Rio Mar & the coast · Panama
Surfing Punta Palmar
A right point in Rio Mar & the coast, Panama, for intermediate and advanced surfers.
Punta Palmar is a right point on the coast west of Panama City, near Rio Mar. It only breaks on a big south-west swell at high tide, and then it throws fast, powerful rights.
Because it doesn't work often, it's usually empty. It's a step up from the softer points nearby and suits confident surfers.
Rio Mar, nearby, is the easier option on smaller days.
When to surf
Punta Palmar
Punta Palmar is at its best from April to October. Conditions it likes: Big S-SW swell, 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 Punta Palmar
Getting there
Where to stay: This coast is an easy 1-1.5h drive from Panama City down the Pan-American Highway, great bus and taxi links. Base at Rio Mar Surf Camp (on the point) or in Coronado/Gorgona for more choice. The road system is among Central America's best, so a rental car makes spot-hopping easy.
Transport, costs, where to stay and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Rio Mar & the coast guide.
Rio Mar & the coast surf guideSurf it often and something here is wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.