Pedasí township, Los Santos
Encyclopedia
Pedasí is a town situated on the south-eastern tip of the Azuero Peninsula
on Panama
’s Pacific coast. It is located in the Pedasí District, in the Los Santos
province. It is principally a fishing village with a population of about 2000 people.
Pedasí’s town boasts a public health clinic, two banks, a library, and a handful of restaurants, mini - supermarkets and small shops. The town is equipped with telephone, cable and high-speed Internet service throughout. 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.
Pedasí town consists mainly of a central road (Avenida Central), a plaza (city center) about two blocks away, and several nicely maintained civic buildings, surrounded by quiet, residential blocks.
With its quaint architecture and neatly laid-out streets, Pedasí is one of the main attractions of the Los Santos region.
on Panama’s Pacific coast
.
Pedasí has a small airstrip that receives regional flights from the Aeroperlas Terminal at the Albrook "Marcos A. Gelabert" International Airport in Panama City during the high season, as well as are private and charter flights year-round.
Pedasí town is a little more than a kilometer from the coast, where there are several sandy beaches.
, 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.
is an island wildlife refuge that can be reached with a 20-minute boat ride from Playa El Arenal. The 52-hectare island is surrounded by an extensive coral reef, which gives it two powdery-soft white sand beaches: Playa El Cirial (252 meters long) and Playita del Faro (37 meters long).
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 island also houses several reptile species, including the black iguana (Ctenosaura similis) for which the island is named.
The refuge also comprises a 40-hectare marine area—including a channel for migrating humpback whale
s (Megaptera novaeangliae) between June and October—and one of the largest well-preserved coral reefs in Panama. The reef is home to a variety of fish, rays, eels, and sea turtles.
s, traditional hand-stitched multi-layered dresses, some of which can take nearly a year to complete. During local fiestas the women will further adorn their polleras with ornate jewelry and gold chains.
is the annual high point of local life in Pedasí, which is renowned for the most exuberant celebration after Las Tablas. The town divides itself into two factions, Calle Abajo (lower street) and Calle Arriba (upper street), with their respective queens, each trying to outdo the other with floats, music and fireworks. At the end of the celebration, the winning queen is chosen by popular vote.
Pedasí also celebrates the fiesta of Santa Catalina (St Catherine’s Day) on November 25 (see also: Calendar of saints
).
Azuero Peninsula
Azuero Peninsula is a large peninsula in southern Panama. It is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean in the south; the Pacific and Gulf of Montijo to the west, and by the Gulf of Panama in the east...
on Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
’s Pacific coast. It is located in the Pedasí District, in the Los Santos
Los Santos
Los Santos could refer to:*Los Santos Province, Panama*Los Santos de Maimona, municipality in Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain*Los Santos, San Andreas, fictional city within the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and to be set in the next upcoming Grand Theft Auto game Grand Theft Auto V...
province. It is principally a fishing village with a population of about 2000 people.
Pedasí’s town boasts a public health clinic, two banks, a library, and a handful of restaurants, mini - supermarkets and small shops. The town is equipped with telephone, cable and high-speed Internet service throughout. 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.
Pedasí town consists mainly of a central road (Avenida Central), a plaza (city center) about two blocks away, and several nicely maintained civic buildings, surrounded by quiet, residential blocks.
With its quaint architecture and neatly laid-out streets, Pedasí is one of the main attractions of the Los Santos region.
Geography
Pedasi is located at the tip of the Azuero PeninsulaAzuero Peninsula
Azuero Peninsula is a large peninsula in southern Panama. It is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean in the south; the Pacific and Gulf of Montijo to the west, and by the Gulf of Panama in the east...
on Panama’s Pacific coast
Pacific Coast
A country's Pacific coast is the part of its coast bordering the Pacific Ocean.-The Americas:Countries on the western side of the Americas have a Pacific coast as their western border.* Geography of Canada* Geography of Chile* Geography of Colombia...
.
Transportation
By car from Panama City, Pedasí is a smooth, roughly four-hour drive on well-maintained roads.Pedasí has a small airstrip that receives regional flights from the Aeroperlas Terminal at the Albrook "Marcos A. Gelabert" International Airport in Panama City during the high season, as well as are private and charter flights year-round.
Government
Former Panamanian President Mireya Moscoso Rodríguez de Arias, Panama’s first female president, is a Pedasí native. She made it an objective during her term to better the town in which she was born, giving Pedasí improved infrastructure. There is a bust and plaque in the main plaza in her honor.Attractions
Nearby beaches
- El Arenal
- Playa El Toro
- Playa La Garita
- Playa El Lagarto
- Playa El Lanchón
- Playa El Cascajal
- Playa Los Destiladeros
- Puerto Escondido
- Playa Los Panamaes
- Playa la Miel
- Punta Chumico
Surfing
There are several breaks on Pedasí’s beaches, which range from small for beginners, to overhead when there is a swell. Playa El Toro has a left and right rock bottom point break for surfing, and Playa El Lagarto has left and right beach breaks. Playa Los Destiladeros also has several breaks for surfing. Kitesurfing is popular during the dry season, January to April, particularly at Playa Arenal.Sport fishing
Pelagic game fish are abundant because the continental shelf drops sharply relatively close to shore, with year-round catch including amberjackAmberjack
Amberjack refers to 3 species of Atlantic fish of the Carangidae family , which includes the jacks and the pompanos.Greater amberjacks, Seriola dumerili, are the largest of the jacks. They usually have dark stripes extending from nose to in front of their dorsal fins...
, Pacific sailfish
Sailfish
'Sailfish' are two species of fish in the genus Istiophorus, living in warmer sections of all the oceans of the world. They are predominately blue to gray in color and have a characteristic erectile dorsal fin known as a sail, which often stretches the entire length of the back...
(Istiophorus platypterus), cubera snapper
Cubera snapper
The cubera snapper is a species of fish in the Lutjanidae family. It is found in Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti,...
(Lutjanus cyanopterus), roosterfish
Roosterfish
The roosterfish, Nematistius pectoralis, is a game fish common in the marine waters surrounding Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, and in the eastern Pacific Ocean from Baja California to Peru. It is the only fish in the genus Nematistius and the family Nematistiidae...
(Nematistius pectoralis) and grouper
Grouper
Groupers are fish of any of a number of genera in the subfamily Epinephelinae of the family Serranidae, in the order Perciformes.Not all serranids are called groupers; the family also includes the sea basses. The common name grouper is usually given to fish in one of two large genera: Epinephelus...
, while dorado (Coryphaena hippurus, commonly called mahi-mahi, or dolphinfish), both bigeye tuna
Bigeye tuna
The bigeye tuna, Thunnus obesus, is an important food fish and prized recreational game fish. It is a true tuna of the genus Thunnus, belonging to the wider mackerel family Scombridae....
(Thunnus obesus) and yellowfin tuna
Yellowfin tuna
The yellowfin tuna is a species of tuna found in pelagic waters of tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide.Yellowfin is often marketed as ahi, from its Hawaiian name ahi although the name ahi in Hawaiian also refers to the closely related bigeye tuna. The species name, albacares can lead to...
(Thunnus albacares), and wahoo
Wahoo
The wahoo is a scombrid fish found worldwide in tropical and subtropical seas. It is best known to sports fishermen, as its speed and high-quality flesh make it a prize game fish...
(Acanthocybium solandri) are found seasonally, November through April.
Isla Iguana
Isla IguanaIsla Iguana Wildlife Refuge
The Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge is a 58-hectare wildlife reserve located 5 kilometers off the Los Santos Province on the Azuero Peninsula in Panama.-History:During World War II, the United States Army used the Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge as a bombing range...
is an island wildlife refuge that can be reached with a 20-minute boat ride from Playa El Arenal. The 52-hectare island is surrounded by an extensive coral reef, which gives it two powdery-soft white sand beaches: Playa El Cirial (252 meters long) and Playita del Faro (37 meters long).
The refuge is home to more than 62 bird species, and a major nesting site for the magnificent frigatebird
Magnificent Frigatebird
The Magnificent Frigatebird was sometimes previously known as Man O'War, reflecting its rakish lines, speed, and aerial piracy of other birds....
(Fregata magnificens), with a population of more than 5000. The island also houses several reptile species, including the black iguana (Ctenosaura similis) for which the island is named.
The refuge also comprises a 40-hectare marine area—including a channel for migrating humpback whale
Humpback Whale
The humpback whale is a species of baleen whale. One of the larger rorqual species, adults range in length from and weigh approximately . The humpback has a distinctive body shape, with unusually long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. It is an acrobatic animal, often breaching and slapping the...
s (Megaptera novaeangliae) between June and October—and one of the largest well-preserved coral reefs in Panama. The reef is home to a variety of fish, rays, eels, and sea turtles.
Architecture
The area’s local architecture is a combination of the fastidious Spanish colonial style awash with more subdued pastels of Caribbean influence. Most homes feature wide, colonnaded verandas, and several historic homes have hand-painted details. Gardens are well-tended with colorful tropical flowers.Culture
Pedasí’s townspeople are laid-back, friendly, and regularly greet visitors with a smile. Men can often be seen wearing cuttarras (traditional sandals) and the region’s folkloric black and white hats; women, during festivals and carnivals, don polleraPollera
A pollera is a Spanish term that denotes big one-piece skirts, that nowadays are used mostly in traditional festivities and folklore in the Spanish speaking world.-Spain:...
s, traditional hand-stitched multi-layered dresses, some of which can take nearly a year to complete. During local fiestas the women will further adorn their polleras with ornate jewelry and gold chains.
Carnival
February’s carnivalCarnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
is the annual high point of local life in Pedasí, which is renowned for the most exuberant celebration after Las Tablas. The town divides itself into two factions, Calle Abajo (lower street) and Calle Arriba (upper street), with their respective queens, each trying to outdo the other with floats, music and fireworks. At the end of the celebration, the winning queen is chosen by popular vote.
Pedasí also celebrates the fiesta of Santa Catalina (St Catherine’s Day) on November 25 (see also: Calendar of saints
Calendar of saints
The calendar of saints is a traditional Christian method of organizing a liturgical year by associating each day with one or more saints and referring to the feast day of said saint...
).