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Scheduled shuttle routesPrivate transfer on request
Shuttles + tours — one company
Visit Coiba National Park
Often called the “Galápagos of Central America,” Coiba is a UNESCO World Heritage marine park of crystal-clear water, coral reefs, sea turtles, dolphins and seasonal whales. Arrive in Santa Catalina with us, then dive in with expert local guides.
Choose your origin and destination from our routes and prices.
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Message us on WhatsApp
Send your date, time and number of passengers — we reply fast with availability.
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We pick you up
We confirm the details and meet you at your hotel in Santa Catalina or at the meeting point on your route.
Panama in pictures
Where will you go next?
Guided tours
Explore Panama with a local guide
52 day trips across the country — from the Canal and San Blas to Caribbean forts, crater towns and cloud forests. We bring the transport and the guide.
Message us on WhatsApp and a real person from our local team answers — not a booking engine. We confirm your seat, pickup point and timing with you personally.
A real person on WhatsApp
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Shuttles, Tocumen airport transfers, Coiba boat days and day tours, planned together so every connection works — one conversation for the whole trip.
One contact for the whole trip
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Every shuttle route on this site shows its price before you write to us, so you can compare and plan with real numbers.
Prices published upfront
Ready to travel?
Tell us where you’re headed and we’ll take care of the rest.
Departure times, trip duration and what’s included (A/C, luggage, stops) are confirmed when you message us. Don’t see your route? Ask — we cover most of the country and can arrange custom trips.
Private transfers
Your own vehicle, your own schedule.
Skip the shared timetable. Travel door-to-door at the time you choose, with the whole vehicle to yourself — ideal for families, groups, early flights and travelers with plenty of luggage.
Travel comfortably to Santa Catalina and experience crystal-clear water, tropical islands, whale watching, sea turtles, dolphins and world-class snorkeling — a protected marine paradise on Panama’s Pacific coast.
Book your ride and your Coiba adventure together in one seamless itinerary. Pick your starting point:
Shuttles + tours, one easy booking
Coiba National Park day tours
Full-day Coiba tours depart from Santa Catalina — snorkeling, diving and marine-wildlife adventures led by local guides who know these waters best. One team handles your transport and your tour: no middlemen, no handoffs, one seamless trip.
Want to book the tour directly? The Santa Catalina snorkeling specialists at SnorkelCoiba.com run full-day Coiba departures.
Snorkeling
Reefs teeming with color
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Scuba Diving
Some of the Pacific’s best
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Whale Watching
Seasonal humpbacks
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Island Hopping
Untouched islands
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Wildlife Observation
Reef sharks & rays
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Marine Life Encounters
Turtles & dolphins
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Beach Exploration
Granito de Oro & more
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Photography
Postcard scenery
Everything you need to know
Coiba travel guide
What is Coiba National Park?
Coiba is the largest island in Central America, set in the Gulf of Chiriquí off Panama’s Pacific coast. Once a remote penal colony, it stayed untouched for decades — leaving behind pristine reefs, jungle and marine life now protected as a national park.
Why visit Coiba?
It holds one of the largest coral reefs in the Eastern Pacific and extraordinary marine biodiversity. Clear water, abundant wildlife and very few crowds make it one of Panama’s most rewarding adventures.
Best snorkeling sites
Granito de Oro — a tiny island with easy, spectacular snorkeling
Isla Coibita (Rancheria) — calm, shallow reefs
Canales de Afuera — deeper reefs rich with fish
Marine biodiversity
Expect whitetip reef sharks, sea turtles, rays, dolphins, huge schools of tropical fish and — in season — humpback whales. Lucky visitors even spot whale sharks.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Coiba National Park was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 for its exceptional biodiversity and its role as a natural laboratory for marine science.
Whale watching season
Humpback whales migrate through these waters roughly from July to October. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the season offers the best chance to see them alongside dolphins.
Best months to visit
The dry season (December–April) usually brings calmer seas and clearer water — ideal for snorkeling and diving. The green season adds whale sightings and lush scenery. There’s no bad time to go.
How to get to Santa Catalina
Santa Catalina is the gateway to Coiba. We shuttle you there from Panama City, Boquete, Bocas del Toro, David and more. From Santa Catalina, boats reach the park in roughly 60–90 minutes.
What to bring
Reef-safe sunscreen, hat & sunglasses
Swimwear, towel and a change of clothes
Reusable water bottle & light snacks
Dry bag for phone/camera and any medication
Good to know
Coiba is a protected park: visits go through authorized operators and include a park entrance fee. Tours suit most fitness levels, and life jackets are provided — you don’t need to be an expert swimmer to enjoy snorkeling.
Shot on our tours
What you actually see underwater
No stock photos — these are real frames from Coiba and the Pacific around Santa Catalina.
Green sea turtlesDolphins on the crossingReef and tropical fish
Plan your trip
Suggested itineraries
3-Day Coiba Adventure
Quick escape to the Pacific
Day 1 · Panama City → Santa CatalinaMorning shuttle across the country; settle into the beach town.
Day 2 · Coiba National Park tourFull-day snorkeling, island hopping and wildlife with expert local guides.
Day 3 · Return to Panama CityRelaxed morning, then your shuttle back.
5-Day Panama Nature Experience
Highlands, valleys & marine wonders
Panama City → El Valle de AntónCrater-valley town, waterfalls and hot springs.
El Valle → BoqueteCool mountain air, coffee farms and cloud forest.
Boquete → Santa CatalinaDown to the Pacific coast and surf town.
Coiba National Park tourThe marine highlight of the trip.
Santa Catalina → onward / Panama CityWe handle the connection wherever you’re headed next.
Traveling as a group? We quote per van, not per seat
The more of you travel together, the better the price per person. Tell us your group size and we build the trip around you — your departure time, your pickup point, your stops.
Families with kids
Room for strollers and extra bags, departure times we can shift around nap schedules, and hotel pickup on request so nobody walks with luggage and tired kids.
Surf, dive & adventure crews
Boards, dive gear and backpacks travel with you. We plan the route around your surf session or dive schedule.
Hostel & hotel groups
From 4 to 15 passengers in one booking. One contact, one confirmation, one price for the whole group.
Planning a multi-stop trip across Panama?
Panama City → El Valle de Antón → Santa Catalina → Boquete → Bocas del Toro. Send us your dates and we plan the whole circuit, with one van and one driver looking after you the entire way.
We work with hostels, hotels, surf schools, dive shops and tour operators across Panama. Your guests get a reliable transfer; you get a partner you can recommend without worrying.
Commission on every bookingSimple, agreed per booking — paid on confirmed trips.
Direct WhatsApp line for partnersNo forms and no waiting: message us and we confirm seats fast.
Priority seats for your guestsTell us your busy dates and we hold space on the route.
Printed material for your receptionRoute cards and prices your staff can hand to guests.
Questions & answers
Coiba FAQ
How do I get from Panama City to Coiba?
Take our shuttle from Panama City to Santa Catalina — the gateway town. From there, your tour boat reaches Coiba National Park in about 60–90 minutes. We can bundle both in one booking.
Do I need to be an experienced swimmer?
No. Life jackets are provided and many snorkeling spots are shallow and calm. Guides stay close and tailor the day to your comfort level.
When is whale watching season?
Humpback whales typically pass through from July to October. Sightings can’t be guaranteed, but this window offers the best chance.
What’s the best time of year to visit?
The dry season (December–April) generally means calmer seas and better underwater visibility. The green season brings whales and lush landscapes — both are great.
Is there a park entrance fee?
Yes. Coiba is a protected national park, so visits go through authorized operators and include a park fee. Our team handles the permits and logistics for you.
Can you arrange transport + tour together?
Absolutely — that’s our specialty. We arrange both the shuttle and the Coiba tour, so one message gets your whole trip arranged — transport, tour and timing.
Make the most of your visit to Santa Catalina
Already planning your trip? Complete your adventure by adding a snorkeling or diving experience in Coiba National Park with expert local guides — and bundle your transportation and tour for a seamless journey.
Fill in your details and send the booking request by email or WhatsApp. We confirm availability quickly and send you the details for the $10 deposit that secures your seat.
Your request is sent directly to booking@panamashuttles.com and you receive an instant copy by email. We confirm seat availability, pickup point and final price by WhatsApp or email — usually within a few hours. Your seat is secured with a $10 deposit per person (PayPal, Wise or card link); the rest is paid in cash to your driver.
We only use your details to arrange your trip. Privacy policy
Travel tips & guides
Panama travel blog
Guides written by our team on the ground — routes, beaches, Coiba and how to move around Panama without stress.
Panama CityCasco Viejo · Panamá Viejo · museums
Canal & GamboaMiraflores · boat transit · Gamboa
Colón & CaribbeanPortobelo · Venas Azules · San Lorenzo
San Blas & islandsGuna Yala · Contadora · Las Perlas
El Valle & mountainsIndia Dormida · Olá · Cajones de Chame
Coiba & AzueroCoiba · La Yeguada · Isla Iguana
ChiriquíVolcán Barú · Boquete · Boca Chica
Bocas del ToroIsland hopping · Starfish Beach · Red Frog
