Hotel Playa Cambutal (Cambutal, Panama)

ABOUT THE SURF CAMP

---

LOCATION AND SURF CONDITIONS

---

Surf Breaks in Cambutal
Cambutal is known for its numerous surf breaks ranging from beginner to advance as surf is typically in the three to six foot range but can surely double overhead or more. Dry season, January through April is the best season for shape as the winds blow offshore almost continually. August through October is the best season for size.

A short description on nearby breaks:

Cambutal Beach
Cambutal Beach Break is located directly in front of the Hotel Playa Cambutal. It is a fun break with sand bottom. Considered best at medium to high tides with rights and lefts. Nonetheless, also fun at low tide.

411 (Cuatro Once)
Considered one of the most popular breaks in Cambutal and located approximately 10 minutes away from the hotel. Certainly a favorite point break during medium to high tide consisting of a long right hander over rock ledge bottom.

Dinosaurios
Located adjacent to 411. Quite powerful break with rock bottom break with rights and lefts at medium to high tide.

Horcones
Horcones Beach Break is located down the beach from Dinosaurios. It is a sand bottom beach break with, both, rights and lefts. Between medium to low tide, look for a favorite spot right across from a small river mouth. Excellent break at high tide also.

Corto Circuito (Pedregal)
Located at the end of the dirt road from the hotel. It is a rock bottom point break with a very powerful peak that breaks over a rock ledge and throws a nice tube after peeling the point approximately 80  yards.

ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING

---

ACCOMMODATION TYPES AND CATERING

---

Hotel Playa Cambutal offers 10 ocean view rooms with a/c and private baths.
Four rooms offer one queen bed and six rooms offer two double beds. Two rooms are adjoining for those guests with families or group of friends.

Hotel Playa Cambutal does its best to respect the planet. By “thinking green” we can save our planet one action at a time. For example:

We are a non smoking facility. In order to conserve water, if you hang your towel, we will not replace it. Sheets will be changed every three days unless you specify otherwise. We refill our shampoo bottles thus avoiding excessive waste. Hair dryers located at front desk. All of our linens are “eco friendly”. Our water heaters are ENERGY STAR rated. Fans are available in our rooms should you opt not to use the a/c. WiFi is available in the lobby for those guests traveling with their computers. According to Law 13 of the Republic of Panama, it is illegal to smoke on hotel and restaurant premises. Infridgement of this law will result in a fine. Smoking guests are welcome to smoke on the street. Coolers are not permitted on hotel grounds, by the pool or on the beach. Coolers are
only permitted in the rooms. Please be advised that Cambutal experiences the occasional
power outages.

Our cuisine is inspired in Panamanian gastronomy featuring fish, poultry and beef. Our restaurant serves complimentary breakfast to guests. Lunch and dinner is available between 12:30pm to 8:30 pm, Monday – Sunday.

Amongst our signature dishes are Carrot Soup, Spaghetti, Arepas, Cheese Burgers, Apple Crumble  and Key Lime Pie. Just to name a few.

The restaurant closes at 8:30pm.

Hotel Bar closes at 9:00pm.

Hotel Playa Cambutal accepts: cash, VISA and Mastercard.

HPC also recommends these nearby restaurants:

Boom Shiva Pizzeria and Restaurant. Serves Italian Cusine. Located next door to HPC.

Cambutal Beach. Typical Panamanian style seafood. Located down the road from HPC.

Luna Negra Restaurant. International Cuisine (Open Thursday-Saturday) Located down the road from HPC.

Dona Nubia. Typical Panamanian cuisine. Located down the road from HPC

Los Buzos. American Cuisine. Located down the road from HPC

Guanico Abajo. Typical Panamanian style Seafood. Located in Guanico Abajo 15mins from HPC.
Poncholas Restaurant. Serves American Style Cusine. Located in Las Tablas. About an hour from HPC.

SURF COURSE AND ACTIVITIES

---

ACTIVITIES

---

We offer a range of different activities. Please click on above tabs and view our nearby attractions and rentals below.

Rentals:

Boogie Boards : Available free for hotel guests.

Ocean Kayak: Available free for hotel guests.

Bicycles: Available free to hotel guests

Horse Back Riding: $15 for 2 hours per person: Flat rate

Surf Board: $15 per day or $4.00 an hour. soft top fun boards.

Stand up Paddle Boards: $6.00 per hour per person. flat rate

* Waivers must be signed for all rentals and tours.

Surrounding attractions for the adventurous travelers:

Guanico Abajo

Approximately a 20 minute drive from Hotel Playa Cambutal, toward Tonosi.

Guanico is peaceful beach known for its surf (best between tides) and as the birth place and destination for many of Panama’s nesting sea turtles. Nearby Playa Marinera is also known for its nesting turtles. Visitors may spot turtles from early July until late December.

On Playa Guanico is a single, but tasty, seafood restaurant which serves up regular fare of chicken and daily local catches; including prawns, shrimp, lobster and various fish.

Isla Canas

Located approximately 40 minutes to an hour, combined driving and boat trip.

This small, Pacific island is a Panamanian national wildlife reserve and home to multiple species of sea turtles that come onshore to lay their eggs from June to December. During the height of turtle nesting season, September and October, a visitor can view hundreds of sea turtles on the beaches. And, with government protection, these eggs lay undisturbed by locals.

Isla Canas offers boat tours to view the various types of birds that live on and off the island, crocodiles, iguanas and different types of mangrove ecosystems all year long. As well as fishing trips, boat and walking tours around the island, and excursions to two archaeological sites in proximity to the island (the House of Stone and an ancient indigenous burial ground).

Isla Iguana

Located about one hour and 30 minutes away by both car and boat, is a wildlife refuge that has a surface area of 130 acres. The island hosts two prominent, stunning white sand beaches.

Isla Iguana is home to many seabirds and marine species, and is another important nesting ground for many species of sea turtles. The surrounding waters are visited every year by two species of whales that migrate, from the cold polar waters to warmer waters in the tropics, to mate. It is an ideal place for snorkeling and diving; where wildly colored tropical coral and fish abound.

Rio Pedregal

Located approximately 30 driving minutes, west of HPC, along the coastline.

Rio Pedregal is a medium sized river that flows down from the surrounding mountains and discharges into the Pacific Ocean. The river is ideal for swimming, with various shallow and deep sections. Locals know that the beach surrounding the river mouth for its shore casting potential. For surfers, the river’s outlet also helps to create an excellent point break, known locally as corto circuito. And for those who prefer to stay dry you can spend your day collecting beautiful drift wood or perfectly round rocks.

Rio Pedregal is an area where you may swim, sunbath, surf, fish, hike and explore, all within a few hundred meters, making it a destination sure to please all those in your traveling group.

Playa Venao

Located approximately one hour driving from Cambutal is the small but busy surf town of Venao. With a great surfing beach break, lots of restaurants and busy nightlife on weekends, Playa Venao is good destination for those looking to socialize and party.

 

MORE INFO, HOW TO GET THERE & FAQ

 

---

JOURNEY

---

Ways to get to the camp

The town of Cambutal is located at the southernmost point of Panama and the Azuero Peninsula in the province of Los Santos. The drive from Panama city takes approximately five to six hours.

Driving Directions:

From Panama City take the Interamerican Highway until you reach Divisa (approximately 3.5 hours drive). Proceed to take a right turn with the fly over. Follow signs to Chitre or Las Tablas. Go through the cities of Chitre and then Las Tablas.

Please note that there are two access roads to get to Cambutal. One goes down the coast via Pedasí and Playa Venao which is the longer route. The second road which goes through the town of Valle Rico, mountains and Tonosi; this being a faster and easier drive as the road is paved and in good condition until Cambutal.

When you reach Las Tablas continue straight through the town, when  you reach the stop sign at the main square continue straight across, you will see a HSBC Bank on your left hand side. Continue down this short street and at the stop sign take another left. You will then take the next right with a sign pointing toward Tonosi.

Contine along the  mountain road until you reach Tonosi (about one hour and half)

When asking for directions, ask people in Las Tablas to direct you to the access road to Tonosi and from Tonosi ask them to direct you to Cambutal.

Drive through the town of Tonosí. This is the last stop to get gas so fill up if you need to. There´s only one main road, take a right at Banco Nacional de Panama and continue on passing the grocery store on the left. You will pass Pension Boamy as you drive on to Cambutal.

It is about 20 minute drive to Cambutal. Remain on the main road and you will drive over three bridges before reaching Cambutal from Tonosi. From here on you just keep driving till you hit the town of Cambutal or the beach. There is only one main road in Cambutal which will take you straight to the beach and the hotel.

Its best to buy a map before the drive (sold at most major supermarkets in Panama City), or ask for directions at the information stand at Tocumen International Airport.

By bus:

It is possible to take a bus from the Albrook Terminal in Panama City to Tonosi. The bus leaves Albrook Terminal at 7:45am and arrives in Tonosi at  apprx 2:00pm. Albrook Terminal also offers services to Chitre and Las Tablas, those buses have several departure schedules throughout the day. Once you reach either of these towns, you may take a mini bus or taxi into Tonosi or Cambutal.

By Car service:

Maxi Taxi Panama: offers car service to Cambutal. 

Lumo Luxury in Motion: offers car service to Cambutal. 

By airplane:

Private charters can be arranged from Panama city into Tonosi. The flight time is approximately 40 minutes. 

---

MORE INFO

---

Hotel Playa Cambutal recommends guest bring with them:

Sun Screen Sun hats Bug spray Long pants and/or shirts for night time as it can get buggy Cash: Currency in Panama is U.S Dollars. We recommend you bring small bills, nothing larger then $20.00. Many establishments in the interior of Panama and Cambutal, will not take bills larger then $20.00. Most establishments will not take credit cards.

 

PACKAGES & PRICES

---

PACKAGE A - ACCOMODATION

---

Beds

Dry Season: Dec 15-April 30

Green Season: May 1-Dec 14

Queen Rooms	$135	$100
Double Rooms	*$135	$100

Prices quoted without tax. Additional 10% lodging government tax will be added at checkout. Breakfast included

*Double rooms are charged $15 extra per person when more than two people are staying in the

room. Children under 10 years of age are exempt from this charge. Breakfast for children under 10 years of age is $3.00 (child sized breakfast).
This package includes:

Hotel Playa Cambutal offers 10 ocean view rooms with a/c and private baths.
Four rooms offer one queen bed and six rooms offer two double beds. Two rooms are adjoining for those guests with families or group of friends.

Hotel Playa Cambutal does its best to respect the planet. By “thinking green” we can save our planet one action at a time. For example:

We are a non smoking facility. In order to conserve water, if you hang your towel, we will not replace it. Sheets will be changed every three days unless you specify otherwise. We refill our shampoo bottles thus avoiding excessive waste. Hair dryers located at front desk. All of our linens are “eco friendly”. Our water heaters are ENERGY STAR rated. Fans are available in our rooms should you opt not to use the a/c. WiFi is available in the lobby for those guests traveling with their computers. According to Law 13 of the Republic of Panama, it is illegal to smoke on hotel and restaurant premises. Infridgement of this law will result in a fine. Smoking guests are welcome to smoke on the street. Coolers are not permitted on hotel grounds, by the pool or on the beach. Coolers are
only permitted in the rooms. Please be advised that Cambutal experiences the occasional
power outages.