Panama City breaks · Panama
Surfing La Zurda
A left reef in Panama City breaks, Panama, for advanced surfers.
La Zurda is a heavy, hollow left in Panama City that breaks over a ledge, only on a big south swell at the highest tides. It doesn't happen often.
It's for experienced surfers who know the spot. The water is polluted and the neighbourhood isn't safe, so go with local surfers and keep an eye on your things.
It only breaks on a big south swell at the highest tides, a few times a year. It's a wave for experienced local surfers. On normal days, head west to the Rio Mar coast.
When to surf
La Zurda
La Zurda is at its best from April to October. Conditions it likes: Big S swell, very high tide.
April to June: Good
S-SW swell building; the narrow window means it's smaller than Santa Catalina
July to September: Prime
Peak S-SW season, best NZ lows send the optimum ~210° swell; onshore afternoons
October to November: Good
Onshore south winds increasingly dominate late in the season
December to March: Quiet
Dry season, offshore northerlies, but swells are unreliable and often flat
The year across West Panamá Province
Waves near La Zurda
Nuevo Loco
2 kmPanama City breaks · Right Reef · Intermediate / Advanced
Mojon Beach
3 kmPanama City breaks · Beach Break · Beginner / Intermediate
Panamá La Vieja
3 kmPanama City breaks · Beach Break · Beginner
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there
Where to stay: The city breaks are novelties surfed against a colonial-and-skyline backdrop, but suffer from pollution, crowds and localised insecurity, surf the SW coast (Rio Mar) for real quality. Stay in Casco Viejo for atmosphere and the Las Bóvedas wave, but keep valuables secure and avoid dodgy areas at night.
Transport, costs, where to stay and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Panama City breaks guide.
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