Waterfalls & jungle hikes
Trails climb inland from the coast to hidden waterfalls and cool rainforest pools.
Los Santos, Azuero PeninsulaCambutal, Panama —
Cambutal, Panama —
where the Pacific stays wild.
Cambutal is Panama's best-kept secret — consistent surf, world-class offshore fishing, and almost no one else around.
- from Panama City
- 5hfrom Panama City
- surf — best May–Oct
- Year-roundsurf — best May–Oct
- offshore fishing
- Year-roundoffshore fishing
Off the beaten path, and proud of it.
Cambutal sits on the southern tip of the Azuero Peninsula, where rainforest-covered mountains tumble down to long, dark-sand beaches — the last village before the wilderness of Cerro Hoya National Park.
There are no high-rises and no crowds. Just a handful of surf camps and lodges, miles of empty coastline, and a way of life that runs on the tide. People come for the waves and the fishing, and tend to stay longer than they planned.
The waves
Surf
Empty lineups on an exposed Pacific coast.
Cambutal faces open ocean and catches swell for most of the year. The main beach break is forgiving enough for beginners on a small day, and steepens into punchier lefts and rights when the swell picks up.
Best of all, the crowds simply aren't here. On most days you'll share the water with a handful of people — or no one at all.
- Season
- Year-round, best May–Oct
- Break
- Sandy beach break
- Level
- All levels
- Lineups
- Refreshingly empty
The water
Fishing
Some of the richest waters on Panama's Pacific coast.
The Azuero coast sits on a famously productive stretch of the Pacific. Offshore charters chase tuna, dorado and the legendary rooster fish year-round, while inshore you can hook snapper and jack straight from the rocks at first light.
Local captains know these waters intimately — a half-day trip is plenty to come back with a story, and dinner.
- Yellowfin tuna
- Dorado
- Rooster fish
- Cubera snapper
- Jack crevalle
Productive year-round, with peak offshore action in the dry season.
Read the full fishing guideExplore
Beyond the surf
When you're out of the water, the jungle and the wildlife are never far.
Wildlife & whales
Sea turtles nest on nearby beaches, and humpback whales pass offshore from July to October.
Cerro Hoya National Park
One of Panama's most remote protected areas — rugged coast, untouched rainforest, rare species.
Plan your trip
Getting There
Cambutal is remote — that's the point. Reaching it is part of the adventure, and most of the journey is a beautiful drive across the Azuero countryside.