Jeff Schmerker
Beach-end seclusion
Playa Venao is the site of an intensive push to develop what was recently basically a wilderness beach on Panama's Azuero Peninsula. Venao is one of the nicest beaches on the entire Central American Pacific coast and is good for surfing. While the east end of the beach is seeing denser development, Venao Cove, on the western end, is for now a quiet spot. This hostel has a handful of homes for rent, a few simple double rooms with en suite, and dorm beds. Amenities are simple -- there is a kitchen and tiny store (with cheap beer) but no brekkie and even towels must be rented. However, take a few steps from the communal open air den down to the beach and you'll forget about that $2 towel fee.
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