Pedasí, Los Santos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pedasí
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Corregimiento
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 Pedasí
Location in Panama
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| Country |  Panama |
| Province | Los Santos |
| District | Pedasí |
| Established | 1840 |
| Area | |
| • Land | 378.1 km2 (146.0 sq mi) |
| Population
(1 July 2020)
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| • Total | 4,696 |
| • Density | 12.4/km2 (32/sq mi) |
| Population density calculated based on land area | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| Climate | Aw |
Pedasí is a lively town found on the southeastern tip of the Azuero Peninsula in Panama. It sits right on Panama’s Pacific coast. This town is the capital of the Pedasí District in Los Santos Province.
Pedasí has grown quite a bit over the years. In 1990, about 1,494 people lived there. By 2020, the population had increased to 4,696.
Pedasí is mainly a fishing village. The town has banks, restaurants, and small shops. You can also find telephone and internet services here. Pedasí is famous for its fun annual carnivals and beautiful beaches. It's a great spot for sport fishing, diving, and surfing. Many national parks are also close by.
The town center has a main road called Avenida Central and a central plaza. Nearby, you'll see well-kept public buildings and quiet neighborhoods. With its charming buildings and neat streets, Pedasí is a top attraction in the Los Santos region.
Contents
Geography and Location
Pedasí is located at the very southeastern end of the Azuero Peninsula. This area is on Panama's Pacific coast.
Getting to Pedasí
It's easy to reach Pedasí.
- By Car: From Panama City, it's about a five-hour drive on good roads.
- By Air: Pedasí has its own airport, the Capt. J. Montenegro Airport (PDM). You can take charter or private flights there.
- By Bus: Bus and private shuttle services are available daily.
Fun Things to Do
Pedasí town is just over three kilometers from the coast. Here you will find many sandy beaches.
Beautiful Beaches Nearby
There are many lovely beaches close to Pedasí, including:
- El Arenal (Bajadero)
- 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
- Playa Venao
Surfing Adventures
Pedasí's beaches offer several great spots for surfing. The most famous place is Playa Venao, which is about 20 miles from town. In 2011 and 2012, Playa Venao hosted two World Surfing Championships. This made the whole area known as a top surfing spot. Locals say there are always waves breaking in the beautiful bay of Playa Venao.
Other beaches have more moderate waves, perfect for beginners or more experienced surfers. Playa El Toro has a special rock-bottom break. Playa El Lagarto offers beach breaks. Playa Los Destiladeros also has good surfing spots. If you like kitesurfing, you can do that during the dry season (January to April), especially at Playa Arenal.
Exciting Sport Fishing
Pedasí is a fantastic place for sport fishing. The ocean floor drops sharply close to shore, meaning lots of big fish are around. You can catch fish like:
- Amberjack
- Pacific sailfish
- Cubera snapper
- Roosterfish
- Grouper
From November to April, you might also find:
- Dorado (also called mahi-mahi or dolphinfish)
- Bigeye tuna
- Yellowfin tuna
- Wahoo
Exploring Isla Iguana
Isla Iguana is a special island wildlife refuge. You can get there by a 20-minute boat ride from Playa El Arenal. This island is 52 hectares (about 128 acres) and is surrounded by a large coral reef. It has two soft, white sand beaches: Playa El Cirial and Playita del Faro.
The refuge is home to over 62 types of birds. It's a major nesting spot for the magnificent frigatebird, with more than 5,000 living there. The island also has several types of reptiles, including the black iguana, which is how the island got its name.
The refuge also includes a 40-hectare marine area. Between June and October, you might even see migrating humpback whales! It also has one of Panama's largest and best-preserved coral reefs. This reef is full of different fish, rays, eels, and sea turtles.
Architecture Style
The buildings in Pedasí combine old Colonial Spanish styles with modern masonry block construction.
Local Culture and Traditions
The town plaza is a popular spot where people gather and socialize in the evenings.
Traditional Clothing
Some men often wear cutarras, which are traditional sandals. They also wear the region's special black and white hats. During festivals and carnivals, women wear polleras. These are traditional, hand-stitched, multi-layered dresses. Some of these dresses can take almost a year to make! For local fiestas, women add beautiful jewelry and gold chains to their polleras.
Pedasí Carnival
Carnival is the biggest event of the year in Pedasí. It's known for being one of the most exciting celebrations after Las Tablas. The town divides into two groups: Calle Abajo (lower street) and Calle Arriba (upper street). Each group has its own queen. They try to outdo each other with amazing floats, music, and fireworks. At the end of the celebration, the winning queen is chosen by a popular vote.
Pedasí also celebrates the fiesta of Santa Catalina (St Catherine's Day) on November 25.
See also
In Spanish: Pedasí para niños
