day itineraries if you want a quiet place to relax between boat days.

Staying in or Near Santa Catalina

Whether you choose a hotel in Santa Catalina itself or a quieter base nearby, try to book well in advance for high season, check how far your accommodation is from tour meeting points and confirm whether they can help arrange taxis or transfers when needed.

Practical Tips for Any Coiba Itinerary (3, 5 or 7 Days)

1. Choose the Right Season

Coiba can be visited year-round, but conditions change through the year. Some months are better for visibility and diving, others for spotting certain wildlife like whales. Ocean conditions can vary with winds and swells. Whenever possible, read our guide to the best time to visit Coiba Island before you book flights and tours.

2. Book Coiba Tours Early

Coiba is a protected national park with limited operators and boats. Reserve your snorkeling or diving tours early if you travel during peak months or holidays. If you want two Coiba days (5-day itinerary) or two to three Coiba days (7-day itinerary), schedule them with rest days in between. To compare options, start with best Coiba tours.

3. Pack Smart for Boat Days

For any Coiba day trip, pack a rash guard or long-sleeve shirt, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses with a strap, a small dry bag, flip-flops or sandals that can get wet, swimsuit, towel, drinking water and any seasickness tablets you might need. For longer stays (5–7 days), add extra swimwear, a light cover-up and a small first-aid kit.

4. Respect Park Rules and Marine Life

Coiba is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a strictly protected marine reserve. For a deeper look at why this area is so important, you can explore our article on Coiba’s UNESCO World Heritage status or read official profiles on Protected Planet and the Panama tourism board.

To keep Coiba healthy for future visitors, never touch, chase or feed marine animals, avoid standing on or kicking coral with your fins, do not take shells or rocks from the park and always follow your guide’s instructions.

5. Plan for Early Mornings and Simple Evenings

Coiba trips from Santa Catalina usually start early and can be physically tiring. Try to sleep early before boat days, keep evenings simple (quiet dinners, short walks, stargazing) and save any late nights for non-tour days.

6. Carry Some Cash and Offline Info

Signal and ATMs can be limited in smaller coastal towns. Bring enough cash in local currency for tours, tips, snacks and small restaurants, and save important details such as tour meeting points, hotel addresses and emergency contacts offline as screenshots or notes on your phone.

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