Choosing Panama over Costa Rica for a Diverse Yoga and Surf Retreat
Waluaa Surf and Yoga is made up of travelers and surfers who have spent a lot of time doing Panama retreats and Costa Rica Yoga and Surf retreats. We chose to set up yoga and surf retreats in Santa Catalina, Panama as the natural, slow, unfettered way of life grabs a hold of you and doesn’t let go. Here at Waluaa we get so many questions and emails about why choose Panama over Costa Rica for a yoga and surf retreat. Here’s our breakdown.
Panama is a mix of culture, slow living and natural wonders
Santa Catalina, Panama - where our yoga and surf retreat camp is based - can be described as a place you go to return to yourself. The New York Times named the town as one of the top places to visit and for all the right reasons. Santa Catalina is a bit off the beaten trail, but that is what keeps the town so special and pristine. Flying into Panama City is magical. The city is bustling with restaurants, bars and hotels with its grand old-world presence, the American Trade Hotel situated in Casco Viejo. Fresh seafood is plentiful with a long running fish market in town. Panama is anchored by the engineering feat that is the Panama Canal. The canal has a museum that is definitely worth a visit and you will find every Panamanian proud that the canal is in their domaine. Due to the international influence, many Panamanians speak English as well as Spanish, so for non-Spanish speakers this is a plus.
Santa Catalina is the quintessential surf town for a yoga and surf retreat
And now to Santa Catalina! They say those that travel to Santa Catalina for a yoga and surf retreat are determined and interested in one thing — a full surfing experience. As you leave Panama City for Santa Catalina, everything starts to slow down and you begin to get the sense of how an unencumbered natural life can be compared to some of the built up towns like Nosara and Santa Teresa, where many Costa Rica Yoga and Surf retreats can be found. Cows, horses and rolling green fields fill your gaze as the Pacific Coast opens up to you. The word pristine comes to mind. The day-to-day attire consists of board shorts, rash guards and lightweight yoga clothes as most people who visit are there for a yoga and surf retreat or a true relaxed respite.. After a chilled day of yoga and surfing, fresh seafood, tropical fruits and a cold beer await.
The distinction between Costa Rica Yoga and Surf Retreats and Panama
Costa Rica and Panama are prime destinations for yoga and surf retreats. Both boast beautiful beaches and surf breaks, but the idyllic and off grid islands, reminiscent of Robinson Crusoe’s adventures, makes Panama unique. The jewel in the crown is Coiba National Park, a UNESCO designated site for marine life. While at our yoga and surf retreats, we can schedule a day of diving and snorkeling off the coast of Coiba. Santa Catalina is ideally situated to boat to there. Panama is blessed with many islands on both the Pacific side - where we are - and the Caribbean.
On day-to-day life in Santa Catalina, it is slow and peaceful. And our yoga and surf retreats are unhurried with a balance of relaxation and activities. The vibe is low key — surfers carrying boards to the beach, more horses than cars on the road and fresh fruit still being sold by pick-up truck. Some of the hot surf towns with Costa Rica Yoga and Surf retreats, actually feel crowded to us in comparison. And no one wants a packed yoga class or jostling for a spot to surf! Santa Catalina is safe and family oriented with a sense of respect and calm throughout. The people are kind and welcoming. It’s also reassuring that Panama has world class health care, with one of its top medical facilities affiliated with Johns Hopkins. Panama’s currency operates on the US dollar and the Panamanian Balboa which is convenient for US travelers.
All-in-all, Panama is diverse, global, cultural, musical - home to the great musician Rubén Blades - and welcoming. You don’t get that same vibe landing in San José, Costa Rica. And Santa Catalina is slow living at its finest with ex-pats integrating into the community versus “sticking out” or taking over which you see in some Costa Rica yoga and surf retreat towns. If you are looking to slow down, sit in extreme beauty, spend your days practicing yoga and surfing, come home to Waluaa - a complete yoga and surf retreat and escape.
BLOG BY WALUAA CONTRIBUTOR; MICHELLE BARGE
Michelle Barge is a brand communication strategist and editorial content director for the hospitality, travel and wellness sectors. Michelle has worked at some of the top global PR and marketing agencies and has launched, marketed and rebranded iconic hotels, spas and restaurants over the last 20 years. Michelle Barge joined Waluaa as the lead yoga instructor in 2015.
