Pedasí, Los Santos

Pedasí (Spanish pronunciation: [peðaˈsi]) is a town and corregimiento situated on the south-eastern tip of the Azuero Peninsula on Panama’s Pacific coast.

Pedasí is known for lively annual carnivals, pristine beaches, and activities such as sport fishing, diving and surfing, as well as its proximity to several of Panama's national parks and preserves.

With its quaint architecture and neatly laid-out streets, Pedasí is one of the main attractions of the Los Santos region.

There are several breaks on Pedasí's beaches, the most famous local surfer's attraction is Playa Venao at 20 miles (32 km) from the town.

Pelagic game fish are abundant because the continental shelf drops sharply relatively close to shore, with year-round catch including amberjack, Pacific sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus), cubera snapper (Lutjanus cyanopterus), roosterfish (Nematistius pectoralis) and grouper, while dorado (Coryphaena hippurus, commonly called mahi-mahi, or dolphinfish), both bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) and yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), and wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) are found seasonally, November through April.

The refuge is home to more than 62 bird species, and a major nesting site for the magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens), with a population of more than 5000.

The refuge also comprises a 40-hectare marine area, also migrating humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) between June and October—and one of the largest well-preserved coral reefs in Panama.

Carnival is the annual high point of local life in Pedasí, which is renowned for the most exuberant celebration after Las Tablas.

Pedasí also celebrates the fiesta of Santa Catalina (St Catherine's Day) on November 25 (see also: Calendar of saints).

A view of sandpipers patrolling the surf along Playa El Arenal in the early morning hours.