| Panama Travel and Investment- Azuero Peninsula | | | | February's upcoming events. One point to notice in Las |
| Only a four hour drive southwest from Panama City | | | | Tablas is the French influenced architecture, mix this in |
| on first-rate roads sits one of Panama's hidden gems, | | | | with Caribbean drum beats and one is transported into |
| the small picturesque village of Pedasi. The well | | | | a unique setting. |
| traveled Panama visitor or native alike will tell you that | | | | Now you're on the last stretch, here the terrain |
| Pedasi is a town distinct from any other in the country. | | | | becomes more immersed with vegetation. The final |
| The journey to Pedasi is almost worth the trip itself. A | | | | forty minutes to Pedasi is reminiscent at times of |
| handful of towns along the way mark the trip's | | | | Swiss countryside and at others the African safari, this |
| progress and make for good rest and reference | | | | unique landscape almost makes one forget about |
| points. | | | | approaching the final destination. And without notice |
| The first landmark to note is the beach resort area of | | | | one suddenly arrives at the grand finale, Pedasi. With a |
| Santa Clara. While this location is still relatively | | | | population of only 2,000 people and a fairly private |
| untouched compared to developed beaches of other | | | | location on the tip of the Azuero Peninsula, one would |
| countries, multinational projects here are underway. | | | | never suspect to arrive at such a fascinating place. |
| Yet, as evident only a week ago during holiday times | | | | The Azuero is known for being Panama's heartland of |
| the jagged shoreline contributes to a private beach | | | | traditional culture and Pedasi is a reflection this rich |
| vibe and there were a mere thirty something beach | | | | history. Unusual for Latin America, the layout of Pedasi |
| goers visible. We stopped for lunch at hotel and | | | | is symmetrically built around a town square replete |
| restaurant Las Veraneras, where seafood is the | | | | with gazebo and church, green street signs mark the |
| specialty. For an interesting and tasty meal try | | | | streets. The atmosphere is that of a cultured beach |
| patacones filled with shrimp and squid! Enjoy your meal | | | | town; the few shops include a local art gallery, dive |
| under the thatched pagoda overlooking the ocean. If | | | | shop, brick oven pizza joint and a handful of restaurant |
| you want to take a post-lunch siesta, rent one of the | | | | bars. Currently, a surf shop and juice bar is under |
| smaller thatched pagodas lining the beach, equipped | | | | construction and will certainly add to the relaxed |
| with hammock. The benefit of Santa Clara is that it is | | | | environment. Overwhelmingly noticeable are the |
| only one hour outside of Panama City, but do press on | | | | modest but beautiful houses here painted in vivid blues |
| for more exciting sites. | | | | and greens, earthy reds and yellows, with tiled roofs |
| After leaving Santa Clara and continuing onward at | | | | and front porch seating. In Pedasi life moves slower |
| first one might think that this highway trip seems | | | | and everyone is friendly. Perhaps part of Pedasi's style |
| desolate. Fear not, for the road will soon take you past | | | | and charm should be credited to form President |
| the town of Anton where a series of wooden stands | | | | Mireya Moscoso who is from Pedasi. It is said that |
| hold market for local produce, fruits and sweets. | | | | during her term roads and infrastructure benefited |
| Further along, midway between Panama City and | | | | greatly. |
| Pedasi is located a Super99, stop here for any | | | | Yet, just as important as the quality of the town, |
| groceries, cervezas, beach umbrellas or other missing | | | | Pedasi's location is also pristine. At present there are |
| odds and ends. Super99 is top quality and has most | | | | virtually no tourists, meaning that land is still affordable |
| items one could desire. | | | | and one can spend an entire afternoon alone at the |
| The last commercial town before Pedasi is Chitre. | | | | beach. Pedasi is also the perfect jump off location for |
| Here you will find another Super99 along with | | | | tours in the area. A twenty minute boat ride from |
| everyone's French fry favorite, McDonalds. It seems | | | | Pedasi leads to Isla Iguana renown for its world-class |
| as though McDonalds has recently jumped aboard the | | | | scuba and snorkeling climate. Visitors here can expect |
| go-green bus and currently offers some low-cal salads | | | | to see sea turtles, whales, and more species of fish |
| and sandwich options. Chitre is a good spot for | | | | than one could name. From Pedasi, Playa Venao, |
| gassing up and having a bite. Just twenty minutes from | | | | Destiladeros and Modrono are all quick car rides to |
| Chitre is Las Tablas, the number one spot for | | | | great surf spots. Playa Venao has its own surf camp |
| Panamanian Mardi Gra or Carnival celebrations. Pre | | | | and this beach, like the others are the perfect spot to |
| Carnival celebrations take place during New Years | | | | catch waves free from crowds. |
| and give attendees a taste of the magnificence of | | | | |