Soná between the Pacific coast and festival traditions

In Soná, two distinctive sides of the district come together: the Pacific coast with its mangroves and beaches, and a cultural life shaped by recurring festivals. To help plan your trip, consider the differences between coastal nature, events and destinations in the surrounding area.

Coast and sea

The mangrove areas on Soná’s Pacific coast are part of the Humedal del Golfo de Montijo wetland, designated as a Ramsar site, and the buffer zone of Parque Nacional Coiba. In Santa Catalina, the beach is considered one of the best surfing beaches in Central America. It is right in the village, at the end of the paved road. Check road conditions before setting out. Bahía Honda is suited to relaxation because of its calm, deep waters and is considered a natural deep-water harbor for cruise ships.

Festivals and events

The feast day of San Isidro Labrador is held every year on May 15 and brings together communities from throughout the Distrito de Soná. Every year on November 5, the Paseo Folclórico y de la Pollera proceeds along the district’s main streets with floats, folkloric groups and Pollera performances. El Grito de la Mujer Sonaeña is commemorated on November 8; this annual event remembers 71 women who signed an act of accession.

The Feria Soná features national and international exhibitors and brings together crafts, tourism, industry and agriculture. If you want to plan your trip around a visit to the fair, check the latest dates in advance. The annual festival days, by contrast, have fixed dates on the calendar.

A place of remembrance

The Mausoleum of Father José Félix Guembe stands next to Santuario San José. A marble statue in his likeness stands above the coffin. The close proximity of the mausoleum and sanctuary makes this a specific destination for those interested in Soná’s religious and architectural history.

Coiba and the surrounding area

Granito de Oro, in Parque Nacional Coiba near Soná, is a visitor stop for sunbathing, snorkeling and diving. The island has coral formations and is also home to sea turtles and colorful fish. In the wider area, Parque Nacional Coiba is considered the most important tourist destination accessible from Soná and offers opportunities for relaxation and ecotourism. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It can be reached in about an hour by boat from the Pacific coast of Veraguas Province near Santa Catalina. Allow for this approximate duration and check current conditions in advance.

Transport and hiking

In the district capital of Soná, the public transport companies UTRANSUR, LA SAN CRISTOBAL and SAN ISIDRO, as well as the COOTRAJOHT taxi service, operate Monday through Sunday. These services serve all communities in the Distrito de Soná. Check current routes and service frequency before setting out.

Hiking is offered at Rancho Don Chicho in the Corregimiento Quebrada de Oro. Check in advance whether it is currently operating before planning your visit.

More places to explore in Veraguas

In the wider destination of Veraguas, the hike to Bermejo Waterfall in Parque Nacional Santa Fe is 2.5 kilometers long. The round trip takes about 1.5 hours and is considered easy to moderate. The 35-meter-high waterfall is on the edge of the park. As local trail conditions can change, check them before your hike. As a regional point of reference, the Pacific coast of Veraguas is about a five-hour drive from Panama City; actual travel time depends on road and traffic conditions.

Discover more destinations: Santa Fe.

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