The Easiest Way to Get to Santa Catalina, Panama.

Fly Direct from Panama City to Santa Catalina...the easiest way.

Skip the long drive and discover the most scenic route to Panama’s best surfing in Santa Catalina and best marine tour at Coiba National Park.

Why Santa Catalina Belongs on Every Panama Itinerary

Santa Catalina is one of Panama’s best destinations — a unique surf village with an authentic laid-back feel. Santa Catalina is now on the map as the premier gateway for Coiba National Park. Panama's #1 marine tour. It's home to incredible diving, snorkeling, fishing, and untouched beaches.

If you are planning your Panama itinerary you'll find Santa Catalina on the radar because of both the best waves and the best marine tour in the country. You'll also realize it’s six hours by car from Panama City. With traffic and a couple of quick stops, the travel time usually runs around eight hours. That cuts into any itinerary. If you need a travel hack...there is a charter flight option!! Discover the easiest way to Santa Catalina:

Introducing Lago Bay Airstrip — The New Shortcut

With a long stretch of beach front and surrounded by lakes and lush tropical gardens, Lago Bay Airstrip is the only airstrip that gets you directly to Santa Catalina. It was created to make Coiba Nationl Park accessible for travelers who value their time.

Most visitors don’t even realize that this new option even exists. — You can enjoy a fresh experience of this amazing transition from modern city to remote nature and water sports adventure.

A flight from Panama City to Lago Bay Airstrip takes around one hour, transforming what was once a full-day drive into a quick scenic hop across the isthmus.

How to Fly to Santa Catalina

Flying to Santa Catalina is surprisingly simple. Our charter options based in Panama City can arrange a direct flight to Lago Bay Airstrip on light aircraft such as the Cessna 172, Piper Aztec or Kodiak 100.

Here’s what travelers love about the experience:

• Fast: Reach Santa Catalina in just about an hour.

• Scenic: You’ll fly over Panama’s jungles, rivers, and coastline — it’s like a sightseeing tour before you even land. The pilots can give a nice plane tilt for that perfect shot of the Panama Canal!

• Convenient: The airstrip is located near hotels, surf spots, and the Santa Catalina launch spot for Coiba National Park. The Lago Bay shuttle will get you to your final destination in just minutes upon landing

• Flexible: Charter flights can be timed to match your itinerary. You can arrange the flight to your schedule. You can also choose to connec from Tocumen or Albrook.

Once you land, it’s just a few minutes to the beaches, lodges, and surf breaks that make Santa Catalina so special.

Panama's Best Itinerary:

Santa Catalina – Boquete – Bocas del Toro

Here’s how you can build Santa Catalina into a well-rounded Panama trip — made easy by flying:

Day 1–2: Panama CityExplore Casco Viejo, the Canal, and the Amador Causeway.

Day 3–4: Santa Catalina (Fly via Lago Bay Airstrip)Land directly in Santa Catalina, check in to your lodge, and spend your days surfing, snorkeling, or diving at Coiba National Park.

Day 5–6: Boquete Connect by air or private shuttle to explore Panama’s best mountains and coffee farms.

Day 7-8: Bocas del Toro

Connect by air or private shuttle to get Panama's best Caribbean island experience. From Bocas Town to Bastimientos, Bocas is an amazing destination along your Panama journey.

Day 9: Return to Panama City Wrap up your trip with a smooth return flight from Bocas. This way, even if you travel two legs (Boquete & Bocas) by private shuttle, you've cut out the two most tedious drives (to and from the city) in order to experience Panama's best!

Flying allows you to see more of the country's attractions— and less of the highways in between.

Lago Bay Airstrip Is More Than Just a Runway

Lago Bay is more than a landing strip — it’s part of a larger coastal community that blends nature, sustainability, and comfort. The airstrip connects travelers to Lago Bay's Vacation Homes or, preferred hotel accommodations, giving visitors easy access to the Santa Catalina experience.

Because Lago Bay is the only airstrip in the area, it also serves as a key hub for emergency flights, medical access, and tourism development in Santa Catalina. For travelers, it means quick and reliable access year-round.

How to Book or Learn More

To explore flight options:

• Visit Lago Bay’s website.

• Contact local charter operators in Panama City (Albrook). Skymaxx Blue Skies

• Ask your hotel in Santa Catalina about flight coordination — most are familiar with Lago Bay arrivals.

Pro Tip: If you’re traveling with surfboards, fishing gear, or diving equipment, ask about aircraft with extra cargo space.

If you’re short on time, traveling as a family, or just want to avoid the long drive after a long international flight, flying to Santa Catalina is easily worth it.

Final Thoughts — More Adventure Less Highway.

Santa Catalina is Panama's #1 destination for divers, surfers, and travelers who love discovering the new remote. By flying directly to Lago Bay Airstrip, you’ll trade hours on the road for more time in the water — and gain a unique perspective of the country from above.

If you’re short on time, traveling as a family, or just want to avoid the long drive after a long international flight, flying to Santa Catalina adds quality to your journey.

The best itineraries aren’t just about where you go, but how you get there.

So when you plan your Panama trip, remember: Lago Bay Airstrip makes Santa Catalina closer than you think. It's the easiest way to get there!