If Playa Venao is renowned for its great surf conditions, it is worth mentioning that this is not the only interesting thing to do in this magical place. Playa Venao offers different ways to connect with the animals that are living in this rich land of the Azuero peninsula.
Whether looking for a relaxing activity or to be active, animal lovers have options to meet wildlife while visiting the area of Playa Venao.
Horseback riding
Take a horseback riding tour of the beach and discover the beauty that Playa Venao has to offer. Connect with the horses with the help of an experienced guide. The guide will not only give you safety instructions to enjoy the ride, but also can provide you with useful information as you discover the Venao beach. Horseback riding is a great activity for families looking for a relaxing experience on the beach and connection with nature.
Help to Save the Turtles of Playa Venao
Playa Venao is a special place for many reasons. One of them is that it is the birthplace each year of many sea turtles. As the Olive Ridley turtle is an endangered species, the Save the turtles foundation of Playa Venao deploys great efforts to contribute to protect it. According to the foundation documentation, when sea turtles come to the shores to lay eggs, about only 1 in 1000 hatchlings will survive to adulthood. The main mission of the Save the turtles foundation is to change those odds. They do so in various ways and one of them is to patrol the beach to protect any eggs nests or to securely relocate the eggs to nurseries, where they can be protected from predators, poachers or human activities until birth. The foundation crew will then safely release the babies to the ocean when they are ready.
Make your trip even more meaningful by taking part in the activities held by the Save the Turtles foundation of Playa Venao and actively contribute to help the local wildlife. The beach patrols or other educational activities led by the foundation are great to learn more about the protection and preservation of sea turtles and even to witness parts of the process of the birth of baby turtles.
Whale watching
From July to October, the humpback whales migrate and pass close to the ocean shores around Panama. This gives us the chance, here in the Playa Venao area, to admire their elegance and impressive size. From the Venao beach itself, it is sometimes possible to see some whales on the horizon during the season. There is also the possibility to observe them from closer by taking a whale watching tour.
The tour takes you to only about 10 to 20 minutes by boat from the shore of Pedasi, a small fishing town close to Playa Venao, where the whales usually hang around. Relax, be patient and enjoy the boat ride until the whales come to show off their tails and fins and even possibly to jump. Witness this magnificent animal of over 15 meters long and connect with the blessings of nature here in the Azuero coast. Although it is not possible to guarantee 100% that the whales will show off during the tour, there is a high probability during the season, especially during the month of September.
Fishing
Playa Venao is well known for its tuna fishing, but there’s a lot of other fishes in the sea… Share a great day with loved ones on the water by taking a fishing trip. Many fishing tours are availables for you to live an unforgettable fishing experience. Departing from Cañas, located less than 10 minutes from Playa Venao, the fishing enables you to interact with the ocean for a day and potentially catch fresh fish for your dinner.
Meet the jungle fauna and animals at Eco Venao
Another way to connect with nature and potentially with some wild creatures is to take the hike to the waterfall and viewpoint of the Eco Venao Lodge, located in Playa Venao. During this beginner level hike of about 25 minutes through the jungle, you might observe birds, a variety of insects and some monkeys. At the same time, discover and get to know the vegetation and different kinds of trees in an unspoiled setting. Once at the waterfall, the trail continues up to a viewpoint, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Playa Venao.
To conclude, an important aspect to mention is that the tours and activities suppliers provide services made in a respectuous way towards the wildlife and environment. Please be responsible towards the animals while visiting and make sure that no harm is caused to their habitat. Playa Venao and its biodiversity has a lot to offer in order to have a magical experience, so conscious tourism is a key aspect to protect it.
