With a sandy bottom and no rocks in sight, the main wave breaking left and right year round, a gentle off-shore wind carving almost every wave to perfection, there is little wonder as to why Playa Venao is hailed as Panama’s premier beach break. However, Playa Venao Panama offers so much more than epic waves and one does not have to venture very far back from the shore to discover some of the terrestrial wonders that Playa Venao’s landscape has to offer.

Playa Venao Panama is surrounded by some of the Azuero Peninsula’s largest patches of remnant tropical dry forest: the rarest and most threatened of tropical forest types. These forests house a wealth of plant and animal diversity that is sure to leave visitors wide-eyed and wishing that they had brought along those extra memory cards for their cameras. On an average stroll through the forest one can expect to find troops of Azuero howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata trabeata) languorously browsing on the fruits and leaves of the forest canopy, simply follow the deep throaty howls that echo through the forest! Lucky hikers might even catch a glimpse of troops of feisty Azuero spider monkeys as they brachiate noisily through the tree top banquet of ripe seasonal fruits. Look closely because Panamanian white-throated capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus imitator) can also be seen scurrying from branch to branch as they dine on a feast of fresh fruits, honey and protein-rich seeds.

But don’t spend too much time with your head cranked up towards the canopy or you might not notice Playa Venao’s namesake, the Panamanian white-tailed deer or “venado cola-blanca” (Odocoileus chiriquensis) bounding by. These shy animals once populated this area in massive quantities but, sadly, have been hunted nearly to extinction. Panamanian law protects the shrinking populations, but they still are threatened by illegal poaching and habitat loss. As you watch for that elusive deer, don’t forget about that PB&J you left unguarded in your daypack a few paces back or else a hungry herd of coati-mundi (Nasua narica fanamensis) may turn it into their lunch as they rummage with their long pointy noses through the leaf litter scattered about the forest floor!

Panama is one of the world’s top birding destinations. Luckily, for the ornithologically inclined, Playa Venao Panama happens to be in the flight path of hundreds of species of migratory and resident birds that fly Panama’s friendly skies. Find a comfortable tree root to lean up against and close your eyes to allow the cacophonous orchestra of the tiny forest songsters to melodiously usher forth. Cocoa woodcreepers (Xiphorhynchus picus), pale-vented pigeons (Patagioenas cayenninsis), black-hooded antshrikes (Thamnophilus bridgesi),pale-eyed pygmy tyrants (Atalotriccus pilaris),Tennessee warblers (Vermivora peregrina), keel-billed toucans (Ramphastos sulfuratus), boat-billed flycatchers (Megarhynchus pitangua), plain-breasted ground-doves (Columbina minuta), orange-chinned parakeets (Brotogeris jugularis), rufous-capped warblers (Basileuterus rufifrons), bare-throated tiger herons (Tigrisoma mexicanum), and Azuero painted parakeets (Pyrrhura eisenmanni) are just some of the many species of orniths you can hear chirruping throughout the day. If you are one of the extremely lucky ones, and Jupiter is aligned with Mars’ odd moon, you may even catch a rare glimpse of Panama’s national bird, the Harpy eagle. With just one confirmed sighting in the Azuero over the past several decades, seeing one of these flying feathered dinosaurs would be a most rare and unusual treat. If you think you’ve sighted a rare bird in the Azuero and are able to snap a photo, be sure to send it to the Panama Audobon Society to confirm your sighting (https://www.audubonpanama.org/?lang=en).

I could continue on about Playa Venao’s rich diversity of wildlife, but I think its time I got back to selling real estate. I shouldn’t get started on the green iguanas (Iguana iguana), the black iguanas (Ctenosaura similis), the basilisk or “Jesus” lizards (Basiliscus basiliscus), and definitely not the caymans (Caiman sp.). I’ll leave those homely heliophiles for another post. Suffice it to say that if you want to take a break from the perfect Playa Venao barrels, escape the hot sun and venture into the forest to explore some of Venao’s rich wildlife, all you have to do is walk about faced from the beach armed with a good pair of hiking flip flops, a camera, some binoculars, snacks, and plenty of water.

Panama Equity encourages visitors to enjoy nature responsibly. While visitors may have experience in wilderness areas in other parts of the world, we encourage people to contract local wildlife guides who know the area and who are experts in identifying local flora and fauna. Remember to always maintain a safe distance from wildlife, do not approach or attempt to feed wild animals, as their behavior can be unpredictable and potentially dangerous. For anyone interested in contracting with a reliable guide while at Playa Venao, please message me and I’ll be happy to provide you with more information:  Jonathan@panamaequity.com.

By Jonathan Clay

Panama Equity Real Estate was founded on a commitment to deliver a professional real estate experience to all of our clients. Our real estate agents understand the concept of working hard, working smart, and always doing what’s right. We appreciate the trust that our clients put in us, and are always looking to improve the way we deliver the Panama Equity experience.

What does a professional real estate experience entail?

• Timely responses to your questions
• Accurate and updated market information to base your decisions on
• Setting realistic expectations for your experience buying or selling property in Panama
• Anticipating your needs
• Pairing you with an agent who has an in depth understanding of the real estate market and the parties involved in every sale
• Following up with all parties to ensure a successful transaction and a professional experience for you

Kent Davis (PJ-0752-09)

Kent Davis, founder of Panama Equity Real Estate, is a leading expert in Panama’s competitive real estate market. Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, he holds a Marketing Information Systems degree from James Madison University. After a successful corporate career managing multimillion-dollar inventories at Hajoca Corporation, Kent pursued his dream of living abroad, moving to Panama in 2007.
Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, he established Panama Equity to connect buyers, sellers, and investors with Panama’s top properties. Known for his transparency, expertise, and market insights, Kent has helped hundreds navigate Panama’s real estate landscape. Fluent in Spanish, he frequently publishes market reports to empower clients with informed decisions.
Beyond real estate, Kent is passionate about Panama’s culture, landscapes, and surf-friendly beaches. He lives in Panama with his wife and three sons, embracing the vibrant lifestyle the country offers.