Area guide · Los Santos, Azuero
Living in Pedasí & Playa Venao
Pedasí corregimiento (district seat), Pedasí district, Los Santos province. The district has five corregimientos: Pedasí, Los Asientos, Mariabé, Purio and Oria Arriba. This guide covers the town and its nearby beaches (El Arenal, El Toro, Los Destiladeros) and Playa Venao, about 30 km by road to the west. Cañas and Cambutal belong to the Tonosí district. Las Tablas is about 43 km by road to the north and La Villa de Los Santos, the other Azuero area in this guide, about 62 km in a straight line.
What is it like to live in Pedasí?
Pedasí is the seat of the Pedasí district, at the southeastern tip of the Azuero peninsula (Los Santos province). Founded in 1840 as a fishing village, it is now Azuero's best-known beach destination: the "Tuna Coast" for sport fishing, Isla Iguana, humpback whales from July to October and Playa Venao, host of the 2011 and 2012 World Surfing Games. The town has about 3,000 residents and a growing community of retirees, surfers and expats.
What sells most is land and houses, not apartments. In November 2026, lots in and around town (about 1,000–1,500 m²) were listed at $35,000–$75,000, town houses at $80,000–$295,000, and beach homes in Venao, El Toro, Andromeda or Los Destiladeros from $395,000 to over $2 million. Very few long-term rentals are listed ($800–$3,900).
Before moving: water is the big issue (IDAAN wells with shortages every dry season and sectors without service for days in 2026), the hospital with specialists is in Las Tablas, and the 9 October 2026 earthquake damaged hotels in Playa Venao. In exchange: a dry, sunny climate, beaches minutes away and small-town life.
Pros
- Beaches minutes from town, Isla Iguana, surfing at Playa Venao, kitesurfing, whales and sport fishing.
- Dry-arc climate: one of the sunniest and driest in Panama (25–27 °C on average).
- Lots from ~$35,000 and town houses from ~$80,000 in November 2026 listings.
- Friendly community of Panamanians and expats, lots of restaurants for a small town and daily flights to Albrook.
Things to know
- Water shortages: IDAAN's well system cannot keep up in the dry season and in 2026 some sectors went days without water; ask about a reserve tank or private well.
- Limited health care: the town health center handles emergencies, but specialists and the hospital are in Las Tablas or Chitré.
- The 9 October 2026 earthquake damaged hotels in Playa Venao and a bridge over the Oria river: get a structural inspection before buying.
- Few long-term rentals, no big supermarkets and a very crowded high season (Carnival, dry season, holidays).
Reference prices · November 2026
Apartments for rent in Pedasí: prices
| Type | Asking range /month | Most common |
|---|---|---|
| Furnished 1-bedroom apartment (Pedasí) | $800 | — |
| 2-bedroom apartment (Ocean Waves, Pedasí) | $1,200 | — |
| 2–3 bedroom beach house (Andromeda, Playa Venao) | $1,700 – $3,900 | — |
Apartments and houses for sale in Pedasí: prices
| Type | Asking range |
|---|---|
| Lot in and around town (~270–1,500 m²) | $35,000 – $75,000 (Seven lots on Casas24 (mostly 1,000–1,500 m²). Lots of 2,000–5,000 m² asked $80,000–150,000; beachfront, from $250,000.) |
| House in and around town (1–3 bedrooms) | $80,000 – $295,000 (House in the center $80,000; 2-bedroom houses on large lots $129,500–130,000; new 1–2 bedroom houses $199,000–209,000; 3 bedrooms $295,000 (Casas24).) |
| 1–2 bedroom apartment | $145,000 – $655,000 (In town $145,000–150,000 (Ocean Waves); in Playa Venao $365,000–655,000 (Blue Venao and beachfront) (Casas24).) |
| Beach house (Venao, El Toro, Andromeda, Destiladeros) | $395,000 – $2,200,000 (2–3 bedrooms from $395,000 (Venao) and $450,000 (El Toro, new); 3 bedrooms with ocean view $575,000–750,000; 4–6 bedrooms $849,000–2,200,000 (Casas24).) |
Asking prices in the Pedasí district listings on Casas24 (Encuentra24 network) that we reviewed on 3 November 2026: 33 houses and 8 apartments for sale, 39 lots and farms, and only 4 rentals. We excluded houses in Cañas (Tonosí district) that the portal groups with Playa Venao. They are not closing prices or an appraisal; before buying, check whether the property is titled or rights-of-possession.
Sources (listings checked in November 2026): Casas24 – casas en venta en Pedasí (3 nov 2026), Casas24 – terrenos y fincas en Pedasí (3 nov 2026), Casas24 – apartamentos en venta en Pedasí (3 nov 2026), Casas24 – casas en alquiler en Pedasí (3 nov 2026), Casas24 – apartamentos en alquiler en Pedasí (3 nov 2026), Panama Properties – Pedasí Area Guide (oct 2026).
Getting around Pedasí
- Bus: Pedasí–Las Tablas every 30–45 minutes (5:30 am–4:30 pm towards Las Tablas; about 40 minutes, ~$2.50–3), and in Las Tablas buses to Albrook terminal leave hourly (~$9.50–9.70, about 4 hours). Schedules per the Pedasí community directory: they change often.
- Air: FlyTrip flies Albrook–Pedasí in about 45 minutes every day (October 2026 schedule: Mon-Wed-Fri-Sun 8:45 am and 3:00 pm; Tue-Thu-Sat 3:00 pm). By car, 4.5–5 hours from the capital; private and shared shuttles also run.
- Local: taxis at the stand by Super Centro El Pueblo, the Pedasí–Playa Venao–Cañas bus and car and scooter rentals. To live by the beaches or in Venao you need a car in practice.
Utilities in Pedasí
- 💡Electricity
- Naturgy (Edemet)
Naturgy (EDEMET, "Interior Zone"): the Pedasí (seat) corregimiento appears in its official concession-area table ("Rural Concentrated"), as do Los Asientos, Mariabé, Purio and Oria Arriba ("Rural Very Dispersed"). - 🚰Water
- IDAAN IDAAN, with well water. Pedasí has chronic shortages: in February 2026 some sectors (Santa Catalina, Calle Arriba, El Naranjal, part of the center) went more than five days without water and IDAAN delivered by tanker truck (TVN); in June 2026 new wells were being drilled and in September the problem persisted (National Assembly). The municipality requires new projects to secure their own water source. Ask whether the house has a reserve tank or well, and plan for a filter or bottled water. IDAAN's rate in Los Santos is not the Panamá-Colón table in our calculator: check.
- 📶Internet & phone
- +Móvil (Cable & Wireless Panamá) · Tigo Panamá
Panama's two operators; fiber depends on the building: check your address with each. - 🔥Gas
- Tropigas · Panagas
25 lb cylinders in houses (Tropigas, Panagas). The capped price of the 25 lb cylinder in Los Santos is not the Panama City price we show: check locally. - 🗑️Garbage collection
- Aseo del Municipio de Pedasí
Pedasí district: collection is run by the Municipality of Pedasí (not the AAUD). Fee and days: check.
Estimate my monthly cost Utilities guide: how to set up electricity, water, gas and internet →
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Properties in Pedasí
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Condo buildings (PH) and gated communities in Pedasí
Each building and gated community has its own page with verified amenities (pool, gym, 24-hour security, gatehouse, backup generator…), map, nearby places and the homes brokers list there.
Places in Pedasí
Schools, supermarkets, clinics, transport and more: each category has its own page and each place its own page with prices (when published), hours, sources and map.
Schools in Pedasí
- C.E.B.G. Bilingüe Plinio A. Moscoso — Public school, K to 6th grade. Free (MEDUCA). ~0.4 km from the center.
- Instituto Plinio Antonio Moscoso — Public school, 7th to 12th grade. Free (MEDUCA). ~0.4 km from the center.
Supermarkets in Pedasí
- Super Centro El Pueblo (Pedasí) — Downtown mini-supermarket. OSM hours: daily 6:00–21:00 (confirm). ~0.2 km from the center.
- Mini Super Venao (Playa Venao) — Mini-supermarket in Playa Venao. Hours: check. ~21.0 km from the center.
Transport in Pedasí
- Piquera de buses Pedasí–Las Tablas — Bus to Las Tablas every 30–45 min (5:30–16:30). ~$2.50–3 (confirm). ~0.1 km from the center.
- Aeropuerto Capitán Justiniano Montenegro (Pedasí) — FlyTrip flights to Albrook (~45 min). Fare: check. ~2.0 km from the center.
- Terminal de transporte de Las Tablas — Hourly buses to Panama City (~$9.50–9.70). Confirm. ~38.4 km from the center.
Gyms & sports in Pedasí
- Pedasí Fitness Club — Air-conditioned gym, 6:00–22:00. Rate: check. ~1.0 km from the center.
Parks & recreation in Pedasí
- Parque Central de Pedasí e Iglesia Santa Catalina — Town square and church. Free access. ~0.1 km from the center.
- Playa El Arenal (El Bajadero) — Beach and boat landing for Isla Iguana. Free access. ~3.3 km from the center.
- Refugio de Vida Silvestre Isla Iguana — Refuge with beach and snorkeling. Entry $4 nationals/residents, $10 foreigners. ~11.4 km from the center.
- Playa El Toro — Beach close to town. Free access. ~2.6 km from the center.
- Playa Los Destiladeros — Quiet beach to the south. Free access. ~8.9 km from the center.
- Playa Venao — Surf beach, dogs allowed (PFP). Free access. ~21.4 km from the center.
Clinics & health in Pedasí
- MINSA-CAPSI de Pedasí (Hospital de Pedasí) — Public health center with 24 h emergency room (confirm). ~1.5 km from the center.
- Farmacia Edith — Pharmacy, daily 7:00–23:00 (confirm). ~0.1 km from the center.
- Hospital Joaquín Pablo Franco Sayas (Las Tablas) — Public hospital with X-ray and CT. Emergency care: check. ~39.4 km from the center.
Restaurants in Pedasí
- Bohemia (Pedasí) — Italian. ~$20 per person (Degusta). ~0.2 km from the center.
- El Chichemito — Local food. Tue–Sun 10:00–21:00. Price: check. ~0.3 km from the center.
- Terry-Desty Beach — French / beach. ~$23 per person (Degusta). ~9.0 km from the center.
- Pizza Gavilán (Playa Venao) — Pizza. ~$20 per person (Degusta). ~21.1 km from the center.
- La Quincha (Playa Venao) — Panamanian–Spanish · dog friendly. ~$24 per person (Degusta). ~21.1 km from the center.
- Villa Marina Bistro (Playa Venao) — International and Panamanian · dog friendly. ~$25 per person (Degusta). ~21.1 km from the center.
Pet friendly
- Playa Venao — Surf beach, dogs allowed (PFP). Free access. ~21.4 km from the center.
- La Quincha (Playa Venao) — Panamanian–Spanish · dog friendly. ~$24 per person (Degusta). ~21.1 km from the center.
- Villa Marina Bistro (Playa Venao) — International and Panamanian · dog friendly. ~$25 per person (Degusta). ~21.1 km from the center.
🐾 Pet friendly
Pet-friendly Pedasí
Playa Venao is listed on Pet Friendly Panamá as a dog-friendly beach, and Venao has restaurants marked dog friendly. The town has vets and a pet store; houses with yards are common. If you need a rental that accepts pets, tell us in your request.
Neighboring areas
Living in La Villa de Los Santos
La Villa de Los Santos corregimiento (district seat), Los Santos district, Los Santos province. It lies on the south bank of the La Villa river, which separates it from Chitré (Herrera); downtown Chitré is about 3.5 km in a straight line and the highway continues south to Guararé and Las Tablas. Its southeastern neighbor is El Ejido, home of the Anita Moreno Regional Hospital. No other area in this guide borders La Villa; the other Azuero area in this guide is Pedasí, about 62 km in a straight line.
Rent in La Villa de Los Santos · Buy in La Villa de Los Santos · Area guide →
Pedasí FAQ
How much does a lot or a house cost in Pedasí?
In the listings reviewed in November 2026, lots of about 1,000–1,500 m² in and around town asked $35,000–$75,000; town houses $80,000–$295,000; and beach homes in Venao, El Toro, Andromeda or Los Destiladeros from $395,000 to $2.2 million. These are asking prices, not closing prices.
Are there water problems in Pedasí?
Yes. Pedasí is supplied by IDAAN wells that fall short in the dry season: in February 2026 some sectors went more than five days without water and got tanker deliveries, in June new wells were being drilled and in September 2026 the problem persisted. It is a supply problem, different from the La Villa river pollution that affects Chitré and La Villa. Before buying or renting, ask whether the house has a reserve tank or private well.
Which company supplies electricity in Pedasí?
Naturgy, through EDEMET: the Pedasí corregimiento and the rest of the district appear in its official concession-area table. It is the same distributor as in La Villa de Los Santos and western Panama City.
How do you get to Pedasí from Panama City?
By car, 4.5–5 hours. By bus, Albrook to Las Tablas (~$9.50) and then the local bus to Pedasí (~40 minutes). By air, FlyTrip flies from Albrook in about 45 minutes every day.
How was Pedasí affected by the October 2026 earthquake?
The 9 October 2026 earthquake damaged hotels in Playa Venao and a bridge over the Oria river, and caused minor damage to the health center. On 27 October the mayor said the district was among the least affected in terms of homes and is ready for tourists. If you buy, get a structural inspection.
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