Casa Kenia

Getting to Santa Catalina is fairly easy, although it is a long trip. If you are arriving from Panamá City, there are 3  basic options: Bus, taxi, rental car. Taxi is by far the easiest, although costly, generally $175 US + each way. The bus system is very good; efficient and inexpensive (hauling all of your gear for little or no extra charge). From the National Terminal in the old Albrook Air Force base, take the San Isidro bus line for a trip direct to Sona, about a 5 hour trip, including a 30 minute rest/meal stop, cost $9 US. In Soná, you can take a bus to Santa Catalina, departures at 5:00 am, 11:20am,  and 4:00 pm; cost $4.65,  You can also get a taxi from Sona, quicker, for $25+. If driving, take the Interamerican Highway from Panama City to Santiago, about a 3 hour drive.

When you arrive in Santiago, you have two options.  1) You can drive through the center of town or 2) continue on the Panamerican hwy turing off at the entrance to La Peña.  1) As you come into Santiago from the Interamerican Hwy look for a KFC and a Mc Donnalds on the right side of the hyw.  There will be a yellow Shell Gas Station on your left just before you reach the two above mentioned fast food joints.  Make a left into the Shell station.  Drive through the station to its other side.  Turn right out of the station.  This street will take you through the heart of Santiago, turning into a one way street.  Continue to its end.  You will pass a Cathedral (the church will be on your right) and come to a stop at the rear of the cathedral. Turn right here and then left at the next intersection. The wall of the building on the corner is well marked for Sta. Catalina.  Follow this road for about 45 kilometers, almost to the town of Soná. The turnoff for Santa Catalina is well marked with the towns of San Lorenzo, Guarumal, Los Amarillos, etc. (the name Santa Catalina may be missing/hard to see here. ) Turn left at the intersection where there is another Shell gas station (best to fill up your tank here). Take this road for another 45 kilometers, then turn left at the town of El Tigre Amarillo. This turn is also well marked. You will then follow this road for 20 kilometers to the end: welcome to Santa Catalina!  As you enter town you will find two speed bumps right in front of the town grade school!  Continue another 50mts.  At the next intersection you will see a pink two story building with two public telephone booths out front on your left.  Across the street, on your right, there will be a light/electrical pole with a small sign indicating the entrance to Casa Kenia.  The entrance is in front of the pole as you are coming in. 
Drive safely, esp. at night.  There is currently lots of road construction between Santiago and Soná not to mention plenty of pot holes along the way.  Once you turn left at the town of Tigre de los Amarrilos, you will be passing three or four small towns before arriving.  Go slow around here as people are used to using the road to walk, bike, or just hang out in.  Also watch for cows, horses, and chickens crossing at unexpected times.  If you are coming from Costa Rica, you need to follow the Interamerican Highway to Santiago, then follow the previous directions to Santa Catalina. Have a great trip!

If you don't have to stop in Santiago option two may be a bit easier. 2) Continue through Santiago on the Panamerican Hwy.  Aprox. 15-20min passed Santiago there will be a turn off on your left for the small town of La Peña.  There is a bus stop bench with a sign that simply reads 'Veraguas' at the entrance on the on coming traffic side of the street.  Go slow, it can be easy to miss.  Turn left and go on this road through the town of La Peña.  At the end, where you either go left or right (not straight) turn right.  You will be on your way to Soná.  From here follow the same directions detailed above.

Remember that there are no banks or ATM's in Santa Catalina.  There is one ATM/Bank in Soná and plenty in Santiago.  Currently, Casa Kenia does not accept checks or credit cards.

Cell coverage in the area is still a bit spotty but mostly reliable.  There is a small internet café in town that operates vía satelite signal.