Panama is famous for its beaches, but if you ask most visitors where to go, you’ll usually hear the same names: Bocas del Toro, the San Blas Islands, Playa Blanca, or Coronado.
These places have beautiful beaches, but they’re also well-known and often crowded. The reality is that Panama’s coastline stretches for more than 2,400 kilometers across both the Pacific and Caribbean, and tucked along those shores are dozens of quiet beaches that even many long-time residents have never visited.
For expats living in Panama, discovering these hidden stretches of sand can feel like unlocking a secret side of the country. Some require a dirt road and a sense of adventure to reach.
Others are surprisingly close to Panama City but remain overlooked because they sit just beyond the usual beach towns.
And a few are so remote that you may find yourself sharing the shoreline with nothing but fishermen, seabirds, and the occasional pelican flying low over the water.
If you’re willing to venture a little off the typical expat circuit, these beaches offer something special: wide empty shores, dramatic cliffs, jungle-backed coastlines, and waters that range from calm turquoise to rolling Pacific surf. Some have a handful of rustic restaurants or small hotels, while others are completely off-grid… meaning you’ll want to bring your own supplies and plan ahead.
Here are several underrated beaches that you may soon want to add to your weekend escape list.
Playa Reina (Veraguas)
Playa Reina sits along the Pacific coast of Veraguas Province, about 30 minutes from the town of Mariato and roughly two hours south of Santiago.
This is one of those beaches that feels almost untouched. The shoreline stretches for miles, backed by lush green hills and scattered palm trees. The sand is dark and volcanic, typical of many Pacific beaches in Panama, and the waves can be strong, making it popular with surfers and adventurous travelers looking for a quiet coastline.
What makes Playa Reina stand out is how empty it feels. Some days, you can walk for long stretches without seeing another person. It’s the kind of place where fishermen launch small boats in the morning and where sunsets stretch wide across the Pacific horizon.
Playa Reina is mostly off-grid. A few small eco-lodges and guesthouses are nearby, but you won’t find large resorts, beach clubs, or supermarkets.
Isla Cébaco (Veraguas)
Isla Cébaco lies off the Pacific coast of Veraguas, just south of Coiba National Park.
Unlike more developed island destinations in Panama, Isla Cébaco isn’t about one famous, clearly marked beach… it’s about discovery. The island is large, sparsely populated, and edged with a mix of rugged coastline and small, hidden coves that feel completely untouched.
One of the most talked-about spots is Playita, a small white-sand cove with clear turquoise water and jungle pressing right up to the shoreline. It’s the kind of beach you picture when you think of a deserted island: quiet, swimmable, and framed by thick tropical greenery. Beyond Playita, the island offers a variety of landscapes, from darker-sand beaches with stronger surf to rocky stretches with natural tide pools and views out toward the open Pacific.
What makes Cébaco special is how raw it feels. It doesn’t have crowds or beach clubs and has very little infrastructure. On most days, the only sounds you’ll hear are waves, birds, and the occasional fishing boat passing offshore.
This island is mostly off-grid. You’ll find a handful of small, family-run accommodations and eco-lodges scattered around the island, often with limited and basic services. Don’t expect restaurants, shops, or nightlife… this is a place to disconnect.
Playa Morillo (Veraguas)
Playa Morillo lies along the Pacific coast near Santa Catalina in Veraguas Province.
If Santa Catalina feels too busy for you, Playa Morillo is the quieter neighbor. This beach has a dramatic setting: long stretches of sand framed by rocky headlands and tropical forest.
It’s a favorite among surfers thanks to consistent Pacific waves, but it’s still quiet enough that many visitors feel like they’ve stumbled onto a secret. The atmosphere is relaxed and rustic, with fishermen’s boats occasionally dotting the shoreline.
Playa Morrillo is partially developed. It has a few small restaurants and simple lodges, but the vibe remains low-key and uncrowded.
Punta Chame
About 90 minutes west of Panama City, Punta Chame is a long peninsula that stretches into the Pacific Ocean.
While many expats know about Coronado or Playa Blanca, Punta Chame often flies under the radar. Yet it offers one of the most striking landscapes on Panama’s Pacific coast: miles of flat sand with views of Cerro Chame rising dramatically in the background.
The beach is wide and breezy, making it one of the country’s best places for kite surfing and paddleboarding. Despite its proximity to the capital, it’s usually far less crowded than neighboring beach towns.
The area has moderate amenities. You’ll find small hotels, kite-surf schools, and a few restaurants, but it’s still quieter than nearby beach developments. The road towards Punta Chame is also frequently unpaved, so if you’re using a car to get there, make sure it’s a 4×4 to make the ride easier.
Playa El Palmar (Coclé)
Located in Coclé Province near San Carlos, about an hour and a half from Panama City.
Playa El Palmar is one of those beaches locals know well but many foreigners overlook. The sand is dark and soft, and the waves make it popular with surfers while still being calm enough for swimming on many days.
Compared to the busier beaches nearby, El Palmar retains a relaxed, community feel. It’s a great place to spend the day walking along the shoreline or enjoying a simple seafood lunch at a beachfront restaurant.
It has moderate amenities. Surf schools, small hotels, and restaurants are nearby.
Find Your Favorite Panama Beach
One of the greatest advantages of living in Panama is how easy it is to escape to the coast. Within a few hours of Panama City, you can find beaches that feel worlds away from crowds and resorts.
Some of these hidden spots require a little extra planning: a boat ride, a dirt road, or a willingness to travel beyond the typical expat beach towns. But that’s part of the reward. On these shores, you’ll often discover something increasingly rare in the modern world… a stretch of sand where the loudest sounds are the waves and the wind in the palm trees.
For expats who enjoy exploring their adopted home, Panama’s lesser-known beaches offer endless possibilities for weekend adventures… and the chance to discover a favorite spot that feels like your own secret.
Sincerely,
Monica Linares
Managing Editor, Panama Letter
